PyHack Workshop
A monthly workshop using the wonderful Python programming language to do cool hacks, bridging the virtual and the physical. Presented by PYPTUG, in collaboration with Fablocker. We invite anyone who is interested in learning Python to attend.
Workshop #1
This month, we feature the
Raspberry Pi.
We will also demonstrate how to setup AdaFruit's WEB IDE for Python. We will also get you going with ipython, and with GPIOs. We will do a bit of tinkering, make a special interface cable, write some code and build the
PiQuizMachine! By the conclusion of the workshop, we should be able to actually play the game (up to 4 teams).
Prerequisite
All experience levels are welcome. You might have just done a Hello, World program in Python (or not even that), or have written your own library. All will learn something new.
It is recommended to create an account on
BitBucket if you plan to follow along with your laptop and Raspberry Pi. If not, don't worry about it.
When
November
10 2012
At 3pm
Where
1020 Brookstown Ave #17
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
The door is on the side of the building. See also the
fablocker.org website for more detail on the location. It would be best
if you could confirm on our mailing list if you plan to attend, so we have an idea of how many people will be at the workshop (we will provide some cheat-sheets, LEDs and resistors to all in attendance). The PYPTUG mailing list is at:
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/pyptug?hl=en
FAQ
Q:
I don't have a Raspberry Pi, should I come?
A: Yes, definitely. There is a lot to be learned, plus come and meet other people interested in Python.
Q:
What should I bring?
A: At a minimum, nothing. But you might want to bring paper and pen, or a tablet or laptop, to participate in some way or shape. If you want to bring your Raspberry Pi, that would be swell.
Q:
I hear we will make a special cable?
A: Yes, we will make a GPIO cable for the Raspberry Pi. If you want to make your own right there and then, please bring an IDE disk drive cable. Intrex in
Winston Salem (and Greensboro) has one for $2.99 (CBI-IDE133 Ultra ATA 133 IDE Ribbon Cable,
IDC40 x 3, 18"
) but I'm pretty sure everybody has at least one in a drawer somewhere. Ideally a cable with 2 connectors is best
(we'll cut the third anyway) such as this one:
idc-ribbon-cable/2102-218.htm
In the end though, we'll end up doing the equivalent of this:
Adafruit Raspberry Pi GPIO cable
So if you already have that cable, or even their complete Cobbler:
Adafruit Raspberry Pi Cobbler
Then bring that instead.
Optionally, bring a pushbutton, something like this:
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160449w345.jpg
Radio Shack sell 4 of them for less than $4. Radio Shack should also carry a 40 pin IDE hard disk cable, for about $5.
Q:
Do I have to bring and IDE cable and make the special cable?
A: No, it is not required. You can participate as little or as much as you want in this workshop.
Q:
Is there anything I can read beforehand?
A: Sure. As far as background material, The Mag Pi is a fairly light magazine
on the Raspberry Pi. It is free, and there have been 6 issues published up to now. For example, the first issue (
http://www.themagpi.com/view?issue=1 ) on pages 23 to 29 has a brief
overview of Python syntax.
