As will be apparent from this post, and many others to come, I did decide to go ahead with asking Andy Moyle to write the necessary scripts within my WordPress system to create post summaries.
The process being used is only partly automated. The insertion of the text box and the copying of some of the text is automated. But, quite crucially, I retain control over that text so that if, for any reason, I do not like the summary AI produces I will be changing it to suit the style and content that I wish to be made available.
As usual, I am grateful for Andy's enthusiasm in helping me when I'm trying to improve the way in which this blog presents ideas. The majority of the innovations that we have tried have worked over time, I think.
I believe that this one will, although it will be used judiciously. Very short posts do not, I think, require summaries. In contrast, many of the video transcripts are well over 1,000 words long, and can benefit by being summarised in this way.
There is another benefit from this process. My posts are always promoted on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Mastodon (and I really should add Blue Sky, although they do not make it easy to do so). If I get these post summaries right then they will, effectively, become mini-posts for use on these sites and that will save me as much time as creating these post summaries here will take.
Comments are welcome and I hope that these summaries will be of use. Anyone who does not want them can, of course, easily skip the grey header, which is why I added it in that way.
And, for those who have a problem in reading text against any coloured background, I would remind you that the option to change the way in which this blog can be viewed is available, with many alternatives to address many accessibility issues being available by clicking on the disability logo that appears on the top right corner of every page. I have never known how much that option is used, but I have always been pleased that it is available because accessibility is my objective.
And, I know this post probably does not need a summary, but I had to do one.
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In terms of the summary length, it should be possible to have the length of the list determine this automatically.
For example, posts 1,000 words get 70 words, and those in between get 50.
It’s fascinating to watch the development of this blog in recent moths, which evidences the learner mindset we all need.
Thanks
Looks like I inadvertently hid some of my text by using symbols.
I meant posts under 500 words get 40 words, those over 1,000 get 70, and far in between get 50.
I am exercising judgement
Generally, I suspect less than 500 will not be summarised
A very minor quibble on appearance. Once the thread is opened the appearance is fine, but when the index is open it appears: Post summaryMinouche ……. Can this be fixed?
By index I mean the first page, listing all the posts.
Thanks
Andy is going to look at this
I had not noticed it so thanks for telling me
Can I suggest “abstract” rather than “summary”?
Most people do not know what an abstract is
The summaries are not of much use for me, but if they help you increase your reach, that’s great.
I read through your RSS feed primarily, and currently the summaries just flow right into the main start. They’re missing the little box styling that you have on the blog site. Do you think that is fixable? It’s not a huge issue.
I will check
If we added a line after them would it help?
Yes, a line, or even just some dashes like — would be enough. Thanks
Summaries are a nice touch.
I think they will drive an increase in traffic on your sites.
Thanks
Hi, just a quick note to say that (maybe after your change using AI) there have been no new posts on Mastodon for 3 days.
Thanks for all your YouTube vids, love them.
Mastodon links are not working. I am not sure why. We will check.