Time for an Upgrade

It suddenly just came over me. I want a new computer to replace my aged 2013 Macbook Pro. True, it's had a new lease of life ever since I got the battery replaced in Australia last year and it's also true that I have a Raspberry Pi 400 that's connected to the TV. However, both have their limitations obviously and it would feel nice to not feel so limited for a while. Even if I don't make full use of my new device's capabilities, I have the option and, if I choose wisely, it will be future-proof - at least in terms of my limited future.

What caught my eye was the Minisforum UM780 with an AMD Ryzen CPU in a very small form factor. A reasonable option would be 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD. This configuration is more than adequate.

It's not available as yet but will be by the time my birthday comes around. The portability of such a device is very appealing and, while it can be plugged into a TV or monitor, I stumbled upon another option this evening: a portable 4K monitor with USB type-C input (which the Minisforum UM780 accepts).

This struck me as the perfect solution. The monitor can even power the computer if needed. I can still plug my device into a larger monitor if one comes my way but this portable monitor and portable PC seems ideal. No more worrying about laptop battery life, all that's needed is a power supply. Most of my time is spent at home anyway so a laptop is not really needed but I have the portability of a laptop with this monitor-PC combination. I'm excited! The monitor retails for Rp5.175.000 and will be available sometime in January.

Oche

 

 
Figure 1: a recent finish to my daily
Round the World dart game

Interest is darts has increased dramatically following the exploits of Luke Littler and it was in an article about this young prodigy that I first encountered the word "oche", pronounced as to rhyme with "hockey". According to the from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is defined as the line in the game of darts behind which a player must stand when throwing.

Naturally I asked Bard for more information:

Can you provide a definition of the word "oche" as well as some information about its etymology and some examples of its use in sentences.

Absolutely! Here's the information you requested about "oche": 

Definition:

Main meaning: The oche (pronounced "OH-kee") is the line in the game of darts behind which a player must stand when throwing. It's essentially the throwing line.

Other, less common meanings: "Oche" can also refer to a similar throwing line in other games, such as quoits. Additionally, it's the name of a small village in South Sudan.

Etymology:

The origin of "oche" is somewhat disputed. Some theories suggest it comes from:

Old English: The word "hocken," which meant "to spit." This theory claims the throwing line length was based on how far someone could spit from a certain position.

Turkish: The word "ok," which means "arrow" or "dart."

Archery term: The word "ock" or "nock," referring to the notch on an arrow shaft.

Examples of its use in sentences:

"The throw wasn't valid because the player stepped over the oche."

"She practiced for hours, perfecting her throws from different distances behind the oche."

"The tournament rules stipulate that the oche must be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the dartboard."

(Metaphorically) "He stood on the oche of uncertainty, unsure which path to take next."

Bonus fact: The diagonal distance from the bull's eye on a dartboard to the oche is exactly 9 feet 7 3⁄8 inches. This precise measurement is important for ensuring fair play in competitions.

Figure 2 shows the dart board distances for competitive darts: 

Figure 2: source

The angle formed by the horizontal and the line from the oche to the bullseye is about 36°07'40". Figure 1 shows a recent finish to my daily Round the World game of darts. I've downloaded a counter to my iPhone that I can use to keep track of how many throws I take to finish a game. This will give me a target to aim for and allow me to amass some statistics. In my variation of Round the World, I proceed from 1 to 20 and then finish with a dart in either the red of the bullseye or the green ring.

Always Room For Improvement

While my vocabulary is fairly extensive, there's always room for improvement. I discovered that when trying my hand at a Merriam-Webster quiz where I flunked demurred and epistolary. In my defense, I should say that I was distracted by the real answer: composed of letters. I took this to mean letters of the alphabet and dismissed it. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Demur I should have got and it quite common. My choice turned out to be the exact opposite of the correct answer. See Figure 2.

Figure 2

I ended up with 18/20 which was disappointing given that the words in the quiz were not uncommon or difficult. It prompted to consider that I should spend a little more time undertaking quizzes like this. I like played Wordle each day but that's often the only verbal challenge that confronts me on any given day. I need more challenges to keep me sharp.

Here is what Google's Bard had to say about the word "demur", not to confused with "demure":

"Demur" certainly packs a punch with its subtle shades of meaning! Here's a dive into its origin and usage:

Origin:

"Demur" comes from the Old French "demeurer," meaning "to remain, stay, linger."

It entered Middle English around the 14th century as "demeure," evolving into "demur" by the 16th century.

Meanings:

Verb:

To object; disagree with something, often mildly or hesitantly. (e.g., "I demurred at his suggestion to hike in the rain.")

To hesitate; delay or show reluctance. (e.g., "She demurred before accepting the award.")

(Archaic) To linger; stay or remain. (e.g., "They demurred at the inn for a few days.")

Noun:

An objection; a statement of disagreement. (e.g., "The judge overruled his demur to the evidence.")

Hesitation; reluctance to act. (e.g., "After much demur, she finally made a decision.")

Common Usage:

"Demur" often appears in formal contexts, such as legal documents, speeches, and academic writing.

It can also be used in everyday conversations, but adds a nuanced air of caution, hesitation, or polite disagreement.

Here are some common examples of its usage:

• "The council demurred at the proposed development plan, citing concerns about traffic congestion."

• "He raised a demur when asked to testify, claiming lack of preparation."

• "After some demur, she agreed to join the project, albeit with reservations."

• "I couldn't help but demur at the price, finding it a bit steep."

Remember, "demur" is a powerful word that conveys more than just simple disagreement. It implies a thoughtful reservation, a cautious pause before voicing an opinion, or a subtle resistance to an idea. Use it wisely to add depth and nuance to your communication!

The very similar word "demure" has the same origins as "demur" but has come to mean something different. Here is what Bard had to say about it.

What is the meaning of the word "demure"? What are its origins and what are some examples of its usage?

Ah, "demure"! It's a word that exudes an aura of quiet modesty and reserved charm. Let's explore its intricacies:

Meaning:

Adjective:

Characterized by shyness, modesty, and reserve.

Conveying an impression of quiet dignity and propriety.

Sometimes indicating a hint of coy playfulness or affected humility.

Noun:

(Rare) A demure person.

Origins:

"Demure" originates from the French word "demeurer," meaning "to remain, stay, linger."

It arrived in Middle English around the 14th century as "demeure," transforming into "demur" by the 16th century.

Over time, "demur" shifted from indicating hesitation or objection to describing a specific personality trait.

Usage:

"Demure" typically describes a person's demeanor, dress, or behavior.

It often evokes images of soft-spoken individuals, elegant attire, and gentle gestures.

Here are some examples of its usage:

• "She wore a demure lavender dress, her eyes downcast and a slight blush on her cheeks."

• "He spoke in a demure tone, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting with his hands."

• "Their demure courtship unfolded with stolen glances and whispered conversations."

• "Despite her demure facade, a mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes."

Additional notes:

"Demure" can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, implying timidity or a lack of assertiveness.

Be mindful of the context and tone when using the word to avoid unintended offense.

"Demure" is a versatile adjective that adds a touch of elegance and subtlety to your writing and descriptions.

I hope this exploration of "demure" inspires you to use it judiciously and appreciate its captivating nuances! Feel free to ask if you have any further questions about its usage or history.

Dead Eye Dick

I asked Bard the following:

Can you provide a list of twenty colloquial expressions that involve the word "dead".

Here is what Bard provided 

• Dead tired: Exhausted beyond measure.

• Dead ringer: An exact duplicate of someone or something.

• Dead serious: Utterly serious, not joking.

• Dead on arrival (DOA): Arriving in a state of being unusable or non-functional.

• Drop dead gorgeous: Exceptionally beautiful or attractive.

• Dead in the water: A failed or hopeless idea or situation.

• Laugh yourself to death: Find something so funny you nearly lose your breath.

• Bored to death: Extremely bored.

• Scared to death: Utterly terrified.

• Worked to death: Overworked and exhausted.

• Freezing to death: Extremely cold.

• Hot as death: Extremely hot.

• Beat dead horses: Discuss or dwell on a topic that is past its prime and no longer productive.

I've never heard the expression "hot as death", instead "hot as hell" is far more common. I asked Bard for a further twenty expressions but several did not involve the word "dead" at all which was odd. However, here are the expressions it provided that did contain the key word:

• Dead as a doornail: Completely lifeless or unresponsive.

• Dead man walking: Someone in imminent danger or about to experience a significant downfall.

• Deadpan humor: Dry, understated humor delivered without emotion.

• A dead loss: Someone or something completely useless or without value.

• Dead wrong: Absolutely mistaken or incorrect.

• Hit a dead end: Reach a point of no progress or advancement.

• Stuck dead in the water: Completely immobilized or unable to proceed.

• Sleep like the dead: Sleep very soundly and uninterrupted.

• A dead-letter deal: An agreement or promise that is no longer valid or enforceable.

• A dead giveaway: Something that makes something else obvious or easily guessed.

• Work oneself to death: To work excessively and exhaust oneself completely.

• Deader than disco: Completely out of date or irrelevant.

• A dead battery: A battery that is completely drained and unusable.

• Dead quiet: Completely silent or devoid of sound.

I had to remind Bard about the term "dead captain" and this was the response:

You're absolutely right! "Dead captain" can also refer to an empty bottle that once contained alcohol, particularly hard liquor like rum, whiskey, or vodka. It plays on the image of a ship's captain, once the powerful leader directing the course, now reduced to an empty vessel himself. This meaning is often used playfully or humorously among friends or in casual settings. It's a clever and evocative metaphor, conveying the finality of an emptied bottle and the potential for good times enjoyed (and perhaps overindulged).

There are many other phrases involving the word "dead" including dead rubber, dead duck, dead head and so on. The adjective "dead" is used widely in the sense of "exactly", "completely" or "absolutely" as in dead centre, dead on, dead wrong, dead against, dead set, dead sure etc.

My Ailing Laptop

Lately, my late 2013 MacBook Pro is refusing to stay connected to the household WiFi which is a source of irritation. It had been flaky for a while and one might suspect the laptop's WiFI but it connects just fine to the WiFi from my iPhone when I use the latter as a hotspot. I'm currently running a ten metre cable from the household router to it so all is well. I don't move about much with it anyway so it's not really an issue.

It's back to the old pre-WiFi days
for me as my laptop lapses into senility

Ever since I installed Linux Mint on my laptop to replace the Mac OS, the Bluetooth has not worked but that didn't bother me. I replaced the ten year old battery with a new one when I was in Australia earlier this year and that has really given the old laptop a new lease on life. There's no doubt however, that the device, like its owner, is showing its age. Last night, I discovered that closing the lid placed the laptop in permanent suspension from which it would not awake. Once the lid closed, I needed to restart it. However, by changing preferences so that closing the lid had no effect, I was able to remedy that little glitch.

I've lately found my misplaced USB cooling pad and so I now rest the laptop on that to keep it cool as it can often overheat if placed under even minimal stress. Overall, despite its current quirks, the machine is quite sufficient for my needs and I've grown quite attached to it after using it regularly for over nine years now. It may even see me out. Who knows? In the meantime I still have my Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard computer as a back up in case my primary device has a heart attack. 

My backup device
Raspberry Pi 400

There is a Raspberry 5 out now but no sign of a Raspberry Pi 500 as yet. Regardless, such a device would be superfluous to my needs at the moment. As the year draws to a close, I must note that my output this year of 26 posts falls far short of my output for 2022 when I made 47 posts. However, it's consistent with my output in other years since my output for earlier years was:

►  2021 (27)

►  2020 (22)

►  2019 (17)

►  2018 (16)

►  2017 (24)

►  2016 (16)

The average number of posts for the years 2016 to 2023 is a little over 24 posts or almost exactly two per month.

Bard and Rebus Puzzles

My previous post on 11th November was titled More Rebus Puzzles and featured 24 puzzles. I solved most of them, often after a fair bit of thought, so I though I'd see how Google Bard performed when attempting to solve a couple of them.

I presented it with the easiest one of all which as FA ST and the solution is BREAKFAST but Bard was clueless. Here is the interchange. 

I found this rebus puzzle: FA ST. The first two letters are separated by a space from the last two letters. What could the solution to this puzzle be?

The solution to the rebus puzzle "FA ST" is "fast". The space between the first two letters and the last two letters is meant to represent the separation between the "fa" sound and the "st" sound in the word "fast".

Not so impressive. Next I tried a slightly more difficult one and not surprisingly Bard once again came up short.

Here is another REBUS puzzle (the two lines below):

     COD

H2        O

Can you find a common phrase that represents a solution to this puzzle?

Yes, there are two common phrases that could be the solution to the rebus puzzle:

COD H20: This phrase represents the phrase "caught in the rain." The rebus symbols represent the following:

COD: The fish cod. This represents the word "caught."

H20: The chemical formula for water. This represents the word "rain."

 

COD H2 O: This phrase represents the phrase "caught in the flow." The rebus symbols represent the following:

COD: The fish cod. This represents the word "caught."

H2: The chemical formula for hydrogen. This represents the word "flow."

O: The letter O. This represents the preposition "in." 

Well, I guess an E for Effort should be awarded but the solutions are nonsensical and it is apparent that, even though these puzzles are language-based, Bard still has a long way to go before it will be able to make sense of most rebus puzzles. 

More Rebus Puzzles

 I came across these 24 rebus puzzles in an email from this website:

Here are the answers together with some comments of my own:

1. Herbaceous border: I got the herbaceous part but didn't realise that the letters formed a border.
   
   
2. Just around the corner: got this one which is perhaps the easiest of them all.
   
   
3. Gross injustice: this took me a while to get this until I realised that 144 is a gross.
   
   
4. Fish out of water: got this one.
   
   
5. West Indies: got this one.
   
   
6. Two peas in a pod: got this one.
   
   
7. Blast from the past: got this one.
   
   
8. Cutting corners: got this one.
   
   
9. Handsome: I came up with hand calculator for this which is perhaps acceptable but I missed the some/sum homophone.
   
   
10. Mother-in-law: I came up with "silent cop" for this one based on keeping mom about something meaning to keep quiet about it which is perhaps a bit of a stretch.
    
    
11. Grandmother: I came up with "a single mother" for this one which I think is preferable to the answer given.
    
    
12. A splitting migraine: I came with "a big headache" for this one which is not too bad. 
    
    
13. In the middle of nowhere: I could only come up with "nowhere" which was a bit lame.
    
    
14. Breakfast: got this one quickly as it's one of the easiest.
    
    
15. Middle-age spread: I came up with "triage" which I think is quite creative but the answer given is clearly the more appropriate.
     
16. 26 letters in the alphabet: got this one.
    
    
17. Banana split: I came up with "half a banana" which is acceptable.
    
    
18. Right angle: got this one.
    
    
19. Overworked and underpaid: I got the "underpaid" bit but missed the "overworked" bit.
    
    
20. Polar opposites: I came up with "poles apart" which is more or less the same idea.
    
    
21. Afternoon tea: I knew that "noon" was involved but the "tea" part didn't click.
    
    
22. Absentee: I could see the "e" was missing but couldn't come up with anything sensible.
    
    
23. Out of touch: I came up with "a touch below you" or "a touch above you" but the answer given is clearly superior.
    
    
24. Going in circles: I came up with "going around in circles" which is basically the same.

All in all quite an interesting challenge and keeps the neurons firing. I certainly didn't come up with the answers instantly and most of them required me to look and hard. See my earlier post titled Rebus Puzzles from April 1st 2023.