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Raspberry Pi too tasty as huge demand crashes sitesBy Adam Parris-Long | Yahoo! News

Demand for a new miniature computer designed to interest children in coding sent the websites selling the product crashing earlier today - just hours after it went on sale.

The Raspberry Pi runs from a Linux operating system.The Raspberry Pi – which costs just £22 - is being hailed as a revolutionary new device that could create a new generation of programmers.

It is a rudimentary open circuit board that, once connected to a monitor, mouse and keyboard, works as a conventional computer.

The operating system includes a version of entry-level computer language program “Scratch”, which was originally devised at the world renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Using this, Pi is designed to get children into computing coding, a trend that was sparked by the BBC Micro and Sinclair Spectrum in the 1980s.

All proceeds from the project are going to charity as the circuitboard was created by volunteers headed by computer technician Eben Upton.

It triggered so much excitement that two websites selling the Pi crashed this morning. The websites of component companies RS and Premier Farnell were unable to cope with demand – although the sites appeared to be back up and running by midday. But the official Raspberry Pi website had to revert to a static site as high traffic levels overwhelmed it.

“We didn't realise how successful this was going to be,” said Mr Upton. “This means we can scale to volume. Now we can concentrate on teaching people to programme.”

“The £22 model on sale today [Wednesday] is actually the pricier version of Raspberry Pi - a stripped-down £16 model will go on sale later this year.”

The circuitboard can be plugged into older analogue television sets as well as digital counterparts and it harnesses power from mobile phone chargers.

Once the setup is complete users can boot up the open-source Linux operating system included on the inserted SD card. The Pi also contains an Ethernet port, allowing it to connect to the internet.

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Make tasty traditional mince pies

Mince pies at their very best. Delicious served cold or hot with a splash of cream. Simply irresistible festive treats!

Serves: 12
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Oven Temperature: 200° c - 390° f

You will need

680 g ready-to-roll shortcrust pastry
450 g sweet mince meat
1 egg beaten, to glaze
a handful of flour for dusting
2 tbsp water
1 rolling pin
1 8cm/3.1 inch pastry cutter
1 7cm/ 2.7 inch pastry cutter
1 bun tin
1 pastry brush
1 spoon

Method

1. Set the oven to 200ºC (390ºF/ gas mark 6).

2. Sprinkle your working surface with flour. Place the pastry in it and also dust with flour. Start to roll the pastry out, turn it over and continue rolling until it is rolled into a thin sheet.

3. Take the bigger 8cm cutter and cut out 12 pastry disks for your mince pies. Place each of the pastry disk into the bun tin gently press down into the bottom to create a cup.

4. Add a spoonful of mincemeat to each of the cups.

5. Take the excess pastry, left over from making the mince pie cups and roll it into a ball. Sprinkle the work surface once more with flour and re-roll it in preparation for making the lids for the mince pies.

6. Take the smaller 7cm pastry cutter and cut out 12 lids from the sheet of pastry.

7. Taking a lid, brush with a little water around the edges and place it wet side down on top of the open mince pie.

Gently push down the edges with your fingers to seal.

With your pastry brush generously coat the lids with the egg wash. They are now ready to bake.

8. Place your bun tin in the middle of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove after this time when golden brown.

9. Dust with a little icing sugar for that finishing touch and serve hot or cold over the Christmas.