There is something fun, spontaneous and empowering about Raspberry Pi, as there are numerous things to do and consider as projects, and it’s a full OS with abilities to make things do stuff – turn lights on; move a robot’s arm, etc.
But, I’ve also found that it’s important to stay-the-course and attempt to complete one project (or area of focus at a time). Skills tend to accrue over time.
I started off with the Arduino Hero board (100 days Lost in Space), and didn’t pursue.
Then I got back in to Nebula Raiders (Python Focused) after I added the system to a new Raspberry Pi 5 16GB board.
Now I’m distracted with a new Raspberry Pi 3B+ that I picked up, that I’d like to create a weather station on.
Of course, then there’s PiDog and Sunfounder’s awesome looking case.
And… AI HAT to start connecting things called LLM’s.
Of course, the Raspberry Pi initially is typically using an SD card as it’s drive. Therefore, an upgrade is to add a USB SATA SSD drive which is more robust and long-lasting.
You get the point. So many projects and relatively limited time. So far, I’ve been doing OK, but have also been derailed with some system stability issues that I had to tend to. So far, so stable right now.
Some of the the projects like the weather station is a latest and loudest interest, as we have some impending storms coming soon. I’m writing this on 9/26/26.
One school of thought is that it’s OK to have multiple projects happening in parallel, as you learn from each and move everything forward. That maybe an approach to consider as the weather project will focus more on Raspberry Pi OS and actual applications of Python. The Nebula Raiders and 100 days Lost in Space, are important, but more fundamental with all the electronics pieces and Python. I’ve done well so far with doing web searches to resolve problems, but there’s a risk with making a change without completely understanding the ramifications.
So far, I’ve been getting away with using the RP Desktop interface. With the RP3B+ and the Weather Project, it will need to be a headless system and therefore more command line (CLI) stuff. I think the outcome interface with WeeWx (weather application) is a local web-server.
After typing all this, I’ve decided to continue with Nebula Raiders project, which is linked to my RP 5 setup, in parallel with the new RP 3B+ Weather system project, integrating WeeWx. While the weather project typically connects to a system outside that captures weather data, I’m forseeing more near-term weather probes (temperature/humidity) on sensors on a breadboard, connected to the Pi 3B+. Over time, I’ll get more comprehensive. The Nebula Raider project is good for learning how to add components to breadboard and deal with things like voltage, resistors, ground, Python programming.
And… because I’m not going to install Docker and then Home Assistant on the RP 3B+, I’ll install Docker on the RP5 and then Kali Linux so I can learn about security stuff.
I also came across Ecowitt Weather Station Hardware. Only about $200 to get a station outside that talks to the Raspberry Pi. Fun stuff.