I received a question referencing this blog, “Nitro Express and putting on a bra.” The blog was posted on December 30, 2020. So you don’t have to go back and look at it. Here are the two paragraphs in question, “Search engines such as Google are useful for discovering everyday things a person of the opposite sex does, such as putting on a bra? A quick search on that topic reveals both step-by-step word instructions and also videos.
A writer might also search for background information on the topic. For example, you might be writing about elephant hunting in the early 20th century and want to be sure about what rifle the hunter would use. A quick search will lead you to a Wikipedia article about the “Nitro Express rifles.” You will also find the John Rigby & Co. was the first manufacturer to make these hunting rifles. You might also be able to slip in the fact that they were banned in 1907 in certain British colonies. That might even give you a story idea beyond the one you are currently working on.”
Here is the question I received, “wouldn’t it be better to use a chat bot?[sic]” My first reaction was, “Sure!” I should back up and explain that [sic] means I am quoting something with an error in it. There are actually two errors in the quote, “wouldn’t” and “chat bot.” Sometimes I feel like I’m teaching freshman English again. Moving on!
Let’s go to https://chat.openai.com/ and ask how do you put on a bra? You get a standard set of steps to put on a bra. You don’t get a choice of a set of illustrations rather than just words. Overall, I think a set of responses from a search engine might be better than a chatbot’s answer.
Let’s ask chatbot about Nitro Express Rifles and the John Rigby & Co. “What are Nitro Express Rifles and who is the John Rigby Co?” You get, “Nitro Express Rifles, commonly referred to as Nitro Express or NE rifles, are a specific category of powerful, large-caliber rifles primarily designed for hunting dangerous game in Africa and other regions. These rifles are known for their ability to deliver high muzzle energy and stopping power, which is crucial when facing large and potentially dangerous animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalo, and others.
The term “Nitro Express” refers to the type of ammunition used in these rifles. Nitro Express cartridges are typically large-bore, centerfire cartridges loaded with smokeless powder. They were originally developed in the late 19th century as a successor to the black powder cartridges, offering increased velocity, range, and accuracy.
John Rigby & Co, often known as Rigby, is a renowned British gunmaking company with a long history in the firearms industry. The company was founded by John Rigby in Dublin, Ireland, in 1775, making it one of the oldest gunmakers in the world. Rigby gained prominence for their production of high-quality rifles and shotguns, including the development of Nitro Express rifles.
John Rigby & Co gained significant recognition and popularity for their Nitro Express rifles during the golden age of African safaris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The company’s rifles were favored by many renowned hunters and adventurers, including famous figures like Karamojo Bell and Jim Corbett.
Throughout its history, John Rigby & Co has changed ownership several times but has managed to maintain its reputation for producing fine firearms. Today, Rigby continues to craft high-quality rifles, shotguns, and other firearms, including their iconic Nitro Express rifles, catering to hunters and collectors around the world.”
Here I believe https://chat.openai.com/ outshines the standard search engine. There are even nonfiction article possibilities such as the various owners of John Rigby & Co.
I believe they quick search using both will be the best possible approach. Do you agree?
