When I first got my hands on a Raspberry Pi, I was just curious to see what all the fuss was about. Little did I know that this tiny computer would become my secret weapon for supercharging productivity. Here are seven ways the Raspberry Pi has made my life easier.
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- 1. Network-Wide Ad Blocking
- 2. Lightweight Coding Workstation
- 3. Local AI Assistant
- 4. Distraction-Free Writing Environment
- 5. Self-Hosted Time Tracking
- 6. Wi-Fi Bridge for Legacy Devices
- 7. Network Attached Storage
1. Network-Wide Ad Blocking
As much as I understand the importance of ads for keeping websites like MakeTechEasier afloat, there’s no denying that the internet has become plagued with them. That’s why I’ve become selective about which sites I allow to display ads, and AdGuard running on my Raspberry Pi is instrumental in achieving this goal.
You can get AdGuard up and running with a single command, and the ad-blocker is impressively effective even in its default configuration. By running it on a Raspberry Pi, you can protect all devices connected to your network, including smartphones and smart TVs.
2. Lightweight Coding Workstation
I’m not a professional software developer, but I do enjoy tinkering with personal coding projects in my spare time. The only problem is that my free moments often come when I’m away from my desktop. That’s why I’ve turned my Raspberry Pi into a lightweight coding workstation, with Geany being my IDE of choice.
The beauty of this setup is its accessibility. Using Tailscale, I can securely connect to my Pi-powered workstation from any public computer. This means I always have access to my projects and development environment, exactly as I left them. And because my Raspberry Pi is extremely power-efficient, I can keep it running 24/7 without ending up with a huge electricity bill.
3. Local AI Assistant
Ever since ChatGPT burst onto the scene, I’ve been fascinated by the potential of AI to boost productivity. But I wasn’t keen on sharing my data with big tech companies or relying on an internet connection. That’s where my Raspberry Pi came to the rescue. Using Ollama, I’ve set up a local AI assistant that’s always at my fingertips – no internet required.
My go-to model is Microsoft’s Phi-3, which packs a punch despite its small size. It helps me brainstorm ideas, debug code, and even proofread my writing. While it’s not as zippy as cloud-based alternatives, the privacy and offline access more than make up for it.
4. Distraction-Free Writing Environment
When it comes to certain types of writing, especially fiction, I find my main computer far too distracting. Notifications, emails, and the temptation to “quickly check” social media can derail my creative flow. That’s why I’ve set up a dedicated distraction-free writing environment on my Raspberry Pi.
I use a separate microSD card with a minimal Raspberry Pi OS installation that automatically launches Typora, my favorite markdown editor, on startup. With no notifications to pull me away and no other apps vying for my attention, I’m much less likely to shift focus to something unrelated. It’s amazing how much more writing I can accomplish when I’m fully immersed in this distraction-free zone.
5. Self-Hosted Time Tracking
Keeping track of time spent on various projects is important for my productivity and client billing. That’s why I’ve set up a self-hosted instance of Kimai, an open-source time tracking tool, on my Pi. It’s always accessible on my local network (and remotely using a VPN), allowing me to start and stop timers effortlessly from any device.
I chose Kimai for several reasons. First, its intuitive interface makes tracking time a breeze, even when juggling multiple projects. The ability to generate detailed reports and professional invoices directly from my time entries has streamlined my billing process significantly. Plus, Kimai’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows me to expand its functionality to fit my needs.
6. Wi-Fi Bridge for Legacy Devices
Do you have an old printer that’s gathering dust because it lacks Wi-Fi capabilities? I used to have one. Fortunately, I was able to breathe new life into it by turning my Raspberry Pi into a Wi-Fi bridge (you can read my straightforward guide to set up a Wi-Fi bridge yourself).
A Wi-Fi bridge is essentially a device that connects to your network wirelessly and then shares that connection via Ethernet. My Ethernet-only network printer now works flawlessly with all my wireless devices, and I’m really happy that it does because my buying a new printer is never fun.
7. Network Attached Storage
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a few spare hard drives lying around. I turned mine into a super-efficient Network Attached Storage (NAS) system (basically a file-level computer data storage server connected to a computer network) using my Raspberry Pi.
With OpenMediaVault, I can easily store, share, and back up files across my home network. The setup is simple, and the Pi’s low power consumption makes it a great always-on storage solution without worrying about skyrocketing energy bills.
It’s amazing how this tiny, affordable computer can wear so many hats and solve so many everyday tech challenges. However, as versatile as the Raspberry Pi is, it’s important to recognize its limitations. For example, I wouldn’t recommend using it as a mini PC for everyday computing needs, and here’s the reasons why.
Cover image and screenshots by David Morelo.
David Morelo –
Staff Writer
David Morelo is a professional content writer in the technology niche, covering everything from consumer products to emerging technologies and their cross-industry application. His interest in technology started at an early age and has only grown stronger over the years.
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