ChatGPT

Let me set the stage… previously we had a batch file in our startup script to add/remove network drives. It worked great and didn’t have any issues. We moved away from an on-site file server to a cloud solution with local cache. They created a new batch file for us which worked perfectly… until we started looking at integrating Intune computers. Luckily, early on we caught this, and realized we needed a PowerShell script instead of a batch script. We reached out to the vendor with knowing they had PowerShell experience and asked if they could recreate the script using PowerShell. They came back with a quote of $1,500.

I looked at the batch script again, and said there is no way it costs that much to convert an already working batch script to PowerShell. So what did I do? I opened up the 26 line batch script, skimmed over it, then copied it into ChatGPT, and told it to convert the script to PowerShell. It created a PowerShell function within the script and when I followed up with an additional prompt to see if a certain drive was still present to delete it, it created that as well. It was 98% done, I only had to fill in our company data and one part they had an additional parameter that wasn’t needed. All less than 15 minutes. For context, this was with ChatGPT with GPT-4 back in early May 2023, as it is even better now.

Is ChatGPT always this accurate? No, but when you search on Google, Stack Overflow, or any other site, is it always accurate? I like to think of ChatGPT, Azure OpenAI, etc as a smart intern where you trust, but verify the work before implementing. Always test in a development environment as some code take down infrastructure(Same with other sites/LLMs)

Now, not only did I save the company $1,500, I saved time from all the meetings, paperwork(Purchase Order and misc), and testing with the vendor which I used to work on other projects!

Hope you found this helpful and gets you thinking of using ChatGPT, Azure OpenAI, etc more, but please make sure you know what you are testing and/or are in a complete test environment. And if for some reason you take down something in production by accident, let someone know asap what you were doing, so that it can be quickly resolved if you aren’t sure how to fix it.

I wasn’t going to do this for today, but decided to change it up and do it anyways. What are your thoughts on ChatGPT? I’ve seen strong opinions both ways on this, but curious on your feelings on it. One point I see it being a very useful TOOL that a person can have in their toolbox, but if it is too heavily relied on or trusted, the person can lose some important skill sets such as learning how to learn and putting your own spin on something. Also if the person is looking up completely new information, ChatGPT could make a great case with false information and the person wouldn’t know until they are called out. As long as the person is still verifying the I’m good with ChatGPT and isn’t using it as their only source of research. Then again, I’m aging myself here, people use to site wikipedia which again could be manipulated.

Also right now ChatGPT is free, who knows 6 months down the road if that will be the case. And if it has become a habit for the person, they will pay the money because “they can’t live without it.” I do really love this type of technology and seeing how it has progressed so much over the years. It will only keep on getting better, and yes bad actors will abuse to too, but that is always the case with any type of technology or process.

And for a quick example, I had it write a “Read-Only Friday” post for me.

“In today’s fast-paced, always-connected business world, it can be hard to step away from our screens and disconnect from technology. But taking a break from technology, even for just one day a week, can have numerous benefits for our mental health, productivity, and overall well-being. That’s why many people are adopting the practice of “read-only Friday,” where they disconnect from technology and spend the day away from screens.

The effects of technology on our mental health and well-being are well-documented. Constant notifications, distractions, and the pressure to always be available can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even burnout. In fact, a recent study found that excessive screen time can even change the structure of our brains, leading to decreased concentration and problem-solving abilities.

By taking a break from technology and disconnecting from screens, we give our brains a much-needed rest and allow ourselves to recharge and refocus. This can lead to increased productivity, improved mental clarity, and better overall health.

But disconnecting from technology doesn’t have to mean being unproductive at work. In fact, read-only Friday can be a great opportunity to focus on tasks that require deep concentration and focus, such as brainstorming, strategic planning, or creative problem-solving. You could also use the time to catch up on reading, attend a training or learning session, or even just take a long lunch break to recharge and refocus.

To make the most of your read-only Friday, plan ahead and decide what you want to do with your day. This could include scheduling specific tasks or setting aside time for relaxation and self-care. You could also try setting boundaries for yourself, such as turning off notifications on your phone or limiting your access to certain apps or websites.

Overall, read-only Friday is a great way to disconnect from technology and give your mind and body a much-needed break. So why not encourage your team to try it out and see how it impacts their productivity and well-being? You might be surprised by the benefits.”

That took a matter of seconds…

Project Site:

ChatGPT

How ChatGPT saved our company $1500 in less than 15 minutes

Read-Only Friday December 9, 2022