How do I make a program run when the Pi boots? I've tried before but not managed it properly so I'm going to attempt it again.

I just read a guide which says to edit rc.local and add a line in there with & to make it run in a separate process. No luck. Nothing happens (or seems to). If I run rc.local when I've logged in it works but my program starts spewing it's output all over the console. Not so good.

Currently what I do is login to the Pi, run screen, run my program, detach the screen and let it do whatever it wants hidden away. Is there some way I can do something similariaraly automagicamatically?

You can create an init script.

Or a very simple way is to use an @reboot line in crontab.

To prevent the output you can point it to /dev/null
 

@reboot  /usr/local/sbin/mycommand.sh > /dev/null 2>&1

 

Yay! That worked. Thanks Ant :) Finally working.

(highfive)

It's been a pain every time we've had a powercut so this will make it so much easier. First attempt last year stopped the Pi rebooting properly for some reason.

Do you have regular power cuts?

We've had a few brief ones with all the shitty weather we've had recently. Woken up a few times with the oven clock flashing at us in the morning.

Your oven's in the bedroom?

Dutch oven :C

I had to look that up on Urban Dictionary.  :-$

Mmmm

I only learnt it recently. Frum Urban Dictionary.  :$ :$ :$ :$ :$ :$ :$

I had to look that up too. Definitely some of that going on :)

Where else would I put it? Would be dangerous in the bathroom with all the water.

Oh yeah.  :-/

We should start a poll to get a general consensus on where you should stick your appliances white goods fiery pie making machine.