Generative AI Can Be Pathetic

I’m trying out a tool that claims to generate emails based on prompts. You know, the kind where you want to send an email to someone to set up a meeting, to talk about some key points.

So I used the following prompt; Doug Adams is my co-host on The Next Track podcast.

Ask Doug if he wants to set up a zoom call with our podcast subscribers.

I asked the AI tool to expand on that, and here’s what it said:

Would you kindly inquire of Doug whether or not he would have any inclination to arrange a virtual conference utilizing Zoom video communications software with our esteemed audience of loyal listeners of our acclaimed podcast program?

Hmm… I tried again, and this time:

Could you possibly extend the courtesy of requesting information from Doug regarding the feasibility of arranging a virtual conference using the Zoom platform that is customized to appeal to individuals who possess a strong enthusiasm for consuming podcasts?

How about another try?

Would you kindly inquire of Doug whether or not he would have any inclination to arrange a virtual conference utilizing Zoom video communications software with our esteemed audience of loyal listeners of our acclaimed podcast program?

So then, I tried the shorten option. This summarizes emails to make them short and punchy. Each of the following shortens the previous one (with the text just above being the seed).

Kindly ask Doug if it’s practical to organize a Zoom symposium for podcast enthusiasts.

Can we do zoom for podcast lovers?

Zoom for podcasting.

Podcasting-Zoom.

I cannot shorten the message to 0 words while maintaining the paragraph and formatting, as that would simply be empty space. Please provide a message that can be shortened in a meaningful way.

Or, to paraphrase:

I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.

Intego Mac Podcast, Episode #310: Welcome to iOS 17

Apple has released iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, along with new versions of operating systems for the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. We discuss some of our favorite new features. We also look at radiation fears in France for the iPhone 12, and we examine why Apple may want to build a stock trading service into its devices. One correction: Standby Mode doesn’t require a MagSafe charger, but just needs to be plugged in and on its side.

Episode 310: Welcome to iOS 17! Intego Mac Podcast

Follow the The Intego Mac Podcast, which I co-host with Josh Long. We talk about Macs and iOS devices, and how to keep them secure.

Different Ways of Setting Up Scrivener’s Binder for Your Projects

While you do all of your writing in Scrivener’s Editor, the Binder is where you organize your projects. The main advantages of Scrivener’s Binder are the ability to move elements around as you develop a project, and the ability to quickly view any section or chapter; no scrolling required.

You can organize the Binder in several different ways, and the organization you choose for your project affects how you build it as you move ahead with your writing. In this article, I will look at several options to make the Binder work for you.

Read the rest of the article on The L&L Blog.

To learn how to use Scrivener for Mac, Windows, and iOS, check out my book Take Control of Scrivener 3.

ChatGPT Is Daydreaming

Writing an article on daydreaming and creativity, I asked ChatGPT for some examples of authors who had discussed the topic. Here are some of the results:

There are several famous writers who have discussed the role of daydreaming in enhancing creativity. Here are a few notable examples:

  1. J.K. Rowling: The author of the Harry Potter series has mentioned the importance of daydreaming in her writing process. She has said that she often lets her mind wander and allows herself to daydream, as it helps her come up with fresh ideas and imaginative storylines.

  2. Stephen King: In his book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” King mentions that daydreaming is a vital creative tool for writers. He encourages aspiring writers to cultivate deliberate daydreaming as a way to generate ideas and explore different narrative possibilities.

Regarding J.K. Rowling, I was unable to find any citations for the above claim. So I asked:

Where does JK Rowling discuss daydreaming and writing?

I apologize for any confusion caused by my previous response. While J.K. Rowling has not explicitly discussed daydreaming in relation to writing in any interviews or public statements that I could find, she has talked about the importance of imagination and letting her mind wander. These statements indirectly suggest that daydreaming plays a role in her creative process. Rowling has mentioned that the idea for the Harry Potter series came to her during a train journey, and that she allowed her imagination to run wild, forming the initial concept for the story. She has also emphasized the significance of daydreaming and having the freedom to explore different ideas in fostering creativity. While she may not have directly spoken about daydreaming, Rowling’s comments hint at its potential influence on her writing.

I happen to own the Kindle version of the Stephen King book, so I searched for daydream, and found nothing. So I queried ChatGPT about that.

Stephen King doesn’t say anything about daydreaming in his book On Writing.

Its reply:

I apologize for the error in my previous response. You are correct that Stephen King doesn’t specifically mention daydreaming in his book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” While King does discuss his writing process and the importance of imagination, he does not address daydreaming as a specific technique for enhancing creativity. Thank you for pointing out the mistake, and I apologize for any confusion caused.

Intego Mac Podcast, Episode #309: The “Wonderlust” Apple Event

This week, Apple introduced new Apple Watch and iPhone models. We look at all the new features, and we discuss recent Apple security updates to older operating systems, new Mac malware, and patches to Chrome and Firefox for serious vulnerabilities.

Episode 309: The “Wonderlust” Apple Event Intego Mac Podcast

Follow the The Intego Mac Podcast, which I co-host with Josh Long. We talk about Macs and iOS devices, and how to keep them secure.

The Complete Guide to Apple Watch Bands in 2023: Sizing, Styles, and More

Bands hero

One of the cleverest things Apple did when it released the Apple Watch in 2015 was to develop a system that allows users to quickly change watch bands (or straps, in the UK). Changing normal watch bands, using little spring bars, is difficult and delicate, so most people rarely change them unless they’re worn out. With the Apple Watch, you can change your band in seconds, so you can use a different band according to your mood or activity, or to match your outfit. This is especially useful if you want a waterproof band for swimming or working out, and a fancier band for when you go out on the town.

To date, Apple has released more than 700 bands in more than a dozen different styles. Here’s a complete guide to all the Apple Watch bands that are currently available.

Read the rest of the article on The Mac Security Blog.

The Next Track, Episode #264: The Heyday of Album Artwork

A new documentary about Hipgnosis, the design team that is famous for covers of albums by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and many others, looks at the period when album artwork became an important element of rock albums.

Help support The Next Track by making regular donations via Patreon. We’re ad-free and self-sustaining so your support is what keeps us going. Thanks!

If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. Find out more at The Next Track website, or follow The Next Track on Twitter at @NextTrackCast.

How to Use the Format Bar, Header Bar, and Ruler in Scrivener’s Editor

Like any app that handles text, Scrivener gives you options for formatting your writing. You can use styles to ensure consistency in your projects, and you can manually format text when you need to make certain words bold or italic. You can format text using Scrivener’s menus, keyboard shortcuts, and you can also use the Format Bar.

You can set up margins, tabs, and indentation using the Ruler. This is especially useful if you need to set off text in a block quote, or to create tables.

The Header Bar tells you which document you’re editing, lets you navigate forward and backwards, and has some tools to work with the editor.

Here’s how to use the Format Bar and Ruler in Scrivener.

Read the rest of the article on The L&L Blog.

To learn how to use Scrivener for Mac, Windows, and iOS, check out my book Take Control of Scrivener 3.

Everything Apple announced at its “Wonderlust” event: iPhone 15, Watch Series 9, and more

Apple held its annual September new-product event today, presenting new Apple Watch and iPhone models. Arguably, neither product line got many new major features; they iterate on existing models with mostly tiny tweaks that could prompt some people to upgrade their devices.

Here are all the main takeaways from the Apple Event itself—including subtle revelations discovered after the livestream ended.

Read the rest of the article on The Mac Security Blog.

Intego Mac Podcast, Episode #308: Why SMS is Insecure, and 6 Hidden macOS Features

SMS is a popular text messaging system, but it’s not secure. We take a deep dive into how SMS works, and how to use it. We also look at six features of macOS that you may never have discovered.

Episode 308: Why SMS is Insecure, and 6 Hidden macOS Features Intego Mac Podcast

Follow the The Intego Mac Podcast, which I co-host with Josh Long. We talk about Macs and iOS devices, and how to keep them secure.