Chapter 6 ■ Building low-Cost MysQl data nodes■Tip if you plan to experiment with the gpio pins or require access to the power test pins or the other ports
located on the interior of the board, you may want to consider either using the self-adhesive bumper option or
ordering a case that has an open top to make access easier. some cases are prone to breakage if opened and
closed frequently.
Aside from a case, you should also consider purchasing (or pulling from your spares) a powered USB hub.
The USB hub power module should be 700–1000mA. A powered hub is required if you plan to use
USB devices that draw a lot of power, such as a USB hard drive or a USB soft missile launcher.
■Caution Because the board is small, it is tempting to use it in precarious places like in a moving vehicle
or on a messy desk. ensure that your raspberry pi is in a secure location. the power, hdMi, and micro sd card
slots seem to the most vulnerable connectors.
Where to Buy
The Raspberry Pi has been available in Europe for some time. It is getting easier to find, but few brick-and-
mortar stores stock the Raspberry Pi. Fortunately, a number of online retailers stock it, as well as a host
of accessories that are known to work with the Raspberry Pi. The following are some of the more popular
online retailers with links to their Raspberry Pi catalog entry:
- Sparkfun: http://sparkfun.com/categories/233
- Adafruit: http://adafruit.com/category/105
- Maker Shed: http://makershed.com/collections/raspberry-pi
Figure 6-6. 3D-printed Raspberry Pi 2 Model B+ case