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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mars on February 14, 2001, at 12:14:39
hi folks ~
just curious ~ would anyone want to join a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) team?
all you do is run a screensaver that uses your computer processor to crunch data. it's a pretty screensaver. then all the processing-hours all of us who join rack up would contribute to our team "standings".
i actually wish we could have a search for extraterrestrial compassion or wisdom or some such thing, but oh well =;) and i have noticed we are a pretty damn smart bunch.
luff,
mars
Posted by shar on February 16, 2001, at 2:14:02
In reply to SETI@home, posted by mars on February 14, 2001, at 12:14:39
Do you trust the group? No funny business with the screensaver worming into your computer?
Shar
> hi folks ~
>
> just curious ~ would anyone want to join a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) team?
>
> all you do is run a screensaver that uses your computer processor to crunch data. it's a pretty screensaver. then all the processing-hours all of us who join rack up would contribute to our team "standings".
>
> i actually wish we could have a search for extraterrestrial compassion or wisdom or some such thing, but oh well =;) and i have noticed we are a pretty damn smart bunch.
>
> luff,
>
> mars
Posted by mars on February 16, 2001, at 11:58:03
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy?, posted by shar on February 16, 2001, at 2:14:02
Good question, Shar ~
Yes, I trust 'em. I work in computing and am fairly meticulous about privacy (I run a firewall, monitor all cookies, etc.), and I haven't been able to detect anything like that at all. Also, SETI@Home is developed by the U. of California at Berkeley and the most CPU hours are racked up by guys who wouldn't put up with any software scanning their hard drives.
Y'all can check it out at http://setiathome.berkeley.edu.
cheers,
mars (who's racked up 1080 CPU hours)
p.s.
> Do you trust the group? No funny business with the screensaver worming into your computer?
> Shar
>
>
> > hi folks ~
> >
> > just curious ~ would anyone want to join a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) team?
> >
> > all you do is run a screensaver that uses your computer processor to crunch data. it's a pretty screensaver. then all the processing-hours all of us who join rack up would contribute to our team "standings".
> >
> > i actually wish we could have a search for extraterrestrial compassion or wisdom or some such thing, but oh well =;) and i have noticed we are a pretty damn smart bunch.
> >
> > luff,
> >
> > mars
Posted by Cam W. on February 16, 2001, at 12:36:43
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy?, posted by shar on February 16, 2001, at 2:14:02
Shar - I read about this in Scientific American. It's real and is supposed to give the computing power of parallel supercomputers in terms of scanning (if they get enough people to use it). Does anyone need to use screensavers anymore or is this just a PC thing? - Cam
> Do you trust the group? No funny business with the screensaver worming into your computer?
> Shar
>
>
> > hi folks ~
> >
> > just curious ~ would anyone want to join a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) team?
> >
> > all you do is run a screensaver that uses your computer processor to crunch data. it's a pretty screensaver. then all the processing-hours all of us who join rack up would contribute to our team "standings".
> >
> > i actually wish we could have a search for extraterrestrial compassion or wisdom or some such thing, but oh well =;) and i have noticed we are a pretty damn smart bunch.
> >
> > luff,
> >
> > mars
Posted by mars on February 16, 2001, at 13:11:45
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy? » shar, posted by Cam W. on February 16, 2001, at 12:36:43
Cam, screens don't burn in anymore, but screensavers have stuck around since they're something to look at.
mars
> Shar - I read about this in Scientific American. It's real and is supposed to give the computing power of parallel supercomputers in terms of scanning (if they get enough people to use it). Does anyone need to use screensavers anymore or is this just a PC thing? - Cam
>
>
> > Do you trust the group? No funny business with the screensaver worming into your computer?
> > Shar
> >
> >
> > > hi folks ~
> > >
> > > just curious ~ would anyone want to join a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) team?
> > >
> > > all you do is run a screensaver that uses your computer processor to crunch data. it's a pretty screensaver. then all the processing-hours all of us who join rack up would contribute to our team "standings".
> > >
> > > i actually wish we could have a search for extraterrestrial compassion or wisdom or some such thing, but oh well =;) and i have noticed we are a pretty damn smart bunch.
> > >
> > > luff,
> > >
> > > mars
Posted by Rik on February 16, 2001, at 13:26:12
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy? » shar, posted by Cam W. on February 16, 2001, at 12:36:43
Cam:
It is indeed the bona fide article. I have one that runs on my Mac at home.
The idea is that millions of small computer working with small pieces of data can accomplish the same thing as a really big computer dealing with a whole bunch of data. The program will go to the SETI web site and be assigned a packet of data. Then when ever the PC (or Mac) is idle the screen saver kicks in and starts processing the data. Once the data has been analysed the computer will go back to the web site to deliver its results and get a new packet. The analysis can take a long time, especially when it is only done in 10 or 15 minute increments.
You never know, you might just catch E.T. phoning home.
You can even go to the SETI web site and look at the statistics of the program. http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/links.html#statistics
RIKP.S.
Cam, you didn't think I'd pass up posting to this thread did you? :{)> Shar - I read about this in Scientific American. It's real and is supposed to give the computing power of parallel supercomputers in terms of scanning (if they get enough people to use it). Does anyone need to use screensavers anymore or is this just a PC thing? - Cam
>
>
> > Do you trust the group? No funny business with the screensaver worming into your computer?
> > Shar
> >
> >
> > > hi folks ~
> > >
> > > just curious ~ would anyone want to join a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) team?
> > >
> > > all you do is run a screensaver that uses your computer processor to crunch data. it's a pretty screensaver. then all the processing-hours all of us who join rack up would contribute to our team "standings".
> > >
> > > i actually wish we could have a search for extraterrestrial compassion or wisdom or some such thing, but oh well =;) and i have noticed we are a pretty damn smart bunch.
> > >
> > > luff,
> > >
> > > mars
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 18, 2001, at 15:53:28
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy? » Cam W., posted by Rik on February 16, 2001, at 13:26:12
I have this running on my owrk pc!!! Alot of us do.. work don't seem to mind at all!! :o)
I leave my pc on over night 2 nights a week to allow it some decent time!!!
I am a true geek!! :o)
Nikki
Posted by mars on February 20, 2001, at 10:42:59
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy?, posted by NikkiT2 on February 18, 2001, at 15:53:28
Me too, Nikki. =;) I did tech support for four years and before that I did everything computer-related for a university office - including lots of database work.
So you're the geek with the geckos? That's nice.
mars
> I have this running on my owrk pc!!! Alot of us do.. work don't seem to mind at all!! :o)
>
> I leave my pc on over night 2 nights a week to allow it some decent time!!!
>
> I am a true geek!! :o)
>
> Nikki
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 20, 2001, at 14:39:34
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy? » NikkiT2, posted by mars on February 20, 2001, at 10:42:59
I love being ageek though - I feel it igves me some identity!!!
Have you ever read Microserfs?? Its a great book about geeks.. how we all wear stuff frm the Gap cos then we don't have to make fashion decisions - and they build their entire office out of lego!! how jealous am I??!!!
N
Posted by mars on February 21, 2001, at 17:55:27
In reply to Geeks unite!!!, posted by NikkiT2 on February 20, 2001, at 14:39:34
Hey Nikki ~
I loved Microserfs - Douglas Coupland is a great writer.
I really like being a geek, too, especially a geek with tattoos =;)
So whadya say, shall we start a SETI@home team? I think it would be fun.
luff,
a very sick mars
Posted by pat123 on February 22, 2001, at 0:40:53
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy?, posted by NikkiT2 on February 18, 2001, at 15:53:28
Trustworthy ? Yes. Stable ? Yes. Cool ? Yes.
Do Geek Girls rule planets ? Yes, most of them but not Mars.Pat
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 22, 2001, at 2:53:49
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy? » NikkiT2, posted by mars on February 20, 2001, at 10:42:59
> I did tech support for four years and before that I did everything computer-related for a university office - including lots of database work.
I've been trying to avoid it, but I think it may be time for me to learn something about databases. For the next version of Psychopharmacology Tips, for one thing. Verio offers MySQL, PostgreSQL, and mSQL. Are any of you familiar with any of those? How involved is it to use a database to generate web pages?
Bob
Posted by mars on February 26, 2001, at 7:33:25
In reply to Re: database work, posted by Dr. Bob on February 22, 2001, at 2:53:49
Hi Dr. Bob ~
Sorry 'bout the delay in my reply :)
I only have a little bit of experience with SQL (the Microsoft variety) ~ the databases I developed were all used over a LAN that I set up, not over the web. I frequently hear about ASP (Active Server Pages) on tech lists I subscribe to for serving database info off of websites, but I don't know anything about ASP (yet). I checked Verio's website, but couldn't find anything on the various flavors of SQL you mention; however, mySQL is highly recommended by tech friends (who are fans of open source, of course).
Here's a nice little page about using ASP w/a SQL database, to give you an idea of what it's all about:
http://www.gettysburg.edu/ir/ascue/Proceedings/2000/snyder.htm
Good luck, Dr. Bob ~ if there's anything I can do, lemme know.
mars
> > I did tech support for four years and before that I did everything computer-related for a university office - including lots of database work.
>
> I've been trying to avoid it, but I think it may be time for me to learn something about databases. For the next version of Psychopharmacology Tips, for one thing. Verio offers MySQL, PostgreSQL, and mSQL. Are any of you familiar with any of those? How involved is it to use a database to generate web pages?
>
> Bob
Posted by mars on February 26, 2001, at 7:35:10
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy?, posted by pat123 on February 22, 2001, at 0:40:53
Pat, I still haven't figured out whether this was a put-down or not. I'm trying not to react, since I'm nasty sick right now and I know I'm probably not thinking too well.
mars
> Trustworthy ? Yes. Stable ? Yes. Cool ? Yes.
> Do Geek Girls rule planets ? Yes, most of them but not Mars.
>
> Pat
Posted by mars on February 26, 2001, at 7:38:31
In reply to Geeks unite!!!, posted by NikkiT2 on February 20, 2001, at 14:39:34
Hey Nikki, Rik et all ~
Okay, I set up a SETI@home team. It's called...
Adult Children of Parents
(A non-step group. For the depressed with a sense of humor.)
Anyone and everyone is welcome to join, of course. If no one does..., well, I guess I'll get to experience being #1.
ha.
mars
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 26, 2001, at 13:34:52
In reply to SETI@home team established ~ woo hoo! » NikkiT2, posted by mars on February 26, 2001, at 7:38:31
LOL I'll have a look for it when I get to work!!
Meant to post before too - IO've also got tattoos!! i ahve 3 so far... two chinese characters on my right shoulder blade, and a largish red lizard on my lower back.
I want some more - work on my right shoulder blade to go with the chinese stuff there already.
Posted by pat123 on February 26, 2001, at 16:59:56
In reply to Re: SETI@home--trustworthy? » pat123, posted by mars on February 26, 2001, at 7:35:10
>
> > Trustworthy ? Yes. Stable ? Yes. Cool ? Yes.
> > Do Geek Girls rule planets ? Yes, most of them but not Mars.
> >
> > Pat
I was speaking of Mars the planet, no relation to you. Mars is the "bringer of war"Pat
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 27, 2001, at 15:15:04
In reply to Re: database work » Dr. Bob, posted by mars on February 26, 2001, at 7:33:25
> I frequently hear about ASP (Active Server Pages) on tech lists I subscribe to for serving database info off of websites, but I don't know anything about ASP (yet). I checked Verio's website, but couldn't find anything on the various flavors of SQL you mention; however, mySQL is highly recommended by tech friends (who are fans of open source, of course).
I don't think I want to have to learn about ASP, too! I was hoping Perl would be enough to hook into it. Verio mostly has links to information elsewhere:
http://vps.verio.com/support/addonhelp/database/mysql
Taking a quick look at it, it doesn't look too too bad (I know, famous last words)...
Bob
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