this post was submitted on 25 Mar 2024
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Learn Programming
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Regarding home server, get yourself a Raspberry Pi. Doesnt need to be the latest one, whatever you can find. You can install linux and get yourself a webserver up and running in no time. Check out any of the selfhosting communites for more ideas. Be aware that this is not really programming, its more system administration, although the line can get blurry.
As for arduino, my advice is to hop on aliexpress, and get some ESP32 dev boards (Comes with wifi, bluetooth, and supported by arduino IDE. RP2040 also viable), and some sensors (temp, humidity, airquality, whatever, displays?). Work out how to interface the sensors with the esp32 to output the sensor values to a webpage (or some other interface). All the parts are inexpensive, so I suggest getting multiples as youll probably kill one or two when wiring them up. Youll probably need dupont jumper cables as well, and maybe access to a soldering iron, but you should be able to go a long way with dev boards.
I personally find learning by doing is going to be better than reading books and articles, but your learning style may be different.
My brother-in-law gave me a Raspberry P1, so I might be able to do something! I'll be checking those communities, thank you!
As for Arduino, I bought years ago an Arduino Super (?), but it doesn't have wifi nor bluetooth is it essential, or I could use this one? I'll have a look at those sensors. It came with a little screen, so I might be able to do some of that!
Probably because of my background I'm used to learning and understanding something before getting my hands dirty, so to speak. This might prove as a good chance to try another approach. Thank you!
Your Arduino not having Bluetooth or WiFi is fine (obviously depending on what you want to do with it). Arduinos are for much lower level projects than PIs. Where a PI might run a webserver, an Arduino might just start and stop things based on timers.
No wifi is fine, my first arduino was a regular one, but I've found that its kinda limited. Making an LED blink is a bit dull. But given it has a screen, you can probably display the sensor data on it, so its probably worth starting with it? Like i said, parts are inexpensive, so upgrading later is a recompile away.