BurningPi Scratch Pitch

            Scratch is an educational programming language used by students, teachers, parents, and anyone interested in learning an easy way of programming.   It was created at MIT and is a project of their Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab and is provided free of charge.  As stated on the Scratch site, “Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively – essential skills for life in the 21^st century.”  Scratch is designed especially for ages of 8 to 16, but is used by people of all ages (even myself at age 22!) 

Overall, I think Scratch is an awesome program to make it easy for people to WANT to program.  I believe programming is a special talent and in my opinion, not a very fun activity, but with this interactive program, it sparks much more interest.  Because you can program interactive stories, games, and animations using “sprites” and preexisting “blocks,” it definitely creates a programming environment that is more visual than technical, which is helpful for beginners.

For our class, we had to create a Scratch pitch to promote our specific products.  Mine, the BurningPi Pitch, can be found below.  Turn up your volume, hit the green flag, and check it out.  As always, feel free to leave feedback! To create your own Scratch project visit scratch.mit.edu

Business Model Canvas Reflection

            As I work to get a complete grasp on my RPi venture, I have been working on my Business Model Canvas.  I have the basics but sometimes it is hard to think deeper in some of the categories.  Luckily we brainstormed some in class but I am still sort of stuck in the box.  I have my idea, I have parts of it working, but as far as the business side of it goes I cannot fully encompass where it is going.  So at this point, that’s where I am!

            Where do I need to be, you may ask.  I need to start solidifying my thoughts.  No more maybe this would work or maybe I would like to do this.  I also need to take a look into my competitors because at this point I have price as a value I am offering, but I am not 100% sure that I would be lower than what others are offering (although I am 99% sure). 

            I fully believe that my model is truly feasible!  As they say:

·      “Every day is safety day. Safety has no holiday!”

·      “Life is rare, live with care!”

·      “Safety is the key, it is up to you and me!”

·      “Stay alert! Don’t get hurt!”

These overused phrases are the reason WHY my product is feasible.  Safety sells and for most, it has no price, especially when it becomes about the safety of a loved one.  Production is feasible, partnerships are feasible, and selling this product is feasible.  I am 100% positive that my product fits a very relevant need and it will sell because of that.

Take a look at my Business Model Canvas below (you will most likely need to download and/or zoom) to get further details of the business of my venture! PLEASE feel free to offer feedback through comments to help me think outside of the box! Your perspective and opinion is welcome with open arms.

Webcam Working

GREAT news followers

After some extreme frustration in the process of trying to get my webcam to stream from the RPi to my Mac, I finally got it to work!  For starters, my old Logitech webcam was not compatible with the RPi, so I purchased a Logitech C170 webcam.  Then, when searching for streaming options I came across the M-JPG Streamer (article I used is located in the link below) which allowed me to stream with no issues!  Yay, Snaps, Woohoos for further progress into my venture.  Stay tuned for more development in the upcoming weeks!

(Streaming in the IS lab)

http://www.howtoembed.com/projects/raspberry-pi/78-pieye-webcam-streaming-in-m-jpg-format-with-raspberry-pi#rpi-mjpg-streamer

The BIG Idea

Have you ever been in the middle of doing something and have the terrifying thought of…

The idea of who left the stove on is where the idea for my Raspberry Pi has originated.  I live in a sorority house with 39 other women and as you can imagine, accountability is sometimes an issue.  We have the problem of our stove not being turned off probably averaging about once a week, but we never know who the culprit is in order to take care of the problem.  The stove sometimes runs throughout the evening and causes an immense safety issue in which my venture could solve.

Using a Raspberry Pi, heat sensor, and webcam, I would program the Raspberry Pi to somehow turn on when the temperature reached above a certain heat and then the webcam would turn on to record either via video or picture snapshots.  Obviously, the logistics of accomplishing the idea are still in the works, but if all goes well, it would be possible to figure out who leaves the stove on and correct the potential safety hazard.  Below further explains where I have obtained the passion for the idea I have chosen, as displayed in my Super Hunch Sketch Pad.

            I have been playing with the Pi this weekend to try and get the Webcam to work and stream to an alternate source such as my Mac or using an app on my iPhone, but unfortunately no success just yet!  Hopefully, this step will be up and running before the weekend comes to a close.

            Thanks for stopping by to read about my idea and feel free to leave and comments/feedback/suggestions you may have!