Ordinateur low-tech/en

Low-tech Lab

https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Ordinateur_low-tech/en

Dernière modification le 06/02/2023

Difficulté

Medium Moyen

Durée

1 day(s) jour(s)

Coût

30 EUR (€)

Description

A basic computer model that still meets most of our daily needs. All for a price not exceeding 30 euros!

Sommaire

ordinateur, raspberry pi, raspberry pi zero w, wikipedia, raspbian, récupération, recyclage, NomadeDesMers, nomade des mers

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Introduction

Today we will focus on a subject on the border between high and low tech: the computer! This extremely useful tool, which has become indispensable for most of us, is often too over-equipped for our usage. This obviously has an impact on its price, which excludes a large part of the world. Not to mention the environmental impact, especially because of the extraction of minerals needed for their manufacture, which, in most cases are rarely recycled at the end of their lifespan.

Today, we offer you a very basic computer model that still meets most of our daily needs:

- Classic "desktop processing" (document writing, creating slideshows, etc)

- "Internet browsing" (social media, sending emails, etc)

- A "very basic multimedia use" (no photo editing, video, etc)

All of this for a price not exceeding 30 euros! To do this, we will use a mini-computer, the "Rasberry Pi", in its simplest version the Rasberry Pi Zero W. For the other computer hardware (screen, keyboard, mouse) we will use those salvaged from old computers.

Be it a school that wants to create a computer lab, an individual who wants a machine for his home, a grandparent who wants to discover IT or an aspiring developer who wants to get into Linux, there are many reasons to build a desktop PC with Raspberry Pi.

Together, let us see how you can assemble your own desktop PC running on Linux built on top of Raspberry Pi.

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Matériaux

• Raspberry Pi Zero W
• 64GB MicroSD burnt with a Raspbian image (if you have not already set up your SD card, you could take a look at the tutorial for Windows, and the one for Linux).
• Salvaged USB or wireless keyboard
• Salvaged USB or wireless mouse
• Salvaged monitor with HDMI connection
• HDMI port
• Micro HDMI adapter
• Micro USB adapter

Outils

Étape 1 - Optional: Prepare your SD card (if a Raspbian image is not already burnt on it)

The Raspberry Pi does not have a hard disk. Instead, it uses an SD card as its hard disk. We will have to install an operating system on it, here we will choose Raspbian, a robust distribution adapted for a large majority of uses and optimized for the Raspberry Pi. We recommend that you choose an SD card that is fast and reliable, the performance of the Raspberry Pi being strongly influenced by the quality of the chosen SD card.

• For this step, you will need to download the latest distribution of Raspbian, this is what we will install on the SD card of your Raspberry Pi.

• You will also need the Win32DiskManager software, download it here, and install it.

• Note at as far as hardware is concerned, you will have to be able to write to the SD card, which requires either a computer with an adapted port or getting an external card reader.

You should now have a Raspbian 'zip' file, decompress it and you should get an 'img' file.

Insert your SD card into the card reader of your computer, and once it is recognized, launch Win32DiskImager and click on the icon representing a folder on the left of the 'Image File' field. (image 1) This will open a file explorer, go to the 'img' file generated previously by decompressing the Raspbian ZIP file.

On the right of the folder icon, in the 'Device' field, choose the drive corresponding to your MicroSD card, do not choose the wrong drive! (image 2)

Once this is done, click on the 'Write' button, you will then see the progress of the write operation of your image on your SD card.

The Raspbian card is ready, all you have to do is insert it in your Raspberry Pi and power on your computer.

Étape 2 - First system startup with the prepared SD card - Install Raspbian

Armed with your Raspberry Pi ZW kit and the hardware specified above, you should be able to proceed with the first system startup and install Raspbian (in fact you will see that the installation is done all by itself) .

First, connect your Raspberry to the monitor and keyboard, without connecting it to the power supply, and insert the SD card.

Once this is done, connect the power cable of the Raspberry. The first system startup can be a little long, because during this, the Raspberry is going to install the Raspbian system.

During this system boot (and subsequent ones), you will see multiple lines of commands scrolling by. These are commands executed by the system in order to boot. Ignore them, just wait for the system to finish booting.

In addition, during boot, the red led should stay fixed and the green one should flash for a few seconds before turning off. If this is not the case, and if the Raspberry does not appear to startup on the screen, even after about thirty seconds, this means that it is unable to startup from the card. In fact, it is unable to find the code which allows it to 'boot' and install Raspbian.

This problem can be caused by many factors, but the source is almost always the SD card.

If the problem does not arise from there, it can come from a bad partitioning of the card, or a bad copy of the Raspbian system. In this case, you should re-partition your card, and reinstall your Raspbian system.

Once the system is started up, it is (probably) going to ask you to identify yourself. During the first system startup the default login is 'pi' and the password is 'raspberry'.

-On Linux systems, the passwords are not displayed while typing. So, do not be surprised if you do not see the the usual little asterisks when you type your password and type it normally, then validate by pressing 'Enter'.

If the password is incorrect, it could be because the keyboard is in the 'QWERTY' configuration and not 'AZERTY' by default. You should then type 'rqspberry' as the password.

There you go! You have access to the system, you just installed Raspbian! I All that remains now is to configure Raspbian!

This entire step is taken from the site: https://raspbian-france.fr/installer-raspbian-premier-demarrage-configuration/

Étape 3 - Raspbian configuration

If this is your first system startup, you should get an interface allowing to to choose configuration options. This interface is in the form of a keyboard-navigable menu.

If you do not see this interface on startup, you can get get it by launching the terminal and typing the command sudo raspi-config Once on this configuration interface, we will configure Raspbian such that you have optimal conditions during your subsequent usages and you could get the most out of your Raspberry.

• A Raspbian system on the entire card

First, we will confirm that the Raspbian system utilizes the entire card (careful, this step should only be done if you use one Raspbian distribution on your SD card. If multiple versions coexist, like with NOOBS) for example, then do not perform this step.

To do this, you should place your cursor on the first choice 'Expand Filesystem' and press 'Enter'. The menu will disappear and lines of commands will be executed. Once the system is done, it will again display a window similar to the previous menu informing you about the success of the operation.

Confirm, and you are returned to the menu.

• Switch the keyboard to AZERTY

If you tried to type in text, you probably realized that the keyboard behaves a bit strangely.

In fact, your keyboard is still configured in 'QWERTY' mode and not in 'AZERTY', as is the norm for French keyboards. We will thus fix this problem.

To do this, again choose the forth line 'Internationalisation options'.

Like before, you will see a second menu. This time, choose the third line 'Change Keyboard Layout'. It could take some time before the window is displayed (in general, all the steps for the keyboard can be a bit long).

It is absolutely necessary that a keyboard be connected to be able to configure the keyboard!

On the new window, confirm directly without changing the keyboard type. Except for special cases, this should be fine. Another new window is displayed, choose 'Autre'. On the new window, choose the keyboard 'Français', then the option 'Par defaut', 'Pas de touche 'compose, and finally 'Non'.

• Switch Raspbian and the Raspberry to French

To continue with internationalization, we are going to switch the entire system to French mode.

To do this, we will modify what are called 'locales'. These are settings defining a set of texts in multiple languages. You should, therefore, go to the fourth option, 'Internationalisation options' and press 'Enter'.

This time, you should choose the first line, 'Change locale'.

A window is displayed (it can take a while), and explains what the locales are.

You should go down till the line 'en_GB.UTF-8 UTF-8' and select it by pressing the 'Space' key. An asterisk then appears within square brackets preceding the choice (it is possible that the line is already selected. In this case, keep it selected, i.e. with an asterisk displayed within square brackets).

You should again go down, this time till the line 'fr_FR.UTF-8 UTF-8' and repeat the same operation as above.

You should now go to the field 'Ok' at the bottom left of the window. To do this, press the tab key (the key with the two arrows). Then press Enter.

A new window is displayed asking you to choose the default locales. Go to fr_FR.UTF-8, then again use the tab key to go to 'Ok' and press Enter.

The system again executes some commands. This could take some time. Once the commands are executed, you will again be in front of the basic configuration menu (the latter will probably remain in English, it is normal).

The following video shows all the steps described above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=24&v=9QHIS36LxE4

This entire step is available on the site: https://raspbian-france.fr/installer-raspbian-premier-demarrage-configuration/

Étape 4 - Consult Wikipedia offline.

We recommend using the Low-tech computer to be able to consult Wikipedia offline.

To do this, we will use the Kiwix software. This free software allows you to have the entire Wikipedia encyclopedia (and many other contents) in hand wherever you are! On a boat in the middle of nowhere or even in prison, it allows access to all of human knowledge. You do not need internet access, everything is saved on your computer, your USB key or DVD.

For this you will need:

• Kiwix (the software)
• The ZIM file with the Wikipedia content in the specific language that the user wants (for ex. French).

We will present two slightly different installation options:

• Option 1: Use Kiwix as a Reader

The KIWIX Reader allows you to consult offline, without an internet connection, content packages (Wikipedia, TEDx, ...) in ZIM format. It is available for all major operating systems (Windows, Mac, GNU/Linux, Android). It comes as a standalone application or browser plugin. Install it and consult Wikipedia content directly on you Low-tech computer.

• Option 2: Use Kiwix as Hotspot

KIWIX hotspot allows you to convert a low-cost mini-computer like the Raspberry Pi into a relay to distribute free content, without an internet connection, via a local network. This solution is especially useful for schools, libraries, communities, humanitarian organizations, etc. End users only need a device capable of detecting the network with the browser, they do not need to download and install anything on their device. KIWIX Hotspot works on Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Étape 5 - Option 1: Use Kiwix as a Reader

We will describe here the installation on a PC with the Windows operation system, but all versions are available [[1]].

• Download the software and double click on the file to open it.

• The first time you open Kiwix, a window inviting you to visit the library should appear. If this is not the case (or if you want whatever is available at all times), go to File > Browse library. Choose your language, then download the corresponding ZIM file.

• Once the ZIM file is downloaded, Kiwix should ask you if you want to open it. If this is not the case (or if you want to open an old file), click on 'My library' in the top left corner of the application window.
  

Étape 6 - Option 2: Use Kiwix as a Hotspot

Pour réaliser cette installation vous aurez besoin de :

- un ordinateur (fonctionnant sous Windows, macOS ou GNU/Linux) avec un lecteur de carte SD.

- une carte microSD (ou SD en fonction du modèle de Raspberry Pi que vous utilisez). Choisissez une de bonne qualité et avec une mémoire adaptée à la taille du contenu que vous souhaitez diffuser. 32GB est un bon début. Pour la version lourde de Wikipédia English, vous aurez besoin de 128GB ou plus.

• Aller sur https://download.kiwix.org/release/kiwix-hotspot/ et ouvrir le sous-dossier contenant la version la plus récente. Télécharger l'installeur correspondant au système d'exploitation de l'ordinateur que vous utilisez pour préparer la carte SD (Windows 32 ou 64 BIT, macOS ou Linux).
• Préparer votre carte SD : Pour éviter tout problème veillez à ce que votre carte SD soit bien vide et formatée.
• Ecran Principal : Après avoir lancer le programme Kiwix Hotspot, vous verrez apparaître l'écran principal (image 1). Les différents paramètres de configuration sont détaillés dans les images 2 et 3.
• Sélectionner du contenu : Le "content selector" vous permet de choisir les pack de contenu qui seront installer sur votre réseau. Il est possible de choisir sa langue préférer pour afficher seulement les contenus dans la langue sélectionnée (voir image 4)
• Installation : Une fois vos choix effectués, cliquez sur "Run Installation" sur l'écran principal. La fenêtre "Installer Status" va apparaître (image 5) .

L'installation peut prendre plusieurs heures. Ne pas l'interrompre même si vous avez l'impression que rien ne se passe. Attendez qu'une boite de dialogue vous indique que l'installation est terminée. Faites attention à ce que votre ordinateur ne se mette pas en mode Veille.

• Une fois l'installation terminée, retirez la carte SD de votre ordinateur.
• Insérer la carte SD dans votre Raspberry Pi, connecter le à son alimentation et laisser démarrer (cela peut prendre une ou deux minutes)
• Connecter votre ordinateur, tablette ou smartphone au réseau Wifi local avec le nom que vous avez choisi pendant l'installation.
• Ouvrez votre navigateur internet et entrer l'adresse suivante dans la barre d'adresse: http://<name>.hotspot où <name> est le "Project Name" que vous avez utilisé pendant l'installation (le même que le réseau Wifi)
• Vous devriez maintenant voir la page d’accueil de Kiwix Hotspot (voir image 6).

Notes et références

- Installation et configuration de Raspbian : https://raspbian-france.fr/installer-raspbian-premier-demarrage-configuration/

- Créez votre ordinateur de bureau sous Linux pour moins de 200€ avec la Raspberry Pi : https://raspbian-france.fr/ordinateur-bureau-linux-raspberry-pi/

- Installer et utiliser KIWIX sous Windows ou macOS : https://www.kiwix.org/en/documentation/installing-and-using-kiwix-on-windows-or-macos/

- Comment configurer KIWIX Hotspot : https://www.kiwix.org/en/documentation/how-to-set-up-kiwix-hotspot/

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