Topic: Raspberry Pi advice needed (Read 249 times)

After I manage to make it work 100% for what I primarily need I hope that I'll also get (slowly) to use it as cloud storage and maybe Bitcoin node + Electrum server, but for that I'll have to learn what HDD I need and how to link it to the Pi. (For media I have an old NAS that still does the job fine.)
But I'm far from all this.


As an update: the printer needed a visit to the service, also I needed a better tutorial on how to use it from Windows. Now Pi works just fine as print server.
As scanner I didn't invest yet more time in making it work, but I hope that I'll do that too someday.

I've tested RetroPi, but I was not impressed. I've struggled a lot with the controller setup, I made some of the games work, but I still couldn't make the PS3 controller get recognized in the ZXSpectrum games (and I miss Chuckie Egg, River Raid, Sai Combat...)


My overall sentiment on the Pi now is that it can be made to work as desired, but it's hard to configure and since I don't have Nix background I may not search for info in the right places and I may lack the availability to get and compile this and that 100 times until I find the one that works.

Thank you all for the help/inputs. I'll lock the thread now.

In fact, there are a huge number of alternative solutions and platforms on the market today, for any wallet or need. The level of operating systems that can be deployed on microPS, such as Raspberry PI, satisfies virtually any need. I use both Raspberry and Odroid and other platforms - I have implemented from media boxes and home media libraries to smart home control systems. Well, of course, since we are on bitcoin - like nodes for some blockchain projects.
PS home print center works through a print server on Odroid C2 (ubuntu) + Epson XP 830

I don't know how the portable ones look like, I guess that I'll have to study more. Thanks.


Thank you. I guess that for now the more important thing to do would be to remove it from the outlet if I leave from home, especially for longer period.
And I'll read about what @xenon was saying.


Heh, I wish I had this advice before buying the Pi.
The printer is a Canon CISS. I don't really want cheaper printer because with 2 kids at school I do need to print pretty much and the cheap printers' ink is advertised to be expensive.
But maybe I know something wrong. Maybe I could have been researching more on the "new printers" area.

The problem is that Canon seems not to work well with Linux/Raspian, no proper drivers, I didn't find yet a way to use it as network scanner, and even for printing I seem to need to reinstall CUPS weekly. So it's ... suboptimal to say the least. Maybe if I would have bought another type of Pi I could have been able to install Windows IoT (although I am not sure the Canon Windows drivers would have worked on that too).

So the only good thing is that I'll get more used to Linux systems... and maybe with some luck it will work as RetroPi  

I don't think it'll spontaneously combust. Modern cell phone chargers has a bunch of safety features and fuses within the casing itself. Raspberry Pi Zero draws such a small current that I don't think it'll go anywhere near the limit of your cellphone charger. My Pi3 B+ has been running continuously since a year ago and the charger is still working fine. The charger does get warm to the touch at times but I keep it well ventilated.

Oh yes. You will want a circuit breaker, a surge protector is not necessary but it's good to have one.

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I think it's a fun project. But if I were you, I would've saved all the hassle and just buy a cheap printer. Most of them are decently cheap and has WiFi functionality with their own software as well.

First of all, thank you for the answers, although point 1 is a bit late (I've already bought it).
However:


Indeed, it does the job, although I have a lesser known problem: the white+red case increases a bit the.. distance, hence the mini HDMI adapter I have doesn't work unless I remove the case.
Luckily I managed to use, until now, the device without the need of actual screen (ssh or vnc).
But I may have to do something about it, since I want to try out RetroPi on it 


This is an interesting and concerning issue.
Can this be a problem even if the charger remains at room temperature? Can I expect it to burn down the house, for example?
I'll google this. Thank you.

I think raspberry pi is technologically a very high level product right now. it's like a small computer and there's almost nothing you can't do.

Thank you.
I've bought that configuration, but now I have troubles installing all I need and making it work in the way I need, so the link you've provided will most surely be useful.

I have a limited experience with SBC-s, I only use one Intel based for general use and surfing.
Perhaps you are asking on the wrong place. Try here:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/

RaspberryPi has a vast community, and your problem is probably already discussed there.

Is Raspberry Pi Zero W good enough? Should I get something bigger/better?
I keep doing research and I find myself running around in circles. No advice of any kind? 

Although I've installed plenty of Windows (all 95+) and software, I'm neither much of Linux nor hardware guy (played with Mint, Tails, or installed a HDD into a laptop though, but I don't consider that advanced).

But I want to get a (cheap!) Raspberry Pi which I want to use primarily as a print server, so I can move the printer away from my desk and maybe also use it from the phone(s).
Of course, I may try (extremely seldom) to play around with the Pi since I'll have it (although I'm not so sure about this).

So I've read that Pi Zero W is just great for the job. But I need advises, especially because it's all DYI there.
Keep in mind that I won't buy from Amazon, Newegg or such, I'll buy from local resellers.

Also I don't want to change the existing (Canon G2400) printer and I don't think that I have another good option.
And I've looked for things like wavlink usb 2.0 lpr print server, but I've read that they are not reliable.

1. Case
I'd like to buy a case for it. Is the white+red case from bottom of this page good, or will I have heating problems and I should go for this open (and transparent) one? I don't like the second option since I expect it to become dust-catcher.

2. Charger
A phone charger at 2A should do the job, right?

3. Accessories
I've seen that I probably need a USB OTG cable (as adapter for the printer cable), a HDMI to Mini HDMI adapter (in case I want to connect to a display) and a class 10 micro SD card.
Do I need anything else? Do aluminum radiators help at all? Or they're anyway useless because of the case? Or do they actually fit in such a case? Or they are for Pi 3 and they're not good for Pi Zero W anyway?

4. Connectors
I've seen on the shop's page a lot of other connectors, adapters, whatever. Would I need anything more? I've missed something important?

5. Networking
Is Pi Zero W good for the proposed job? I don't have to print too much, still, especially now as the school is also at hope (covid) I still have to print or scan a few pages almost every day.
I don't mind if data is transferred slower to the printer, as long as if something is bigger it doesn't get lost.


So, am I on the right direction? Any advises for me?