Is there a Linux computer for learning programming at the space? I would need to run Python programs I write on it. Or do you have any idea where I could buy a cheap one?
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A Linux computer is any computer is any computer that you load Linux on. An old laptop that you quit using years ago will work well.
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I only quit using laptops when they go bad. So I hope someone will still answer my original post.
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I am not aware of any “Linux machines” available at DMS in that way for that purpose. Seems like a gaping hole in our facade, frankly.
Nevertheless, Linux is free as in beer (like, 1million flavors, too) and can very likely be run as a VM on your existing workstation using e.g. virtualbox (if no other way).
Which having said, you can run python programs you’ve written under Mac & Windows, in addition to Linux. But if you really want Linux, and you don’t like those options, as Brady said, any old piece of junk that operates can run Linux in one of its guises; it’s a hardware chameleon.
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Not (visibly) Linux, but another resource for learning/running Python:
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It used to be that a raspberry pi was a common, cheap platform for Linux learning. Currently neither common, nor cheap. But there are a lot of pi inspired platforms out there that are still cheap, and run Linux that could work.
Are you looking for a more headless Linux machine for SShing/running things, or are you looking for one with a desktop environment to test/make gui/desktop applications?
If the former, we could probably get someone set up at DMS/we have a linux jumpserver, but I don’t think the jumpserver has a DE.
As some people have half mentioned, these days there’s quite a decent set of emulators and or virtual machines for running on a Windows computer. There’s also WSL/2 which can work on almost any half modern Windows based laptop or desktop. I personally kind of prefer to stay away from setting up WSL2 on group computers like at the space because I find that they can rapidly balloon and file size and weird issues when you’ve got a bunch of users using them but… -shrug-
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@Jerry_Kassebaum , do you have a computer, but it’s not running Linux - or do you not have a computer of any kind?
If you have, for example, a Windows computer I suspect some of us on here can coach you through getting Linux on there.
You can do a dual boot or you can install, depending on your Windows version, the Linux Subsystem for Windows (or whatever they call it now). That Linux Subsystem for Windows is actually a great way to learn Linux - IMHO.
If you don’t have a computer we could help you put Linux on, there are still some options (we could put Docker on your laptop and get you a Linux container that might meet your needs).
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Also, @Jerry_Kassebaum , I think you could get a Linux VM on the AWS free tier to use as well.
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+1 for getting a linux VM on AWS (or Azure or Google Cloud) for free… not much horsepower, but plenty enough for Python.
If there’s interest, I would be willing to put together a “Getting started with free cloud VMs” class if I can find some free time this month.
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One can run python on a Raspberry Pi. It’s been a while since I bought one (pre COVID), but they are (were?) only about $35. One can hook up an HDMI monitor and USB keyboard and mouse, or run a web browser on it and run it “headless” while connecting via SSH and/or telnet.
Raspberry Pi Pico’s and Pico W’s are particularly cheap (<$30 for two on Amazon) and have WiFi support built in. Limited onboard sockets, though. Others here may have more up to date suggestions as to which is the best choice for your use case.
You might find this Raspberry Pi Python book off of Amazon useful.
Unfortunately, the silicon supply chain issues have created a huge backlog for Raspberry Pi. If you look for one on Amazon now, you’ll find 3rd party resellers with them listed at well over $150. The Pico is still readily available, and although they will run MicroPython, they won’t run a full Linux distro.
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I’d heard supply issues were a problem during the depths of COVID, but I figured that it would have resolved by now.
I wish… Was needing (wanting, really) a new RPi for a Christmas light project, but I’m not gonna pay $150 for it. Thought about reusing my OctoPrint Pi for the holiday season but ultimately decided I could make due with a spare ESP32 I had on my bench. If you come across a RPi4 at normal retail price - any RAM capacity - I’d love a heads up!
I read something since my earlier post that suggests refurbished thin client PCs make decent substitutes. Maybe not as cheap as the Pi used to be, but cheaper than they are now. Often comparable performance to somewhat faster.
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So, back to @Jerry_Kassebaum’s original question:
Jerry, it seems that DMS doesn’t have any Linux machines ready for use, but there are cloud services available where you can create and use one for free. I would be happy to schedule a class to assist with exactly that. Is this something you feel like you need help with? Or are you wanting to explore on your own to implement such a solution?
At one point we had a Unix machine. It was the one to my left in the Former Common Room. I thought it got set up again? So – how different are Unix and Linux?
I won’t be back at the Space until Monday, so I can’t look for it.
For the purposes of playing with Python, not very different at all. (And I would be very surprised if we had any proper Unix machine at DMS. It was probably Linux and the average Windows PC user wouldn’t know the difference.
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There is a Linux machine in the common room on a table near the women’s bathroom.
As others have noted we also have the Linux jump server available.
Longer term I’d like to see some available instances behind something like Guacamole but thats a pilot project that may not pan out.