The easiest way to install the operating system (Raspberry Pi OS, a Linux Debian-based OS) is to use the official Raspberry Pi Imager utility which works on macOS, Ubuntu and Windows.
1. Download the 32-bit / 64-bit Rasbperry Pi OS Lite from here: https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/
2. Flash the image to the SD card with the utility of your choice (options for Mac, Linux, Windows?)
3. Fill in required details in the configuration files in configuration folder and copy them to the boot folder on the SD card (this is the folder that should open when you open the SD card volume on your computer):
- ssh.txt: this enables ssh on the Raspberry Pi, no need to edit the file (it's empty, the existence of the file in the boot folder is enough)
- userconf.txt: creates a user
- replace <username> with the username of choice (e.g. pi)
- replace <encryptedpassword> with an encrypted version of your password which can be created with the openssl command line tool:
- open Terminal, write `openssl passwd` and press Enter
- input your password and press enter (asked twice)
- as output, you will get the encrypted version of the password
- wpa_supplicant.conf: set up Wi-Fi
- replace <Insert2letterISO3166-1countrycodehere> with your country code (e.g. FI)
- replace "<NameofyourwirelessLAN>" with the name of your Wi-Fi network, e.g. "explorersden"
- replace "<PasswordforyourwirelessLAN>" with the Wi-Fi password, e.g. "password"