Things I Learned - 02 Mar 2025
This week, I learned: Proxmox Virtual Environment is an open-source alternative to VMWare, Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, etc. (There’s nothing there that prompts me to explore it further.) With Podman on Windows (a Docker equivalent), many Docker-enabled tasks become easier. For example, running PostgreSQL is as easy as: podman run -d --name postgres -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=postgres -p 5432:5432 postgres:latest podman exec -it postgres psql -U postgres -c "CREATE DATABASE mydb;" Bad deep research prompts are: vague/broad, under-specified or ambiguous. In short, the more you know what you want, the better. Iterate until then. What kind of reports do clients are research companies to produce? I was curious to see if Deep Research can replace these. Here are a bunch of ideas. ChatGPT Strategy & Management Consulting Research (McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, Strategy&, Accenture Strategy) Produce a comprehensive strategic transformation report for a Fortune 500 consumer goods company. Analyze global market trends, competitor strategies, and actionable growth recommendations, including case studies and source citations. Generate an in‐depth study on corporate restructuring trends in emerging markets. Focus on successful turnaround strategies, CEO leadership factors, and strategic pivots, with a comparative analysis of key players. Create a report on M&A trends in the technology sector over the past five years. Detail deal drivers, integration best practices, and forecast future acquisition opportunities, citing relevant data. IT & Technology Research Analysts (Gartner, Forrester Research, IDC, 451 Research, Ovum) Produce a market assessment report on emerging cloud computing platforms. Include vendor evaluations, adoption forecasts, and key technology drivers with supporting data and charts. Generate an in‐depth cybersecurity trends report for enterprise IT. Analyze recent threat vectors, defense strategies, and best practices for risk mitigation, providing actionable recommendations. Create a comprehensive study on the impact of artificial intelligence in enterprise software. Include competitive benchmarking, technology adoption rates, and forecasted market changes. Marketing & Consumer Research (Nielsen, Kantar Group, Ipsos, GfK, Euromonitor International) Produce a consumer behavior analysis report for a leading retail brand. Identify key demographic shifts, purchasing trends, and brand loyalty factors, and provide actionable insights with data visualizations. Generate a detailed report on digital media consumption trends among millennials, incorporating survey results, social media analytics, and case studies of successful campaigns. Create a market segmentation report for a new consumer electronics launch. Identify key consumer segments, behavioral drivers, and media usage patterns with clear recommendations. Financial Investment Research (Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Morningstar, Keefe Bruyette & Woods) Produce an equity research report on mid-cap technology stocks. Include detailed financial modeling, valuation analysis, and buy/sell/hold recommendations with supporting data and charts. Generate a fixed income analysis report for corporate bonds in the industrial sector. Assess credit risk, yield forecasts, and macroeconomic influences, citing key data sources. Create a comprehensive report on global market trends impacting investment banking. Analyze regulatory changes, market sentiment, and performance metrics of leading financial institutions. Healthcare Research (IQVIA, Frost & Sullivan, Evaluate Ltd, Deloitte Healthcare, IMS Health) Produce a market analysis report on emerging biotechnologies in oncology. Include competitive landscape, regulatory challenges, and growth forecasts with relevant case studies. Generate a comprehensive report on patient satisfaction and telemedicine adoption trends. Analyze survey data from leading healthcare providers and benchmark best practices. Create a detailed study on pharmaceutical market dynamics in emerging economies. Focus on pipeline developments, regulatory environments, and market potential with actionable insights. Legal Research Providers (LexisNexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, Fastcase) Produce a legal risk assessment report on the impact of recent data privacy regulations for multinational corporations. Include case studies, trend analysis (2019–2024), and strategic recommendations. Generate a comprehensive report summarizing key federal and Supreme Court rulings on intellectual property rights over the past five years, highlighting trends and divergent interpretations. Create a detailed report on the evolution of securities law and its effect on investment research practices, incorporating analysis of recent litigation and regulatory updates. Media & News Research (Factiva, Kantar Media, Comscore, Cision) Produce a media consumption trends report that analyzes audience behavior shifts across digital, TV, and print platforms. Include data visualizations, key drivers, and forecasted trends. Generate a comprehensive report on the impact of social media on traditional news reporting, with case studies and a comparative analysis of engagement metrics. Create a detailed study on the effectiveness of multimedia advertising campaigns, evaluating ROI, consumer engagement, and best practices with actionable insights. Economic & Industry-Specific Research (Economist Intelligence Unit, BMI Research, IHS Markit, Consensus Economics) Produce a macroeconomic outlook report for emerging markets, including GDP, inflation, and employment forecasts, with detailed data analysis and visualizations. Generate an industry analysis report on the automotive sector, covering technological innovations, competitive dynamics, and consolidation trends. Create a comprehensive country risk assessment report for a target region, detailing political, economic, and regulatory factors with recommendations for investors. Human Resources & Employee Engagement Research (Gallup, Great Place to Work, Mercer) Produce an employee engagement report for a multinational firm based on recent survey data. Identify key drivers of satisfaction, retention challenges, and improvement recommendations. Generate a comprehensive study on the impact of remote and hybrid work models on employee productivity across industries, including best practices and benchmark data. Create a detailed report on workplace culture transformation, analyzing organizational behavior trends, employee feedback, and actionable strategies to boost engagement. Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Research (MSCI ESG Research, Sustainalytics, ISS ESG, Bloomberg ESG) Produce an ESG performance report for a portfolio of global companies. Include sustainability scores, risk assessments, and recommendations for improvement with data visualizations. Generate a comprehensive study on the impact of climate change regulations on the energy sector, including policy analysis, market forecasts, and strategic implications. Create a detailed report on corporate social responsibility trends in the consumer goods industry, incorporating qualitative and quantitative analyses with actionable recommendations. Education & Academic Research (RAND Corporation, National Center for Education Statistics, HolonIQ) Produce an analysis report on the future of online education, examining technological adoption, market growth projections, and student outcome trends with supporting data. Generate a comprehensive study on the effects of educational policy reforms on public school performance in the U.S., including trend analysis and actionable recommendations. Create a detailed international higher education trends report, covering tuition dynamics, international student mobility, and emerging academic programs with comparative data. Real Estate & Property Research (CBRE, JLL, CoStar Group, Cushman & Wakefield) Produce a commercial real estate market analysis report for major urban centers, including occupancy trends, rental rate forecasts, and investment opportunity assessments. Generate a comprehensive study on residential housing market dynamics in emerging economies, focusing on affordability, supply-demand gaps, and policy impacts. Create a detailed report on the impact of urban redevelopment projects on local real estate values, including case studies, forecasts, and strategic recommendations. Energy & Natural Resources Research (Wood Mackenzie, Rystad Energy, Bloomberg New Energy Finance) Produce an analysis report on global renewable energy trends, covering technology adoption, market forecasts, and key policy drivers, with detailed data and visuals. Generate a comprehensive commodity price forecasting report for oil, natural gas, and key metals, incorporating historical trends, risk assessments, and predictive modeling. Create a detailed report on energy transition strategies for traditional energy companies, focusing on clean technology investments and market adaptation strategies. Supply Chain & Logistics Research (ARC Advisory Group, Gartner Supply Chain Research, Supply Chain Insights) Produce a report on supply chain resilience for global manufacturers. Analyze risk factors, digital transformation impacts, and best practices for operational efficiency with supporting data. Generate a comprehensive study on the impact of technology on logistics networks, including case studies on digital optimization and cost reduction strategies. Create a detailed report on emerging last-mile delivery solutions, assessing innovations, consumer expectations, and scalability with actionable insights. Cybersecurity & Information Security Research (KuppingerCole, Forrester Security, IDC Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Ventures) Produce an in-depth report on emerging cybersecurity threats for large enterprises, including detailed analysis of recent incidents, risk vectors, and defense strategies. Generate a comprehensive cybersecurity market landscape report, evaluating vendor performance, technology forecasts, and best practices for mitigating risks. Create a detailed report on regulatory compliance trends in information security within the financial services industry, with case studies and strategic recommendations. Social Media, Digital & Online Research (Comscore, SimilarWeb, Brandwatch) Produce a digital audience behavior report for a global brand, focusing on social media trends, engagement metrics, and platform performance with detailed data analysis. Generate a comprehensive analysis of influencer marketing effectiveness across digital channels, including ROI metrics, case studies, and best practices. Create a detailed report on online brand sentiment analysis, incorporating social listening data, trend forecasts, and actionable recommendations. Public Opinion & Political Research (Pew Research Center, Gallup, YouGov) Produce a public opinion polling report on voter sentiment ahead of a major election. Include demographic breakdowns, key issue analysis, and trend visualizations for the past five years. Generate a comprehensive study on political risk in emerging markets, analyzing historical data, current trends, and future projections, with policy recommendations. Create a detailed report on the influence of media on public policy, using survey data, social media analysis, and comparative case studies. Sports, Entertainment & Media Research (Nielsen Sports, Sportcal, Kantar Media Sports) Produce a market analysis report on sports sponsorship trends, detailing viewership metrics, brand engagement, and investment ROI with industry case studies. Generate a comprehensive report on audience behavior in the streaming media industry, including demographic insights, consumption trends, and competitive benchmarks. Create a detailed analysis of digital advertising effectiveness in the entertainment sector, including segmentation data, ROI analysis, and strategic recommendations. Innovation, R&D & Technology Trends Research (Innosight, Frost & Sullivan Innovation, CB Insights) Produce a global R&D investment trends report, analyzing technology spending, innovation indices, and the impact on market growth across key industries. Generate a comprehensive study on disruptive technologies in manufacturing, including competitive analysis, market potential forecasts, and adoption trends. Create a detailed report on emerging innovation hubs worldwide, focusing on startup ecosystems, funding trends, and collaborative opportunities in technology. Agriculture & Agribusiness Research (Rabobank Agribusiness Research, USDA Economic Research Service, AgFunder) Produce an analysis report on global agricultural market trends, including crop yield forecasts, trade dynamics, and policy impacts, with data visualizations. Generate a comprehensive study on agritech innovations such as precision farming and sustainable practices, including case studies and market forecasts. Create a detailed report on the impact of climate change on food production and supply chain stability in agribusiness, with risk assessments and strategic recommendations. Environmental & Climate Change Research (Carbon Trust, IHS Markit Energy Transition, Bloomberg New Energy Finance) Produce a report on the economic and social impacts of climate change on urban infrastructure, including forecasting models and policy recommendations. Generate a comprehensive study on national climate policies and their effects on industrial competitiveness, with detailed trend analysis and source citations. Create a detailed report on corporate sustainability initiatives, assessing environmental risk management practices and providing actionable recommendations for improvement. Customer Experience (CX) & User Experience (UX) Research (Forrester CX Research, Gartner CX Research, Qualtrics, Nielsen Norman Group) Produce a report on customer journey mapping for a leading retail brand, identifying key touchpoints, pain points, and actionable improvement strategies with data visualizations. Generate a comprehensive study on digital user experience trends for e-commerce platforms, including usability testing insights, design best practices, and conversion optimization recommendations. Create a detailed report on customer satisfaction and loyalty metrics across multiple industries, integrating survey data and actionable recommendations to enhance overall CX. Blockchain, Cryptocurrency & Fintech Research (Chainalysis, CoinDesk Research, Deloitte Fintech Research, CB Insights) Produce an analysis report on emerging blockchain technologies and their applications in financial services, including market trends, adoption forecasts, and case studies. Generate a comprehensive study on cryptocurrency market dynamics, analyzing regulatory developments, investor sentiment, and competitive landscapes with source citations. Create a detailed report on fintech disruption in traditional banking, with case studies on leading startups, technology adoption, and future market forecasts. Venture Capital, Startup & Private Equity Research (PitchBook, CB Insights, Crunchbase, Preqin) Produce a global venture capital investment trends report, including performance analysis of high-growth startups, sector benchmarks, and emerging market opportunities. Generate a comprehensive study on private equity market dynamics, covering deal flow analysis, exit strategies, and forecasted trends with supporting data. Create a detailed report on emerging startup ecosystems in key regions, highlighting funding trends, investor activity, and growth potential with actionable insights. Operations Research & Management Science Consulting (The Brattle Group, NERA Economic Consulting, CRA International) Produce a report on optimization techniques for operational efficiency in large-scale manufacturing, including quantitative analysis, simulation models, and case studies. Generate a comprehensive study on the application of predictive analytics in supply chain management, focusing on data modeling, process improvements, and actionable insights. Create a detailed report on advanced quantitative modeling approaches to solve complex business problems in logistics and operations, including scenario analysis and recommendations. Cultural & Social Research (Ethnographic/Sociocultural Studies) (Ipsos MORI, Kantar TNS, YouGov) Produce a qualitative ethnographic study on urban consumer lifestyle trends, incorporating field observations, interviews, and cultural analysis with actionable insights. Generate a comprehensive study on how cultural shifts influence global brand perception, including comparative case studies and trend analysis. Create a detailed report on sociocultural dynamics and consumer behavior in emerging economies, integrating in-depth field research and actionable recommendations. Economic & Demographic Research Firms (Oxford Economics, The Conference Board, CEIC Data) Produce a macroeconomic forecasting report for a specific region, including GDP, inflation, and employment trends with detailed data visualizations and source citations. Generate a detailed demographic analysis report for a target market, highlighting age distribution, income levels, and consumption patterns with actionable insights. Create a comprehensive report on the economic impact of demographic shifts on consumer markets, with policy recommendations and trend analysis. Academic & Think Tank Research Organizations (Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) Produce a policy research report on global governance challenges and their implications for economic development, including case studies, literature reviews, and expert interviews. Generate a comprehensive study on social inequality and its effects on public health and education outcomes, supported by empirical research and trend analysis. Create a detailed report on emerging trends in international relations and their impact on global trade and security, integrating academic research and data analytics. Market Research Technology & Software Providers (Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Confirmit) Produce a report on the latest innovations in survey technology and data analytics software for market research, including product comparisons, user case studies, and future trend forecasts. Generate a comprehensive study on the integration of AI and machine learning in consumer insights platforms, highlighting case studies, performance metrics, and industry benchmarks. Create a detailed report on digital transformation trends in market research technology, featuring analysis of leading software solutions, market share data, and recommendations for technology adoption. When evaluating inputs, models tend to prefer the first response, prefer their own response, and prefer longer responses. ThursdAI Real-time speech-to-text options for transcription: Deepgram has a MediaRecorder API, which is perfect. Whisper Streaming Web is a web app that can transcribe audio real-time from the browser. A good approach, but I wouldn’t use it for meeting transcription on my mid-end laptop. Streaming takes up the bulk of my GPU, leaving little for transcription. whisper-live runs as a Python console app and does something similar. Whisper WebGPU runs on the browser (only 200MB). Cool! But slow and still takes up GPU. Mini-omni is an open-source Qwen-based LLM that can hear and talk while thinking in real-time. An interesting experiment, but not for prototyping. OpenAI shares an insights report with clients that has insights on what different professions search for. What doctors search for is: Is my diagnosis right? How do I read this report? Is my prescription correct? Is there a cheaper medicine? What’s the life expectancy given these symptoms? Dataclasses in Python have a slight overhead over named tuples. The 2 main uses I see for them are: providing defaults and offering type hints. UVB 76 is a radio channel has been broadcasting static (with occasional Russian conversation) since 1976. No one knows why. It’s live at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8h_D2P0iqMk Romans washed clothes in urine. The government taxed the purchase of urine for commercial purposes! That’s the origin of the phrase “Pecunia non olet” which means “money doesn’t stink”. Nix is a package manager that creates container-like environments. Like a cross between Docker and apt / venv. It has an immutable file system. DevBox is a higher-level tool built on top of Nix that streamlines developer workflows, e.g. common project environment setup. VS Code can be used to develop inside a Docker container via Podman, too. Set dev.containers.dockerPath": "podman" Ref Rill Data is an interesting BI tool based on DuckDB. It auto-generates a dashboard given a dataset. It’s possible to assign “variables” in SQL (notably in DuckDB). Here’s an example: WITH sessions AS (FROM events SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT session_id) AS value), pages AS (FROM events SELECT COUNT(*) AS value) FROM sessions, pages SELECT sessions.value / pages.value AS pages_per_session; DuckDB has a GROUP BY * that groups by all categorical columns. SELECT x, y, COUNT(*) FROM t GROUP BY * is equivalent to SELECT x, y, COUNT(*) FROM t GROUP BY x, y. VS Code can be used as a code executor by adding {"key": "shift+enter", "command": "workbench.action.terminal.runSelectedText", "when": "editorFocus"} to the keybindings.json file. Press Shift-Enter to run the selection on the terminal. Useful for DuckDB, SQLite, etc. Ref LLMs are excellent at database migration. They can convert schemas and queries across SQL dialects (e.g. BigQuery to DuckDB, etc.) at 90%+ accuracy. This is useful when clients want to migrate cloud providers, go from on-prem to cloud, or reduce cost by switching databases.