Reddit reviews Programming the Raspberry Pi: Getting Started with Python

Here are 2 awesome guides: 1 & 2. But as indicated in this thread you probably should get a well know micro-controller and use it to build a knowledge base. The Arduino is an Italian micro-controller that is based on an Atmel chipset. It has a massive online following and support for it can be found in /r/Arduino or here at their website. This has numerous shields that can be added on to add features. These are things like GPRS (SMS and Mobile connectivity), Ethernet (Wireless) and Motor Control. You can buy components and such from: https://www.sparkfun.com/ ; https://www.adafruit.com/ ; http://www.mouser.com/ . The Arduino favors hardware prototyping and tinkering. The Arduino is programmed using its own software that is free and available. It has its own IDE (integrated development Environment) and is programmed using its own take on the assembly language. It is quite easy to use, well supported and open source.

Also, you might consider the Raspberry Pi which is explained in this Ted Talk by Eben Upton one of the creators of the board. I believe it uses AVR. The "A" board is slightly smaller (storage) and boots linux from a SD card or Flash as does the "B" which has slightly more storage and WiFi hardware. The Pi is typically programmed in Python but can be used I think with almost any language(C, C+, Assembly etc.)

Also, there is a Micro called BeagleBone. It is similar to Pi but has a few different features. It is very powerful and can be researched(as a starting point here. I know very little about this board and believe it to be more advanced than the former 2 I had mentioned.

These resources can be used for the Arduino: Getting Started and Cookbook.

A few resources to get started: Python & Pi and Getting Started

The first 2 resources I listed 1 & & 2 Are absolutely brilliant. They teach basic electronics introduction to Eagle Cad A free PCB (printed Circuit Board) program that people use to draw schematics and PCB. Which is pretty important. I linked the free version which is more than powerful enough for a beginner. The resource [1] is really helpful I would read it thoroughly if interested. Also, places like http://makezine.com/ is a good place for DIYers. Also you might like this news channel that follows hacker stuff (it is from Y-Combinator an Incubator for some silicon valley start ups) listed here. These links should cover you for a while.

I saw this book before, but never read it.

https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Raspberry-Pi-Getting-Started/dp/0071807837

Anything you do, do not buy this book , or this one . Just a waste of money.

I liked this one. http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Raspberry-Pi-Getting-Started/dp/0071807837/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371223914&sr=8-1&keywords=python+raspberry+pi

It has an intro section that describes how to setup your raspberry pi and it ramps up pretty quickly with the final chapters covering programming the GPIO pins.

I started by going through Grey Hat Python. If you're an experienced programmer and enjoy the low-level stuff once in a while it is a very fun way to learn Python.

If you're specifically looking to learn how to program the Rasberry Pi and learn Python at the same time (which will keep your interest up), Programming the Raspberry Pi: Getting Started with Python is a great book for beginners of all skill levels. If you are a newbie programmer, buy this book.