Prompting mistakes, Apple Intelligence is a mistake, don't mistake this printer for a Bambu
Plus, ChatGPT Tasks gone horribly wrong, making affiliate links count, a long-overdue 3D printing project, quantum entanglement, and a geeky rap battle.
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
My latest video
Last week, I showed you how I replaced the motherboard for an Anycubic Kobra 3. This week, I’m unboxing the Anycubic Kobra S1. I’m guessing any similarity to the super-popular Bambu Carbon X1 is entirely intentional.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
If you want your Amazon affiliate links to count, don't do this: Learn the critical mistake that almost cost me my Amazon affiliate status and learn the insider tip that saved my program just in time.
I bought an iPhone 16 for its AI features, but I haven't used them even once - here's why: C'mon, Apple. You're better than this.
The five biggest mistakes people make when prompting an AI: Ready to transform how you use AI tools? Learn how to refine your prompts, avoid common pitfalls, and maximize the potential of generative AI tools.
I spent hours testing ChatGPT Tasks - and its refusal to follow directions was mildly terrifying: ChatGPT tasks offers AI prompt scheduling and automation, but what happens when things go wrong? I explored the highs and lows of this promising yet frustrating - and worrying - beta tool.
This week’s project: a long-overdue 3D print
I have had a cherished 36-inch aluminum ruler/level for at least 15 years. Back in 2015, when ZDNET’s editor-in-chief assigned me to look into the nascent 3D printer business, I decided that one of the first prints I’d print was a magnetic holder for that level that would affix it to my rolling steel shelves.
Never happened. I’m not sure if it was that, at the time, I didn’t have the design skill, or if other things got in the way, but it never happened.
I still have that level and I’m still moving it around the shop trying to find a home for it — until this week. This week, I finally made my magnetic holders:
And here’s my level in its new home. Note that the lip on the back of the holder is to prevent the magnet from sliding down and off the steel. I’m using six magnets on each because back in the day I bought a big pack of a hundred and I still have a bunch.
It’s a nice feeling to be able to check something off of my bucket list even if, in the overall scheme of things, it’s a tiny win. What are you working on? Remember, you can have your projects spotlighted in this newsletter. See below.
Tool of the week
Every week, I find a new use for my extendo-magnet tool. I use it to pick up the screws and bolts I drop with far too much frequency, to extract screws from deep holes, to test if something is ferromagnetic, and for so many other uses. This one is special, because it also has a flashlight at the business end.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Laredo, Texas has become a billion-dollar hub in the international supply chain. This short video provides a good backgrounder on why.
Google has been adding AI capabilities into Street View for some time. Here’s an inside look.
So, it’s been a while since I shared a twisted geeky rap battle. Therefore, I present you with Princess Rap Battle, Galadriel vs Leia. Warning: there be cursing.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth reading.
Columbia’s doing some weird science with quantum entanglement.
NPR has a piece on how influencers are impacting journalism.
Do dogs watch TV? Mine does. He barks at all the animals (except the MGM lion, for some reason).
Send in your projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two here. Your project doesn’t have to be a big Kickstarter launch. If you’ve built something cool, it has some pretty pictures, and you’re proud of it, I might be able to share it here.
If you have a photogenic reader project, send an email to me at david@zatz.com with the subject “READER PROJECT,” a few pictures, and a short one-paragraph description. If you have a social media link or a link to the project, include that, too.
Both my EPs are now streaming
Available on all your favorite streaming services.
More clicky
I’ve got a lot happening all over the web. Here are links to my various stuff:
House of the Head: home for my published music
ZATZ Labs: where I host my published software projects
Feel free to dig around, visit, and say hey!
Leave some comments
Substack supports comments, so feel free to leave some. I promise to read them. Just, please, let’s keep our personal politics out of any discussion.
That should do it for this week. This newsletter is really starting to pick up subscribers. Please help it out by sharing links on all your socials.
Have a great week!