Comment by 1vuio0pswjnm7
8 hours ago
"Have you used ChatGPT?"
No
Large number of upvotes on the quoted comment however. Maybe some of those voters are ChatGPT users
I do searching from the command line in text mode. The script I use keeps a "log" (a customised SERP) of all query strings and search result URLs. I also have these URLs stored in the logs from the forward proxy. These are compressed using RePair. I can search the compressed logs faster this way than with something like
ztsd -dc log.zst|grep pattern
or
rg -z pattern log.zst
> No
Given that, I'd suggest not offering "alternatives" to the features described in TFA for a service you've never used. There are people here talking about oranges, a lot of them with domain expertise, and you're not just talking about apples, you're talking about bird migrations.
> Large number of upvotes on the quoted comment however.
Sure, and also downvotes - that measures factionalism, not correctness.
But tech wise, you're confused. Functionally speaking chatgpt is a shared document editor - the server needs to store chat histories for the same reason Google Docs stores the content of documents. Users can submit text to chatgpt.com from one browser, and later edit that text from the app or a different browser. Ergo the text is stored on the server, simple as that.
I have counted only one downvote and 174 upvotes so far
NB. I am not asking why OpenAi collects and stores chats in hopes for an answer.^1 I'm asking because collecting and storing chats has obvious potential consequences in event of litigation. It could be that the large number of upvotes points to a shared recognition of those consequences amongst HN readers. Or perhaps readers are not persuaded by OpenAi's posturing as "fighting for privacy" on behalf of ChatGPT users
1. It's like when someone does something stupid and they are asked, "What were you thinking?"
The person asking may not be looking for an answer. They may not be interested in "explanations" or excuses. The question may serve as a way to highlight poor decision-making. Providing serious "answers" may only further incriminate the decision-maker, e.g., indicating a lack of self-awareness