This is just an update on the previous article. So what's new ? Well the project got completed. To add a little detail, the purpose was to create a 'reverse auction' website for Airline Tickets. Something whereby you could create a demand and the airlines could (if they wished) bid down to compete. Hurrah to that !!!
I guess you could say that's an interesting thought but the airlines would hate it and never do it. Well that's probably got some truth. However, such a thing might offer a way to quickly fill a number of seats at a known price. Time limited offers - grab it now and save (plus give the airline some security in terms of sold seats). Perhaps an opportunity to get last minute deals out there if people can afford to be a little more flexible about dates etc. Maybe there's been earlier attempts. Who knows ?
My reasons - well curiosity. I wanted to see how well Grok would handle building a reasonably complex site with a bunch of bells and whistles (Would you like a seat reservation / sandwich / case with that ticket Sir ?). So there are lots of 'moving parts'. It's not just some static HTML. There are bid tables, flight tables, user tables - it's all going on.
So it's working now and very happy I am. True, we haven't added a live payment system and it's using created (dummy) test flight data (although that's available via an API I understand). Separate sections for users to create their auctions and look to see if they have any bids, airline sections to look at demands placed and offer best deals. Branding - and E-Mail integration for notifications. A good result.
But what's it taken ? Well that's the question. Total time of me - approx 15 hours I think. Probably five x three hour sessions or something like that. Plus some think time but that's the usual spinning of the cogs. I've included some screenshots of the finished article for a look. Perhaps you like it ?
And what's it proved ? Well it's proved that a reasonably IT literate person can, with a fairly light amount of web developer knowledge, quite quicky put together a very resonable and technical site with not so much effort as you might think. It is a game changer - there is no doubt about that.
It also maintains the theme of the 'Non SEO Certified No Tracking No Ads' type mantra - well that is to say it's not stuffed full of cookies, tracking, ads etc. I know that in todays internet world, everyone is keen to know where you've been, what you've bought and whether they can offer you some 'targeted ad' in return for a bit of advertising revenue or something. I don't think half the companies with websites even know what's in their 'home page' - although that is an opinion. It drives me mad and I am so sick of all that. This website is what I like. No fuss and unknown stuff going on plus big obvious buttons that I can see !!
Image 1 - The User Home Page
Image 2 - Airline Page
Image 3 - User Management Page
I've not really generated any of the HTML or PHP code. Grok did that. Sure there were problems but mostly minor and probably avoidable to some degree. I think Grok probably only made one typo in the code (missed out a full stop in the PHP somewhere - but did spot it). Other errors were things like Grok giving me an updated file but I'd subsequenty made some minor change somewhere that threw things out. I have no complaints.
I will say - I did think at one point, I'm not sure why I need to look at any files really. Why can't I just say 'build this website' and go and have my lunch while Grok gets on with it. Let Grok do the testing.
That of course requires Grok to have access to your hosting account - a point which Grok itself found issue with in suggesting it might accidentally spin up a virtual server and incur a charge. Oh - like my son with XBox and credit card on file I replied !! Well it's hardly likely to be a life changing matter spinning up a VM is it ? It's not like giving your car keys to a new driver.
It raises the question - when do you start giving the AI a ringfenced environment and treating it more like an inexperienced teenager that can and likely will make mistakes ? How is the AI supposed to learn unless it analyses how not to do it ? Just a thought.
I think this test website is good for the 'grey brigade'. It's not worrying them by offering them pop up biscuits (cookies) with complicated choices.
I should say, this is not for sale by the way, the whole airline ticket thing. Well I say that - I suppose I could, but it's more about generating interest about what you can and can't do with Grok - and with that in mind - as below:
Any thoughts / comments ? Interested ? - Feel free to post on X @TenacityGrok