Mmmmmm.... Pi.... or, selecting my microcomputer

Hello, World

Today I am continuing to march towards coding glory - to be able to solve an actual, real-world problem with a micro-computer and some peripherals. Or so goes the plan.

I'm over the rosy-glow of idealised problem-fixing with tech today - it's all about actually beginning to solve the issue, which means some genuine weighing up of possibilities. Less fun than Knight-In-Shining-Armouring, but necessary. The big decision I made today was this: what's going to actually do the 'thinking' behind the camera?

I knew right away that I was going to want to use a Raspberry Pi, which is a very small computer (the original was about the same size as a credit card) that runs on Linux and is easily powerful enough for this project. It's been designed for novices (school kids, in fact) and so is easy to program with more than one language, and has heaps and heaps of pre-written code, projects and trouble-shooting hints shared by very smart people who want to make the world a better place.

So what's the issue? Sounds like my mind is made up, right? The problem was initially, which Raspberry Pi to use - there's the original Pi, the Pi 2, the Pi 3 and the Pi Zero (about half the size of the others and released shortly before the Pi 3). In the end, the decision was made for me - yesterday, the latest iteration of the Raspberry Pi Zero was released. It's just as powerful as its predecessor, but somehow, due to some clever reorganisation by its creators, it's grown a camera port. Sold.

As this is a very new version, it hasn't got its own camera yet, so I've picked up a Raspberry Pi-designed camera called the Noir - perfect for my project because it lacks an Infra-red filter and so is much better for getting shots in low light (perfect for a murky hallway). I've also had to get it an adaptor cable, but if I'm honest, the extra length of cable should give me some manoeuvrability when it comes to installing my little project in its new home.

So far, it's been pretty easy to find out what I want to know. In true philosophical style, though, the process of learning a little is showing me just the very top reaches of the vast, gaping chasms of my own ignorance on and around this subject. Somehow, though, I don't feel intimidated.

The communities who share their own codes, schematics and ideas online really do make it feel incredibly accessible, and on any forum, there is always someone who knows just as little as you do, who has their questions patiently answered by microcomputing whizzkids from around the world.

As a first dabble into doing a project like this for myself, without watching over someone else's shoulder, I can honestly say I'm really looking forward to getting started. I know that there's a whole community of people out there who honestly seem to want to see me succeed.