I’m a bit embarrassed to have let rsts11 drift most of the year. For what it’s worth, I’ve dug out some project machines, and I may have acquired one or four in the last couple of months, so I’m planning to bring you some build logs and reports to entertain and edify you heading into the holidays.
From a ThinkStation M920x one-liter tiny PC that can take a 40 Gigabit Ethernet adapter, to a HP Z6 G4 workstation that a vendor recently called a “real chonker,” I have some fun stuff to review for you. And I’m finally making use of some RTX 3000-series GPUs that have been useless for crypto mining for years.
Wherever possible, I’ll help you find the bits to build or upgrade your own, but in most of these cases (heh) I started with a machine at least partly built up. Check your local marketplaces to see what people are building and selling locally, and you may find an interesting configuration you hadn’t thought of.
Below are teasers of three of the machines I’ll be working on. The Machinist system was purchased locally, while the other two were from eBay.
An HP Z6 G4 workstation, supporting first and second gen Xeon Scalable processors and up to 768GB of DDR4 memory. It shares something in common with Dell’s T5800 and some other Precision workstations from my past. Ketchup is not used as thermal paste, and the dust bunnies were blown out into the wild.. An upgrade to a quirky Machinist X99 PR9 system in a red custom case – E5-2695v4, and a current complement of 128GB DDR4 registered RAM. One downside to used PCs is they can sometimes come with bonus fragrances. My third BOXX workstation, with the ASrock Z390 Taichi, an i7-9700K due for upgrade to my first i9 processor, custom liquid cooling, and some likely memory upgrades. Continue reading →
As someone who has been blogging about technology and tech culture for the over ten years, I’ve witnessed significant changes in the way information is shared and consumed. Blogging, once a hobbyist’s haven, has evolved into a powerful medium for information dissemination, entertainment, and even influencing public opinion. These changes can be attributed to various factors, including shifts in technology, social media, and the emergence of AI-powered tools.
I’m going to reflect on how blogging has changed over the past decade and explore how ChatGPT might enhance the blogging experience while preserving the personal touch and character that makes blogs unique.
The Evolution of Blogging
Blogging, which started as an online diary or personal journal, has come a long way since its inception. Over the past decade, several key transformations have taken place in the blogging landscape:
Professionalization: Many bloggers have transitioned from casual hobbyists to professional writers and content creators. With monetization options like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and ad revenue, blogging has become a legitimate career path for some.
Social Media Integration: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become essential tools for promoting and sharing blog content. Bloggers now need to maintain an active presence on these platforms to drive traffic to their blogs.
Visual Content Dominance: Visual content, such as images and videos, has gained prominence. Readers today expect engaging multimedia elements alongside text, which has transformed the way blogs are structured and designed.
SEO and Analytics: Bloggers now pay more attention to search engine optimization (SEO) and analytics to reach a wider audience and measure the impact of their content. This data-driven approach has led to more strategic content creation.
Global Reach: The internet has made it possible for bloggers to connect with readers from all around the world, breaking down geographical barriers.
ChatGPT’s Role in Enhancing Blogging
One of the most significant advancements in recent years is the integration of AI, like ChatGPT, into the blogging sphere. Here’s how it can enhance the blogging experience without losing the personal touch and character that make blogs unique:
Content Generation: ChatGPT can assist bloggers in generating content ideas, writing drafts, and even suggesting improvements. It can be a valuable tool when facing writer’s block or tight deadlines. While AI can create a solid foundation for a blog post, bloggers can then add their unique voice, insights, and personality to make it truly their own.
Research Assistance: ChatGPT can help with research by summarizing information, providing relevant sources, and even answering questions on a given topic. This streamlines the research process, allowing bloggers to focus more on crafting their narrative and analysis.
Language Enhancement: ChatGPT can aid in proofreading, grammar checking, and language refinement. Bloggers can rely on AI to improve the clarity and correctness of their writing, while still maintaining their personal style and tone.
Personalization: Bloggers can use ChatGPT to personalize content for individual readers. By understanding reader preferences and previous interactions, AI can help tailor blog posts, making the experience more engaging and relevant for each visitor.
Content Scheduling and Distribution: AI can assist in creating content calendars, optimizing publishing schedules, and automating social media posting. This allows bloggers to focus on creating high-quality content while AI handles the logistics.
Preserving the Personal Touch
While AI can be a valuable tool, it’s essential to maintain the personal touch and character that make blogs unique:
Authenticity: Bloggers should be transparent when using AI tools and make it clear that they are responsible for the final content. Readers value authenticity, so maintaining transparency builds trust.
Unique Voice: Bloggers should continue to infuse their unique voice, experiences, and perspectives into their content. AI can assist with the technical aspects of writing, but the personal touch comes from the blogger’s own experiences and insights.
Interaction and Engagement: AI should complement, not replace, the interaction between bloggers and their readers. Engaging with readers in the comments section and on social media remains a critical part of the blogging experience.
So where do we go from here?
Over the past decade, blogging has transformed into a dynamic and influential medium. With the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT, bloggers can streamline their work processes, improve content quality, and reach wider audiences. While these AI enhancements are valuable, it’s crucial for bloggers to maintain their unique voice and character, ensuring that their content remains authentic and engaging.
The blogging landscape is continually evolving, and bloggers who adapt to these changes while preserving their personal touch will likely continue to thrive in this ever-expanding digital world. AI, like ChatGPT, can be a supportive ally in this journey, enhancing the blogging experience for both writers and readers alike.
What do you think? Share in the comments below. And yes, this is an experiment.
rsts11 - Robert Novak on system administration 