How to give a new life to an old Mac!
I recently bought an old 2012 Mac Mini server on Facebook Marketplace for the mighty sum of $80. I intended to keep it as a backup for a vacation home. Once I started installing Mac OS on it, I realized that Apple had all but ended the support for this decade old Mac. The latest OS you could install on it was the High Sierra which is archaic from any standard. I could not install my printer and most of the software was not supported on this version.
I have played with Ubuntu distribution of Linux before and set out to see what I could get done with installing another OS on this Mac Mini. The steps are simple even if some guides make it sound intimidating.
What do you need?
Your trusted old friend the Mac Mini
A stable internet connection
A USB Drive that is preferably 2 GB or more
What are the steps:
Format your USB drive.
Go to Utilities on your Mac
Click on Disk Utilities
Once you insert the USB stick, you should see it appear under ‘External’
Choose this external disk. Be careful NOT to choose your Mac Hard disk.
Click on Erase after choosing the USB drive. The format should be MS-DOS (FAT)
Download the Ubuntu ISO file from the following link.
Download Etcher on your Mac and Run it.
Simply run Etcher and choose your formatted USB disk and then ISO image you downloaded in the above step.
Etcher will run for a while and make your USB stick bootable and you can run Ubuntu from this USB or use it for installing Ubuntu on your Mac Hard Disk.
Reboot your Mac and if on a Mac Keyboard, hold Command + R till you see a startup menu with all disks shown. If on a PC Keyboard, press Windows logo key + R.
Choose the USB drive to boot from.
Welcome to Ubuntu. It will ask if you want to run Ubuntu from the USB drive or want to install Ubuntu. Choose to install Ubuntu.
Voila! You now have Ubuntu installed on your Mac Mini. Enjoy the OS without any lag and get to install any software, printer etc as Ubuntu supports a lot of hardware without any issues.
I used Ubuntu’s guide to help myself and while it can be intimidating for those not familiar with the process, I am referencing it below:
Does anyone have a perfect life?
I came across a beautiful rendition of this Urdu Ghazal. A ghazal is a poetic form in Arabic, persian and other South Asian languages.
The poem talks about the fact that not one life in this world is complete in all respects. Life is all about compromises, putting your chin up and enjoying the present when it is pleasant and tolerating the hardships when the going gets tough.
I am loving the use of ChatGPT to understand Urdu poetry. Please see below the summary and translation. All credit to OpenAI’s brilliant tool ChatGPT. Another post on the use cases for ChatGPT to follow. Poetry by Nida Fazli.
What is that one poem in whatever language you prefer that you’d like to share back with me?
1. کبھی کسی کو مکمل جہاں نہیں ملتا
کہیں زمین کہیں آسماں نہیں ملتا
Translation:
No one ever finds a perfect world;
Somewhere the earth is missing, somewhere the sky is out of reach.
Explanation:
This verse reflects the idea that life is inherently incomplete. We always face limitations and never have everything we desire in one place. Whether it’s dreams or circumstances, something we need always seems to be just out of reach.
2. تمام شہر میں ایسا نہیں خلوص نہ ہو
جہاں امید ہو اس کا وہاں نہیں ملتا
Translation:
It’s not that sincerity doesn’t exist in the entire world;
It’s just that where you expect it, you don’t find it.
Explanation:
Sincerity and kindness do exist, but often not in the places or people where we expect them. Life’s irony is that we’re let down by those we rely on most, while unexpected sources often surprise us with their genuineness.
3. کہاں چراغ جلائیں کہاں گلاب رکھیں
چھتیں تو ملتی ہیں لیکن مکاں نہیں ملتا
Translation:
Where should we light lamps, where should we place roses?
Roofs are found, but true homes are rare.
Explanation:
This verse distinguishes between mere shelters and true homes. While physical roofs and buildings may be easy to find, a real “home” — a place filled with warmth, love, and belonging — is far rarer.
4. یہ کیا عذاب ہے سب اپنے آپ میں گم ہیں
زبان ملتی ہے لیکن زباں نہیں ملتا
Translation:
What a torment it is that everyone is lost within themselves;
We may find people’s tongues, but never true voices.
Explanation:
This line reflects the loneliness in modern society. Though we communicate with each other, real understanding and meaningful connection are scarce. People speak, but they don’t truly share what’s in their hearts.
5. بجھا سکا ہے بھلا کون وقت کے شعلے
یہ ایسی آگ ہے جس میں دھواں نہیں ملتا
Translation:
Who can ever extinguish the flames of time?
This is a fire that gives off no smoke.
Explanation:
Time’s passing is like an unquenchable fire. Unlike visible fires that produce smoke, time’s “fire” consumes silently, leaving no trace. It signifies the inescapable and often invisible way time erodes everything.
Each couplet offers a philosophical take on human emotions, limitations, and the pursuit of fulfillment in life.
Exploring a State Forest Road in Pennsylvania
Unknown roads lead to treasures!
Post Covid, I started venturing into neighbouring states of NY and PA for my motorcycle trips. My introduction to Pennsylvania was a day trip to Allegheny forest with its beautiful winding roads nestled inside the serene forest.
Having changed to an Adventure Bike last year, I have been itching to get off the pavement and explore a little off the beaten paths. I recently planned a trip to the Elk Forest in Pennsylvania. I have minimal experience riding on gravel roads but planned to cover a 17 Mile State Forest Road.
I was quite skeptical of my own riding skills and being by myself I was afraid of dropping the bike. Yes it was a nervous ride but I did meet other people on 4 wheel drives and managed to find pavement again. However, I was struck by the very beautiful vistas as well as the inner beauty of a forest that you otherwise miss when going on a paved road. I do hope to discover more of these state forest roads, fire roads and BDRs across this beautiful state in the USA.
What off the beaten path road comes to your mind that you traveled on? Would love to know the location and whether you were on foot, bicycle, motorcycle or a 4 wheel vehicle.