Disclaimer: This is my growing understanding of how these tools work. I could be wrong and hope that if you see a mistake, you will post in the comments or reach out to me via social media (@mguhlin@zirk.us on Mastodon or @mguhlin.bsky.social on BlueSky). In writing this, I discovered an error in my understanding about Boodle Bots and how two identical Bots with same custom instructions in the Settings are unable to access each other’s Knowledge Banks. I thought they could, which was incorrect.

One of the more fascinating ways to use AI is to have it interrogate your own files and documents. For example, I created a Rubric Maker using Perplexity’s Spaces:

As you can see in the screenshot above, it’s easy to add SOURCES (FILES or LINKS) to Perplexity. Files are 25MB each and you can add a total of 50, which is a lot. Unfortunately, Perplexity limits usage of Spaces by users with a free account (non-paid). We’ll come to back to those limits later in the blog entry. For now, let’s take a closer look at Boodle Box.

Boodle Box Alternative

When I create the Rubric Maker Free Bot in Boodle Box, I am able to set it up with a free AI model, so users with an account can use it for free:

The Rubric Maker Free yields this result:

I can also set it up with a Premium Model version (a different Bot) along with the same files in the free Bot. Too bad I can’t connect both the Premium and Free Bots to the same Knowledge Bank on the back end. Here’s what the Premium Model looks like:

I’ll help you create a clear and developmentally appropriate writing rubric for 3rd grade students. Based on the knowledge provided, I’ll create an analytic rubric that’s student-friendly and includes key writing components. I’ll use language that’s accessible to 3rd graders while maintaining clear assessment criteria.

Criteria	Excellent (4)	Good (3)	Developing (2)	Beginning (1)
Ideas & Content	My main idea is clear and interesting. I included many specific details and examples that help explain my topic.	My main idea is clear. I included some details that help explain my topic.	My main idea is somewhat clear. I included a few details but need more.	My main idea is unclear or missing. I need to add details to explain my topic.
Organization	My writing has a strong beginning, middle, and end. My ideas are in order and connect smoothly using transition words.	My writing has a beginning, middle, and end. Most of my ideas are in order and use some transition words.	My writing has some parts missing (beginning, middle, or end). Some ideas are out of order.	My writing is mixed up or missing important parts. Ideas jump around without connections.
Word Choice	I used many interesting and descriptive words. My words paint a picture in the reader’s mind.	I used some interesting words. My words help the reader understand my meaning.	I used basic words. Some words could be more descriptive.	I used simple words that don’t help explain my ideas well.
Sentences	My sentences are complete and varied in length. They flow smoothly when read aloud.	Most of my sentences are complete. I used different kinds of sentences.	Some sentences are complete, but others are incomplete or run-on.	Many incomplete sentences or sentences that don’t make sense.
Mechanics	I checked my spelling, punctuation, and capitalization carefully. There are very few errors.	I have some spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors, but they don’t confuse the reader.	I have several errors that sometimes make my writing hard to understand.	I have many errors that make my writing difficult to read and understand.

This rubric incorporates several key features from the provided knowledge:

• Uses student-friendly language (“I” statements)
• Includes clear, measurable components
• Provides specific descriptors for each level
• Focuses on essential writing skills for 3rd grade
• Uses positive language even at lower performance levels
• Maintains consistent criteria across performance levels

The rubric can be used for:

• Self-assessment by students
• Peer review activities
• Teacher evaluation
• Setting writing goals
• Providing specific feedback

Boodle Box Approach

But compare Perplexity’s to competitors like Boodle Box, which offers twice as many AI models, and allows full access to Knowledge Banks via free or paid models. Boodle Box is unique in this regard, as far as I know. I can set up two different bots, with the exact same information and custom instructions, but using different models. To be specific, Boodle Bot allows unlimited free user access with no limits.

If I use a FREE model, then people accessing that Bot can use it without limits. That is, no limits except for the need to create a free account. What’s more, they get FIVE Pro messages per day to get access to more specialized bots.

If I use a PAID model when setting up the Bot, then free users will run into those limits. However, presumably, people would get five PRO messages.

This is fantastic because, as far as I know, all the other paid AI Chatbots (e.g. Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity) have limits.

Perplexity Limits

You don’t have to create a free account in Perplexity to use my Rubric Maker. You can use it without a free account. This is great and a feature that Boodle Box (and ChatGPT) should emulate. It makes the AI model more approachable and easier to access the first time. People are usually sold on the use of a Perplexity Spaces with custom instructions, as they are with a Boodle Box Bot on first use.

As of February 2025, Perplexity AI (source of this information on its limits) offers a free account with several features and limitations:

1. Users with a free account have access to unlimited quick searches using the standard AI model.
2. Free accounts are limited to 5 Pro Searches per day, which use more advanced AI models for detailed answers.
3. Users can upload up to 3 files for analysis with a free account.
4. Free accounts have access to core features such as Collections, Threads, and Discover.
5. The standard AI model used in the free plan is optimized for both speed and quality, but may not provide the same level of advanced capabilities as the paid plans.
6. Free users cannot access advanced AI models like GPT-4, Claude-3, or Sonar Large, which are reserved for paid plans.
7. Image generation tools like DALL-E and Playground AI are not available in the free plan.
8. Free accounts do not receive any API credits, which are provided in paid plans for accessing open-source and custom Perplexity AI models.
9. While free users can save search history and customize some features, the level of customization is very limited compared to paid plans.

You can see Perplexity Pro in action shows the model I selected when creating the Space:

But this differs from the version available to a free, not logged in user:

What I notice is that with Perplexity Spaces, you can’t add Knowledge Banks to different chats. The chat sits atop the Knowledge Bank and interacts with only one. If you want to access a different Knowledge Bank in a chat, you’re stuck.

Let’s take a look at how Boodle Bots handles it.

Boodle Bots Knowledge Bank Access via a Chat

You can always add files to a chat, or access files in ANY Knowledge Bank. This can be quite helpful.

You can see this below in these two screenshots:

I am in the OptiBlog Bot, but I can see the Knowledge Banks from two other Bots, the AI Strategist and APRO. I can select specific files:

This is quite helpful. It makes me wonder why other chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Perplexity can’t do this. It makes having to save all my Knowledge Banks on my computer then upload from there a bit of a pain.