[mythtv-users] RPi cost (was: Cheap frontend for HD)

[Simon Hobson]

Kirk Bocek <t004 at kbocek.com> wrote:

> The whole $30 thing is a bit disingenuous once you start building towards a working device. Whatever your goal is.

Only to a point. Bear in mind that most of us are using it for other than what it was originally made for - some cheap* for school children to be able to hack on**

* Ie, cheap enough that the kids can be allowed to experiment with it and not worry about breaking it. The complete opposite of most computers available to kids in school.

** Again, let them experiment without worrying about breaking anything.

Anecdotally, "computers" teaching is restricted to "this is how you use [word|excel|powerpoint] to do ...". The idea of allowing the kids to open up a computer and play with the hardware is a complete anathema.
In a typical environment, there's already a keyboard, mouse, and monitor attached to the desktop PC - so that significantly reduces the number of bits that need to be bought. And for the sort of experimenting it's intended for, a case is also not needed.