Category: Geeks r Us
Hi guys,
Most people have heard of the Raspberry pie before; if not, basically it is a credit card computer that can run Linux distributions. Because of its low cost, a lot of people use it to experiment with different programming languages, for XDMC server projects, and more.
My question is do you guys know if the pie is accessible, meaning can you get access to screen readers and stuff on it? Does anyone have one of these devices It seems pretty cool. Or, for that matter, has anyone ever made an XDMC server, and what is involved?
Thanks,
Nathan.
You SSH in to the pi, and do all your work from another mating that already has
a screenreader installed. Or this is the way all the Pi users I know do things.
Do you know how to use linux? Because there is a lot of setup involved, and if
you don't know the basics of using linux from a command line, how to retrieve
packages, compile them, etc... you're going to have a hard time doing anything
of value with your new paperweight. In addition, you need to actually be careful
about what model and configuration you're buying. what comes in the box, etc.
some kits are for people who already have components and others are for
starters. while the Pi is cool, its not plug and play in the same way a windows or
mac box is. if you don't get a card that has your linux distribution installed on
it, you'll need to do that, for a start.
You know, when this technology was first talked about in 2007 / 2008, it was designed for low-powered systems in the developing world. It makes sense you would have to SSH into one, because there isn't any room for a screen reader, or much else besides the very basics, on board. Not with the original design concept for developing nations, at least.
Yeah, but they're great for light weight apps and services. Hell, you can run a
server off them well enough, if you're not hugely high traffic.
I can see that. Home server, maybe. Possibly as part of a cloud if its tasks were minute enough.
I could see their use in robotics, if you installed ROS or some newer robotic operating system on one. You would just have to engineer properly, and understand the limitations. Not something I see many young programmers doing very well anymore. It's lightweight for a reason.
On the other hand, something the size of a candy bar -- an iPhone's circuit board -- can do a hell of a lot more. Raspberry Pi was really innovative in 07, for developing nations where now they have cheapo Android devices that do a lot more. I guess it good for playtime in the computer lab, though.
Why not just use an IPhone board, fit into the Raspberry pie, and put a small SSD in it? Couldn't then, you'd be able to run a screen reader without SSH?
lol, no things are not that simple. that's like comparing apples to bananas.
Well,
It would be nice if the Raspberry pie could run a distribution like Ubuntu, with Orca or something. This would make computers very affordable for the blind community. I believe that there is a dedicated group of tech people that are trying to accomplish just that.
Ubuntu is not free. For anyone on a fixed income, look up the organization Free Geek.
They take donated computers and install Linux distros, usually Ubuntu, on them. Problem
solved.
I meant, Ubuntu is not lightweight, and neither are all the accessible interfaces.
Check out Free Geek if you or someone you know is on a fixed income. They're the real
deal when it comes to finding free open source solutions for people that let them use a
computer for what most people want.
Okay.