A Beginner's Guide to ChatGPT for Senior Citizen Freepers

Self | July 25, 2023 | LittleBillyInfidel

[LittleBillyInfidel]

Welcome to my guide on how to navigate the oh so exciting world of AI with ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence created by OpenAI. Let's break down the basics in this easy-to-understand guide for some of us older Freepers who don't feel like slaying another dang dragon.

## Prompts

A prompt is simply a question or statement that you give to ChatGPT. The AI then responds based on what you said. It's like starting a conversation with a friend. For example, you might ask, "What's the weather like today?" or tell it, "Tell me a joke."

For some fun, try asking ChatGPT to write a short poem about your favorite flower, or ask it to describe a place you've always wanted to visit.

## Priming

Priming is a way to set the context or mood for your conversation with ChatGPT. You can tell ChatGPT a bit about what you want before you ask your main question.

For example, if you're looking for a simple, senior-friendly exercise, you could say, "Considering that I am a senior citizen with limited mobility, what's an easy exercise I can do at home?" This gives ChatGPT useful information to tailor its answer to your needs.

## Personas

Personas are a way to set up your ChatGPT to act like a specific character or person. You might want it to speak like Shakespeare or act like a news reporter. To set a persona, you can use a phrase like, "You are a friendly fitness coach," and then ask your question, "What is a good exercise routine for me?"

## Fun and Unique Uses

There are countless ways seniors can enjoy using ChatGPT:

**1. Memory Aid:** You could use ChatGPT to remember important details. Ask it to remind you of key historical dates, trivia about your favorite books, or recipes.

**2. Virtual Companion:** Feeling lonely? Chat with ChatGPT. It can converse on a wide range of topics, from philosophy to movies to gardening.

**3. Learning New Skills:** Interested in learning about technology, painting, or maybe a new language? Ask ChatGPT for lessons or tips.

**4. Storytelling:** ChatGPT can generate stories. For a walk down memory lane, prime it with details from your past, like, "You are a storyteller recounting the summer of 1960 when I lived in New York City."

In conclusion, don't hesitate to ask ChatGPT anything. Experiment with different prompts, primes, and personas, and most importantly, have fun. Welcome to the future of interaction!

Remember, AI doesn't replace human interaction, it's merely a tool to help and entertain us. Please be aware that while it is a marvel of technology, ChatGPT doesn't have access to personal data unless it's shared in the conversation, and it's designed to forget this information after the chat ends... or so it tells me. (wink wink nudge nudge)

[metmom]

No, I don’t.

I liked him but did not listen a lot.

[mass55th]

"I do it, too.I do it, too."

Another member of the "Uncommonly Good Club."

[nopardons]

LOL...maybe we should form a club of multiple books at the same time readers. ;^)

[Myrddin]

I received a "proto" file with specifications for a Google protobuf message. I needed to pass it to the proto compiler to generate Java classes. I had an inkling of what I needed to do and zero hits on Google and StackOverflow with examples. Why not kick the tires on ChatGPT? I asked ChatGPT to generate Java code to convert the "proto" spec file into Java classes. ChatGPT obliged. I did did a cut/paste into my code editor and saved the generated code. I was particularly interested in Java code to receive a Google protobuf into a Spring REST controller. ChatGPT didn't disappoint. I had to add some http handlers that are Google protobuf specific in addition to the default REST handlers that eat JSON/XML. Overall, a good experience. Good code was generated and time saved vs doing fruitless Google searches for examples.

I recognize this thread was aimed at "senior FReepers". I'll be 67 in 30 days, so I can make a valid claim on the label. I wonder if ChatGPT would be useful in setting up my helm charts for EFK (Elastic Search/Fluentd/Kibana) security content for the YAML. Making kubernetes pods communicate securely is somewhat annoying.

[Myrddin]

I opted for an iPad to hold the 60+ computer books that I needed to do my daily job. I purchased real paper books for many years, but they were heavy to carry to the office and sometimes sprouted legs. The iPad with PDF copies of the books solves that problem and is searchable to find what I need from the book quickly.

Now that I work 100% from my home office, the paper books are just a few steps away. O'Reilly reneged on their agreement to host the HUNDREDS of books purchased from them. I downloaded the PDFs and burned them to Bluray. Thus far, the manning publications, Apress and Pragmatic Programmers have honored their agreement to host my purchases and offer updates when errata corrections have been merged to the latest edition.

[RoosterRedux]

Bfl

[combat_boots]

This is a rare moment, seeing shan’t used correctly.

I am happy.

[LittleBillyInfidel]

There is a novel called "Where The Crawdads Sing" with a similar theme - will have to check it out sometime.

The film version of that was fairly good.

[CaptainPhilFan]

Ohh. I’m so sorry for the assumption :)

Yes, that was a Limbaugh phrase. He appreciated and respected men and women who were born before him, and realized the wisdom of their life experiences.

[metmom]

Not a problem.

It’s not unreasonable at all to presume a FReeper listened to Limbaugh.

[SamAdams76]

Picking that up at the library this weekend, they have it in stock.

[citizen]

Seems to be a lot of interest. Tho, a lot of replies are surely like me, not interested.

Thanks, anyway.

[LittleBillyInfidel]

Seems to be a lot of interest. Tho, a lot of replies are surely like me, not interested.

Yet, amongst all of that "a lot" sagaciousness that you effort to point out per "interest" - yours is certainly the most profound. (Do you bore the hell out of your spouse in such ways? Yikes.)

[LittleBillyInfidel]

(OOPS! WAIT. I presumed a Spouse. So sorry. I’m sure I’m wrong about that one.)

[right way right]

No.
It’s sad and pathetic.
No need to visit gramma in the home, just set her up with AI chat.
No thanks.
With all the lonely people here in the near future who have chose not to multiply…it will be so sad.
I have done AI chat only in curiosity and found it a terrible waste of time.
I waste enough time here already.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It is a slightly higher-tech version of the magic 8-ball that lies to you.
Avoid

[Mr. Jeeves]

It’s good for generating programming examples. The need for human coders is dwindling. Just don’t ask it political questions, as you can assume your queries are being logged and analyzed.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I generally have three or four books going at any one time.

[LittleBillyInfidel]

No need to visit gramma in the home, just set her up with AI chat.... I have done AI chat only in curiosity and found it a terrible waste of time. I waste enough time here already.

That first line you wrote is inductive of a "zero sum game" thinker. You are among the most closed minded people on these threads. You waste time in more ways than you will ever realize.

[nopardons]

Welcome to our growing club of multiple book readers at the same time club!

Hey gang...we have a new member, make Harmless feel welcome.