The Golden Hind

The Golden Hind: Sir Francis Drake's Flagship

This post was generated by Gemini's Deep Research mainly as an exercise in getting content from Gemini to display satisfactorily in Blogger by using HTML generated by the AI itself. This circumvents formatting glitches that bedevil the copy and paste process when using the standard copy option in Gemini.

A replica of the Golden Hind

Few ships in maritime history evoke as much wonder and controversy as the Golden Hind. Best known as the flagship of Sir Francis Drake during his circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, this English galleon played a pivotal role in the era of Elizabethan exploration and privateering.

From Pelican to Golden Hind

It is a lesser-known fact that the ship was not originally christened the Golden Hind. When she launched in Plymouth, she was known as the Pelican. She was a relatively small galleon, weighing about 120 tons, with a length of roughly 102 feet.

Mid-voyage, in 1578, as the expedition prepared to enter the treacherous Strait of Magellan, Drake renamed the ship. He chose the name Golden Hind to honor his patron, Sir Christopher Hatton, whose family crest featured a golden hind (a female red deer). This political maneuver was likely calculated to smooth over tensions back home regarding the expedition's controversial nature.

The Circumnavigation

Drake's voyage was a feat of extraordinary endurance. Of the five ships that set sail from England, only the Golden Hind completed the journey. The ship survived violent Atlantic storms, the perilous passage around South America, and the vast, unknown expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

The ship was heavily armed for her size, carrying 22 guns. This firepower was necessary not just for defense, but for the primary purpose of the mission: plundering Spanish shipping routes along the Pacific coast of the Americas.

The Treasure Ship

The Golden Hind became one of the richest ships in history. During her voyage, she captured the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de la Concepción (nicknamed Cagafuego). The haul was immense, including 26 tons of silver, half a ton of gold, porcelain, and jewels.

When the ship finally returned to Plymouth in September 1580, the treasure on board was valued at over £300,000—more than the Crown's entire annual income. Queen Elizabeth I received a half-share of the treasure, which allowed her to pay off the entire national debt.

A Floating Monument

Following the voyage, the Golden Hind was brought to Deptford, London. In a rare move for the time, Queen Elizabeth ordered the ship to be preserved as a museum piece—the first known instance of a ship being preserved for public display. It remained there for nearly a century before eventually rotting away, though timber from the hull was reportedly used to make a chair that now sits in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

"Whoever commands the sea, commands the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself." — Sir Walter Raleigh

Today, the legacy of the Golden Hind endures as a symbol of the Age of Discovery, representing both the navigational brilliance and the aggressive expansionism of the Elizabethan era.

Check Out

I have had annoying formatting problems when copying from Gemini and pasting to Blogger. I asked Gemini about how to best address with problem and here is what is came up with, in a nutshell:

"Convert the above response into HTML for a blog post. Use <p> tags for paragraphs and <h3> tags for headings."

Earlier I'd tried to create a post about the use of the phrase "check out" that I'd gotten Gemini to investigate but I abandoned the attempt due to formatting frustrations. Here is the response using Gemini's HTML advice:

The Many Meanings of "Check Out"

The phrasal verb "check out" is incredibly versatile in English. Depending on the context, it can mean anything from leaving a hotel to verifying facts. Here are the most common ways it is used:

1. To Investigate or Look At

This is perhaps the most casual and common use. It means to look at something interesting or to investigate a situation.

• Example: "Hey, check out that cool car over there!"
• Example: "I need to check out that new noise my engine is making."

2. To Leave a Hotel

This refers to the formal process of paying your bill and returning your keys before leaving an accommodation.

• Example: "We need to check out of the hotel by 11:00 AM."

3. To Pay for Items (Retail)

Used when you are finishing a purchase at a store or online.

• Example: "I found everything I needed, so I'm going to go check out now."

4. To Borrow (Library)

Specifically used when borrowing books or media from a library.

• Example: "You can only check out three books at a time."

5. To Verify or Prove True

Used when confirming if information or an alibi is correct.

• Example: " The police investigated his story, and his alibi checks out." (Meaning: It is true/valid).

6. To Become Mentally Absent

A more slang usage meaning someone has stopped paying attention or has lost interest.

• Example: "The lecture was so boring that I just checked out after ten minutes."
  
  

Infographic generated by Gemini based on blog post content

I reminded Gemini about the use of the term "check out" in darts and here was the response. It added information about the darts but reprocessed the whole response. It differs somewhat from the original so I've retained both.

The phrase “to check out” is one of the most versatile phrasal verbs in the English language. It functions as both a transitive verb (doing something to an object) and an intransitive verb (just doing the action itself).

Here is a breakdown of the different contexts in which this phrase is used, ranging from formal procedures to sports terminology.

1. Investigation and Inspection

This is perhaps the most common general usage. It means to look at something closely to learn more about it, evaluate it, or enjoy it. It is often used when investigating a noise, researching a topic, or visiting a new location.

• "You should check out that new Italian restaurant downtown."
• "I heard a strange noise in the basement; I'm going to check it out."

2. Validity and Consistency

When used intransitively (without an object), it means "to prove to be true" or "to be consistent with the facts." This is common in police investigations, fact-checking, or verifying alibis.

• "His alibi checks out; he was at the movies when the crime happened."
• "I did the math three times, and the numbers check out."

3. Departing a Place of Stay

This refers to the administrative process of settling your bill and leaving a temporary accommodation or facility, such as a hotel or hospital.

• "We need to check out of the hotel by 11:00 AM."
• "The doctor said he can check out of the hospital tomorrow morning."

4. Completing a Transaction (Retail & Libraries)

This usage covers the final step of a process, usually involving paying for goods or officially recording a borrowed item. It is standard in supermarkets, online shopping, and libraries.

• "I’m ready to pay; I’ll meet you at the checkout counter."
• "I went to the library to check out three books on history."

5. Mental Disengagement

A metaphorical usage meaning to lose focus, stop paying attention, or become unenthusiastic. It implies the mind has left the room even if the body is still there.

• "The lecture was so boring that I checked out after ten minutes."
• "He has completely checked out of this relationship."

6. Observing Someone (Often Romantically)

This is informal slang meaning to look at someone intently, usually because you find them attractive. It can also refer to sizing up an opponent in a competition.

• "I think that guy over there is checking you out."
• "He was checking out the competition before the race started."

7. Administrative "Check-Out" (Inventory)

In professional settings, such as IT departments or the military, this refers to officially signing for a piece of equipment so that it is tracked under your name.

• "You need to see the quartermaster to check out your gear."
• "I need to check out a company laptop for my business trip."

8. Euphemism for Dying

A somewhat grim, slang usage (similar to "kicking the bucket"), implying leaving life in the same way one leaves a hotel. This is often found in noir fiction or movies.

• "He lived a long life and finally checked out at the age of 95."

9. The Darts "Checkout" (Winning the Leg)

In the sport of Darts (specifically 501), "checking out" is the critical final phase of the game. To win the leg, a player must reduce their score to exactly zero, with the final dart landing on a double.

• "He needs 170 to check out."
• "That was a magnificent 120 checkout!"

Notice how "check" and "out" are separate when used as a verb but combined into "checkout" when used as a noun. 

Overall I'm happy with this uncomplicated solution to a problem that had been bedeviling me for some time.

More Infographics

A popular prompt for last year that made use of Nano Bananas was to "create an infographic about this plant focusing on interesting information". So I prompted Gemini with the following:

Create an infographic about so-called "red-eared sliders", as far as I know a type of terrapin native to the Florida everglades, focusing on interesting information.

Well, one thing I learned from the infographic generated was that these creatures are NOT native to the Florida everglades. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

My next prompt (see Figure 2 for the result) was:

Create an infographic about the different types of terrapins found around the world, focusing on their distribution and including interesting information.

Figure 2

My next prompt (see Figure 3 for the result) was:

Create an infographic highlighting the differences between tortoises, turtles and terrapins.

Figure 3 

ADA versus ADALAH

Here is the very helpful Gemini response to the following prompt:

In the Indonesian language, what is the difference in usage between "ada" and "adalah" with sometime just "lah" thrown in for good measure? Please clarify.

This is a great question because while these words can all translate to versions of "to be" or "is" in English, they serve entirely different grammatical functions in Indonesian.

Here is the definitive breakdown of how to distinguish and use Ada, Adalah, and the suffix -lah.

---

1. Ada (Existence, Location, or Possession)

Think of Ada as covering "to exist," "to be present," or "to have." It is strictly about presence.

• Existence (There is/There are):

  • Ada masalah besar. (There is a big problem.)

  • Tidak ada gula. (There is no sugar.)

• Location (To be at):

  • Budi ada di rumah. (Budi is at home.)

• Possession (To have):

  • Saya ada uang. (I have money.)

Key Rule: If you can replace the word with "exists," "is present," or "have," use Ada.

2. Adalah (Definition or Equivalence)

Adalah functions as an "equals sign" ($=$). It connects a Subject to a Noun that defines it. It is primarily used for definitions.

• Noun = Noun:

  • Singa adalah hewan buas. (A lion is a wild animal.)

  • Jakarta adalah ibu kota Indonesia. (Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia.)

Crucial Warning (The Adjective Trap):

Unlike English, you generally do NOT use adalah to connect a subject to an adjective.

• English: The car is red.

• Indonesian: Mobil itu merah. (Correct)

• INCORRECT: Mobil itu ~~adalah~~ merah.

Adalah is optional in casual speech even for definitions, but strictly required in formal writing when defining something.

3. -lah (The Emphasis Suffix)

-lah is not a verb; it is a "particle" (a suffix) attached to the end of a word. It acts like a highlighter pen for speech. It stresses the word it is attached to, often providing emotional nuance, focus, or politeness.

• Softening Commands (Politeness):

  It turns a harsh order into a polite request or encouragement.

  • Makan! (Eat! - Rough command)

  • Makanlah. (Please, eat / Go ahead and eat.)

• Emphasizing the Subject (It was X who...):

  It creates focus on a specific person or thing.

  • Dialah yang mencuri. (It was he [specifically him] who stole.)

  • Inilah hasilnya. ( This is the result.)

---

Summary Table

Word or  Part	Function	English Equivalent	Example
Ada	Existence / Location /   Possession	There is / To be at / To   have	Ada kucing. (There is a   cat.)
Adalah	Definition / Equivalence	Is / Are (Equals sign)	Dia adalah guru. (He is a   teacher.)
-lah	Emphasis / Politeness	(Tone stress) / "Please" /   "Do"	Pergilah. (Please go / Do   go.)

How they interact (The "Adalah" vs. "-lah" confusion)

Sometimes learners confuse adalah and -lah because adalah ends in lah.

• Adalah is a root word meaning "is" (definition).

• -lah is a suffix you add to other words.

However, you can add -lah to ada to create Adalah (Wait, no, that's false etymology, but helpful for memory). Actually, strictly speaking:

• Ada + -lah = Adalah (This creates the definition word).

• But usually, you add -lah to verbs (e.g., Duduklah - Please sit).

Final Verdict: When to use which?

1. Do you want to say something exists or is located somewhere? Use Ada. (Dia ada di sana).

2. Are you defining what something is (Noun = Noun)? Use Adalah. (Ini adalah buku).

3. Are you describing a quality (Subject is Adjective)? Use Nothing. (Buku ini berat).

4. Are you giving a command or highlighting a specific word? Attach -lah. (Bacalah!).

Making More Use of Google Keep

Following on from previous post about Childrens' First Dictionary, I've found a way of combining the content of this dictionary with Google Keep while at the same time working my way through the dictionary. What I've doing is taking a screenshot of a word. Let's use the word "acrobat" as an example. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

I then upload the image to Keep and get it to extract the text for me. I can then add to the text if I want to and which I've done for this particular word. See Figure 2 where the comments as not included in the screenshot because they're too lengthy. I've given this note the label KAMUS GAMBAR and clicking on this label will bring up all the notes so labelled. This makes access on a mobil device quite easy. 

Figure 2

I'll use Keep far more widely now and not just for the Kamus Gambar. The secret is in choosing the labels.

Children's First Dictionary

Back in the day I took it upon myself to scan or photograph all 180 odd pages of a Kamus Pertama Anak-anak and all the images are now in a Google document.

In my Indonesian notebook on NotebookLM, I added a link to this file and then added this prompt to the Data Table tool:

Take all the words beginning with A and put them into a table of four columns: the first shows the word in English, the second should give the Indonesian equivalent of the word, the third gives an example of the use of the word in English, the fourth gives a translation into Indonesia of the English example.

It executed this imperfectly let us say. Firstly let's put it on the record that each page occurs twice for some reason (so my Google document has over 360 pages). Secondly, the layout is not systematic as there are words in various locations. Figure 1 shows a page with a top row having two entries, a middle row having three and a bottom row having two again but with orientations reversed.

Figure 1

On the plus side it didn't duplicate any words and it did go off and do what I asked it to do, except it left out a great many words. However, the data table view was very well set out. Figure 2 shows a screenshot of some of the words.

Figure 2

There is also an option to export this table to Google Sheets which I successfully did. Of course I could just work my way through the pictures in my Google document but this was an instructive test of NotebookLM's impressive capabilities. With a regular layout or perhaps more detailed instructions from me, NotebookLM would have fared much better.

To prove my point, I used the three documents I also have in my notebook that contain translations of the most commonly used English words. This was the prompt that I gave NotebookLM when creating the data table:

The data in these three documents is set out in the following function:

The - The man is happy --> Pria itu bahagia

The first word (in the example this is "the") is followed by a data delimiter, a dash using the - symbol) and then a sentence (in the example this is "The man is happy"). This is followed by another data delimiter, a directional arrow using the --> symbol. This is followed by a translation of the previous sentence into Indonesian (in the example this is "Pria itu bahagia"). So what I want you do, in all three sources, is to create a table with three columns titled "Word", "Sentence", "Indonesian". The data delimiters will be discarded and the first entry would look like this then:

Word     Sentence                           Indonesian

the         He is happy                       Pria itu bahagia

and so on. If done correctly you should 301 rows in the table (I for the header and 300 for the 300 words). It's important that all 300 words find their way into the data table. Check explicity that no words have been missed.

It handled the task perfectly this time because the layout was systematic. Figure 3 shows an excerpt.

Figure 3

Finally, by way of closure, let's have a closer look at the entry for \( \textbf{arrow} \). See Figure 4.

Figure 4

Here is some additional information:

In Indonesian, the translation for arrow depends on whether you are referring to the weapon or a directional symbol: 

• \( \textbf{Anak panah}\): Specifically refers to the weapon used with a bow.
• \( \textbf{Tanda panah}\): Refers to a directional symbol or indicator (e.g., an arrow on a sign or a computer screen).
• \( \textbf{Panah} \): A general term used for both the weapon and the symbol. 

Related Terms

• \( \textbf{Busur} \): The bow used to shoot arrows.
• \( \textbf{Panahan} \): Archery.
• \( \textbf{Pemanah}\): An archer.
• \( \textbf{Sasaran} \): The target. 

Given that there about 180 pages, I should work through one page a day of this dictionary and make notes what I find there.

Applying Different Art Styles

In my previous post, I investigated different art and photographic styles and showed an example of an art nouveau style applied to an old photograph of myself and a friend. See blog post titled Different Art Styles. In this post, I'd like to apply some other effects to the same photograph. Even before my Deep Research article I'd applied three other effects. See Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 1: Aubrey Beardsley style

Figure 2: Vincent Van Gogh style

Figure 3: psychedelic style

Now I'll apply some of the effects suggested by the Deep Research article, the full text of which can be found in my previous post.

Figure 4: Art Deco style

Figure 5: Vienna Secession style

Figure 6: Pre-Raphaelite style

Figure 6: Ukiyo-e style

That's a selection from a longer list of possibilities. Some work better than others when humans are in the picture. I particularly liked the Pre-Raphaelite style.

The YouTuber Pete Beard has a comprehensive series of videos about various artists. Figure 7 shows a screen shot of the first 20 of them:

Figure 7

Gemini recommends the following strategy for obtaining the best results in getting Nano Bananas to emulate an artistic style using Art Nouveau as an example:

Strategy: Instead of just describing "Art Nouveau," the user should upload a high-resolution image of a Mucha poster or a Klimt painting as a style reference.

Elsewhere Gemini advises the following:

One of the biggest challenges in style transfer is losing the identity of the subject. Nano Bananas features "Character Consistency".

Application: When applying a heavy style like Tim Burton or Cubism, the user should explicitly prompt to maintain facial landmarks.

Prompt Structure: "A portrait of [User] in the style of Tim Burton. Maintain subject likeness. Pale skin, large eyes, gothic background."

Result: The AI will adapt the proportions and texture (large eyes, sketch lines) to the style while keeping the fundamental biometric data recognizable. 

Using Charles Keeping as the artist, I uploaded an illustration of his. See Figure 8.

Figure 8

I then prompted Nano Bananas to apply this style to the photograph and Figure 9 shows the quite satisfying result.

Figure 9