Simple Raspberry Pi Tasks

What can be done with a Raspberry Pi 3? The wildly popular $35 computer and the $5 cousin, the Pi Zero are great for do it yourself computing projects.

With so many fun potential projects my Pi purchase was just the start of a mini-obsession. Not only did the Pi immediately prove useful as a second computer for simple browsing but it also serves as a potential embedded control board for anything IoT related. Each of the potential uses proved to be a learning experience including everything from Python coding, to soldering, to brushing up on CAD design skills and even some word working.

Along the way a lot of simple actions became re-useable. Rather than reinventing the wheel I was able to repurpose simple actions, like taking a picture or turning on a light, to get the intended use. Here is a list of tasks that can be done.

1. Take Screen Captures and Record a Display
2. Display a specific page automatically (Kiosk Mode)
3. Use an iPhone or iPad to Control the Pi
4. Work in 2D CAD (LibreCAD)
5. Read Barcodes or QR Codes
6. Control a 3D Printer Remotely With OctoPi
7. Run Amazon Alexa to have a Voice Activated Smart Home
8. Wearable Body Cam
9. Browse the Web with A $10 Computer
10. Flash an Image to an SD card
11. Make a home Cloud for extra backups
12. Manage Spreadsheets and Documents
13. Add a Camera to the Pi
14. Stream the Camera to the Internet
15. Create a security camera
16. Detect Other Bluetooth Devices (Use as a bluetooth beacon)