Macbook M1 Accessories

The M1 Macbook has only an audio jack and two USB C ports, so a dongle was a necessary expenditure. I ended up buying the model shown in Figure 1. It only cost about Rp300,000 or A$30, so certainly not expensive. It was bought online of course. In a store, it would have cost twice as much.

Figure 1

After clipping it in securely, it is working fine. I tested it out by inserting a memory card. However, I left it connected overnight and noticed a significant drop in the battery percentage. The problem is that the dongle lights up in blue when inserted which is useful in a way but it also drains the battery. I don't think there's any way to disable the light, so it's only to be inserted as needed. I have a USB 3 card reader with USB C connector so I can use that where memory cards are involved and it doesn't draw any power. For HDMI output however, I'll need the dongle.

So far I've downloaded VLC for playing movies, Calibre for my ebook library, Chess X for playing and analysing chess moves and SageMath for mathematical investigation. Most of the work I do is done within the Chrome browser.

Macbook Air M1

Having acquired a Macbook Air M1 for my birthday, I set about getting Astrolog to run on it under Wine. I succeeded under Linux but it's proving frustrating using the Macintosh operating system running on the newer non-Intel chip. I've had Astrolog running quite happily on my 2013 Macbook Pro when the Mac OS was installed. The error message when trying to get WINE to run the astrolog.exe mentions "bad CPU type" so the newer CPU seems to be the problem.

There is a Macintosh version but it only seems to work in the terminal and produces output as shown in Figure 1. As the documentation says:

The main difference from the Windows version is that it does not offer a Graphical User Interface, and so you will not find a mouse-driven menu system or dialog interface. However, it offers just about everything else. You can even draw temporary squiggles/annotations with your mouse ona chart displayed in X11.

This is clearly of limited use and takes me back to the bad old days of the late 1980s using MS-DOS on a 286 PC.

Figure 1

Of course I could install Virtual Box and run astrolog.exe under Windows proper but it's a lot of trouble to go to for just one program so it's a problem that I'll have to keep working on. Here is what Google's Gemini had to say about the problem when I asked the question:

I have installed WINE on my Macbook Air but it will not run astrolog.exe. I keep getting an error message. Here is what it says. If you can understand it, you're a better man than me (I then copied the entire error message).

The error message you provided indicates an issue with running astrolog.exe using Wine on your Apple Macbook Air with M1 chip. Here's a breakdown of the error and potential solutions:

Understanding the Error: 

"Bad CPU type in executable": This is the core issue. Wine expects a program compiled for a specific CPU architecture (likely x86 for traditional computers). However, your Macbook Air uses an M1 chip with ARM architecture, which is different. Astrolog.exe is likely compiled for x86 and incompatible with your Mac's CPU.

Why Wine Doesn't Work with M1 Macs (for now):

Wine typically translates instructions from Windows programs to work on the underlying system's architecture. However, M1 chips are a significant departure from Intel x86 architecture, and full compatibility with Wine is still under development.

Possible Solutions (Limited)

There are unfortunately no guaranteed solutions to run astrolog.exe directly on your M1 Mac with Wine at this time. Here are some possibilities to consider, but keep in mind their limitations:

Alternative Software: Explore if there are alternative astrology software programs that are native to macOS or have web-based versions.

Crossover (Paid Software): Crossover is a commercial alternative to Wine that attempts to run Windows applications on macOS. It might have better compatibility with M1 Macs than the free Wine version, but there's no guarantee it will work with astrolog.exe specifically.

Virtualization with Windows on ARM (Experimental): There are ongoing efforts to run Windows on ARM processors through virtualization. While Microsoft does offer a limited preview of Windows 11 for ARM on compatible devices, it's still in development and might not be suitable for everyday use yet.

Recommendation:

Since Wine isn't a reliable option for astrolog.exe on your M1 Mac at this point, investigating alternative software or waiting for potential future compatibility improvements in Wine or virtualization solutions might be the best course of action.

Of course, there's paid astrology software for the Mac but I've gotten used to using Astrolog for free over many years and it does all I need it to do. 

Gen 5 NVMe and DDR 5

It's hard to keep up with all the advances in storage technology. However, the latest and greatest seems to be PCIe Gen 5 NVM. I asked Google's Gemini about it and here is what it had to say.

PCIe Gen 5 NVM (Non-Volatile Memory) storage represents the cutting edge of storage technology. Here's a breakdown of what it is and how it differs from previous generations:

PCIe Gen 5 NVM in a Nutshell:

• Superfast Data Transfer: Utilizes the PCIe Gen 5 interface, boasting significantly higher bandwidth compared to older generations. This translates to blazing-fast data transfer speeds, enabling quicker loading times and improved responsiveness for applications.

• NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express): This refers to a high-performance storage access protocol designed specifically for solid-state drives (SSDs) connected via PCIe. It bypasses traditional storage bottlenecks, further optimizing performance.

Compared to earlier PCIe Gen NVM versions (e.g., Gen 3 & 4):

• Speed Boost: Gen 5 offers nearly double the data transfer speeds compared to Gen 4. We're talking about reaching up to 12.4 GB/s read speeds, compared to Gen 4's 8 GB/s. This significant jump translates to real-world benefits for demanding applications.

• Future-proofing: Gen 5 is built to handle the ever-growing data demands of applications like:

• High-resolution video editing

• AI and machine learning

• Professional content creation

• VR/AR experiences

• Faster game loading times

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

Feature	PCIe Gen 3 NVM	PCIe Gen 4 NVM	PCIe Gen 5 NVM
Interface	PCIe Gen 3	PCIe Gen 4	PCIe Gen 5
Maximum Bandwidth	Up to 4 GB/s	Up to 8 GB/s	Up to 12.4 GB/s
Ideal Uses	Mid-range PCs, moderate workloads	High-performance PCs, demanding workloads	Cutting-edge PCs, future-proof technology

Keep in mind:

• Early Days: Gen 5 technology is still new (as of March 2024). While there are some Gen 5 NVM SSDs available, wider adoption and potentially lower prices might take some time.

• Compatibility: Ensure your motherboard and system support PCIe Gen 5 to leverage the full benefits of Gen 5 NVM storage.

Overall, PCIe Gen 5 NVM storage represents a significant leap forward in data transfer speeds, making it ideal for users who demand the absolute best performance from their storage solutions. As the technology matures and becomes more widely available, it's poised to become the new standard for high-performance computing systems.

I thought I'd clarify what is meant by PCIe as well and this is what Gemini had to say:

In computer storage technology, PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. It's a high-speed interface that allows devices like storage drives to connect to the motherboard and communicate with the CPU.

Here's how PCIe plays a role in storage:

• High Bandwidth: Compared to older interfaces like SATA (Serial ATA), PCIe offers significantly higher bandwidth. This translates to faster data transfer speeds between storage devices and the CPU, ultimately improving system performance.

• Flexibility: PCIe is a versatile interface used for various components beyond storage, including graphics cards and network cards. This allows for a more modular and scalable system design.

Generations of PCIe:

• PCIe comes in different generations, each offering improved bandwidth and performance over the previous one. Current mainstream options include PCIe Gen 3 and Gen 4, with Gen 5 emerging as the latest cutting-edge technology.

Impact on Storage:

• The type of PCIe interface a storage device uses significantly affects its performance. For instance, a PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD (Non-Volatile Memory Express) will outperform a SATA SSD due to the higher bandwidth capabilities of PCIe.

Benefits of PCIe for Storage:

• Faster Loading Times: Faster data transfer speeds translate to quicker loading times for applications and games stored on PCIe SSDs.

• Improved Responsiveness: Overall system responsiveness benefits from the rapid data transfer capabilities of PCIe storage.

• Future-proofing: Opting for a PCIe interface with higher bandwidth (like Gen 4 or 5) prepares your system for future storage demands of increasingly data-intensive applications.

In essence, PCIe provides the high-speed connection critical for modern, high-performance storage solutions like NVMe SSDs. This allows them to unleash their full potential and significantly improve data transfer speeds compared to older interfaces like SATA.

I thought I'd ask about DDR 5 RAM while I was at and here was the response:

DDR5 RAM (Double Data Rate 5) is the latest generation of Random Access Memory, offering several improvements over its predecessors (DDR3 and DDR4). Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

Speed:

• Faster Data Transfer Rates: DDR5 boasts significantly higher data transfer rates compared to DDR4. We're talking about jump from around 3200 MHz for DDR4 to starting points of 4800 MHz and potentially reaching 8400 MHz for DDR5. This translates to quicker processing of information and improved system performance.

Capacity:

• Increased Density: DDR5 modules can hold more memory per chip compared to DDR4. This allows for the creation of RAM sticks with larger capacities, catering to the ever-growing memory demands of modern applications.

Power Efficiency:

• Lower Voltage: DDR5 operates at a lower voltage (1.1V) compared to DDR4 (1.2V). This reduces power consumption, leading to potentially improved battery life in laptops and more energy-efficient desktops.

Error Correction:

• On-die Error Correction (ODECC): A significant improvement in DDR5 is the integration of error correction (ECC) directly onto the memory modules themselves. This was previously handled by the CPU, and moving it to the RAM improves overall system performance and data integrity.

Other Improvements:

• Enhanced Channel Architecture: DDR5 features a more advanced channel architecture that allows for better data flow and improved memory access patterns.

• Burst Length: The burst length (the amount of data transferred in a single operation) has been increased in DDR5, further optimizing data transfer efficiency.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

Feature	DDR4	DDR5
Data Transfer Rate	Up to 3200 MHz	Starting at 4800 MHz (potential for 8400 MHz)
Capacity	Up to 32 GB per module	Up to (and beyond) 32 GB per module
Voltage	1.2 V	1.1 V
Error Correction	Handled by CPU	On-die Error Correction (ODECC)

Important Considerations:

• Early Days: Like any new technology, DDR5 is still in its early stages (as of March 2024). While some DDR5 RAM is available, it might be pricier than DDR4 for some time.

• Compatibility: Ensure your motherboard specifically supports DDR5 RAM. Installing DDR5 RAM in a system designed for DDR4 won't work.

Overall, DDR5 RAM represents a significant leap forward in memory technology, offering faster speeds, higher capacities, and improved efficiency. As the technology matures and becomes more widely adopted, it's poised to become the standard for high-performance computing systems.

On a final note, I exported the Gemini content of this post to Google Docs and thus retained all the formatting. This is quite useful as well as being executed very quickly. Tables within the Gemini content can be exported to Google Sheets if required.

Intertwined Words

I regularly play Word Master on my iPhone that requires one word to be linked to another by at least one letter. I got to thinking of pairs of words that link completely.

For two letters words, it's rather trivial. For example:

B A

E N

For three letter words, it's also not difficult. For example:

R A T

E T A

As the words get longer, the match-ups become more difficult but still possible for four letter words. For example:

T O R E

A R E A

Of course, looking at the previous example, you might accept TA, OR and RE as legitimate words but what about EA? Well, we need to agree on some reference source and the SCRABBLE DICTIONARY is as good a source as any. Referring to this we find that EA is indeed a word. 

EA: the Babylonian god of wisdom; son of Apsu and father of Marduk; counterpart of the Sumerian Enki; as one of the supreme triad including Anu and Bel he was assigned controlof the watery element.

What about a five letter match-up? It can be noted that alternating between vowels and consonents makes the match-ups easier to find. Difficult consonants, like C and V are to be avoided at all costs become there are very few two letter words to be formed from them.

 B A K E D
A B A T E

BA, AB, KA, ET and DE are all legitimate words according to the SCRABBLE DICTIONARY. What about a six letter match-up?

A B A T E D
D E N O T E

It's not that difficult but watching three words together would be more challenging. Anyway, just introducing the notion of "intertwined words" (for want of a better term).

Calibre Reborn

My USB 3 Card Reader was delivered today and thankfully, after inserting my microSD card, my laptop recognised the storage device and I was able to copy an old backup of my Calibre library from an external hard drive to the new card.

Opening up Calibre on my laptop I was able to redirect it to the new library and so I'm up and running again. I don't know how many ebooks I lost by not backing up more regularly but it's no matter. I had thousands of books and wouldn't have been able to read them all given several lifetimes. It was in essence a vanity project with me collecting ebooks and trying to create a massive e-library that I could brag about.

Not that there's anyone much to brag to. Nonetheless, it's good to have recreated the library even if its not quite in all its former glory. I know also not to trust in SD cards and so I'll make sure that I backup regularly to an external hard drive. As I've said before, it's time to replace my old mechanical hard drive with a newer SSD that doesn't need to be massive in terms of its storage capacity.

Figure 1

Figure 2

My old drive was one terabyte in capacity and the same sized SSD costs around two million rupiah or about two hundred Australian dollars. See Figures 1 and 2. However, it's not urgent as the mechanical hard drive is still perfectly serviceable.

ADDENDUM

Even though some books from my Calbre e-library were lost, they may reside on my Google Play Books website or via the Kindle app on my iPhone, so those locations can be checked as well.

SD Card Reader

I ended up ordering a SD Card Reader online rather than going to Bintaro Plaza, thus saving money in the process as items are always significantly more expensive in the malls. Here are the specifications:

It all looks good but I'll to wait and see if it does the job. At least it has a USB C connector as well so it is future proof if I move to a more modern laptop in the future. If it is functional, I'll transfer my Calibre library that is on my external hard drive to the micro-SD and continue saving books to the relocated library. It should arrive between the 15th and 17th of March.

I should invest in a new external SSD drive at some point because my current mechanical hard drive is a little unstable, a slight movement can cause a break in the connection. One step at a time however, and so for the time being I await the arrival of my latest accessory.

MIcro SD Cards

Having bought a 128 GB micro SD card, I could not find an adaptor to insert it into, even though I knew I had some laying around somewhere. In the end, I ended five of them online (the smallest number that could be purchased). Unfortunately, the SD card reader on my laptop doesn't recognise the card and two old USB 2 card readers that I found where also of no use. I'll purchase a USB 3 card reader and hope that does the job.

The reason for my purchase is that I want to store my Calibre e-book library on a storage device other than my hard drive. When my laptop crashed after updating Linux Mint, I lost all the data on my hard drive and even though I had a backup on an external hard drive, it was sadly out of date. It was quite a tedious and slow job to back up the library which is why I procrastinated in doing it. 

The SD card, even with the adaptor, is more compact than a thumb drive and can sit less obtrusively in my USB hub that currently hosts a fan and a dongle for my mouse. There are two slots left. My laptop has two USB 3.0 ports, one hosts my TP-LINK WiFi dongle and the other hosts my USB hub. 

It would be nice to have everything working on my laptop but that it's nearly 11 years old now I can't complain. Currently my Elementary OS that I have installed doesn't recognise the internal WiFi card, the webcam or, seemingly, the SD card reader. Nonetheless, I'm happy with the current performance of the laptop.