Can you imagine doing an experiment so large in scope that a real limit is that it would take a modern computer thousands of years just to process the data? In fact, there are many experiments that have this exact problem.One solution to the problem is to use a very expensive and/or specialized (super)computer. This is often not possible. Many scientists and computer scientists have taken an alternate (and creative) approach. They tackle these huge data sets with a technique called distributed computing. Essentially, they use the internet to share the data in small portions to thousands of normal computers around the globe. Computer users allow their computers to process data while they would otherwise be idle. Read more about the technique at wikipedia.com.
Many of these experiments are physics projects. Perhaps one of the most famous examples of distributed computing is SETI@home.
- Research some current examples where distributed computing is being used to solve a problem. What examples are the most interesting to you?
- Would you be willing to allow your home computer to be used for distributed computing? Why or why not?
- Do you think our school should allow all of its computers to participate in a distributed computing project? Are there any costs associated with it? Would it cost the school money or would it essentially be free?
i read the wiki page regarding the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence and found it quite interesting actually! in response to question number two i would be willing to do this because it seems to be a legitimate cause. i believe that the school should allow the computers to participate, because it is voluntary and also because it would help the cause. the school would have nothing to lose by allowing the distributed computing project run!
ReplyDeleteIn reference to question 3 above, please read these two articles before forming your opinion:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2009/12/02/arizona-school-employee-loses-job-searching-aliens/?test=latestnews
and
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091201/0027357144.shtml
... now what do you think?
i still think that it should be used, that is if the system was proven to not bog the computers.
ReplyDeletewelp jus by reading this i WOULD NOT want my computer to be used for distributed computering. its all ready got enuff problems. maybe if i had windows 7.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments this week!
ReplyDelete