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Trying to convice the DoS

I

iSkylla

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jul 22, 2005
Messages
1,685
So I'm trying to convince the Dean of Students of BU to run F@H on the internet terminals throughout the university to further the F@H Project. I sent him a letter using parts of the letter that I was linked to. I even footnoted in the e-mail ;) I'll post the reply if I get one. I'm sure I will and even though it is not likely, I'm keeping optimistic.

Dean Elmore:

It has come to my attention that there are many computers around campus that are used as internet stations. Many of these sit idle for hours during the day and when in use, very few CPU cycles are utilized. I don't know if you are interested in utilizing the full power of these computers, but if you don't mind, I would like to offer a suggestion.

I am a member of, and participate in, a very large worldwide organization that runs a distributed computing program known as "Folding at Home". By way of explanation "Distributed Computing" is a methodology by which many computers from all sources are combined into one "super computer" to solve complex mathematical problems on a very large scale. The data being processed is sent via the Internet to each computer where the calculations are completed then sent back via the Internet to the project source. This data is then compiled, stored and finally made available for whatever research it was intended.

In this case, the research program is being run by Stanford University under the direction of Professor Vijay Pande. This is a non-profit undertaking and relies solely on the free availability of unused computer cycles made available by its members. A detailed explanation of the project can be found on the site below:

http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandegroup/folding/

Might I be bold enough to direct your attention to the left side of the page, specifically the "Education" through "Awards" sections? It is a quick read and I hope you will agree, upon your perusal, that the project is indeed a worthwhile one.

Like many, I am limited to very few computers. I would certainly be willing to provide more in the way of participation if I owned more computers. Currently, my laptop at college as well as my home desktop and grandparent's computer are being used to run the application. It would be incredibly beneficial to the project to have the additional power provided by the BU computers.

I assure you that these machines would only be used for the purpose specified and, should you desire, I could be responsible for maintaining said computers.

I thank you greatly for your time and look forward to any thoughts and or suggestions you might have regarding this undertaking. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information you might require. I can be reached via e-mail: xxxx@bu.edu and by cell phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx. Should you desire, I am also available to meet with you at any time. Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Max Turpin
 
edit out your email/phone on forum if your worried about that stuff
 
Oh thanks. What do you think of the letter? I'm going all out for F@H.
 
If this doesn't work you could always hit him up for a small research grant. Buy yourself a bunch of 1900's and give'r!
I'm sure it could be done with the right proposal.

PS - Down with Cubic_Pyramid! (gotta get started early)


 
Might want to throw in a quick sentence that assures him that it wont slow down or otherwise negatively affect the computers it is installed on, and also that it runs completely in the background, not as a visible application. ;)
 
kaleb_zero said:
Might want to throw in a quick sentence that assures him that it wont slow down or otherwise negatively affect the computers it is installed on, and also that it runs completely in the background, not as a visible application. ;)
Click to expand...

Yes that's an excellent suggestion. That is almost a must have IMO.
 
I would point out what F@H is/has doneto help humanity out.

Also talk about the negative parts of running folding as more heat and energy. Try to show that the positive outways the negative.

also maybe show other schools that are currently running F@H I know there are some but i tcan't seem to think of/find them atm.

Also maybe offer up to set it up one a few machines as say a test to show that no one will notice it and prove that it doesn't effect things


 
Good suggestions, thanks Duster. If I get a meeting (cross your fingers ;)), I'll discuss all that.
 
iSkilla, I must say, I was a little surprised to see you hanging around the DC forums, but all the same I am damn happy your around. A new folder is well and dandy, a new folder going after a university, now that I like. I also like to see a new active face around the DC forums. Start getting feisty like you do in GenMay and you may just give transpo a run for his money :p.


Oh... and, just so I know for future reference, how do you like your roo cooked?
 
Nice effort, I look forward to hear his respone to the email you are going to be sending him :)


 
Thanks for the support. I am attending the technology committtee meeting tonight at 5 and I will bring up the issue to see if I can give it a jumpstart. Will keep you guys updated.

Man, I just got some new proteins and they're huge.

Fold On.

 
iSkylla said:
Thanks for the support. I am attending the technology committtee meeting tonight at 5 and I will bring up the issue to see if I can give it a jumpstart. Will keep you guys updated.

Man, I just got some new proteins and they're huge.

Fold On.

Click to expand...

That's great! If I can offer some advice about this meeting, it would be to show 100% confidence in the project. It's been my experience that these people can smell fear and uncertainty a mile away. Take some time and think of the worst questions they could ask you, and have an answer prepared.
Here are some examples:

"Isn't it true that running this program will increase our energy bill by $$$?"
"How can we be sure this program is secure and isn't a virus of some kind that will compromise the network?"
"Won't this program increase network traffic and degrade service for other users?"

I'm sure you can think of more. These committees aren't necesarily up on technology; sometimes they can be downright ignorant. So...

Remember: Answer their questions like you have a 12ft e-penis! You are the expert. Act like it. ;)


 
Ahh, can I have some answers? I'm not sure about the power bill thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, I have 2 1/2 hours so help me guys :)

Yes, it is true that the application does increase the power consumption because the CPU is running at 100% 24/7

Millions of users run the program and it has been confirmed clean of any malware by Anti-Virus companies

There should be a minimal effect on bandwidth due to the fact that the master server is only contacted to recieve and send work which is completed anywhere from 24-48 hours depending on the protein and the computer. Furthermore, not more than 5MB of data is transferred which should have a minimal effect on the network.

Fold On!

 
Generally I don't bring up the power question if I can help it. From my own personal testing it seems to increase a PCs power usage by 40 to 80 Watts. It varies greatly depending on the computer. Frankly 40 Watts is not that much but it depends on the scale. 40 Watts X 20 PCs is 800 Watts. Which would be like running a hair dryer 24/7.
The argument is that these PCs are just sitting there anyway, burning up 100 to 150 Watts idling. That's 2000 to 2500 Watts of power to do NOTHING. This way they're using a little more power but they're doing something useful.
I wouldn't throw any numbers at them unless they press you for it. Maybe someone else has a more eloquent way to put it.

As for the virus question I think you've got a handle on it. Use Stanford's reputation as backing for this.

With the traffic question here are your main points:
- PCs will only need to connect every couple of days (on average)
- file transfers are small. I don't have an exact number for you (maybe someone here does?) but I'd say we're talking about a couple of MBs.
 
Yes, it will increase the power usage, but not all that much, to be honest. For a system based on an X2 3800, the system will consume about 40W more under load than when idle. You probably waste more electricity leaving the lights on in a computer lab than you use folding.

You might also be asked if running CPUs at 100% all the time is bad for them. The correct answer is "no". CPU's don't wear out. If they were to get really really hot (we're talking over 150 degrees C), there might be problems, but they'll become unstable and crash well before they damage themselves. But even that won't happen.

EDIT: RE: Is it a virus? It's based out of a freakin' university and run by super-smart computer guys, for heaven's sake! And, as you say, millions have run it with no problems.

For data upload/download amounts, I'm looking at my current FAH setup here at work. For whatever reason, the client left files from a couple other WUs. I think that for the most part, you're looking at under 1MB per WU if you're not doing bigpackets.
 
iSkylla


you rock dude!


fold on!


fold FTW!



 
Okay, thanks for those answers. I think I'm pretty prepared to answer any questions. Let's all keep our fingers crossed and hope that it gets approved. Even if the dean doesn't approve it, I can put it through the tech committee and then have it moved up and be voted on in the General Assembly.
 
Nice letter, iSkylla. :)

Instead of just saying "research" I think I would briefly mention some of the diseases that folding is helping to find a cure for. I know they're on the Stanford site, but the dean may not get that far. Words like "cancer" and "Alzheimer's" will hit harder than just "research".

Also, emphasize the fact that F@H will not interfere with normal use, that the client app will step aside (or however you put it) when a student needs those cycles.

Good luck with it!
 
Well, I already sent out the letter, but when I go before the committee today and hopefully the dean, I will make sure to say that. Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming.

Fold on.

 
Lethal said:
Nice letter, iSkylla. :)

Instead of just saying "research" I think I would briefly mention some of the diseases that folding is helping to find a cure for. I know they're on the Stanford site, but the dean may not get that far. Words like "cancer" and "Alzheimer's" will hit harder than just "research".

Also, emphasize the fact that F@H will not interfere with normal use, that the client app will step aside (or however you put it) when a student needs those cycles.

Good luck with it!
Click to expand...

Those are good suggestions.

Also if you want to look really professional print out some of the info from the Stanford site and make some "handouts" ;)
 
Lethal said:
Nice letter, iSkylla. :)

Instead of just saying "research" I think I would briefly mention some of the diseases that folding is helping to find a cure for. I know they're on the Stanford site, but the dean may not get that far. Words like "cancer" and "Alzheimer's" will hit harder than just "research".

Also, emphasize the fact that F@H will not interfere with normal use, that the client app will step aside (or however you put it) when a student needs those cycles.

Good luck with it!
Click to expand...
Great suggestions!

Can we nominate you for HardDCer of the month so I can get your title changed?
:p
 
Pocatello said:
how come your title is blank?
Click to expand...


He made a thread in genmay demanding Kyle give him a custom title.... and he lost his title privlages alltogether :p
 
Lol, thanks for giving it away :(

That's part of the reason why I'm so famous!
 
iSkylla said:
Lol, thanks for giving it away :(
Click to expand...
You have no secrets here...now post a picture and get it over with...

Oh wait.
iSkyllajesus.png
 
iSkilla is unable to post, so he has asked me to post an update for him.

He has a meeting next Thursday with the Dean of Students. Everyone wish him good luck!!!
 
Viper87227 said:
iSkilla is unable to post, so he has asked me to post an update for him.

He has a meeting this Friday with the Dean of Students. Everyone wish him good luck!!!
Click to expand...

lol, admin troubles?
 
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