If you want to get started with Linux, this tutorial - which uses LiV Pi - is an interesting alternative to the many Linux tutorials available on the web. I for one find much more engaging (and less boring...) to learn new things when I interact with hardware (e.g. sensors, LCD screens, Real Time Clocks, etc.) than when I stare at my laptop's monitor.
Why should you learn Linux?
With or without LiV Pi, if you are interested in programming or computers in general, you should consider learning Linux. Why? Simply because we are surrounded by it. No matter what programming language you are or will be using, your programs will run on top of an operating system. At the time of writing, according to wikipedia, when counting computing devices shipped worldwide (cellphones, laptops and desktop computers), Windows and MacOS have about 12% market share each, while Android has around 54%. Other operating systems (most of which are various Linux distributions) count for about 22%. With the observation that Android is Linux and the world of software running on servers is dominated by Linux, I rest my case.
You should also consider learning Linux because it is open-source and free.
LiV Pi
LiV Pi is a Raspberry Pi based open-source indoor air quality monitor. You can find detailed information about it on its website: www.livpi.com. LiV is a very powerful and flexible device. It is currently used in home, commercial, and industrial settings. In order to configure LiV, one needs to have a minimal understanding of Linux and be able to navigate the file system, edit files, and stop and start processes.
One does not need to know Python in order to configure LiV. However, Python is needed if one wishes to modify and extend LiV code. You can find a brief description of LiV software architecture here.
What are you going to learn here?
This Linux tutorial is written for the absolute beginner who owns a LiV Pi device and who would like to be able to configure all its features. The information presented is minimal, but touches on all aspects that I consider fundamental. For those willing to dive deeper, I included at the end of this tutorial a section that contains a number of links to more advanced Linux tutorials.
I hope you will enjoy your Linux ride with LiV Pi!
-AlfredC
2018, Hong Kong