The Raspberry Pi Thread

raksrules

Well-Known Member
Elite
I have been interested in getting a Pi from long before but never considered it seriously. Now with work from home, there is some extra time and probably I am also having some mid life crisis so wanted to get something. This is why I am considering getting Pi 4.
I have talked to couple of members here who have been patient enough to help me via PM. But since there may be others with same query, I am opening this thread where people can ask any and all queries.

I will start with few of mine...

  1. For a total newbie, which is the best OS to use with RPi? Is it Raspbian or some other?
  2. Is it possible to setup a new RPi without having a separate monitor / keyboard / mouse ? I have read about putting certain files on the MicroSD to preconfigure Wifi and such.
  3. How does one manage the RPi like installing anything new or checking how things are working? I know people tell SSH but personally it scares me a little as it is all command line. or can VNC work to get into a GUI?
  4. Like we can install softwares using SSH, can we do the same using the GUI environment of RPi (accessed using VNC)?
  5. Does anyone have a guide on how to install a torrent client with web interface, Jelly fin server.
  6. If I want to use an external HDD with RPi, do I need to format it and then use it fresh or my existing NTFS formatted HDD with lots of data work fine without any issues?
 

deezcnuts

Well-Known Member
Disciple
1. For a total newbie, I would personally recommend RaspbianOs(full install, not lite). Has tons of software and games preinstalled. It is raspberry pi specific, so has tons of documentation and community support. Once you get comfortable, you can install other os as per your needs.

2. You can do headless setup. For wireless, add wpa_supplicant file on the SD card with your Wi-Fi details. https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/wireless/headless.md
For wired, just add a blank ssh file(not even an extension need, just a 0kb file) on the SD card.
Make sure to fix a static local ip for pi on your router.
You will still need to do initial config via ssh. Use raspi-config command to set stuff up and enable VNC there. After that you can use any VNC viewer.
For ssh, I use Bitvise, it has a helpful file browser too(local and ssh device).

3. You would still need to learn a few basic Linux commands, like how to install packages, update, reboot, edit config files etc. possible via VNC, but you won’t be able to access everything as VNC might not be a root user. GUI can still be used to use pi as a general computer.

4. Raspbian does have its own App Store. But I am not sure you’ll get everything there. Eventually you’ll have to use command line to add packages from guides.

5. For torrents, I used Transmission. Very lightweight and configurable. Once installed, you can access it via <raspberryip>:<port> on local network. Can manage like usual torrent client. I installed and configured via ssh.

6. I am not sure about that. You’ll have to look up guides on how to use external storage on Linux/pi specifically.

I hope this was helpful. Please do correct if wrong.
 
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raksrules

Well-Known Member
Elite
From which website to buy the Pi 4? I see there are multiple indian ones. I think pibox india is most famous? Or go with Amazon?
Also for a newbie, should one get entire kit which has case, hdmi cable, card reader, pre flashed with NOOBS card, heat sink, hdmi cable and such?

Or go with only PI and add only stuff which is needed?


Also if I want to do head less setup, is the NOOBS on Microsd even useful? Since for headless I guess I will need to flash Raspbian OS on Microsd and start the PI right?


Is the case and heatsink absolutely needed?