Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program

Subject: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 05:11 PM

I heard what sounded like a wonderful idea, on Radio 4 today. the idea is that you go to this site download a small program that runs during downtime, when the screensaver would otherwise be amusing itself. So what is the catch.........if any?

From what the Oxford researcher said it seems that the program works on molecule-chemical combinations looking for possible 'cures'
......but I was half asleep when I heard this............

Roger

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: roopoo
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 02:30 AM

There'll be no catch. I have a similar one running at the moment which analyses data collected by SETI at the Aricebo station. The Cancer one uses free time on your computer to analyse data and test results already collected, and when the little work package is done it will ask to send it back to base, and collect a new one for your "homework!" It saves many, many hours of computer time at the labs.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 03:52 AM

I used the SETI for a while and tried to download this one but it wouldn't run its setup programme on my machine. I think these things are a good idea if they contribute towards medical advances, genetic understanding and the like.

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: John J
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 04:23 AM

I tried to load a couple of times yesterday (www.ud.com or something like that) but got blown out. I'll try again with the blue clicky. Ta, John

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: John J
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 12:18 PM

It seemed to work this time. I hope it helps. John (Manchester, home of Christies and the Patterson Institute, centres of excellence in the world of cancer research / treatment)

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Bernard
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 01:31 PM

It's a bit slow just now - I'll try again later...

A bit unfortunate they call it the IUD, innit?!

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Bernard
Date: 07 Apr 01 - 05:29 AM

There seems to be a catch!

Last night it logged on to the Net all by itself for around three hours, downloaded about 50Mb of stuff, and it tried doing the same this morning. After half an hour and 6Mb download, I decided that was enough. I've disabled the program - at least until I've contacted them to find out what is going on.

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 07 Apr 01 - 10:34 AM

thanks Bernard I was going to try and get my boss to put it on one of the works computers.
Is it a BT sponsored experiment to pay off that hugh overdraft of theirs?

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Bernard
Date: 07 Apr 01 - 02:06 PM

I was talking to JJ earlier, Roger - he hasn't had this problem, so it's possible I got a corrupt download.

When I've time I'll uninstall it and try again.

I'm off to the Railway for our 'Rocky Mountain Ploughboys' Saturday special - Brian Peters and chums.

Diary date - Sheffield-Edale Folk Train, Tuesday August 28th (2001)!! Check my website for details!

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Morticia
Date: 07 Apr 01 - 02:20 PM

seems to be running fine on mine, but then I'm logged onto the net all the time anyway,so don't suppose that helps, does it.....duh. Sorry, I was having a blonde moment.

Subject: RE: Screen Saver, Cancer Research Program
From: Mark Clark
Date: 07 Apr 01 - 02:42 PM

These screen savers are part of a growing computing paradigm—from the Bing Crosby tune "Brother Can You Paradigm"—called peer-to-peer (P2P) computing. It permits a large group of people to pool their computing resources in solving a common problem. Napster's technology is considered part of this trend as well. Napster let every participant use their computer as part of a giant world wide data base of songs. SETI@Home and the cancer research program use the computers of willing participants to solve some huge computing problem that would be prohibitively expensive any other way. SETI@Home claims some 1.6 million participants bosting a total computing capacity exceeding that of the most expensive supercomputers. We'll be seeing a lot more opportunities to participate in P2P computing situations in the future.

One of the fears I see growing is the possibility that some service to which we subscribe will begin using our computers' excess capacity without our explicit consent or knowledge, except for the "conditions of service" disclaimer that no one ever reads. There will be good, bad and ugly sites making use of P2P technology I'm afraid.

      - Mark