[Tech] Partimus & Raspberry Pi 3 Model Bs

Sun Sep 25 22:35:39 PDT 2016

Okay, funny. :) Just speaking to this issue: why wouldn't someone
without access to the web not use a "cheap-looking" PC when they need
to? I'm assuming that they have no other options. I think most people
see a monitor, mouse and keyboard, and that's a "desktop computer". I
mean, if they have access to a better "looking" computer, then they can
use that, right?

Also, I'm sure that we are smart and creative enough to come up with
some kind of expensive-izing shell for the Pis. Perhaps wrapping the Pi
+ case in a Dolce and Gabanna gift box? Or put a BMW symbol on it? Or
"Cadillac Escalade Pi"? haha

One question: Do we (Partimus) have zero costs associated with the way
things are right now? That makes a difference in terms of
recommendations I'd make. $0 vs. $50 is significant! :)

Cheers,
Jesse Adelman

----- Original message -----
From: Christian Einfeldt <einfeldt at gmail.com>
To: jesse at boldandbusted.com
Cc: Tech <tech at lists.partimus.org>
Subject: Re: Partimus & Raspberry Pi 3 Model Bs
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2016 19:34:02 -0700

Here is another reference to the muffin stumps episode on Seinfeld:

http://yadayadayadaecon.com/clip/86/

On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 7:29 PM, Christian Einfeldt <einfeldt at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Jesse,
>
> Thanks for your ideas!  I am replying in line below.  Please scroll
> down for my replies...
>
> On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 5:34 PM, <jesse at boldandbusted.com> wrote:
>> Hey Christian & Partimus folks,
>>
>>  You have a lot of giant old computers stored at various spots.
>
> Why do you think that we have machines stored at various spots.  As
> far as I know, we currently are storing stuff only in the basement of
> the Crosby.  Did you think we had another location?
>
>
>>
>> I propose that we put a bit of money on the table, and replace all
>> the computers, and their power-hungry motherboards, with Raspberry Pi
>> 3s, and have a steady reserve of 3 or 4 to replace the Pis taken out
>> for maintenance, or stolen, or otherwise destroyed. There are some
>> issues to consider, however.
>>
>>  * How do we secure computers that are as small as two decks of
>>    cards?
>
>
> That is a key issue, given that we are in shelters where theft is a
> concern.  It is much easier to conceal a Raspberry Pi than a desktop.
> In our current deployments, a bit of size is actually an advantage.
>
>
>> * How do we keep them up-to-date?
>
>
> I manually go to each location and update them.  This is actually a
> bit of an issue, give that we are at 6 locations with 12 machines.
>
>
>> * Do these offer more or less flexibility for future projects than
>>   the 'traditional' desktop PCs we've used?
>
>
> I think that every FOSS fan loves the idea of Raspberry Pi machines.
> They are small, innovative, and both the hardware and the software is
> open source.  But I am struggling to see a use case for our current
> deployments with ECS.  In the future, we might be able to discuss with
> the ECS management about getting Raspberry Pi machines in the rooms.
> But my concern with Raspberry Pis is that they could be perceived as
> muffin stumps:
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Muffin_Tops#Top_of_the_Muffin_to_You.21
>
> Essentially, the poor are actually very brand conscious, and they
> don't like to be given low power stuff.  I have been giving away FOSS
> machines since 2004, and in my experience, one of the challenges with
> free software and is that people in our society have been brainwashed
> to think that if it is free, it must be crap, and so they reject and
> feel insulted that you tried to give them what they perceive as muffin
> stumps.  My concern with Raspberry PIs is that they are low power
> machines that would be viewed as muffin stumps.  Innovator and hacker
> like us on this list see the value in Raspberry PIs, but I am
> concerned that the residents of the low income shelters would see them
> as muffin stumps.
>
>
>>
>> There is a monetary cost involved (unless we score a donation of
>> equipment). While the Pis are about $35, the case is another $12-25.
>> An outlet-sized usb-equipped surge suppressor is another $8-$12. Any
>> monitor will have to support HDMI inputs, or be compatible with an
>> HDMI converter of some sort.
>
>
> You have touched on an important issue here.  I am concerned that
> given our limited resources, spending on Raspberry PIs are farther
> down the priority at this time.  We still need to look at D & O
> insurance, for example.
>
>
>>
>> I think that the drastically reduced space used, the lack of fans,
>> and easy swap-in replacement (without carting giant PCs across some
>> of the most dangerous intersections and streets of the City), seems
>> like a good idea.
>
>
> This is a good point.
>
>
>>
>> Also, Lubuntu is apparently available specifically for the R Pi 3,
>> should we want to stick with that for the "guest" lockdown features:
>>
>> https://ubuntu-pi-flavour-maker.org/blog/ubuntu-pi-flavours-for-raspberry-pi-3/
>>
>>  I believe it will be easier to roll out upgrades via the microSD
>>  cards the Pi 3 uses, rather than having to custom partition random
>>  drives in random branded computers. Standardization can help us
>>  knock out problems across the fleet more quickly and with greater
>>  assurance of the 'stickyness' of the fixes. Since I would need to do
>>  a new rollout of a "base image" with the logging, alerting, and
>>  configuration management setup, I figured this would be a good time
>>  to make this sort of move.
>>
>>  I'm travelling to Mexico City for two weeks starting Monday. I'd
>>  like to know what you-all think! :) Is this feasible? Are there
>>  dealbreakers? Is this appropriate for the environments we're in?
>
>
> Issues are discussed above.
>
> I hope you enjoy your time in Mexico City!  I will be leaving for
> Europe about the time that you come back, with limited access to the
> Internet.
>
> Thanks for the ideas, Jesse!

--
Christian Einfeldt
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