Monthly Archives: February 2015

Feb
19
2015

Raspberry Pi 2 model B

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Today was the day I received the latest Raspberry Pi, the version 2, model B.  This version is a significant upgrade from the version 2, model B+ with a 4 core processor and 1GB of memory.  Same footprint as the v1 B+ so all the cases that accommodate the B+ will also accommodate the new version 2.  And the speed is notable over my original v1 B (256mB memory, single core processor).

All storage on the low cost Raspberry Pi is via an SD or micro SD card (the original was an SD card, the B+ version changed to microSD and is retained for the v2 B).  So it is somewhat slow, but very acceptable.

Using a concept called NOOBS (New Out of the Box System), one can choose which of several operating systems to install on the microSD card.  I chose the Raspbian Operating System, a Debian Wheezy variant.

Setup is fairly easy…put the Raspberry Pi in a case for protection, connect keyboard and mouse to the USB ports, connect a display via the HDMI port, and connect power.  Networking via a cable is available too, or one can use a USB plug-in for Wi-Fi.  All-in-all for $35 for the Pi (add for shipping), about $8 to $20 for a case, and a few dollars for the microSD (8BG probably the minimum) and you’re ready to start.

Using the network connection, I installed a LAMP stack, and after struggling with learning Linux commands (again), the web site was up and running as the test files demonstrated.

Microsoft is indicating that a version of Windows 10 will be made available soon for the Pi v2 for developers/makers to develop under the Internet-Of-Things umbrella.  and I wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft gave away the Pi to attendees at the Build Conference coming up in late April.

I ordered my Pi from Newark Electronics and the other items from Amazon.  The Pi took about 2+ weeks to arrive since I ordered it on the first day of release thanks to trade press announcements.  Although Pi production moved to the UK shortly after the original design, the box of the new Pi 2 said “Made in the PRC”.

CASE: From a variety of cases available on Amazon I selected the FLIRC case.  Basically a case metalic shell with plastic bottom and a nice top.  While not transparent like some of the plastic cases, it is really nice.  A little expensive at about $19 than the $8 plastic cases, but it is very nice looking and helps dissipate any heat build up. (Note: I originally paid $13 for the case and over the two weeks Amazon moved the price to $17 then to $19, back to $17, and back to $19). My rating for the FLIRC case design for Raspberry Pi 2 — 5 out of 5 stars.

HDMI to VGA:  To use a conventional LCD monitor, the video needs to convert the HDMI to VGA, I’m using a dongle from Ableconn (about $18).  Easy to connect to the VGA cable and mate the HDMI end on the Pi. My rating for the Ablecon dongle for Raspberry Pi 2 — 5 out of 5 stars.

Wi-Fi: Although the Pi has a 10/100 ethernet port, I wanted to “cut the cord” so I can play with the Pi anyplace in the house.  The Edimax small footprint wi-fi plug-in appeared in many pictures of the various Pi projects.  So I gave it a try (about $9) and have NOT been disappointed.  With the 4 USB ports on the Pi it doesn’t consume a lot of space (in the original Pi, there were only 2 USB ports, the B+ and now v2 B have 4 ports). My rating for the Edimax wi-fi dongle for Raspberry Pi 2 — 5 out of 5 stars.

Operating System: As mentioned, I’m using Raspbian Linux, a Debian variant. It has the various Linux components one needs to begin immediately, but Linux itself requires some discipline and it is different from Windows such as case sensitivity for file names and folders.  Also, the default web browser doesn’t display sites the same way as other browsers display the same page.    My rating for the Raspian OS for Raspberry Pi 2 — 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

  • Really small foot print!
  • Much improved capability especially memory and speed
  • Easy to install operating system
  • VERY cost effective, about $35
  • The Pi is intended to help stimulate learning about computer technology and it clearly enables this vision
  • A future capability to run a variant of Windows 10…awesome

Cons:

  • Linux, in general, requires somewhat more skills and discipline than people may be used to
  • In spite of the hardware upgrades, performance is still a little slow, especially when editing and loading web pages in the browser…acceptable yes, but a little slow

Overall rating for the Raspberry Pi 2 — 4 out of 5 stars; overall cost effectiveness of the Raspberry Pi 2 — 5 out of 5 stars.

Note: Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items…but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner.

Additional Note: This Blog post was written on the Raspberry Pi v2 model B.

Feb
17
2015

An iPad Tale

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Several years ago, in my role as an Enterprise Architect, we began to see a demand from various business components to leverage use of the growing popularity of Apple’s iPad in another example of consumer driven IT.  At the same time, Apple started to introduce the iPad2 making the iPad1 available at a discount.  Additionally, leveraging an additional discount for a refurbished model, I acquired an iPad1.

And so began my discovery of iPad technology.  I used the iPad as a note taking platform during several conferences and discovered some of the quirks of the Apple IOS operating system.  Unlike Windows and even the Android platforms, IOS does not have a visible file structure!  I did not realize this until I was at a conference taking notes with the iPad note application…a full day’s notes were instantly vaporized with some keystroke sequence I accidentally activated. Up until that time, I was sending the notes back home via e-mail (apparently the only way to preserve them) at the end of the day…lesson learned, do it hourly! (I believe you can also deposit the contents in Dropbox, but I’m not a big user of this service).

As I learned more about the iPad technology I configured it with various news applications as well as the solitaire application.  It served me well as a browser to catch up with the morning news, to pass the time.  At some point, my e-mail settings got lost and while I was able to read my e-mails, I could not send any…not much of a loss for my use.

As time goes on, Apple upgraded the IOS operating system from v5 to versions 7 and 8.  However, the iPad1 was limited to version 5.x.  As Apple introduced newer versions of the iPad and other IOS devices, applications began to leverage new capabilities of IOS especially v7.x.  Applications on the iPad1 gradually became obsolete and could no longer be upgraded.  Also, applications often crashed the operating system, especially with embedded content using pictures…in essence, my iPad1 was doing its equivalent to a “blue screen of death.”

Wanting to keep somewhat current with iPad-like technology, I sought out newer options.  First off, it had to run IOS v7 or v8.  I didn’t need all the latest features, and I wanted to manage the cost.  Apple had introduced the iPad Mini and currently has 3 generations of such.  I looked at both the iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Mini 2.  I found the screen size acceptible and the high resolution of the screen (“retina”) was nice.  I didn’t need the regular sized iPad (9″) and the smaller Mini was workable for my needs.  I settled on the iPad Mini 2, searched for refurbished or sale and found a good price at a local Microcenter computer store.

IOS hasn’t changed in some functionality limitations I’ve seen before – no visible file system.  But the smaller sized iPad Mini 2 was easy to carry, held its battery charge reasonably well, my applications ported over easy.  Additionally I was able to set up the e-mail accounts, so my reading e-mails was maintained…but in addition, I figured out how to sent e-mails although the iPad is not my primary approach to sending e-mails.

As with my previous iPad1 note taking, the ability to take notes with some formatting – like bullets – is not possible; one must use various manual characters to simulate bullets (such as a “*”), then e-mail the content, then copy into a more suitable word processor.

Pros:

  • Small size…can sometimes fit in a big pants pocked.
  • Cloud file storage available … Apple cloud and applications for Microsoft One Drive.
  • Screen resolution really good.
  • Application ecosystem very good…some nice utilities not readily available in other ecosystems.
  • Suitable for a consumption device

Cons:

  • IOS continues to frustrate with no file visibility
  • Cannot see local network attached storage/file systems
  • Pictures from the camera have to be e-mailed vice just moved to storage (I believe it can be moved to Apple’s cloud, but it cannot be moved to One Drive; I shun having to have a Microsoft Cloud,  Apple Cloud, Dropbox, Box, and an Android Cloud to use the various operating systems and features)
  • Printing on home-bound printers not easy (I haven’t mastered it yet…not sure it is possible)
  • Not really suitable for anything other than a consumption device; limited note-taking is possible.

Overall rating for the iPad Mini 2 — 1 out of 5 stars.

 

Note: Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items...but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner.

Feb
15
2015

Lenovo Thinkpad 11e (Part 2 – Chrome Operating System

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Note:  In any assessment of operating systems and application suites. YOUR functional use is the most important factor.  Some people need high performance, some don’t; some people need sophisticated applications, some can easily use simple applications;.  It all depends on one’s needs.  These products are viewed from the perspective of my usage and needs.

I’ve used the Lenovo Thinkpad 11e for several months now and continue to like the platform itself.  However, I don’t fully enjoy (appreciate) the Chrome Operating System for my needs.  I need to emphasize that my opinion of Chrome is as it applies to my specific use and needs, not the totality of the operating system.

First off, one must be connected to the Internet and logged into Google to make good use of the Chrome OS it is a browser-based operation including the multitude of applications available via the Google Store.  So if you’re in an area where no network connection is available, all that hardware you’re tugging around is non-functional since all the applications leverage the Chrome Browser (which by itself is not bad and definitely better than most versions of Internet Explorer I’ve used); and of course any browser requires Internet connectivity.

Unlike the Apple IOS, Chrome does a visible file system and permits storage of files locally or in the Google cloud.   While connectivity to other clouds – such as Microsoft’s OneDrive – is possible, operating on a document in OneDrive requires moving that file locally or to the Google Cloud in order to operate on it.

Applications for the ChromeOS are somewhat limited.  When compared with the applications available for the Android operating system, the number/kinds of applications available for the Chrome OS are limited – although a few “local” utilities are available.

Even with network connectivity to the Internet at home, I have not found it possible to access files stored on local network attached storage.

Additionally, I haven’t been able to print documents on my network connected printers (haven’t tried locally connected printer either).  Supposedly there is a way to connect to your home printers if they are connected to the Internet via a Google Cloud Printing service — but so far it seems too complicated and I have not evaluated the security implications.

Pros:

  • Small foot print
  • Local and Cloud file storage
  • File visibility
  • Suitable functionality for browsing and simple office-style operations (word processing, spread sheets, presentations).
  • Given its limits, it makes “corruption” of the environment much, much harder to accomplish, providing a safer environment from maltreatment. (probably why a greater acceptance in the education community)

Cons:

  • Requires connection to the Internet for almost all functional use.
  • Limited application suite as compared with other operating systems
  • Printing on home-bound printers not easy
  • Difficult to move files to home-based network accessible storage

Overall rating for the Chrome Operating System — 2 out of 5 stars.