[Tech] Partimus & Raspberry Pi 3 Model Bs

[Michael Rojas]

My 2 cents:
I love working with Raspberry Pi computers.  I know the Pi 3 would make a
great network monitor - receiving stats from the desktops, internet speeds,
etc.

And a VPN is possible on those to make updating/repairing the desktops much
easier by not having to be on site.

-Mike Rojas-

On Sep 25, 2016 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!
>
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