Ollama Course - 3 - How to use the Ollama.com site to Find Models

In the second video of the Ollama Course, the instructor provides an overview of the Ollama platform, including installation instructions for various operating systems and a brief introduction to its features. The focus is on preparing users to navigate the site effectively and understand the importance of exploring different models based on personal use cases.

In the third video of the Ollama Course, the focus is on how to effectively use the Ollama.com site to find the right models for various tasks. The instructor emphasizes that while many sources may claim one model is superior to others, the best model for an individual often depends on personal use cases and preferences. The video encourages viewers to experiment with different models rather than relying solely on benchmarks or leaderboards, as personal experience can yield different results.

The video begins with a brief recap of previous lessons, including an overview of Ollama and installation instructions for different operating systems. The instructor then navigates to the Ollama.com site, specifically the models section, which is sorted by featured models. The featured section highlights popular models, such as Llama 3.1, and provides a search/filter option to help users find models that match their needs.

Each model listed on the site includes essential information such as the model’s title, a short description, and its parameter sizes, which indicate the model’s complexity. The instructor explains that parameters refer to the weights and biases within the model, with larger models typically having more parameters. Additionally, the video discusses the importance of tags associated with each model, which categorize the models and help users identify their functionalities.

The instructor dives deeper into the details of a specific model, Llama 3.1, showcasing the additional information available on its detail page. This includes benchmarks, tags, and commands to run the model. The video also highlights the model’s structure, which is influenced by Docker’s layered architecture, allowing for efficient downloads and usage of different model components. The instructor notes that understanding the model’s layers, templates, and parameters is crucial for effective utilization.

Finally, the video concludes with advice on how to determine the best model for individual needs. The instructor suggests creating a list of representative questions and testing different models over multiple sessions to gauge their performance. While there is no straightforward method to find the ideal model, the video encourages viewers to explore and experiment with various options available on Ollama.com. The instructor invites viewers to subscribe for future updates and additional lessons in the course.