Want to learn the wonders of Raspberry Pi?  

1)  Start by checking out a Raspberry Pi kit from the Tech Desk or buying your own board.  In order to work with the Raspberry Pi, you need to have the following items:

• Raspberry Pi board
• TV or monitor with HDMI port
• HDMI to HDMI cable
• USB keyboard
• USB computer mouse
• Micro USB power supply wall plug
• 8GB SD card

The Tech Desk Raspberry Pi kit contains the board, SD card and HDMI cable.

2) Next, using another computer download and install the Raspbian software onto the SD card.  This will enable your Raspberry Pi board to become a computer.  For directions on how to install the Raspbian operating system, follow this Quickstart Guide from RaspberryPi.org.

3) Once you have imaged your SD card, plug it into the SD slot on the Raspberry Pi board.  Then connect the HDMI cable from the board to the monitor. Connect the mouse and keyboard to the USB ports on the board. If you plan to use internet, connect a USB wi-fi adapter or an ethernet cord.  Finally, plug in the micro USB power supply into the wall.  This will activate the Raspberry Pi.  For more details on this, see the Hardware Set Up page on RaspberryPi.org.

5)  Start creating your projects!  

Create a smart mirror which will talk to you, tell you the time and temperature and more, make your own smartphone, never forget an event with a wall calendar and weather system, or find out where your cat goes during the day.

Raspberry Pi icons (board, tv, cables, card, keyboard, mouse) by: Raspberry Pi Foundation via creative commons license. 

Raspberry Pi pic: Raspberry Pi foundation via creative commons license.

Smart Mirror by: Bradley Melton

PiPhone by: David Hunt

Wall calendar by: Tom Scott via Make Magazine and Reddit

Kitty tracker by: Jeremy Wall via hackster.io

So you want to learn Arduino?  Before you get started, make sure to download the Arduino software onto whichever computer you will be using (the software is free and open source!) Also, here is a quick reference guide to Arduino.

1. Check out one of the Arduino kits from the Tech Desk on the Lower Level of Belk Library.  The Arduino kits have everything needed for beginners up to experienced tinkerers.

2. Read through the accompanying book.  There are lessons and projects designed to teach you Arduino while getting hands on experience.

3.  Once you have the basics, the possibilities are endless!  Use Arduino for a wide variety of projects, including some of the ones below.  Don't be afraid to experiment with new and different technologies!

Monitor when your plant needs water then automatically add more, create a can smasher to recycle more easily, turn your room fan into a LED masterpiece, enhance your Halloween props, and more!

Like Arduino?  Check out the Intel Edison Internet of Things add on, or move on to the Raspberry Pi for more computer based projects.  Not sure whether Arduino or Raspberry Pi will work for your project?  Check out Make Magazine's helpful tips on choosing the best board.  Need help?  Contact Hannah Pope at popehl@appstate.edu for any questions!

Breadboard: By oomlout (BREB-01 (Breadboard)) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Jump wires: By oomlout (A few Jumper Wires) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Resistor: By Thiagoalmeidasa (http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/lesson3.html) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Red LED: By oomlout (5mm Red LED - LED-05R) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

RGB LED: By oomlout (RGB LED - RGBL-01-05) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

sensors: Mysensors.org

Arduino kit: oomlout via Flickr.

Plant project: Eirik via Make Magazine

Can crusher: Simon Monk via Make Magazine

LED fan: Alejandro de Cura via Make Magazine

Jack Skellington: Dale Rooney via Make Magazine

How to program your Raspberry Pi:

For most of the software available on Raspbian, look at this guide for more information.