Using ChatGPT for Simple and Not So Simple Tasks
Where ChatGPT Helps — and Where It Fails Me
Yesterday I received a notice that required me to fax a signed document to someone. Seriously? Fax? I haven’t faxed anybody in years. I wasn’t sure what the best way to fax someone was, or which fax-du-jour was best to use.
I’ve done lots of faxing in the past and at one point paid to have a virtual fax number, to receive and send faxes regularly. But in the past decade there hasn’t been a need for this.
So, I went to ChatGPT and asked.
Within minutes I had the answer I needed, including a customized recommendation, regarding which of the options were best suited for my specific situation. I didn’t have to wade through ten different websites to figure out which ones were “really” free or which ones had specific requirements. ChatGPT handled all of that for me. And it reminded me about things like security.
Ten minutes later my fax was sent, and I could put that behind me.
Learning About Plot Twists
Last night I was watching a new show on HBO called Sherlock & Daughter, where the ending (warning, this may be a spoiler) had a plot twist, but it was specific kind of plot twist, and I wasn’t sure what it was called. I asked ChatGPT about it.
ChatGPT gave me a lesson on what this kind of plot twist was and some examples of other stories that used it.
It went on to discuss in detail how I could use it in my own writing. I explained that I mostly write non-fiction, and it said there are lots of ways to use this technique in non-fiction as well. It even gave me specific examples of how I could use it in my own articles and writing.
Many times, when I ask ChatGPT a question, I feel like I am getting a mini-college course on the subject. These discussions often lead to other questions and topics.
Creating a Podcast
I could go on and on about the value proposition of using ChatGPT in my daily tasks, in my work as a computer consultant, in my studies, in my hobbies of writing, music, recording, etc. It even helped figure out everything I needed to setup a podcast.
I have been thinking about doing this, lately, and it told me how to set up a recording — including downloading the application, setting up the variables for a clean recording, merging the spoken word with background sounds, how to “auto-duck” the background sounds so the words can be easily heard. Afterwards it showed me the options for setting up a host for the podcast itself. Here’s my first episode, all done in an afternoon. Link provided in the caption.
Let’s just summarize by saying that I enjoy using ChatGPT to learn new things. Even when it doesn’t get things perfect. Watching out for inconsistencies, keeps me on my toes.
I’m sharing more of these “ChatGPT in the Wild” moments — from troubleshooting scripts to starting podcasts — if you enjoy this kind of thing, feel free to subscribe or drop a comment below. I’m just getting started here.
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Originally published on Medium. Lightly edited for Substack.