A few years ago I backed a Kickstarter project for the original NexDock for use with the Raspberry Pi. Last year they created an updated version called the NexDock 2. A new improved version. You can see my NexDock 2 unboxing and review video here, or read on for more information. What is a NexDock? […]

Pygame Zero is an easy way to get started in game programming. It used Python Pygame, but makes getting started easier by reducing the amount of code required. I’ve previously created a tutorial getting started with Pygame Zero programming. One feature that is missing from Pygame Zero is support for joysticks or gamepads. It is […]

I have recently been upgrading some of my home automation. I already use Energenie Pi-Mote to control some electrical power sockets, I’ve now replaced some of my light switches with Sengled home automation light bulbs. Initially I’ve been using my Pi-power software running on a Raspberry Touch Screen and some timed actions to automatically turn […]

I was again involved with the Raspberry Pi Birthday Celebrations in Birmingham. This years event was held at the STEMHouse in Birmingham. A makerspace / startup space designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to create a product. There was a strong influence of 3D printing and games programming at the event, including my own […]

This year I’ve been creating a 3D model of a building for an outdoor model railway. Technically it’s a building for a weigh bridge rather than a house, but I’ve given it a Santa’s Grotto make-over for Christmas and so Christmas House sounds better. The building is designed in TinkerCAD based on a real building […]

This project is called the JLL piano. This is a school project that my daughter created for her music homework. She needed to create a project that related to Jerry Lee Lewis and she created a mini piano that plays a short clip for a different song depending upon the key that is pressed. It […]

Recently I’ve been programming some games using Pygame Zero. Pygame Zero is combination of libraries and other code that interfaces with Pygame to make it easier to program graphical games (or other applications). I’ve created two games so far one of which is designed for the Picade, Raspberry Pi based mini Arcade Machine and the […]

I’ve recently been having fun with some NeoPixels on the Raspberry Pi. NeoPixel is the name that Adafruit uses to refer to “Smart RGB LEDs with WS2811 / WS2812 integrated controllers”. I’m sure you’ll agree that NeoPixel has a better ring to it and as that’s the name of the Python library that I’m using. […]

One of the things about creating a web site is having to keep it up-to-date as changes happen. In the case of my PenguinTutor web site that is the changes in Linux and the Raspberry Pi over the last few years. In particular a new release of Raspbian was created last year (based on Debian […]

Today is the weekend of the Raspberry Pi 6th Birthday. In the past the birthday has been celebrated with a large Raspberry Jam in Cambridge (organized by Mike Horne and Tim Richardson). I have been to the earlier birthday celebrations, supporting workshops run by others, giving presentations and running workshops. For 2018 the birthday celebrations […]