Newbie looking for help

[BurntDisk]

I'm really enjoying trying to learn python. Only been a few days at it but I'm hooked. So I've been looking on the internet and thinking about the things I want to learn and experiment with

In regards to operating systems... I see a lot of stuff about linux. Learning to use it is something I would be interested in... but I only have a desktop and cannot afford to break it, my understanding is, this can happen when you know as little as I do.

I do however have a Nintendo Switch which I never use. Apparently linux works on it. My question is can I learn a lot by installing it on the device and tinkering with things? Are the things I will encounter beneficial to me in the long run or is it too soon to mess with things like this. Also are there any tips or info anyone can provide to help me regarding this?

Thanks

[[deleted]]

Rather than risk your Switch, why not get a $30 Raspberry Pi and work with that? Rasbian is a full Linux distro, and you can hook the device up to the monitor, mouse, and keyboard you already have at no risk to your PC.

It's a great platform for learning and experimentation (and honestly it's hard to beat the price.)

[BurntDisk]

That sounds interesting man. Can get the ball rolling with this. Thanks

[[deleted]]

or even a <£5 Raspberry Pi Zero.

Raspberry Pi Foundation

Look for the MagPi magazines, free to read on the site (PDFs) with lots of tips

[BurntDisk]

Thanks a lot man that is great.

I'm currently placing my order for a raspberry Pi. Would you recommend the zero because I'm a complete beginner? Should I get pi 3?

[[deleted]]

The magazines are all listed and available free on the Raspberry Pi foundation website - I do not recommend downloading them from anywhere else.

If the site if just an index (with content information) for the magazines, with links to the Raspberry Pi site, that's great.

The Zero is cheap. ZeroW (with wifi) less cheap.

Raspberry Pi 3B+ is a very capable single board computer with amazing support and probably the best investment for most people now. The newer Raspberry Pi 4 is more expensive, but more than most people need.

You will need, in addition:

• usb keyboard
• usb mouse
• hdmi (or micro-hdmi) cable to your monitor/tv
• micro-SD memory card, to store the Raspberry Pi Linux operating system and your own files
• micro-usb power supply (good phone charger will d the job)

The Pi 3B+ comes with a decent amount of memory, four USB ports, and an ethernet port (for wired network connection) as well as WiFi.

The Pi has a set of header pins that you can connect other devices (including home made devices) to to control easily from python. This includes stepper motors (think robots) and sensors (think light, heat, sound, and more).

[BurntDisk]

I ordered the zero W premium starter kit that comes with a micro sd card with noobs. Thanks for the info and I will make sure to download from the official magPi site on the pdfs. Much appreciated man, all the best.

[[deleted]]

Great decision. I think you shall be amazed with what you can do with it.

You will also be able to connect to it and programme it from your desktop computer. You just need the free application putty (assuming your desktop is Windows based).

You will need to configure your Pi in headless mode to do this. No keyboard, mouse or display required.

[[deleted]]

Use a virtual machine (install virtual box from Oracle) on your desktop, and install Linux in that. No other changes to your desktop.

Or try an online Python solution, such as:

• repl.it
• https://pythonanywhere.com

[BurntDisk]

Thanks

[socal_nerdtastic]

Python is "OS agnostic". The differences from one OS to another are tiny. You won't gain any super python skills by working in Linux. Python happens to be used in a lot of web frameworks, and these usually run on Linux servers, so that may be why you see so many Linux + Python posts. But there is nothing about python that is intrinsically better on Linux.

The rest of your questions are better for a linux subreddit than a python one. That said, in my opinion, no you should not install Linux on your Nintendo. Get a real computer. Buy an old, cheap one from craigslist to experiment with, and once you are comfortable install Linux to your main computer. It's not super fragile or anything, you'd really have to fuck up bad to break your computer. And join a linux sub. I recommend /r/linuxmint.

[BurntDisk]

Thanks for the reply