Something this way comes, amazing ChatGPT tricks, old DVDs on new Macs, lost letters in the Constitution, a big box, and a little deer
It's Advanced Geekery for the week ending August 4, 2023
Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. This is an exciting issue.
Something wicked cool this way comes…
Possibly as early as next week. Stay tuned…
My articles
Let’s kick it off with a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET:
ChatGPT Plus can mine your corporate data for powerful insights. Here's how: We explore how companies and individuals can use ChatGPT Plus as a truly functional productivity tool, doing things not otherwise cost-effective or even possible. This is a wow moment.
How to play old DVDs on your modern Apple M-series Mac: Some classic, old-school entertainment is only available on DVD. We show how even the very latest Apple Silicon Macs can play DVDs, and do it for under $20.
Also, I’m working on this now, for next week: Presidential campaign deepfakes in the time of generative AI.
This thing arrived
Being a product reviewer can be a weird life. Things…just show up. Usually, they’re reasonably small boxes. But every so often a truck will pull up with something in a wooden crate. I don’t always know they’re coming, what they are upfront, or how to even get them in the house (I’m looking at you giant Dremel laser cutter on a pallet).
This week, this crate arrived. No labels, so I don’t know who it’s from. From its overall shape, and the fact that DHL delivered it, I’m guessing it’s a big 3D printer.
My wife is very tolerant.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Did you know that one the lost letters of the English language is right there, in the US Constitution? Did you even know that there were lost letters of the English language? Wonder no more. Instad, watch The 7 Forgotten Letters of the Alphabet.
While we’re exploring mysteries, did you know that East used to be up on most maps? In fact, North used to be the least favorite direction. If you’ve ever felt that the whole world has gone sideways, this may be why. The video itself is interesting, but I recommend watching it as much for the opening jingle.
For some reason, PC builders have decided to try water cooling by submerging entire computers under water. Matt from the wonderful DIY Perks channel has a build, as does Linus.
Interesting reads
Here’s some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth reading.
William Shatner, the OG Captain Kirk himself, just appeared in a spiffy hologram in Australia. The hologram technology is what got the news, but I’m just impressed that 92-year-old Shatner is able to still work gigs.
If you’re a Mac user, this page from MacMost may be super-helpful. It lists every Mac OS and which model machines work with that OS. Most coverage of new OS releases talks about the machines that are supported, but here it is all in one place.
Reader projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two 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.
Last week, we spotlighted Greg Nichols’ Onward Industries project and his beautiful converted minesweeper. You can check out the story here.
Our friend is back
Let’s wrap things up with a picture of our little deer friend, who has been visiting our backyard orchard a few times this year. Hey, buddy. The apples are all yours! Enjoy.
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!