I wrote Google's NotebookLM Can Summarize Large Text Files Using AI - My First Notebook on Thursday and explored the many NotebookLM features that I did not address on Friday and today.
1) In addition to the Source information and the "Key topics" links to Notes on the left-hand panel of the screen below, there are several other features available (see first screen capture below), including:
- A "Chat" field for questions, and a "View Chat" link at the bottom of the right-hand panel. The Chat area also has suggested questions that the user can click on to get more answers and save as a Note.
- A link to "Notebook Guide" which leads to more features.
2) Here is the "Notebook Guide" screen capture. It overlays the previous screen:
3) The additional features on the "Notebook Guide" provide more opportunity for receiving additional information that NotebookLM can provide about the subject of the sources provided by the user.
- At the top left of the "Notebook Guide" screen area, there are links for the user to click on to create more summaries and text, including: "FAQ;" "Study Guide;" "Table of Contents;" "Timeline;" and "Briefing Doc." Each of these links can create additinal information, although I had difficulty with the Timeline link finishing that task.
- At the top right of the "Notebook Guide" screen area, there is a link for an "Audio Overview" that creates a pseudo podcast by two people talking about the subject in a podcast formt (with a maximum of about 10 minutes). This completes after several minutes and the discussion can be saved as a WAV file to your computer.
- On the rest of the "Notebook Guide" screen is a "Summary" of the source information, and more suggested Chat questions that can be asked, or the user can formulate their own questions. All of the Chat questions and answers can be accessed using the "View Chat" link.
Briefing Document: Randy Seaver's Life and Work in Genealogy
Sources: Excerpts from "Randy Seaver Autobiography - 2024.pdf", "Randy Seaver Interview by Lisa Louise Cooke - August 2024.pdf"
Date: October 26, 2023
Overview: This briefing document explores the life, work, and passions of Randy Seaver, a prominent figure in the genealogy community, as detailed in his autobiography and a recent interview.
- Main Themes:
- A Life Shaped by Curiosity: From a young age, Seaver demonstrates a thirst for knowledge and exploration. This manifests in his childhood fascination with maps, bus schedules, and recreating radio show narratives. This curiosity forms the bedrock for his lifelong pursuits in radio DXing, genealogy, and computing.
- The Evolution of a Genealogist: Seaver's genealogical journey began with his interest in his paternal New England roots, rich with Mayflower connections and colonial history. Over time, his research expanded to encompass both sides of his family, utilizing traditional methods alongside emerging technologies like genealogy software and online databases.
- Sharing the Genealogical Journey: Recognizing the value of community and knowledge sharing, Seaver actively engages with fellow genealogists. He is an active member of numerous genealogical societies, presents at conferences, and fosters connections through his popular blog "Genea-Musings."
- Embracing Technological Advancements: Seaver recognizes the power of technology in genealogical research. He eagerly adopts new tools and techniques, from early IBM PCs to sophisticated software like RootsMagic and online platforms like Ancestry and MyHeritage. He even explores cutting-edge technologies like AI for transcription, image enhancement, and storytelling.
- Key Ideas and Facts:
- Early Life and Influences: Seaver's autobiography provides a detailed account of his upbringing in San Diego, highlighting family dynamics, the influence of his parents, and experiences that shaped his personality and interests.
- Professional Career: Seaver's background as an aerospace engineer at Rohr/Goodrich for 35 years provided a foundation in problem-solving, research, and data analysis, skills readily transferable to genealogical work.
- Genea-Musings Blog: Established in 2006, the blog showcases Seaver's research process, analysis of genealogical tools and resources, and highlights from the genealogy community, providing valuable insights for enthusiasts of all levels.
- Use of Technology: Seaver's interview underscores his enthusiasm for integrating technology into genealogy, particularly his use of AI for tasks like transcription, photo enhancement, and even crafting personalized poems and "deep story" biographical videos.
- Notable Quotes:
- On the Importance of Writing: "Writing helps me get things right. The 'holes in my research' are evident. I try hard to be accurate, provide source citations, give attribution, etc. I try to be a good example."
- The "Chunk Theory" of Genealogy: "Doing weekly themes helps me 'advance the genealogy football.' I have a 'Chunk Theory' - doing one thing now, and another tomorrow, creates lots of content every year."
- The Power of Cousin Bait: "Occasionally readers help me out with research and suggestions by commenting on the blog or in email. I get email from folks asking for help with their Seaver and Carringer families."
- Conclusion:
- Randy Seaver's journey is a testament to the enduring power of curiosity, the importance of community in genealogical pursuits, and the exciting possibilities offered by emerging technologies. His story serves as inspiration for seasoned researchers and newcomers alike.
4) The "Audio Overview" product is a conversation between two persons (a male and a female) about the source information. The overview discussed only the Lisa Louise Cooke interview source material, not the Autobiography information. It is not a summary of the source information, but a series of comments about instances in the source information, including insights about the subject. Not every detail is exactly correct, but it is reasonably close to a factual account. Some of the insights and comments are very complimentary, which I appreciated!
I have a WAV file which I can play on my computer using a Media Player (with a blank image), but I haven't figured out how to put it into an actual Podcast or a YouTube video. It is a relatively large file - 28 mb that I cannot embed here (or on Facebook?). I thought of doing a Zoom session with a background image and setting off the audio WAV file; I haven't tried that yet. Perhaps a reader can counsel me on how to do this to get it on my YouTube channel.
UPDATE: Here is the link to the Audio Overview: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/21e74803-ba61-41b4-ba45-438b19a6f8af/audio What do you think about this?
5) All in all, I am impressed by how much information can be gleaned, summarized and analyzed by NotebookLM from a source document. Of course, the more information a user puts into a source document, the more information can be gleaned and analyzed by NotebookLM.
6) I think that this NotebookLM is "StoryTelling on Steroids." The user can "Invite" other people (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) using the "Share" button on the top right of each screen. The Invited persons can see the source information, the NotebookLM analysis, the Chat Q&A, and to hear the Audio Overview. Can they ask more Chat questions (inquring minds want to know!)? I need to experiment more.
The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/10/exploring-google-notebooklm-ai-tool.html
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