The Galileo can be used in a few different ways. 

  • Arduino Device
    • This is the most obvious way that it can be used. 
    • Out of the box the Galileo supports this mode. 
    • You can write sketches in the Arduino IDE, and download them to your Galileo
    • If you add an SD card, you can have permanent sketches.
    • All that is needed is a USB Micro cable. 
  • Connect AnyThing (CAT) Device. 
    • All that is needed is an SD card that has been loaded with the free CAT software. 
    • It turns your Galileo into a WiFi hot spot with a webpage. 
    • The webpage can control the Arduino header pins (Inputs and Outputs). 
      • You can connect inputs to outputs. 
    • You can be up and controlling things in a matter of minutes. 
  • Headless Linux Device
    • A Linux computer without a display. 
    • If you want to use the Galileo in this mode, start by looking at the IOT Devkit. 
    • At it's heart the Galileo is a small linux (586) computer. 
      • It has similar capabilities to what people used as a desktop in 1990.
      • It is MUCH smaller than that 1990s computer. 
    • It has a header for connection external devices. 
      • Both inputs and outputs. 
    • Inputs can be read from within Linux
    • Outputs can be driven from within Linux. 
    • Can create native C programs. 
    • Can utilize Python Modules created for Galileo. 
    • Can utilize OpenCV and connect a webcam to your Galileo. 
  • Headless Windows 8 Device. 
    • Yes, the Galileo can run windows. 
      • It just will not have a display
    • I have not tried this yet. 
    • Currently only works for Galileo 1 (as of November 2014)
  • Headless Arduino Device.