Author: shealanclark

This week in Studio II I learned how to update my Raspberry Pi and install Apache using the command line. After the update is when I tried to install Apache with no luck, so I updated again to see if that would work. This time, it didn’t take long to do and then I was able to finally get Apache to install. I tested it to make sure it works and it did. The first update took so long that it took up most of lab that day. Next lab I will learn what I can do with Apache.

This week I was able to get my Raspberry Pi’s OS installed and play around with the command line. I had no clue what a command line was or how it worked. The Unix book I was reading has proven helpful in getting me familiar with command line and I was able to recognize some of the commands from my Web Fundamentals class. Using command line I learned how to create files and copy those files and paste them into another folder.

Objective

To take apart, identify the different components and reassemble a personal computer.

Equipment

Dell tower computer.

Notes and Observations

We were quickly able to open up the tower, but the only thing we took out was the power supply. We looked through the box of already disassembled computer parts to locate the different components. I did need to look up to see what an I/O port and a Network interface looked like.

Diagrams

• 

• 

• 

• 

References

Google

Questions

Conclusions

I looked up my question on google and learned that the Network interface can be a physical component as well as a software component. Since starting this class, I have been wanting to look inside a computer and dig around a little so that I could familiarise myself with it. I’m glad we were able to do that today. I have seen inside a computer before, but it has been a very long time and I wasn’t sure what I was exactly looking at. I hope to learn more as the class goes on.

This week in Studio, I had a crash course on getting the proper OS installed on my micro SD card for the Raspberry Pi. I had to go download NOOBS, but to save time, Bill transferred an older version from his computer onto my jump drive. I still had trouble though, because when we extracted the OS file, we had to use Win Zip instead (something about image copying). I was finally able to start installing it onto the Raspberry Pi, but by the time this all got worked out, it was time to go. Next time I will get the Pi all set up.

Objective

To create a simple DC motor to exemplify the principles of electricity.

Equipment

magnet wire, dry-erase marker, magnet, styrofoam cup, 2 paperclips, sand paper, power supply.

Notes and Observations

The magnet wire was a little awkward to construct, but I was able to put it together pretty quickly without having to reconfigure it very much. The first time we ran a test run on the motor, it didn’t work so I resanded the magnet wire again and also sanded the contact area on the paperclips.

We ran it again, but it wasn’t spinning but it was sparking. So we traded out our little magnet for a big magnet to create a stronger pull on the motor. This time it did work: SUCCESS!

Question to self: How does electricity work? How does the coil emit an electromagnetic field?

Diagrams

• 

• 

• 

References

Questions

Conclusions

This motor was fairly simple to construct. Just make sure that your motor is evenly balanced so that it can easily spin on the paperclip holder. Also make sure to do a good job of sanding down the contact area on the motor so that it can effectively spin/have contact. A strong magnet is also highly recommended.

Objective

To practice putting connectors on cables and testing them to make sure they work.

Equipment

CAT5 UTP, scissors, insulation stripper, 2 RJ-45 connectors, network hub.

Notes and Observations

There was a slight learning curve with inserting the wires into the RJ-45 connectors and with the network hub. I had difficulty getting one of my RJ-45 connectors to have that nice clear snap when plugging it into the tester.

Diagrams

• 

• 

• 

References

Questions

Why did one end of my RJ-45 connectors not connect as nicely as the other side?

Conclusions

The result of my cabling came out looking nice, but ended up not working for an unknown reason.

I have messed with a raspberry pi 2 a couple years ago as in I had set up the operating system and that was the extent of it. I would, however, be interested in using it as a Wireless Print Server and AirPrint support for my out of date printer that can’t connect to my tiny laptop.

For my boys, I would like to try to make the pi into a Minecraft game server. I also think a Timelapse camera would be fun to play with.

Objective

To set up a website for the Hardware & Networking class.

Equipment

WordPress, Diigo, Google Docs

Notes and Observations

Diigo had to be set up through my personal laptop, because there was an error using the schools computer.

Diagrams

References

Questions

Conclusions

Diigo proved to be difficult for the entire class to sign up for. Our theory is that it has something to do with the IP address.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton