Conversations with the AI charged Microsoft's Bing

 This is my first encounter with this feature in Microsoft Edge. I got in by sheer accident and decided to try it out. I just posted a few random questions to see the result of the search. It looks great and is a very easy tool to use. It gives results based on its search and nicely summarizes with references. For software developers, it should be very useful. In the present embodiment, it is a better tool than Google Search without any AI add-ins. However, Google has come out with its own AI-powered search tool, AI Chatbot called Bard. Bard is also based on chatGPT.  ChatGPT is owned by Sam Altman and Microsoft has invested $10 billion into chatGPT.

How do you start the chat?

If you notice the following at the top right of your Microsoft Edge (Microsoft EdgeVersion 111.0.1661.44 (Official Build) (64-bit), you will be able to start the chat.

Question 1. I wanted to find out what version of Microsoft Edge would I be able to chat with. Here is the exact question and answer.

Question 2: I taught courses on SQL Server at the Pacific Center of Advanced Technology Training in Honolulu for many years and I wanted to see how it can help my students.

Here is the exact question and answer:

Looks like it could be a good training and learning tool not only for SQL servers but also for all other kinds of software. At this point, I am not sure it can access an available server via the browser to answer specific questions.

Question 3: How many Vietnamese are in Poland?

The Vietnamese embassy and Vietnamese community leaders in Poland estimate that about **20,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese people** may reside in Poland, although the Polish government in 2002 put the upper possible range at about 50,000². The Vietnamese-Polish community is the fourth-largest Vietnamese community in the European Union, after France, Germany, and Czechia¹.

I learned something today.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) Vietnamese people in Poland - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_people_in_Poland Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) Vietnamese people in Poland - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_people_in_Poland Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) How many Vietnamese live in Poland? - 2022. https://wisoky.jodymaroni.com/asia/how-many-vietnamese-live-in-poland/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(4) Overseas Vietnamese - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Vietnamese Accessed 3/22/2023.

Question 4: A Windows question: I just wanted to see what it comes up with.

I have over 100 folders each of which has a single image file. What is the most effective way to retrieve all the images and save them to a single folder?

One way to do this is to make a batch file, which searches recursively for a specific file type, and copy all instances of it to a folder of your choice. This script should do the job for one partition at a time: 

```for /R "C:\" %%G in (*.png *.jpg *.jpeg *.gif) do copy "%%G" "E:allPictures" pause```

Another way is to use Windows (File) Explorer. You can search for a specific file type and copy all instances of it to a folder of your choice. Here's how to do it:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location you want to search.

2. In the search box, type `*.<file extension>` (e.g., `*.jpg`) and press Enter.

3. Once the files are visible, press Ctrl-A to select all of them.

4. Drag and drop them to the right location.

This should work admirably!

If you want to look in multiple adjacent folders, you can use Python. Here's an example script that reads multiple images from multiple folders:

```

root_folder = '[whatever]/data/train'

folders = [os.path.join(root_folder, x) for x in ('Type_1', 'Type_2', 'Type_3')]

all_images = [img for folder in folders for img in load_images_from_folder(folder)]

```

I hope this helps!

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) I want to copy all images on my computer to a single folder. https://superuser.com/questions/813865/i-want-to-copy-all-images-on-my-computer-to-a-single-folder Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) Gather similar files from multiple folders and copy them in ... - PCWorld. https://www.pcworld.com/article/444210/gather-similar-files-from-multiple-folders-and-copy-them-in-one-simple-step.html Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) I want to copy all images on my computer to a single folder. https://superuser.com/questions/813865/i-want-to-copy-all-images-on-my-computer-to-a-single-folder Accessed 3/22/2023.

(4) Easiest way to extract the contents of many folders at once?. https://superuser.com/questions/523816/easiest-way-to-extract-the-contents-of-many-folders-at-once Accessed 3/22/2023.

(5) Python Read multiple images from multiple folders. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44002577/python-read-multiple-images-from-multiple-folders Accessed 3/22/2023.

(6) How to Find All the Photos Stored on Your Windows 10 PC. https://www.howtogeek.com/393290/how-to-find-all-photos-stored-on-your-windows-10-pc/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

Question 5: How soon will hydrogen overtake gasoline in the industrial and transport sectors?

It is difficult to predict when hydrogen will overtake gasoline in the industrial and transport sectors. However, hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce air pollution in the form of greenhouse gases from trucks, buses, planes, and ships⁵. The transport industry should prepare for a hydrogen-powered future². 

Hydrogen demand in the transportation and industry sectors is expected to grow, especially from 2025 onward, when more vehicles become available². By 2030, when projects are expected to be transitioning from the pilot stage to commercialization, the most attractive carriers are ammonia and LOHC with a transport cost (excluding hydrogen production) of $2.5-4.5/kg of hydrogen (for 10,000 km)³. 

Supplying hydrogen to industrial users is now a major business around the world. Demand for hydrogen, which has grown more than threefold since 1975, continues to rise – almost entirely supplied by fossil fuels, with 6% of global natural gas and 2% of global coal going to hydrogen production⁴. 

I hope this helps!

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) Hydrogen’s Role in Transportation | Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/hydrogens-role-transportation Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) Unlocking hydrogen’s power for long-haul freight transport. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/global-infrastructure-initiative/voices/unlocking-hydrogens-power-for-long-haul-freight-transport Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) Hydrogen costs hang on solving transportation - Reuters Events. https://www.reutersevents.com/renewables/renewables/hydrogen-costs-hang-solving-transportation Accessed 3/22/2023.

(4) The Future of Hydrogen – Analysis - IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen Accessed 3/22/2023.

(5) Hydrogen Could Become A $130 Billion U.S. Industry By 2050 ... - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2019/10/07/how-hydrogen-could-become-a-130-billion-us-industry-and-cut-emissions-by-2050/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(6) Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Advances Cleaner Industrial .... https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/15/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-advances-cleaner-industrial-sector-to-reduce-emissions-and-reinvigorate-american-manufacturing/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

Next was a general question.

Question 6: Is India a success story?

India is a land of diversity, with people from different religions, states, and cultures. India has been an unprecedented story of success but challenges remain⁵. India is a story of democracy that has beaten all odds, yet it is also a story of unfulfilled potential⁵. There is no dearth of Indian success stories that are keeping up-and-coming entrepreneurs motivated⁴. 

I hope this helps!

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) India has an unprecedented story of success, but challenges remain. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-an-unprecedented-story-of-success-but-challenges-remain/story-yKSQrsgKd3ivixEJJjLMvM.html Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) Indian Success Stories | Read The Inspiring Stories | Global Indian. https://www.globalindian.com/story/indian-success-stories/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) Success Story News | Latest News on Success Story - Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/success-story/news Accessed 3/22/2023.

(4) Success Story News | Latest News on Success Story - Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/success-story/news Accessed 3/22/2023.

(5) Top 10 Success Stories of Inspiring Indian Entrepreneurs [2023]. https://digitalscholar.in/indian-entrepreneurs-success-stories/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(6) Digital India is a global success story. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/thedanispost/digital-india-is-a-global-success-story/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

It repeats searches and finds the same reference again and again. Probably lead by multiple links on the web to the same source. 

Question 7: Is India a success story looking at world news and not just Indian news sources?

This question was asked to improve upon the previous question.

India has been a success story in many ways, and it has been recognized globally. For example, Digital India is a global success story². India's democratic project is a success, and no other post-colonial democracy, with India's level of economic backwardness and social diversity, has sustained an almost uninterrupted democratic run⁹. However, India has its share of challenges, and unless it fixes its institutions, it will not become a developed nation in 25 years¹. 

I hope this helps!

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) Digital India is a global success story. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/thedanispost/digital-india-is-a-global-success-story/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) India has an unprecedented story of success, but challenges remain. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-an-unprecedented-story-of-success-but-challenges-remain/story-yKSQrsgKd3ivixEJJjLMvM.html Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) Success Story News | Latest News on Success Story - Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/success-story/news Accessed 3/22/2023.

(4) India is an unprecedented story of success, but challenges remain. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-an-unprecedented-story-of-success-but-challenges-remain/story-yKSQrsgKd3ivixEJJjLMvM.html Accessed 3/22/2023.

(5) Under Modi, India’s Press Is Not So Free Anymore. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/world/asia/modi-india-press-media.html Accessed 3/22/2023.

(6) India’s global success should be celebrated and not criticized. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rrr-the-elephants-whisperers-all-that-breathes-indias-global-success-should-be-celebrated-and-not-criticized/articleshow/98749022.cms Accessed 3/22/2023.

(7) PM Modi’s jibe at Rahul: Some can’t stomach India’s success, so attacking it. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/pm-modi-s-jibe-at-rahul-some-can-t-stomach-india-s-success-so-attacking-it/ar-AA18NQ3g Accessed 3/22/2023.

(8) Tristar: A success story. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-network/tristar-a-success-story Accessed 3/22/2023.

(9) success stories - The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/success-stories Accessed 3/22/2023.

(10) Is India the new success story of the coronavirus pandemic?. https://www.wionews.com/india-news/is-india-the-new-success-story-of-coronavirus-pandemic-363890 Accessed 3/22/2023.

Question 8: What institutions need fixing for India to achieve guaranteed success?

This question was asked to dig further.

India needs to fix its institutions to become a developed nation in 25 years¹. The banking system is one of the institutions that need fixing². The union government has revealed a fiscal strategy for growth that seems to comprise three elements: protectionism through tariff hikes, production-linked incentives, and capital expenditure to create infrastructure¹. India has created several democratic institutions, like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, NITI Aayog, NCLT, and GST council³. 

I hope this helps!

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) India’s Technological Knowhow and Growth Opportunities | Fixing Urban .... https://bing.com/search?q=What+institutions+needs+fixing+for+India+to+achieve+a+guaranteed+success%3f Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) Here’s why fixing the banking system should be a top priority for India. https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/heres-why-fixing-the-banking-system-should-be-a-top-priority-for-india/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) Success of India's democracy, institutions causing envy among some: PM .... https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/success-of-indias-democracy-institutions-causing-envy-among-some-pm-modi-2348550-2023-03-18 Accessed 3/22/2023.

Question 9: Why do you say the Indian banking system needs fixing since they suffered the least when two major banks failed in the USA and a major bank failed in Europe?

This question was asked based on the bot's previous answer.

I apologize for the confusion. I did not mean to imply that the Indian banking system is not doing well. However, the Indian banking system has had far higher non-performing loan ratios than other Asian banking systems since the mid-2010s and Indian banks have had far lower levels of capital³. This has weighed on banks' ability to extend credit because non-performing loans have reduced banks' profitability and risk depleting already low capital buffers³. 

I hope this helps!

Not bad, it even apologized!

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/22/2023(1) The Indian Banking System | Bulletin – December 2021 | RBA. https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2021/dec/the-indian-banking-system.html Accessed 3/22/2023.

(2) History of Banking In India - Evolution of Indian Banking System - BYJUS. https://byjus.com/bank-exam/history-banking-india/ Accessed 3/22/2023.

(3) Silicon Valley Bank collapse: Indian Banks are ‘not at risk’ from SVB .... https://www.zeebiz.com/personal-finance/banking/news-silicon-valley-bank-collapse-indian-banks-are-not-at-risk-from-svb-contagion-say-experts-here-s-why-226273 Accessed 3/22/2023.

(4) Silicon Valley Bank collapse: No major impact on Indian banking system .... https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/silicon-valley-bank-collapse-no-major-impact-on-indian-banking-system-say-experts/articleshow/98584861.cms Accessed 3/22/2023.

Looks like a more satisfactory search tool than Google at this point. 

Will Microsoft be able to steal Google's lunch?

The most beloved restaurant in Bengaluru, India

Do you have to pay a fortune to eat good food in Bengaluru? No. If you are in Bengaluru, India, and if you are not averse to tasting vegetarian delicacies you should try the legendary restaurant called 'Vidhyarthi Bhavan' which is approximately rendered as 'Student's Restaurant'. It is so popular (always has been) that overseas mysorians (people from the former Mysore State and in particular folks from Bangalore) when they return home they go directly to 'Vidhyarthi Bhavan'.

The main specialty here is called 'Masala Dosei' in the local language. It may probably be described as a 'spicy vegetable-filled crepe' which is a very loose way of describing it and not at all appropriate.

It is made from rice and 'Urad Dhall'. Wikipedia gives a reasonable description of Dosa or Dosai (Kannada) and in particular Masala Dosa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dosa#Masala_dosa).

"Vidhyarthi Bhavan" is in the locality called 'BasavanaGudi (Bull Temple)' in Bengaluru, Karnataka India. It is one of the oldest landmarks in Bengaluru. It is nestled behind a row of flower shops an Indian temple and religious goods vendors who occupy a major portion of the sidewalks. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with pictures of Kannada artists, poets, and novelists.

In order to get a seat you must reach there well ahead of their opening time and wait for the restaurant to open. When they open they are all ready to serve you this delicious food. Besides 'Masala Dosa' they offer many other strictly vegetarian dishes.

Here are some pictures taken during my recent visit. My brother-in-law takes me to this restaurant very religiously every time I visit.

 

 

Street scene near 'Vidhyarthi Bhavan'

 

Religious products vendor

 

 

Staffer carrying a number of plates of dosas balancing on his forearm. The yellow triangular pile is the 'masala', a vegetable preparation using potato and onion with 'South Indian' spices.

 

 

Bon Appetite: Masala dosa being served to us

On the walls, you see photos of luminaries of Karnataka

For more pictures search on Bing for images with the keywords 'Vidhyarthi Bhavan Bangalore'

Did Bollywood Rolled Over to Hindu Supremacists?

The source of the above is a Google search

This was one of the articles that appeared on MSN.com. Since their policies think that my post does not follow the community guidelines, I am posting this on a location removed from that community.

Bollywood has been making (FORMULA) disgusting movies. I started watching Indian movies at the beginning of the Covid-19's beginning after a lapse of some 50 years. I have hardly seen any good Hindi movies from Bollywood. However, some of the regional language movies from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Andhra Pradesh movies were genuinely nice and some of them addressed regional/religious problems. I should also include Punjabi and Bengali movies in this category. 

Bollywood still wants to show the musculature of the hero, preferably embedded in a 5-minute or more long song/dance sequence unrelated to the movie. If they need to get any kind of recognition, they should move away from this formula. Just inserting unnecessary, highly improbable fighting scenes and scantily clad heroine showing her nether regions is unsatisfactory. Unfortunately, most Khans work in this kind of movie (they make a lot of money) and I avoid them. I feel sorry for the heroine to degrade themselves to fit into this formula.

The advent of "Netflix" and "Amazon" has added a new unchartered pathway for Indian movies, both the mainstream Bollowoood as well as the regional movies. Some of the movies are so 'un-Indian' in their content that I feel strange. It may be titillating, but a movie should have something else than this to make it worthwhile. I am sure "Netflix" and "Amazon" make a lot of money and give "employment' to people to portray elements that are truly out of their character. Oftentimes, they re-make the movie made in the West that succeeded because of their bizarre content, explicit human behavior, or something that is abhorrent.

Argentina wins the World Cup 2022

 There is a lot of festivity in Buenos Aires today. Argentina gets its third star.

The audience are the big winners. They got the money's worth. Oh! What a match.

Photo Source: WonderfulEngineering.com

If there is a problem with the above, go here:

https://youtu.be/7QSw5xUNv2w

The final qualifier

Must read article developed by the Reserve Bank of India tackling online fraud

 I got a large PDF document on online fraud via WhatsApp. I think this is very interesting as well as useful. I am only presenting the title, forward, and table of contents from the RBI document. I am also pasting one of the many cartoons that explain the various ways in which folks are duped. 

Beware, this may be copyrighted materials

Enjoy!

Herein I paste the title page, the forward, the types of frauds covered, and an example. 

I am happy to see that RBI has come up with such a useful kit.