The Raspberry Pi

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just ordered one of these:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/

I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with it, but I think I might've just found the solution for my permanent JMRI rig.

[victor miranda]

you can show me how to do it!

I think you can use it for most anything computer based.

what one did you order?
when I first went looking none were to be found.

they seem plentiful as 'kits' of one sort or another.
I have to wonder If I want a 40 dollar power supply however...

victor

[Ian MacMillan]

Wow I haven't kept up with this project in a while. Did you get the A or B Ed?


I was looking at getting one to run jmri as well and another to run Android for show presentations on a monitor. Have you seen the Cyntech cases yet?

[C855B]

Maybe it's a stupid question... but will JMRI run OK without a JVM? Looking through the specs RaspberryPi doesn't have the JVM engine yet.

[C855B]

*Please note that due to extreme demand and short supply, the estimated delivery time is uncertain and will likely take several months. We do regret the delay and inconvenience this may cause.

Hmm. Ed, were you given a delivery commitment?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

what one did you order?
when I first went looking none were to be found.

I got mine here: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/83-14421 don't forget to get the SD card with the OS on it too.
It's backordered, but I don't mind waiting.

they seem plentiful as 'kits' of one sort or another.
I have to wonder If I want a 40 dollar power supply however...

I believe you can use a droid charger to power it too. That's my plan.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow I haven't kept up with this project in a while. Did you get the A or B Ed?

I was looking at getting one to run jmri as well and another to run Android for show presentations on a monitor. Have you seen the Cyntech cases yet?

I got a B (http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/83-14421), and my first thought was "JMRI Box" too. Now I just need a cheapy display, and maybe a cool case. I hadn't looked at any of those yet though.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Maybe it's a stupid question... but will JMRI run OK without a JVM? Looking through the specs RaspberryPi doesn't have the JVM engine yet.

I'm hoping so!

I figure, by the time mine arrives, Java may show up on it.

I did get a delivery commitment from these folks: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/83-14421

[C855B]

Truthfully, while it's always fun to dabble with these cheap/small computers, for dedicated JMRI it's sorta hard to beat the old MacBook my sister gave me to get it out of her way. JMRI doesn't need the latest-greatest 8-core box - there are lots of older laptops and compact desktops that will run it without breaking a sweat. Heck, for that matter I ought to dig out the 1st-gen Apple TV I hacked to run a stripped OS X and see if JMRI+JVM+OS will run in 256MB. Hmmmmmmm...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Mine arrived today.
Ironically, the same day I got my hands on an old G5 Mac Pro which may now end up being my at home JMRI rig.

That said, I'm looking at what trouble I can now get into with a tiny computer.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also, looks like JMRI might happen: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/java/raspberrypi-1704896.html

[Ian MacMillan]

Nice!

I use an "old" Toshiba netbook to run my JMRI server. Small and works perfect.

Also, looks like JMRI might happen: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/java/raspberrypi-1704896.html

+1. Gonna try this.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yeah, I usually use my "attached to my hip" Macbook Pro and I just came into a pair of surplus machines from the office, but I like the idea of a computer I could mount to the layout.

I mean, hell, look at this: http://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/34/how-can-i-control-an-rc-servo.

These things are also small enough to fit into an O scale locomotive. Add a battery and a little work, and you now have a wifi controlled locomotive for less than the cost of a decoder.

[John]

The jmri group is already working on porting it over ..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awesome. I wasn't aware (I don't keep good enough tabs on the list).