Chapter 1: Introduction to ChatGPT-4o

In early 2024, OpenAI introduced the GPT-4o model, allowing users without a paid subscription to access it with some limitations on daily usage. A notable feature of this version is the ability for free users to upload files to the chatbot, which proves to be incredibly beneficial for effective communication.

For those who are already familiar with using file uploads in ChatGPT, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

To illustrate the file upload feature, let’s consider a situation where I have a dataset visualized in Desmos:

If I were to draft a paper in LaTeX, I would typically need to manually input the data from my tables. However, with ChatGPT-4o, I can simply take a screenshot of the tables from Desmos and upload it, requesting that it convert the data into LaTeX format:

This convenience is just the tip of the iceberg regarding file uploads.

What if I encounter a graph that I find challenging to interpret?

The graph displayed above represents a light curve of an asteroid sourced from the Project DAMIT database. For someone not well-versed in this kind of data, articulating the details of this graph to ChatGPT can be daunting. However, by uploading a screenshot, I can prompt ChatGPT to provide a detailed explanation of the graph.

This interaction allows GPT to offer a comprehensive breakdown of the graph’s components, showcasing the practical applications of file uploads.

Chapter 2: The Limitation of Free Users

Despite the advantages offered by ChatGPT-4o, free users face a significant limitation: after reaching the daily usage cap, they cannot continue conversations that involve uploaded files until the following day. This constraint can be particularly frustrating when working on projects that require ongoing input within a single chat thread.

I experienced this firsthand while tackling a machine learning classification project. As I consulted ChatGPT for assistance, that chat became my primary resource for questions. Unbeknownst to me, uploading an image within that chat activated the daily message limit, restricting my access to the conversation.

Solution: Streamlining Your Chat Experience

So, how can we navigate this restriction?

One straightforward solution is to purchase a subscription. Just kidding! An alternative approach is to utilize ChatGPT's new memory feature, which allows continuity across different chats.

This functionality permits users to maintain their primary chat for projects while keeping file uploads separate, thus avoiding daily limits. When you need to upload an image related to a project, you can initiate a new chat and instruct GPT to recall memory from your main project conversation. This way, you can upload necessary files in a different thread without affecting the main chat's daily usage.

This method has proven invaluable in my work. It enables me to keep my primary chats focused and free from file attachments, granting me more freedom to interact with GPT.

When I need to upload a file, I simply create a new chat for that purpose. Once uploaded, I typically do not revisit that chat, as it will now be subject to the daily limit. However, since it’s not part of my main project conversation, this is not an issue.

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