Learn and Do with Peter Notes, 2024-03-09

List of Topics

• Name change: "Learn and Do with Peter" (formerly AI 101)
• Claude API Beta, new Claude 3 models
• Learn and Do Building Blocks (Computer 101, AI 101, etc.)
• GPTs, APIs, Zapier, Make
• How to organize and save all your creations
• How to organize your notes and other text
• Local LLMs and image generators
• Midjourney, including --sref and /describe
• Using LLMs that have vision mode (describe images, etc.)
• DXOS Composer
• Using the command line
• Using Python
• LLM frontends
• Pedagogy with LLMs
• Writing a front-end for multiple LLMs

"Stack"

(background: like a stack of dishes at a buffet, FIFO queue)

• [x] can we look at some pre-built alternative LLM front-ends
• [x] how hard would the homework be

Writing a alternative front-end for multiple LLMs

Rationale - Pros

• have our OWN alternative front-end for cheap "wholesale" access to LLMs via API key
• to see how "simple" it is to use the backend, so that we have a better understanding of "what's under the hood," so we can make better choices about front-ends, back-ends, etc.
• either use Terminal/command-line OR learn simple GUI concepts
• learn how to USE Python (but not KNOW Python)
• learn how to get ChatGPT to write custom Python apps
• know how to start writing other custom front-ends
• other people's front-ends morph, get buggy, go way, etc. in a way that makes them unusable in the future

Rationale - Cons

• a front-end that we build won't be powerful, maybe?
• API interface may change, meaning our app needs to be upgraded / maintained

Components

• UI, either Terminal or GUI (aka WIMP)
• Programming language, Python, Javascript
• Backends
  • OpenAI (to start)
  • Anthropic
  • Gemini

Learn and Do Building Blocks

• https://ai101.peterkaminski.wiki/ai_101_building_blocks

How to organize and save all your creations

• freeware image "viewers"
  • Phoenix Slides (Mac)
  • XnView (Windows, Mac, Linux)
  • IrfanView (Windows)
• image workflow
  • with and without a tool like Lightroom or darktable
• folder organization
• storage options

How to organize your notes and other text

• PKMs like Obsidian, Notion, etc.

Alternative LLM frontends

"Homework"

Search for alternative LLM frontends, so we can use "wholesale" API access to LLMs

Terminal / Command line

• chap - https://github.com/jepler/chap/
• llm - https://llm.datasette.io/

Mac GUI

• MacGPT - https://www.macgpt.com/

Windows

• stuff goes here
• built-in Microsoft tools and affordances

Web

• (broken) https://chatbotui.pathshiftpeople.com/

Looking for Alternative Front Ends

"Brands" or providers of LLMs

• ChatGPT
• Copilot
• Gemini

Varieties of Freemium sites

• stuff goes here

Pretty much scams

• stuff goes here

Other Notes

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