Multi OS boot for Raspberry Pi

The hard disk drive for the Raspberry Pi is the SD card.  There are many ways to put an OS (operating system) image on the SD card.  I usually prefer to boot my raspberry pi with options to switch different OS. Instead of assigning a new SD card for a OS, I would like to put a few of them on one SD card.

Berry Boot - It has been out there the longest.  It's very easy to install new operating systems on your Pi. You can chose one OS as your default and others will be displayed booting.  Berry Boot site has more instruction on how to install it.
http://www.berryterminal.com/doku.php/berryboot


NOOBS - New Out Of the Box Software - Pi foundation with the authors of Berry Boot put together NOOBS.   It is very similar to Berry Boot for the user, internal implementations have a few changes.  You can download NOOBS from here http://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads.  I found the install tutorials here to be useful https://github.com/raspberrypi/noobs

Berry Boot is my choice of OS loader.  As you learn Linux and choices of OS, you will want to try new OS on the Pi.   NOOBS or Berry Boot's offers a lot of operating systems to choose from.  If you ever want to install an OS that is not listed on either, both loaders will allow you to install it from the image.  Its not very easy for a beginner, but its not too hard.  There is some complexities involved.  You will need to learn some Linux commands to navigate yourself.

How to install custom OS on Berry Boot -  I installed pwnpi from pwnpi.net (penetration testing tool).  You can learn a ton about web security wired or wireless using this. Here is an awesome tutorial to add and boot a custom OS downloaded (not included in berryboot list of OS)

How to install custom OS on NOOBS - I have not used NOOBS, but know of a few folks who did.  It also involves some complexities. Here is the link to that https://github.com/raspberrypi/noobs .  Just scroll down till you find the advanced usage section.

Enjoy your Pi.  Feel free to shoot any questions.

Raspberry Pi - $35 Wonder

Raspberry Pi - $35 wonder

I came across this gadget over a year ago.  You will find the descriptions of this wonderful gadget all over the web.  There are tons of youtube channels like https://www.youtube.com/user/RaspberryPiBeginners that will show you possibilities of this device.

Total Cost :- $60 approx.

1. Raspberry Pi - $35
2. Power Source  - $5 - eBay  (Android Phone Charger will do)
3. SD Card (2Gb) - $5 - eBay (Any camera one will do)
4. HDMI or RGA cable - $10 on Amazon 
5. USB Keyboard & Mouse - $5 - eBay (use one lying around from your computer)

It is not a replacement for your laptop or home PC.  What is all this hype about Raspberry Pi?  The device was mainly built for kids to learn programming in parts of the world where they could not afford a expensive computer.  Powerful applications are possible using this small little wonder gadget.  I built a few things listed below,

• GPIO Ports -   Raspberry Pi provides you access to control external devices connected to it.  This means you can control a light bulb, garage door, video camera, quad coptor, r/c car and so many more.  I played around building a remote garage door opener.

• Media Center - Stream HD quality movies online directly into your TV.  Yes! Chromecast can do the same.  Stream videos from your iPad, iPhone or iPod directly into your TV without wires. Yes, chromecast can do that too.  You can watch almost anything that plays on your comptuer on the Pi.  Use either of the following 
• OpenElec Media Player (http://openelec.tv/) - My Choice
• RaspBMC Media Player (http://www.raspbmc.com/)\

• Linux Desktop - There are several images out there that you can install on your Pi.  Rasbian Wheezy is a simple light weight desktop and official choice of Raspberry Pi foundation.  I used this one.  Using linux you can build limitless things.  Some I built are,
• Scratch - Visual programming for Kids.  Built by MIT
• Web Server - To serve webpages
• Live web camera stream - Stream live video
• Time Lapse (stop motion) videos
• Home Automation 
• Node JS server - Harness the power of Node JS.  Create simple webservices.

Over next few weeks and months, I will put my pet projects on Raspberry Pi here.    Feel free to comment or ask questions if I may help.