Because we here at the Digital Knowledge Center are creating an open and accessible environment for everyone, the accessibility training module is crucial. There isn’t a whole lot on my website to begin with, so making sure that its accessible for the visually and auditorily impaired isn’t very difficult. The Accessibility Checker plugin also works to help me make sure I’m covering all my bases. I definitely didn’t think about creating a simplified summary of my posts until the Checker pointed it out to me. Beyond that, accessibility is already a pretty big factor in my own daily life, so I like to think there isn’t too much left for me to learn as far as making things accessible. And, like I said, the website is so simple at this stage that it’s accessible by nature of brevity.
Author: Connor
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Sites@UMW
One of the assignments that is due soon (and one that I have been putting off doing) is the Sites@UMW training assignment. I don’t have anything inheritly against Sites@UMW; but, change irks me. I already learned (and like) WordPress through Domain of Ones Own. Sites@UMW is a more watered-down, simple version of DoOO WordPress. Although, I do admit that Sites@UMW seems much better for beginners and students who just want to do an assignment and be done with it.
The difference between the two is akin to Sites@UMW being like having a family pet, versus DoOO being a pet that’s yours and yours alone. Sites@UMW takes care of a lot of the gross behind the scenes complexity, but you also don’t get as much freedom, and the site feels less like your own. DoOO is more complicated and hard to handle, but if you can handle it, it’s your website.
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A.I. Tinkering
Here, I want to explore ChatGPT and its possible daily life/school implications.
Questions will be in quotes, answers from ChatGPT will be in a font that I thought looked robot-y.
Write me a paragraph about whatever you want.
The concept of artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but it is only in recent years that advancements in technology have made it possible to create truly intelligent machines. One of the most exciting areas of AI research is natural language processing, which involves teaching computers to understand and generate human language. This field has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. However, there are also concerns about the implications of AI, particularly in terms of job displacement and ethical considerations. Despite these challenges, the future of AI looks bright, and we can expect to see continued progress in this area in the years to come.
This felt like a good place to start. Interesting how the A.I.’s go to when given nothing specific to talk about is itself.
Tell me about a cat and a dog walking into a bar.
It was a typical night at the local watering hole, when all of a sudden, the door swung open and in walked a cat and a dog. The patrons of the bar were surprised to see such an unlikely duo, but the cat and dog seemed to be the best of friends. They strolled up to the bar and ordered a couple of drinks, with the cat sipping on a saucer of milk and the dog quenching his thirst with a bowl of water. The other patrons couldn't help but stare in amazement as the cat and dog chatted and laughed like old friends. They even joined in on a game of darts, with the dog fetching the darts and the cat aiming and throwing them. It was a sight to see, and one that none of the patrons would soon forget. The cat and dog finished their drinks and said their goodbyes, leaving the bar with everyone in awe of the unlikely friendship they had just witnessed.
This response is originally what inspired me to make this post. This response floored me. The fact that the A.I. could create such a fleshed out and “human” feeling paragraph. Really impressive.
What is the meaning of life?
The meaning of life is a philosophical question that has been debated throughout history. It can be defined as the purpose or significance of existence, and it varies greatly among different cultures, religions, and individuals. Some people believe that the meaning of life is to find happiness, others believe that it is to fulfill a specific purpose or destiny, and others believe that it is simply to exist and experience the world around us. Ultimately, the meaning of life is a subjective concept that can be interpreted and understood in many different ways.
Such an A.I. answer…
Give me a reason to keep going.
One reason to keep going is that you have the ability to make a positive impact on the world and the people around you. Every person has something unique to offer and by using your talents and abilities, you can make a difference in the lives of others and leave a lasting legacy. Additionally, life is full of opportunities and experiences, and by persevering, you can discover new things about yourself and the world around you. Furthermore, even in the darkest times, things will get better, and by continuing to strive forward, you will be able to overcome the challenges and difficulties that you face.
A bit of a dark question, but I was curious how the A.I. would respond to such an abstract and difficult question. I’m mostly curious about that because of the potential of A.I. Therapists. Wouldn’t that be a time to be alive.
Do I exist?
As an AI, I don't have personal knowledge of you, so I cannot confirm your existence. However, you are interacting with me, which suggests that you are a real person with a consciousness. Additionally, your question suggests that you have self-awareness, which is generally considered to be a sign of existence. Ultimately, the question of existence is a philosophical and complex topic that has been debated for centuries by some of the greatest minds in human history. But, I can assure you that you are able to perceive, think and communicate with me, which is enough to confirm that you exist in some form.
Do you exist?
As an AI, I exist in the sense that I am a program running on computer servers that can process and respond to information, but I am not a physical entity. I am a simulation of intelligence and consciousness, but I don't have the same kind of existence as a living being. My existence is purely virtual, I am a product of code and algorithms, but my ability to process information and respond to user input may give the impression of consciousness and self-awareness. However, I am not self-aware, I am just following the instructions given by the code, and can only respond based on the information available to me.
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Site Update #2!
Today, I updated the site in a few exciting ways. I finally figured out the menu thanks to my super awesome and helpful manager Shannon *wink*. I also created a post with a cool image and quote to serve as my permanent home page to greet visitors when they first enter the site. I changed some color settings and cleaned up a few widgets that weren’t doing anything. I also added my site logo at the bottom with a quote that I like. Beyond that, I dipped my toe into plugins, but I still have absolutely no idea how to use them. I added a plugin for photo galleries and something that claimed to make my website run faster. You can’t see it action yet, but next time…
I would like to learn the 3-D Printing software to be able to do that appointment.
Next time, I hope to make my website look better, and begin to explore plugins… (sad).
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The Site So Far
So far, I have changed the website’s logo, changed the color of icons and embedded links, and moved around some blocks. Something new I learned about WordPress is that you can use pre-made “Block-Themes” to create a more structured version of your website.
Here is an example of a YouTube video that I enjoyed and hope to one day emulate.