<\/p>\n
AI Is Not All Bad – You Can Use It to Make Your Life Easier!<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n AI is everywhere these days. It’s in the news. It’s on your computer. It’s on the Web. And there are horror stories about AI warning us that AI will eventually exterminate us all and take over the world. I don’t know if all that’s true, I imagine when X-rays were invented they were taken as a threat…<\/span><\/p>\n We are both, like many others, concerned about the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI). But no matter how we feel about it, it\u2019s here to stay and will become increasingly part of our daily lives. We might as well use it to our advantage when we can.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s really not all about the Grim Reaper. <\/span><\/p>\n AI can do many things to make your life easier, even if you\u2019re not technically inclined and even if you have no idea how AI works. Don\u2019t fear it, don\u2019t fight it \u2013 use it!<\/span><\/p>\n Today we will show you five ways to use AI to make your life easier.<\/span><\/p>\n Our current AI of choice is Google\u2019s Gemini<\/a>, but you can use ChatGPT, Copilot, Clude, Grock, or any of the other AI \u201cchatbots\u201d available.<\/span><\/p>\n Search Smarter<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Rather than wade through pages and pages of search results (and ads) trying to find what you\u2019re looking for, try using AI for searching. If you have a Google account try using https:\/\/gemini.google.com\/<\/a> to search. If you don\u2019t have a Google account try using Windows Copilot, ChatGPT, or one of the many other AI chatbots available. You\u2019ll most likely find what you\u2019re looking for without having to sift through pages of search results and ads.<\/span><\/p>\n All About Twilight<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For instance, I wanted to know the difference between twilight, civil twilight, and nautical twilight. Rather than googling it, I asked Gemini to explain the differences. I got the answer without sifting through pages of results.<\/span><\/p>\n Twilight is the period between sunrise and sunset, or sunset and sunrise when the sun is below the horizon but the sky is still illuminated. However, there are different degrees of twilight depending on how far below the horizon the sun is. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the three main types:<\/span><\/p>\n Astronomical Twilight: (Faintest \u2013 Needs Darkness Adapted Eyes)<\/span><\/p>\n Sun is between 18 and 30 degrees below the horizon.<\/span> Nautical Twilight: (Dim \u2013 Requires Some Artificial Light)<\/span><\/p>\n Sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon.<\/span> Civil Twilight: (Brightest \u2013 Outdoor Activities Possible)<\/span><\/p>\n Sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon.<\/span> Here\u2019s an analogy to visualize the difference: Think of the sun as a light bulb in a room.<\/span><\/p>\n Astronomical Twilight: The light bulb is off, but there\u2019s a faint glow from sunlight creeping in through a window (requires dark adaptation to see anything).<\/span><\/p>\n Nautical Twilight: The light bulb is very dim, but you can still make out the shape of the room and larger furniture.<\/span><\/p>\n Civil Twilight: The light bulb is on a low setting, the room is clearly visible, but it\u2019s not brightly lit.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Find shows and movies to watch<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Are you stuck in \u201cwhat to watch?\u201d purgatory? AI on streaming services recommends shows and movies based on your past choices, keeping you entertained for hours. For instance, I like film noir, so when I asked Gemini to give me some suggestions for movies to watch it suggested these:<\/span><\/p>\n The Maltese Falcon (1941)<\/span> I\u2019ve seen the first three but not the last two. And if I didn’t find something in that last I liked, I could ask for more. Right now, I\u2019m off to watch Double Indemnity.<\/span><\/p>\n Looking for new recipes? AI can be your best friend.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a new recipe or just want to see what kinds of meals you can make with what you have on hand. AI can help. I was looking for an easy and simple Cole Slaw recipe and used Gemini to help me. And here\u2019s the recipe it suggested and that I used\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Shredded cabbage (coleslaw mix from the store works great too!)<\/span> Here\u2019s how to make it:<\/span><\/p>\n In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage with mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar.<\/span> Tips:<\/span><\/p>\n For a creamier slaw, add a bit more mayonnaise.<\/span> Plan a trip anywhere\u2026 How about we use AI to plan a 3-day trip to Paris?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Day 1: Bonjour, Paris!<\/span><\/p>\n Morning: Start your day with a quintessential Parisian breakfast at a local cafe. Grab a buttery croissant, a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), or a tartine (bread with jam or butter) along with a cup of coffee or creamy cafe au lait.<\/span><\/p>\n Eiffel Tower: Ascend the iconic Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris. Marvel at the panoramic city views from the top, and capture breathtaking photos.<\/span><\/p>\n Seine River Cruise: Embark on a scenic Seine River cruise, taking in the beauty of the city from a different perspective. Glide past famous landmarks like the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral.<\/span><\/p>\n Lunch: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a restaurant near the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es, the famous Parisian avenue known for its high-end shops and vibrant atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\n Restaurant Option: Le Coupe-Choux (French Bistro): This lively bistro offers classic French fare with a modern twist. Indulge in dishes like steak frites, escargot, or a decadent boeuf bourguignon (beef stew).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Well, you get the idea. Using Ai is a great way to plan an itinerary for your next trip including sight-seeing suggestions and great places to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n Find restaurants and things to do near you.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Just ask your favorite AI: \u201cFind restaurants and places of interest within xx miles of (enter your zip code or location)\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n I searched where I live and found 2 restaurants I didn\u2019t even know existed. I also learned that a fish hatchery that had been closed for quite a while is now open to visitors again. It might not sound exciting but it is an idyllic setting featuring one of five \u201cbottomless\u201d natural pools in the area and it\u2019s interesting to see how they hatch and raise the different types of fish. Give it a try \u2013 you might find restaurants and interesting places near you that you didn\u2019t know existed or you\u2019d forgotten about.<\/span><\/p>\n AI is here to say whether we like it or not. It’s going to become more and more part of our lives. You don\u2019t need to be a geek or technically gifted to use AI. Every one of you can use it right now \u2013 all you need to know how to do is type and ask questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AI Is Not All Bad – You Can Use It to Make Your Life Easier! AI is everywhere these days. It’s in the news. It’s on your computer. It’s on the Web. And there are horror stories about AI warning us that AI will eventually exterminate us all and take over the world. I don’t know if\u2026 Read More »<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4421,4448,4431,4484,4477],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29929"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29929"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29931,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29929\/revisions\/29931"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nFaintest twilight, only the brightest stars and planets are visible. Naked eye cannot distinguish between day and night.<\/span>
\nUseful for astronomers observing very faint objects.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHorizon is still visible, but faint.<\/span>
\nBrighter stars and planets become visible.<\/span>
\nArtificial light may be required for some outdoor activities.<\/span>
\nHistorically important for sailors using stars for navigation.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHorizon is clearly visible.<\/span>
\nThe sky is still bright, with some residual colors from sunrise or sunset.<\/span>
\nOutdoor activities are still possible without needing artificial light.<\/span>
\nMost people associate \u201ctwilight\u201d with this phase.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDouble Indemnity (1944) — GREAT MOVIE!<\/span>
\nThe Third Man (1949)<\/span>
\nTouch of Evil (1958)<\/span>
\nSunset Boulevard (1950)<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMayonnaise<\/span>
\nVinegar (apple cider or white vinegar)<\/span>
\nSugar<\/span><\/p>\n
\nSeason with salt and pepper to taste (optional).<\/span>
\nToss well to coat and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWant a tangier slaw? Add a little more vinegar.<\/span>
\nPlay around with the proportions of sugar and vinegar to find your perfect balance of sweet and tart.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n