# We don’t serve pies, but we do like a Pi

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/we-dont-serve-pies-but-we-do-like-a-pi/
- Published: 2026-08-12T09:57:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-12T10:18:01+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2026/08/12/we-dont-serve-pies-but-we-do-like-a-pi/5282944
- Topics: Software

## Key points

- Pub tipping machine exposed its Raspberry Pi desktop after a malfunction.
- Screen showed “pi” login and generic Raspberry Pi hostname.
- Digital tipping is becoming more common in UK pubs.

## Summary

A London pub’s electronic tipping device was found displaying the desktop of the Raspberry Pi computer powering it, apparently after a software failure exposed its underlying operating system. The incident matters chiefly as an example of a customer-facing payment system failing visibly, while also drawing attention to the growing use of card-based tipping machines in UK hospitality.

The screen showed Raspbian GNU/Linux with an automatic login as “pi” and the generic hostname “raspberrypi”, suggesting a default-style Raspberry Pi setup. The hardware appeared to be from TiPJAR, a company providing digital tipping systems; the article notes that the device could likely be restored by an IT professional, while questioning whether such systems should ever substitute for proper staff pay.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.