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Original poster

Kano / Raspberry Pi

32 replies

user7755 · 20/12/2015 21:35

I have ordered Ds1 a Kano for his birthday. I am a luddite. I understand that it is a 'build your own' computer and that it will help him to understand the 'make up' of a computer and coding.

I'm not sure what he will be able to do / not do on it - anyone got any advice?

OP posts:
ClityClityBangBang · 20/12/2015 21:38

Watching as I am also interested and don't know enough about them!

Original poster
user7755 · 20/12/2015 21:48

Grab a Brew and take a seat

OP posts:
wonkylampshade · 20/12/2015 22:39

I'm in the same boat!

Benzalkonium · 20/12/2015 22:40

Bump

ClityClityBangBang · 20/12/2015 22:40

Anyone ???

noblegiraffe · 20/12/2015 22:57

DS (6) has got one. I know bugger all about it but DH says the manuals are pretty good and that you can look them up online before buying one to see. www2.kano.me/downloads

It comes with some minecraft, pong, snake and music maker coding challenges. Apparently pong is the easiest one to get started with.

It's also a proper computer and comes with a word processor and Internet browser. You'll need to hook it up to the TV and the resolution can be a bit fiddly to set up.

Original poster
user7755 · 20/12/2015 23:07

Thats helpful noble. The manual that I've seen looks very accessible, pleased to hear it comes with some coding challenges, I've been looking at the booklets that you can sign up for. Think I will do this.

Might come back on christmas eve for more help and advice!

OP posts:
cdtaylornats · 21/12/2015 09:46

There are lots of videos on the net. The Operating System is a Linux variant so the skills learned are reusable.

Original poster
user7755 · 21/12/2015 11:10

Lord alive! Linux variant?!

Is that another version of microsoft or iOS?

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 21/12/2015 11:13

No. Linux is an open source OS evolved from UNIX. It is not Microsoft or iOS

Original poster
user7755 · 21/12/2015 11:31

Ooh blimey!

In terms that a 2 year old can understand - is it the framework that shapes how the computer works?

OP posts:
Original poster
user7755 · 21/12/2015 11:32

You wouldn't believe that I'm about to embark on a PhD would you?! I'm so thick when it comes to things like this, it's like a foreign language!

OP posts:
cdtaylornats · 21/12/2015 13:26

An operating system is a program that protects the user from the hardware and vice versa.

It provides user programs with various facilities like input and output, the capability to start and stop without halting the computer, crash protection - if your program dies the operating system can take control back and not leave you looking at a blank screen. If you have a disk drive it provides for using that, if you have more than one program running it keeps them separated so one program can't interfere with the others.

And 7755 I certainly would believe your doing a PhD - I've met dozens of clueless postgraduates - I'm sure some of them had to be led to the office in the morning Grin.

cdtaylornats · 21/12/2015 13:32

If it helps - this is Tux the Linux mascot

Kano / Raspberry Pi
foragogo · 21/12/2015 13:37

Whats the difference beyween a raberry pu and a kano then? I used to be a unix ssystems admin if i can be of any help, all the linux/unix comands will be on the end of a quick Google

foragogo · 21/12/2015 13:38

Rasberry pi bot rasberry poo!

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 21/12/2015 13:40

Kano is a raspberry Pi in a pretty box, with a bundled (Kano) OS.

noblegiraffe · 21/12/2015 13:48

The raspberry pi is just a circuit board with various sockets. The Kano kit has the extras, like a keyboard, wifi dongle and some coding programs so that you can actually use the raspberry pi.

Original poster
user7755 · 21/12/2015 16:37

Fab, thank you!

Give me people over machines any day - it's completely alien to me Grin

OP posts:
foragogo · 21/12/2015 17:19

What age boys are you getting these for? Thinking of getting one for my son to keep him busy this summer. Hes got a circuit building kut and done a bit of scratch.

wonkylampshade · 21/12/2015 18:26

I'm getting it for a girl.

She's 8.

GlitteryShoes · 21/12/2015 18:34

Pleased to have found this thread. I randomly decided that my New Year's resolution was to learn to programme a raspberry pi - I know nothing about coding, though I did manage to scroll 'I am the best' on my ZX 81. Is it easy? Should I get a Kano instead?

BrieAndChilli · 21/12/2015 18:40

We have got a Kano for DS1 birthday tomorrow along with the Kano build a screen set. We have also signed up to the magazine that comes every couple of months with new projects etc in it.
It is nicely packaged and looks like fun for a gadget obsessed 9 year old!

Original poster
user7755 · 21/12/2015 18:44

My son is 11. I think I will sign up to that magazine too.

We had a ZXspectrum and did something similar Glittery, although I think mine said Ian stinks

OP posts:
cdtaylornats · 21/12/2015 22:10

Glittery if you already have a computer you could just learn to program on that. You can get a free java compiler.

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