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Raspberri PI Release Announcement

raspberrypi.org

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Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#261

Post by zvrba »

eupharis wrote: post #232
zvrba wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So it's a minicomputer without the disk, keyboard, mouse, screen, and speakers, which quickly adds up to $250 with cheapest components if you want to use it as a general-purpose computer. At the same time, it runs linux and the same linux distro runs also in qemu, so you can do most of the develompent without actual hardware. So where's the rush, why does everybody have to get it right now?

No. $250 is ridiculous, even for buying everything new. I just spent 2 minutes googling: Amazon Class Class 10 8 GB SD Card: $9 Best Buy 20" LCD: $90 Keyboard: $15 Mouse: $7.54 Speakers: $10.54 Total: $132.08 If you go to your local thriftstore, you could get all of these for <$50. Not sure if you have ever been a poor kid or not, but take it from me, this computer WILL bring computing to kids who would not otherwise…

OK, living in Norway, prices are "somewhat" higher. On the website of a popular computer-shop (digitalimpuls.no), the cheapest screen I found was Iiyama LCD 24" for 1100 NOK =~ 200 USD. (All other screens, also smaller, were more expensive.)

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#262

Post by StavrosK »

cperciva wrote: post #252
StavrosK wrote: post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hmm, how can you open an account without going to a branch? Don't you have to sign forms, etc?

They sent me all the forms by courier (with a prepaid courier envelope to send them back in, too).

Very nice, I'll send them an email then, thank you. I guess I don't even have to be in the US for that!

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#263

Post by xelfer »

MatthewPhillips wrote: post #216
drivebyacct2 wrote: post #215

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is capable of doing 1080p decoding. I no longer need a Blu-ray player, Boxee box, Roku box, anything. I have an HDTV, I plug this into it with XBMC installed. Boom. I can stream anything from anywhere. It's also AirPlay enabled. Any TV just became a very smart TV for $35. If you're not familiar with XBMC, prepare to have your mind blown.

Not having Wifi kills this option for me personally.

Wifi sucks in my apartment, http://www.netcomm.com.au/netcomm-products/powerline/np504 solved the problem for me.

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#264

Post by vidarh »

jacquesm wrote: post #230

I love it how people are pissing on this as though it is a failure. Really, unbelievable. Here is a group of dedicated guys and girls that work their asses off to produce a $25 computer with more punch than you'd ever think possible for that amount of money. Not only do they deliver, they are sold out in absolute record time with the sites simply collapsing under the load. I'd chalk this one up as a success, definite…

I'm reading Brian Bagnall's "Commodore: A company on the edge" at the moment, and it's quite interesting to compare the early days of the home computer to the increasing capability of charities and hobbyists to bring fairly large runs out the door today.

We've come full circle, from a situations where small companies brought out their own computer only for (some of them) to grow into giants and seemingly eventually put building computers (as opposed to just assembling them) pretty much out of reach of hobbyists as complexity increased, to a point today where more and more small run systems seems to be appearing (though now because support services from manufacturing companies and design houses are getting within hobbyist reach).

RaspberryPi is on the "higher end" in this respect, both in specs and in number of units manufactured, but I find it really fascinating to see this trend in general.

(sidenote: That book is a bit of a tough read, but at the same time it's a very fascinating look at a company that had such a massive impact despite being so incredibly dysfunctional... I knew they had "issues" already when I was a kid and read the odd rumor, but I had no idea just how bad things were)

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#265

Post by vidarh »

foxylad wrote: post #144
vidarh wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Setting up a US bank account for a non-US resident isn't all that hard. Worst case for most major US banks is that you might need to get a notarized copy of your passport and the application form, which can cost you a bit (first time I did it, years ago, the local US consulate charged me $65 for it).

Have you tried this recently? It's practically impossible, thanks to money-laundering paranoia. The closest I got was Western Union, but they said the account couldn't be used for any kind of internet commerce. I'd love to be proved wrong on this.

Yes, I have, with TD Bank. Didn't run into any problems at all.

If you run into problems, buy an off the shelf Delaware corporation online, with a registered agent, and create the account for that. Bonus, depending on where you do business you can potentially save quite a bit of tax by structuring things properly that way.

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#266

Post by vidarh »

StavrosK wrote: post #140
vidarh wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Setting up a US bank account for a non-US resident isn't all that hard. Worst case for most major US banks is that you might need to get a notarized copy of your passport and the application form, which can cost you a bit (first time I did it, years ago, the local US consulate charged me $65 for it).

Really? Don't they need proof of address in the US or anything? I might get me one, then. What's a good bank?

None that I've dealt with have required that. They do require to verify that you are who you claim you are, and without a US address you might find that requires extra paperwork (such as getting official proof of address and identity document certified by a US consulate or a notary public), and some banks might just not want to deal with the hassle. You also do need to fill out forms to establish your tax withholding.

I've held personal and business accounts with Chase and TD Bank, as well as trader accounts with a couple of brokerages, and the documentation requirements were pretty basic in all cases. I've looked into opening accounts at other banks at various points too.

In some cases the easiest alternative is to simply buy an off the shelf US corporation, and have the company that sets it up register a US bank account for it. That's certainly often less paperwork and hassle than dealing with a personal account, especially if you set up a Delaware corporation.

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#267

Post by vidarh »

StavrosK wrote: post #262
cperciva wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They sent me all the forms by courier (with a prepaid courier envelope to send them back in, too).

Very nice, I'll send them an email then, thank you. I guess I don't even have to be in the US for that!

You likely have to have identity documents certified, that's about it. A visit to a US consulate (check first if the provide the required services) or notary public should be able to help get the right stamps and/or seals to satisfy them.

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#268

Post by StavrosK »

vidarh wrote: post #266
StavrosK wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? Don't they need proof of address in the US or anything? I might get me one, then. What's a good bank?

None that I've dealt with have required that. They do require to verify that you are who you claim you are, and without a US address you might find that requires extra paperwork (such as getting official proof of address and identity document certified by a US consulate or a notary public), and some banks might just not want to deal with the hassle. You also do need to fill out forms to establish your tax withholding…

That's a good alternative, but then I'd have to pay accountants and lawyers and the rest... It does give you flexibility in other areas, though (such as, I will finally be able to open a Stripe account!).

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#269

Post by alexchamberlain »

ssmall wrote: post #218
djhworld wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah the amount of moaning is really shocking, I'm disappointed too but I'll be able to get a R-PI eventually. Patience is a virtue

With things like this I'd rather wait for the 2nd or 3rd run anyways. They are a small group who are doing this on a shoestring budget for a price point with a tiny profit margin and targeting a highly technical audience; I won't be shocked if there are some small hardware bugs that make it past QA in the first run. Its worth the waiting a little bit to let them iron all that out.

I was thinking about this, but given they've got an OS running, it is good enough for £20, and I'll replace it when necessary.

Re: Raspberri PI Release Announcement

#270

Post by cperciva »

vidarh wrote: post #267
StavrosK wrote: post #262

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very nice, I'll send them an email then, thank you. I guess I don't even have to be in the US for that!

You likely have to have identity documents certified, that's about it. A visit to a US consulate (check first if the provide the required services) or notary public should be able to help get the right stamps and/or seals to satisfy them.

I didn't even need to do that; just photocopy and send to them via courier.
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