I had done development work with embedded systems a lot back about 20 years ago. Got to know the Intel 8051 chip really well.
Got a couple projects I want to play with and it was time to fish or cut bait. The two popular systems today are Arduino and Raspberry Pi. The Arduino is oriented towards makers and artists and has its own proprietary programming language. Lots of code already written out there so no need to reinvent the wheel. The Raspberry Pi runs Linux out of the box and is programmed using standard Windows or Linux based development tools (assembly and C+) with a bit of Lua or Python to glue stuff together.
Being more of an old-school guy, I am going with the Pi - I like using standardized languages and not being locked to one proprietary set of hardware. I needed to get some additional little bits to breadboard out my first idea and when on Amazon ordering the Pi's (I bought a couple as at least two will be locked in a box running for long periods of time - one as a timekeeper (here and here) and one as a WSPR beacon)
I saw this little kit of fun stuff: Elegoo Upgrade Electronics Fun Kit w/ Power Supply Module, Jumper Wire, Precision Potentiometer, 830 tie-points Breadboard and this one: Elegoo Electronics component pack with resistors, LEDs, Switch, Potentiometer. Got one of each - $25 total outlay and I am stocked with enough components to build anything I want. Lots of jumper cables to connect between my stuff and the Pi board. A nicely thought out collection.
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