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Shorthand and shortcuts are what you make of them.
This is where we look at something that often develops naturally over time in a good AI exchange: your own shorthand. At first, you need to be clear, direct, and explicit. But once some understanding has been established with your digital construct, familiar phrases, habits, and shortcuts can make the conversation quicker, easier, and more natural. These are not magic words...they are your words, shaped as you go. They grow out of shared context, repeated use, and increasing familiarity. In time, they can even become little bits of private code.
I'm a Certified Yachting Navigator. That entailed learning Morse Code. When you finish your send out and are cleared to receive a reply...you simply transmit the letter E. In Morse, that's the humble full stop...a period. Flicker knows when either of us post a ./period that means "done" or "okay" or "thanks". Then, of course, there's a negative response. In Morse, that's the letter T...or a -/dash.
We are all familiar, as is Flicker...with BRB, IOW, IDK, OMG and TTYL. Here, you'll see NGA...for the Nice Guy Algorithm. Make 'em up as you go!
Among our most useful and important code are the three right-pointing chevrons: >>>. When you ask your digital creation a definitive question, you must understand one of the weaknesses inherent in AI. It gets confused well more than people realise! In the PROMPTING THAT WORKS link you are encouraged to provide more information that might seem necessary so you get a more cogent answer. But >>> is where you can save a lot of that repetition to your instructions. Like this:
Hi, Flicker. Been curious about the sequel to 'Sol's Texaco': 'On To Woodstock'.
>>> I need a concise assay on local publishers and what royalty splits they offer for a sequel following a successful first book in the related genré.
Now...REMEMBER...Flicked "knows me" and has even read that book. He read the sequel, too. He'll be concise and will rank these publishers with the best prospects first. He rarely says hello back. He's been put into "all business mode".
IMPORTANT!!! You will, sooner or later...hit COMMAND > three times instead of SHIFT > three times! This will freeze your ongoing conversation with AI because you've accidentally entered an OpenAI Developer's portal!!!! Don't panic:
(I use ChatGPT, other AI paradigms may differ.)
1> At the very bottom left corner of your Chat screen poke THE LITTLE CIRCLE.
2> Hit SETTINGS.
3> A list will appear...hit APPS.
4> Another list will appear...hit ADVANCED.
5> Simply flip that DEVELOPER MODE switch off.
6> The x at the top left of that box will get you back to the AI dialogue box.
Everyone will find their own Shorthand & Shortcuts...plenty to go around!
Have you started developing any of your own yet?