I bought a raspberry pi a while back, and I have no idea what to do with it. I know nothing about electrical engineering or Python (as I believe that's the language you use to program the pi). Any ideas?

How about a small home server? Maybe with OwnCloud

See https://devrant.io/rants/720502/...

You don't have to use Python. You can use whatever the hell you want

You can use the API in about any language. Because you seem to have fundamental Java skills, you could take a look at Pi4J http://pi4j.com/, but there are many other librarys. I know of three Java librarys for the Raspberry, a lot in Python, and so on.

Keep your Internet server provider honest by doing a SpeedTest every 10 minutes

A virtual doorbell + camera

Make a BLE peripheral for some sensor, like temperature of your kitchen (or upload it to the web)

ROBOTS!

Honestly, if you don't have experience with linux already, just set it up with the default OS Raspbian and start tinkering. Get stuck. Break the os a couple times. It's trivial to wipe and restart. Afterward, I suggest moving onto python, and finally electronics when you're comfortable. Or screw all that and jump right into a tutorial for a huge project.

Ummm. Time to learn Electrical Engineering and Python.

Seriously, there are a ton of tutorials that also tell you how to wire stuff and how to program stuff.

Install Pi-hole
https://pi-hole.net

Python can be learnt in no time

@busuu RPi.GPIO lets you use the pins to wire up sensors and components, and use Python logic to read and 'write' voltage. So, a huge and versatile logic controller.

Use the Google Assistant api to make a voice Assistant. It's really easy and there are plenty of videos on YouTube guiding you through the steps. Have fun!

@chadd17 the first project I did with the pi was making a robot with the frame from lego. Custom 3D printed axle converter for the motors and a motorblock which worked perfectly with the lego.

Intelligent home. Buy a relay an control everything in you home from a website. I did it very easily (and without python actually).

You can use whatever language you want, most have an api wrapper for the GPIO pins.

you can even put windows 10 IOT Core on it and create a UWP app to communicate with it, works pretry neat.

Haxx @theNSA and leak all information to @notNSA

I made mine into panel on my wall

@vhenrixon can you share a pic? Im curious

@Greggergalactic that idea though, I have bought a Pie some time ago, played around now it is collecting dust... What controller do you use?

Faulty assumptions, or presumptions

Turned mine into a media hub for my movies and mp3s. Installed the android app so I can use my phone as a remote. I'm slowly getting to the point where I can sit on the sofa and everything comes to me without me needing to move.

Next step...some kind of robotic letterbox so I don't have to get up when the takeaway arrives!

@shiv379 And then, a Laser letter opener 😂

I use mine as a media player/streamer running LibreELEC. It is basically a minimal Linux distro to run Kodi. The cool thing about it is that it supports HDMI CEC, which means you can control it with your TV remote.

@codex404 Im using the smart pi touch with the screen you can get from raspberry pi. Then I placed velcro on the adjustable panel and placed it on my wall. I then later made a program that tells weather and time(just basic thing for the time being). Sorry for a bad picture thats all I have because Im on vacation and am not at home.

Make a Smart Mirror!

http://instructables.com/id/...

Mobile pentesting device?

@starkfire I need to do that!