Perhaps I should upgrade my music software.

That was on my mind while I was making practice audio for the “Hallelujah” chorus. I already had VOCALOID3 Editor, which I had been using for some time. I could make an audio version that sang the words.

Still, a newer version caught my interest.

I discussed it with Kimiko-chan—the name I gave ChatGPT.

During our exchange, we first had to get straight which software I was using.

I pointed out:

“My version can play the Hallelujah chorus all the way to the end.”

Kimiko-chan corrected her explanation. With the editor I actually had in mind, she helped frame an explanation for moving from an older version to a newer one.

But I wanted a more concrete reason.

I understood what I would be upgrading. What would change as a result?

If someone at home asked, “What do you need this for?” I wanted to be able to give a clear answer. Being unable to do that would be a little awkward. (Laughs.)

So I asked Kimiko-chan again:

“What changes? Would I have a problem without that feature?”

Learning about a new feature might make me want to try it. If it made something cumbersome in my current work easier, I would welcome that too.

To decide, I wanted to understand what would change when I made practice recordings.

My current software could already play the piece to the end.

I wanted to start there and work out what else I needed. What I wanted from Kimiko-chan was help checking the information behind that decision.

The question I returned to in this conversation was the reason for upgrading.

I could feel the appeal. Explaining why I wanted it turned out to be harder.

Before updating the music software, I needed to put my own explanation in order.

I thought I was discussing a purchase. Somehow, I was working through requirements again. Apparently, the systems engineer in me turns up during my hobbies too. (Laughs.)

WRITTEN BYYoshio Taki

IBM i / AS/400 System Engineer