[ale] How useful is Raspbian for Newbie Learning Linux?

Fri Jan 8 15:47:47 EST 2021

Yeh, raspbian in particular is basically debian, a popular Linux distro
with all the bells an' whistles (I'm typing this reply on my Debian desktop
machine).
One of the great things about using an RPi is its size -- the whole OS fits
handily on a 16 gb card, so backup and restore of the entire thing is
pretty feasible from a desktop PC.  Screw it up entirely and can't find
your way out?  Just restore!

I always kind of wonder what 'learning linux' entails.  To me at least, it
means being comfortable at the command line and having a working knowledge
of Linux directory structure and administrative tasks (e.g. adding and
removing users, connecting to wifi, mass storage setup, software
installation from a repository, and perhaps setting up the webserver of
your choice). Command line comfort means being able to troubleshoot simple
problems (e.g. setting ${PATH} correctly), familiarity with at least one
text editor (e.g. pico, vi, or emacs) and the ability to write at least a
few lines of the shell of your choice to automate common tasks, like
editing the next chapter of your novel or firing up your favorite DAW
software.  Raspbian comes pre-configured to Just Work, but you can easily
dive into this stuff from there. Familiarity with Raspbian will be really
handy for setting up Debian (and vice-versa).  Most other distros differ
only in what my daughter calls "buttonology".

I've taught several iterations of a three-hour "Intro to Raspberry Pi"
class using Rasbian. We go through some basic setup tasks, connect to a
local network, and create some simple ways to control an LED from a
browser. One other cool thing about the Pi is that the hardware is right
close to the OS.  Talking to the digital I/O pins is easy-peasy even from
the command line (you basically just echo a "1" or a "0" to a device).
That puts all kinds of entertaining projects within reach of the average
basement hacker.

-- CHS

On Thu, Jan 7, 2021 at 11:49 PM Chuck Payne via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:

> Useful. I won't worry about, messing with another distro or hardware
> until you get the basic down. Raspberry OS is perfect for that. Think
> about this, for the cost, it pennies compared to install on a desktop
> or laptop. You don't have to worry about do I have the correct drivers
> for my wifi or will I lose my Windows install if you try to do a dual
> boot.
>
> $45 for Pi4 with 4 Gigs, is a good desktop. There are limits, but to
> again to get the basic how to use linux it great.
>
> On Thu, Jan 7, 2021 at 11:16 PM Boris Borisov via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:
> >
> > Yep besides running small size computer there is nothing small about
> Raspbian. You can do almost everything on it. Probably cannot use it as VM
> host but that is particular use.
> >
> > On Thu, Jan 7, 2021, 23:04 Byron Jeff via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Both. Raspian is a complete Linux distribution that targets the pi. Also
> >> there are others.
> >>
> >> What specific commands are you planning on learning? Just curious.
> >>
> >> BAJ
> >>
> >> On Thu, Jan 07, 2021 at 08:14:30PM -0500, electrophic wrote:
> >> >    Jeff, are you saying that Raspbian is a full version of Linux or
> that
> >> >    one can load a full version of Linux as an alternative to Raspbian?
> >> >
> >> >    Sent from my Galaxy
> >> >
> >> >    -------- Original message --------
> >> >    From: Byron Jeff <byronjeff at clayton.edu>
> >> >    Date: 1/7/21 7:31 PM (GMT-05:00)
> >> >    To: Mark Ogilvie <electrophic at gmail.com>, Atlanta Linux
> Enthusiasts
> >> >    <ale at ale.org>
> >> >    Subject: Re: [ale] How useful is Raspbian for Newbie Learning
> Linux?
> >> >
> >> >    It isn't a subset. There are full Linux distributions for the
> Raspberry
> >> >    Pi.
> >> >    The only thing is that you have to work out your connectivity.
> You'll
> >> >    need
> >> >    a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and power supply to get it going.
> >> >    BAJ
> >> >    On Thu, Jan 07, 2021 at 07:27:11PM -0500, Mark Ogilvie via Ale
> wrote:
> >> >    >    How useful is Raspbian as a tool for a beginner who wants to
> learn
> >> >    >    Linux commands?
> >> >    >    I have other options, so I don't want to spend too much time
> on it
> >> >    if
> >> >    >    it is not full-featured, a subset of standard Linux OS.
> Thanks!
> >> >    > _______________________________________________
> >> >    > Ale mailing list
> >> >    > Ale at ale.org
> >> >    > https://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> >> >    > See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
> >> >    > http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
> >> >    --
> >> >    Byron A. Jeff
> >> >    Associate Professor: Department of Computer Science and Information
> >> >    Technology
> >> >    College of Information and Mathematical Sciences
> >> >    Clayton State University
> >> >    http://faculty.clayton.edu/bjeff
> >>
> >> --
> >> Byron A. Jeff
> >> Associate Professor: Department of Computer Science and Information
> Technology
> >> College of Information and Mathematical Sciences
> >> Clayton State University
> >> http://faculty.clayton.edu/bjeff
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Ale mailing list
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> >> https://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
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> >> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
> >
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>
>
>
> --
> Terror PUP a.k.a
> Chuck "PUP" Payne
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