One Finite Planet

Sustainability++ Here for a good time and a longer time.

Topics and Subtopics.

Electric Cars: 2021, It Just Doesn’t add up (yet).

April 19, 2021 March 23, 2023

Right now, without subsidies, buying an electric car does not add up. Currently there is a price premium, and as a result the cars only

April 19, 2021

EVs, Mobility and Electrification.

Electric Vehicles and Electrification: Another perspective.

This topic contains subtopics on living with EVs, reference pages, and analysis of the impact of EVs and electrification on the world. As this is not a news site, the focus is on analysing the implications of news for these topics, rather reporting all EV or electrification news, for which I recommend Cleantechnica, InsideEVs and CNEVPOST. The focus of these pages is on how EVs and electrification will change our lives, and change the planet. As a species, we are currently transforming from combustion as our primary energy source, to an electronic age, where electricity is our energy source. Just how much of our lives are changed by this can be easy to overlook from the inside experiencing the steps as the occur.

Science & Philosophy

Mr Bean cans EVs: what he gets right.

Commenced: June 13, 2023

Yes, he may come across as a mega-rich collector of exotic internal combustion engine vehicles looking to find any way to delay their demise, but while the fascinating recent article by “Mr. Bean” does get so much so very wrong, it also does get somethings right. From the fascinating article by Rowan Atkinson on EVs: […]

RCS – The SMS successor and blue bubbles vs green culture war.

Commenced: August 15, 2023

The world and usage of SMS has moved on since the introduction in 1992, and the system lacks many features now seen as essential including, even the ability to see if a message has been received. Apple has its own proprietary "iMessage" SMS/MMS successor for communication between iPhones within the Apple walled garden and the bubble wars, Facebook has its own messages system and has "What's App", but is there room for a true SMS successor that is not a walled garden fully controlled by one technology company to create division into "tribes", and instead is able to connect all devices just like the original SMS system? RCS is simple to enable and is the best messaging solution for Samsung and other Android phones and to end culture wars and walled gardens.

2023 may not the year to buy an EV, but it’s definitely too late to buy a new ICEV!

Commenced: August 31, 2023 Updated: August 1st, 2023

*2023 Sept 21 : Typos and links

While there are still valid reasons to hesitate before buying an EV in 2023, it's definitely late to buy a new ICE vehicle and a better time to instead plan a combustion engine exit. Considering the trend from where EVs were 5 years ago to today, and then projecting EV sales growth over the next 5 years, and it seems almost certain almost all ICEVs of today are an obsolescence risk. While this does not mean everyone should rush out and buy an EV, it is an opportunity to prepare for an aspect of the future that may catch some unawares.

What the F is 5G? What is new, and what are the risks?

Commenced: September 2, 2020

Now for something not Covid-19, which is a rarity lately! A different topic for this blog, but 5G came up in a recent conversation, and what I thought I 'knew' about 5G was: significantly higher mobile data rates were possible (true) 5G is based on higher frequency radio than 4G etc (false) 5G works for far more people even in a crowded spaces (true) towers for 5G must always be close in order use 5G (false) 5G data rates could potentially match/replace fibre optic cable (false) As you can see, turns out what I had thought prior to research, was all a collection of misunderstandings, but when I did research, I found more conspiracy theories than facts.

Why Car Makers are Lying about the storm.

Commenced: September 10, 2021

If you follow car industry publications, there both facts and well recognised predictions that combined, signal a storm for the car industry. Reality: Why The Makers Are Lying. In less than 5 years, electric vehicles will become less expensive than ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles, and are already significantly less expensive to maintain. Lower cost […]

Electric Cars 2025: ‘adding up’ will create a revolution. Who wins, who loses? China? Japan?

Commenced: May 4, 2021

I recently explored how in 2021, the numbers for EVs don’t really add up yet. One of the key discoveries, was that many sensible people are projecting EVs will reach ‘price parity’ by 2024-5. If this happens consider the trend: Looking deeper, there is every reason those predictions look real, and this will completely turn […]

Electric Cars: 2021, It Just Doesn’t add up (yet).

Commenced: April 19, 2021

Right now, without subsidies, buying an electric car does not add up. Currently there is a price premium, and as a result the cars only appeal to those happy to pay a premium to indulge a passion. Buyers are prepared to pay a premium for the environment or the acceleration, but right now, buying is […]

ARMs Race Risc: Episode 1, Apple and Microsoft

Commenced: March 15, 2021

Right now, could be a bad time to invest in technology and buy a new computer. I suggest that, right now, all Apple laptops are in a state of flux, and no Microsoft Surface tablets or laptops make sense. This is all due to the ‘ARMs race to new computer architecture, as an upheaval in […]

ARMs Race Risc: Episode 2, Why Microsoft needs RISC!

Commenced: March 16, 2021

Episode 1 stated now could be a bad time to invest in technology and buy a new computer. Apple has announced they are moving to ARM CPUS, which will mean replacing their products, and this episode explores why it is so critical to Microsoft that they also move to ARM, and what the multiple technology […]

5G, Wi-Fi (WiFi), Bluetooth & UWB: Why do we need them, and how do they all fit?

Commenced: January 5, 2021 Updated: March 4th, 2023

2023 March 4 th : Updates for WiFi 7.

I recently researched 5G, in order to understand what it was all about, and the reality of any possible new health risks. I came to the conclusions that 1) health risk claims are groundless, and 2) there is no logical reason to upgrade devices at this time to get 5G. But that research led to questions on how all the connectivity standards fit together, and how compelling might it be to upgrade devices to get benefits of new Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or UWB?

EVs 2023: Is Tesla losing its cool as BYD ascends?

Commenced: January 13, 2023

The world of EVs is changing, as is the leadership. Tesla lost 50% of its valuation in 2022. Some are predicting it will lose half of the remaining value in 2023, and although others predict the stock price will rebound, both outcomes are possible, and which becomes reality could depend very much on whether Tesla can remain 'cool', or through Musk and twitter becomes linked to far right. Although entire EV future is not dependant solely on Tesla, a decline could have wide implications, for the market, competitors and the global transition to EVs. Not only are the 'legacy' automotive companies GM, Ford, VW and Toyota competition for the hearts and dollars from consumers, but also BYD, who is already taking the EV lead from Tesla. Keys factor in EV trends during 2023 could turn out to be who is 'cool', shifting perceptions of a climate threat and the need for rapid response, and the impact of conflicts such as Ukraine. Rapid radical change for the industry, but it will take longer to impact consumers.

The Electric Vehicle Road Trip Problem: EVs in Australian and USA as Examples.

Commenced: September 14, 2021 Updated: December 3rd, 2022

2022 December 03 : Australia examples.

In theory, and under ideal conditions, an EV road trip with DC rapid charging can be as time efficient as travelling in an ICE vehicle. However, conditions are not always ideal. Some trips take much longer, and others can become problematic. Will EV road-trips ever become as convenient and dependable as traveling by ICE vehicle?

EV Range & Economy: Decoding the Numbers.

Commenced: May 1, 2021 Updated: May 24th, 2022

2022 May 24: added link to article on WLTP range is really calculated.

The key specification for EVs so far has been 'range'. But how are the numbers measured, will range specific match reality, and can the number even be compared? It turns out there are even 3 different standards for measuring range, and they give very different answers! Further, why have we moved from 'economy' to 'range'? Is there still even economy with EVs?

WordPress.com to the Next Level: Plugins, Elementor, CoBlocks?

Commenced: January 8, 2022 Updated: April 2nd, 2022

2022 April 2 and then July 31:no date to be seen here help on tablepress and table-chart.

Something completely different. A discussion on how this site is hosted: on wordpress.com. Anyone who has started a "blog" or other site on wordpress.com, may get to wonder, what are the options for upgrading the website? What is the value of the free, personal or premium plans and beyond? What real world benefits are there, and, alternatively, what would you lose and/or gain from moving away from wordpress.com. This is a page discussing being in that situation. If you are not considering having a website, it may be of little interest.

Revolution?: HDMI ARC, eARC and S/PDIF

Commenced: March 21, 2019

The move from S/PDIF to HDMI ARC failed in bringing even a small revolution, but the introduction of eARC in HDMI 2.1 may now actually allow a major revolution. Contents: S/PDIF: History Audio Return and Directional Audio/Video Cables Pre ARC (before HDMI 1.4, 2009 ) HDMI 1.4 with ARC (Audio Return Channel) Sonos Beam – […]

Digital Cameras: Crop vs ‘Full Frame’

Commenced: December 27, 2017

There are cases where the rapid evolution of technology means that terms can lose connection with their original meaning. ‘Crop’ and full frame are clear examples. Should we go back to the original meaning, or embrace using the original term in ways that evolve further and further from that original meaning? History/Background Film Cameras Pre […]

Apple Evolution: Which premium market next?

Commenced: December 15, 2017

This is the excerpt for your very first post.

Will Apple One Day Ditch the Mac/MacBook?

Commenced: December 10, 2017

John C Dvorak of suggests in this article that Apple is ready to ditch the Mac. Is this realistic? The idea that the Mac is a problem for Apple is something I have suggested in conversation on several occasions, so there are a least two observers, and from different perspectives, seeing that Mac products no […]

All Free? The Tech Industry is so dumb!

Commenced: March 4, 2021

Initially, it seems the tech industry is just dumb. You could think: “So they get me to watch adds, and they collect my data. It is not like letting them collect my data is going to cost me anything! It is not like Facebook, Google, Instagram, WhatsApp etc have some way of getting their hands […]

Images, Making Animated GIFs & Solving colour problems.

Commenced: January 1, 2022 Updated: January 1st, 2022

2022 Jan 1st: Initial version.

This is part of series of pages I will be adding on things I have learnt as part of building this website, and I will soon try and enable following by topic (when I get this page working), so people can separately select notification on building websites and/or population or other issues, without being notified of things outside their interest. Standby for that update. Meanwhile this page provides general help on making an animated GIF for a series of images, specific help on a challenge with animated GIFs, and a list of sites with free images as a resource for those building images.

Hydrogen Future of Fool’s Gold & Scams: “Where does the hydrogen come from?”

Commenced: October 24, 2021 Updated: October 24th, 2021

*2023 May 17 th: Updated synopsis and revised.

The race to stop CO2, has led to many 'scams' projects involving hydrogen, but it is not always clear who is being scammed: the public, or the proponents of hydrogen projects. What is the attraction behind the obsession with hydrogen? This is a look at the motives, the myths and the facts around hydrogen projects. Spoiler: There are some valid roles for hydrogen, but hydrogen has no remaining role as an energy source, and even any potential role as an energy carrier is highly questionable.

Dark Stuff: Dark Matter, Dark Energy and Antigravity.

Commenced: May 16, 2021

This is an overview of ‘dark matter’ and ‘dark energy’, that was started back in 2016 but published until I was recently asked again. The TLDR; is that no-one knows what dark matter or dark energy are, and it is not even absolutely certain that either exists. In fact, my addition to the official version, […]

WTF? UFOs are Real? (OK, UAPs or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena)

Commenced: June 1, 2021 Updated: June 1st, 2021

*2023 July 28 : New hearings.

The US military is, for the first time, sharing that they really do have UFO/UAP sightings that they cannot explain. It is easy to underestimate the significance of this revelation. There is even at least the appearance of deliberate efforts to downplay the significance. But this revelation, at some level changes our understanding of the universe. Every possible explanation sounds crazy. All of them. Yet at least one explanation must be real.

EV Charging Systems: Reference

Commenced: May 20, 2021 Updated: May 10th, 2021

*2022 September 7: Added Ac charging current control for CCS

I have been exploring electric vehicles. What is needed to make them affordable, and what it is like to live with them. When exploring charging, the charging systems became so complex that I have extracted what I found as its own exploration, which I plan to keep updated as a reference. It currently does need an update for wireless charging, but some information can be found on my exploration of the logistics of charging.

Camera System Sizes: Phones vs Nikon 1 vs 4/3 vs APSc vs 35mm vs Medium

Commenced: April 3, 2018

Introduction History The system sizes- who and what size camera phones Nikon M1 Micro 4/3 APS-C Canon EF-S – EF-M Fuji X, Nikon, Pentax,Sony 35mm Medium Format X1D H1D 645 Large Format Conclusions No system size is inherently ‘best’ No One system is likely to ‘rule them all‘ any time soon Introduction Different cameras all […]