This is human anatomical layout design applied to a Rasberry Pi computer, so that it is easy to figure out for first time users.

Raspberry Pi is a simple, open computer with all the components in plain view through a see-through cover. The only problem with Raspberry Pi is that if you dont know anything about comptuers, either someone has to explain what each bit does or you have to read the manual. It is not easy to figure out which bit is the processor and what a processor actually does.

The usability and learning curve is left up to the help department - which has an incentive -- self-preservation -- to not actually help you because if they really helped you then there would be no need for them anymore.

I'm sure there is not a direct correlation between the design of the human body and the design of a computer, but what if for the sake of the ease of learning, someone were to design something like Raspberry Pi to look like, or to feel like the various parts of the human anatomy. I dont know how this would work, maybe the processor is the brain and the inputs and outputs are the senses, or the speakers are the mouth and the printer is a hand with a pen and the memory is the belly button or something like that or maybe something totally different, or maybe you open the process of designing it to a bunch of people until it is easily picked up for the first time by first time users, whatever the design, whatever works best.
-- JesusHChrist, Nov 20 2012

Raspberry Pi picture http://www.adafruit...ads/2012/05/pi1.jpg
Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, basic computer that was originally intended to help spur interest in computing among school-aged children. The Raspberry Pi is contained on a single circuit board and features ports for: HDMI USB 2.0 Composite video Analog audio Power Internet SD Card The computer runs entirely on open-source software and gives students the ability to mix and match software according to the work they wish to do. [JesusHChrist, Nov 20 2012]

I'm the loser who bought a Maximite before Raspberry Pi came out.
-- DIYMatt, Nov 20 2012


//I dont know how this would work, maybe the processor is the brain and the inputs and outputs are the senses, or the speakers are the mouth and the printer is a hand with a pen and the memory is the belly button or something like that or maybe something totally different,// So, completely intuitive, then?

It strikes me that learning where the inputs and outputs are is only a tiny, teeny step towards being able to use the Raspberry Pi effectively. It's a bit like putting a sign saying "DOOR" on the cockpit door of an Airbus 380* - it does not automatically mean that you can fly the thing.

*Oddly, French aviation law does require that the word "DOOR" is prominently placed on the inside of the cockpit door of the A380. However, this is presumably for the benefit of pilots who are congenitally French. They obviously eschewed "PORTE" on the grounds that it was too easily misconstrued.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 20 2012


Notably, the French have no single, simple word for "up".

This etymological lacuna has led to several aircraft non-reusability incidents.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 21 2012



random, halfbakery