Computer Science Week 3 Presentation This presentation will cover all of the work that was set during the third week of the course. This means that the task associated

with the purpose of the Raspberry Pi will be discussed here in detail. The presentation will show all of the groups combined efforts when it comes to answering the question

“Does the Raspberry Pi meet the purpose that it was designed for?” To do this we will discuss the following points:

• Firstly, what the Purpose of the Raspberry Pi actually is. • What thought was given to the Raspberry Pi’s various features. (This also includes both the hardware and the software of the

device)• An evaluation of the Pi in relation to human factors ( this will compile some of the techniques that we have learned in the

Designing for Usability Unit)• Then finally a section detailing some of the improvements that could be made to the product to enhance it’s function or

design.

Torin Pitchers, Aaron Lapper, George Savill and Lennox Kpakiwa

The Raspberry Pi was originally created and designed to be a learning tool for children, allowing them to be introduced into the world of Computer Science in a cheap and accessible way. A direct quote from the Raspberry Pi website shows this:

“ We want to see cheap, accessible, programmable computers everywhereThe idea behind a tiny and cheap computer for kids came in 2006”

The device was designed so that it had a basic level of functionally but still displayed all of the required information related to learning the basics of programming. A way in which this is introduced is via the use of the ‘noob’ kit that is provided with the device. The ‘noob’ kit comes with the Raspberry Pi and allows users of the device to get straight into programming via their preferred interface. (Whether this be a GUI based system or a command line based one) By doing this, all levels of experience are accounted for, allowing the device to be accessible to everyone regardless of their experience with computers.

Torin Pitchers, Aaron Lapper, George Savill and Lennox Kpakiwa

What is the purpose of the Raspberry pi?

Consideration to the various features of the pi were centred around cost, and performance.

The creators wanted, ‘to build the cheapest possible computer that provides a certain basic level of functionality, and keeping the price low.’

HDMI – Chosen due to highest compatibility, alternatives reaching end of their life/too expensive.Micro USB – Standardised connection for smartphones in EU, most users likely to already own one.Processors – ARM11 CPU (relatively high performance to cost ratio), videocore 4 GPU (Can support 1080p output with H.264).RAM – 256/512MB (Model A/B), running at a frequency of 400mhz.OS – Designed for linux, open source (free), many distributions for user to choose from.Storage – SD card port, USB ports. Cheapest forms of consumer storage, very likely to own spare for use in Pi.

Torin Pitchers, Aaron Lapper, George Savill and Lennox Kpakiwa

What thought was given to the features?

• The Raspberry Pi was designed to be used by humans. Meaning the design is primarily a human focused activity. In relation to this human factors need to be taken in to account within the design. However not all humans are the same, so the device needs to account for some of these vast differences.

1. An important factor is Social Differences. Both novices and expert users of technology will be using the device. The raspberry pi shows consideration to both types of users by first offering a command user interface which provides a more concise and powerful way to control the operating system and are usually used by more advanced users. However to also cater for the more casual/novice user the device also offers a graphical user interface.

2. Another human factor is personal differences, not everyone prefers the same form of input. To elaborate on this the two USB ports allows the person using the device to use whatever form of input they prefer or may require. Commonly this would be a keyboard and mouse however the device allows others as long as they connect by USB (an industry standard for connecting computer peripherals). This also applies to physical differences with allowing different types of keyboards and mouse’s offering support to visually impaired and/or disabled users.

Torin Pitchers, Aaron Lapper, George Savill and Lennox Kpakiwa

The Pi in relation to human factors.

One of the main improvements that could be made to the Pi is the use of a modular parts system , allowing users of the device to upgrade component that could be stocked by official retailers to be added onto the device. An example of this is that if a user required more processing power, they could purchase a new one that would be replaceable on the original bored, rather than hard soldered. Here are some more examples and benefits:

The device could be customised to the users needsThe device can be upgraded with ease and scaled to be made within the users price rangeThe basic kit would still be available but the interchangeable parts would allow for the device to be scaled to the users needs ( this would also be helpful due to the device being used in more and more varied ways. The extra power could be beneficial in some cases)

Specific Changes: No more differentiation between Model A/B, only stock one model.ARM cortex-A7 CPU, Mali 400 GPU.Ram frequency increase to 800mhz for example, capacity doesn’t seem to be an issue.Ability to boot from USB storage.

Torin Pitchers, Aaron Lapper, George Savill and Lennox Kpakiwa

Improvements that could be made.

The Raspberry Pi not only meets the purpose it was created for, but it exceeds all expectations.

• The Raspberry Pi has been used in Education systems around the Uk to teach children not only how to code, but how to undertake projects such as creating a website. In addition to this many projects that were not expected by the developers of the product have also been planned and completed. For instance a mobile network has been created by a group of engineers and a weather balloon has been launched to record data. In turn this means that the Pi fulfils the purpose it was created for, and then exceeds it by a milestone as it allows developers and industry workers create projects far stretched from the original ideas of the Raspberry Pi team.

• The Raspberry Pi also meets its purpose of being cheap - The Raspberry Pi retails for about £33 in the Uk for Model B. The use of an ARM11 mobile processor contributed to keeping the cost of the device low however still providing an acceptable amount of performance. The cost was further pushed down by using 512mb of ram, a plastic shell and a small 8gb of removable storage meaning this can be upgrading at the users cost.

Torin Pitchers, Aaron Lapper, George Savill and Lennox Kpakiwa

Does the Raspberry pi meet it’s purpose?