Raspberry Pi For Dummies, 4th Edition

Raspberry Pi For Dummies, 4th Edition

by Sean McManus, Mike Cook
Released August 2021
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119796824

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Book description

A recipe for having fun and getting things done with the Raspberry Pi 

The Raspberry Pi makes it easy to learn about computers and computer programming, and Raspberry Pi For Dummies makes it even easier! Using this extremely affordable and compact computer, you can learn to code in languages like Scratch and Python, explore how electronics work, create computer-generated buildings in Minecraft and music in Sonic Pic, become Linux-savvy, make Internet-of-Things devices, or just play around! This book gets you up and running on your Raspberry Pi, starting with setting it up, downloading the operating system, and using the desktop environment. Then, the only limit is your imagination! It doesn’t matter whether you have a Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi 400, Raspberry Pi Zero W or an older model: we’ve got you covered. 

Raspberry Pi For Dummies explores the latest technology—the Raspberry Pi 4 and 400, Scratch 3 programming language, new games bundled with the Raspberry Pi, and the hottest Add-Ons out there. This introductory guide is the perfect place to start if you want to get a taste of everything the Raspberry Pi can do! 

  • Set up your Raspberry Pi, install the operating system, and connect to the Internet 
  • Learn the basics of the Linux desktop and Linux shell so you can program, work, and play  
  • Use Python, Scratch, and Sonic Pi to write your first programs and make games and digital music 
  • Discover how circuits work hand-in-hand with your Pi 

If you want to make the most of the Raspberry Pi for school, work, or play, you’ll love this easy-to-read reference.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Beyond the Book
    5. Where to Go from Here
  5. Part 1: Setting Up Your Raspberry Pi
    1. Chapter 1: Introducing the Raspberry Pi
      1. Introducing the Raspberry Pi Range
      2. Figuring Out What You Can Do with a Raspberry Pi
      3. Getting Your Hands on a Raspberry Pi
      4. Determining What Else You Need
    2. Chapter 2: Downloading the Operating System
      1. Introducing Linux
      2. Imaging a microSD Card for Your Raspberry Pi
      3. Choosing the Right Operating System for Your Raspberry Pi
    3. Chapter 3: Connecting Your Raspberry Pi
      1. Connecting Your Raspberry Pi
      2. Setting Up Your Raspberry Pi
      3. Configuring Your Raspberry Pi in Raspberry Pi OS
      4. Changing Your Wi-Fi Settings
      5. Configuring Bluetooth Devices
      6. Connecting the Raspberry Pi Camera Module
      7. Connecting Using SSH
      8. Connecting Using VNC
  6. Part 2: Getting Started with Linux
    1. Chapter 4: Using the Desktop Environment
      1. Navigating the Raspberry Pi Desktop
      2. Using the Task Manager
      3. Using File Manager
      4. Browsing the Web with Chromium
      5. Sending and Receiving Email with Claws Mail
      6. Using the Image Viewer
      7. Using the Text Editor
      8. Configuring Printers
      9. Customizing the Desktop
      10. Playing the Games
      11. Finding and Installing New Applications
      12. Backing Up Your Data
      13. Logging Out and Shutting Down
    2. Chapter 5: Using the Linux Shell
      1. Understanding the Prompt
      2. Exploring Your Linux System
      3. Understanding the Long Listing Format and Permissions
      4. Slowing Down the Listing and Reading Files with the Less Command
      5. Speeding Up Entering Commands
      6. Using Redirection to Create Files
      7. Creating Directories
      8. Deleting Files
      9. Using Wildcards to Select Multiple Files
      10. Removing Directories
      11. Copying and Renaming Files
      12. Finding Files on Your Raspberry Pi
      13. Installing and Managing Software on Your Raspberry Pi
      14. Managing User Accounts on Your Raspberry Pi
      15. Learning More about Linux Commands
      16. Customizing the Shell with Your Own Linux Commands
      17. Shutting Down and Rebooting Your Raspberry Pi
  7. Part 3: Using the Raspberry Pi for Both Work and Play
    1. Chapter 6: Being Productive with the Raspberry Pi
      1. Installing LibreOffice on Your Raspberry Pi
      2. Working with LibreOffice on the Raspberry Pi
    2. Chapter 7: Editing Photos on the Raspberry Pi with GIMP
      1. Working with GIMP
      2. Finding Out More about GIMP
    3. Chapter 8: Playing Audio and Video on the Raspberry Pi
      1. Setting Up Your Media Center
      2. Navigating the Media Center
      3. Adding Media
      4. Enjoying Your Media
      5. Changing the Settings
      6. Using a Remote Control
      7. Turning Off Your Media Center
      8. Playing Music in the Desktop Environment
  8. Part 4: Programming the Raspberry Pi
    1. Chapter 9: Introducing Programming with Scratch
      1. Understanding What Programming Is
      2. Working with Scratch
    2. Chapter 10: Programming an Arcade Game Using Scratch
      1. Starting a New Scratch Project and Deleting Sprites
      2. Changing the Backdrop
      3. Adding Sprites to Your Game
      4. Drawing Sprites in Scratch
      5. Naming Your Sprites
      6. Controlling When Scripts Run
      7. Using Random Numbers
      8. Detecting When a Sprite Hits Another Sprite
      9. Introducing Variables
      10. Making Sprites Move Automatically
      11. Fixing the Final Bug
      12. Adding Scripts to the Stage
      13. Duplicating Sprites
      14. Playing Your Game
      15. Adapting the Game’s Difficulty
      16. Taking It Further with Scratch
    3. Chapter 11: Writing Programs in Python
      1. Working with Python
      2. Creating the Times Tables Program
      3. Creating the Chatbot Program
    4. Chapter 12: Creating a Game with Python and Pygame Zero
      1. Collecting Your Sounds and Images
      2. Setting Up Your Folders
      3. Creating and Running Your First Program
      4. Exploring Pygame Zero Further
    5. Chapter 13: Programming Minecraft with Python
      1. Playing Minecraft
      2. Preparing for Python
      3. Using the Minecraft Module
      4. Adapting the Program
    6. Chapter 14: Making Music with Sonic Pi
      1. Understanding the Sonic Pi Screen Layout
      2. Playing Your First Notes
      3. Using Note and Chord Names
      4. Playing Timed Patterns
      5. Composing Random Tunes Using Shuffle
      6. Changing the Random Number Seed
      7. Using List Names in Your Programs
      8. Playing Random Notes
      9. Experimenting with Live Loops
      10. Using Samples
      11. Adding Special Effects
      12. Synchronizing with Your Drumbeat
      13. Bringing It All Together
      14. Next Steps with Sonic Pi
  9. Part 5: Exploring Electronics with the Raspberry Pi
    1. Chapter 15: Understanding Circuits
      1. Discovering What a Circuit Is
      2. Getting Familiar with the GPIO
      3. Looking at Ready-Made Add-On Boards
    2. Chapter 16: Taking Control of Your Pi’s Circuitry
      1. Accessing Raspberry Pi’s GPIO Pins
      2. Your First Circuit
      3. Starting Out with a Dice Display
      4. Pedestrian Crossing
    3. Chapter 17: Lots of Multicolored LEDs
      1. Making Colors
      2. The Way Forward
      3. Rainbow Invaders
      4. Keepy Uppy
      5. LEDs Galore
    4. Chapter 18: Old McDonald’s Farm and Other RFID Adventures
      1. How RFID Work
      2. Dressing Up a Paper Doll
      3. Old McDonald’s Farm
  10. Part 6: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 19: Ten Great Software Packages for the Raspberry Pi
      1. Penguins Puzzle
      2. FocusWriter
      3. Mathematica
      4. Fraqtive
      5. Tux Paint
      6. Grisbi
      7. Beneath a Steel Sky
      8. Brain Party
      9. Pure Data
      10. Inkscape
    2. Chapter 20: Ten Inspiring Projects for the Raspberry Pi
      1. One-Button Audiobook Player
      2. Heartbeat Monitor
      3. Smart Fridge
      4. The Next Verse
      5. Electric Skateboard
      6. T-Shirt Cannon
      7. Magic Mirror
      8. Pi in the Sky
      9. Raspberry Turk
      10. Sound Fighter
    3. Chapter 21: Ten Great Add-Ons for the Raspberry Pi
      1. Picade
      2. CamJam EduKit 3
      3. Piano HAT
      4. Rainbow HAT
      5. Display-O-Tron HAT
      6. Flick
      7. Unicorn HAT HD
      8. Inky pHAT
      9. Pirate Audio
      10. Witty Pi
  11. Appendix: Troubleshooting and Configuring the Raspberry Pi
    1. Troubleshooting the Raspberry Pi
    2. Troubleshooting Your Network Connection
    3. Adjusting the Settings on Your Raspberry Pi
    4. Fixing Audio Problems
    5. Fixing Software Installation Issues
    6. Mounting External Storage Devices
  12. Index
  13. About the Authors
  14. Advertisement Page
  15. Connect with Dummies
  16. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Raspberry Pi For Dummies, 4th Edition
  • Author(s): Sean McManus, Mike Cook
  • Release date: August 2021
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119796824