[slipjack]

It's already going on, but can we get an official comp between myself, jbcool, and Shaktai? (And anyone else who wants to be charted. )

What say you, good reader?

[Scotttheking]

I would, but you guys are out of my league.

[reader50]

Something can certainly be done. Our dFold code base seems ok now, but I probably will not have time until the weekend when I work on DF Ranks. That suggests the competition would go live on or around Monday.

Perhaps you guys & gals could use the time until then to decide who is in, and what the race rules are? I'd prefer a race that will last at least 10 days, shorter ones are hard to justify the code work for.

Info needed:[list=1][*]Who is in? Post in this thread, let us know.[*]When does it start? When I get my lazy self to do the code. (probably around Monday)[*]Does it go to a particular total, or a particular date?[*]Does the race count race units, or total units? Total units are easier, but either can be set up.[*]Who will bid the most for me to rig the stats in their favor? [/list=a]

[SkiBikeSki]

I'd like to compete too, but that means I would have to put the other projects on hold. That's too difficult a descision for me to make, so you guys make it for me. I'd like it if at least 3 people told me what to do, and I'll listen to the majority. I'd be abl to put 3 Athlon 1.4Ghz 3 PIII 1GHz and my G4 867 onto dFold. So I ask you, is it worth it?

[DAlex]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>It's already going on, but can we get an official comp between myself, jbcool, and Shaktai? (And anyone else who wants to be charted. )

What say you, good reader?</STRONG>

I'd be up for that, it might help to generate some more interest in joining the team, heck you need someone to be last

DAlex

[jbcool]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>It's already going on, but can we get an official comp between myself, jbcool, and Shaktai? (And anyone else who wants to be charted. )

What say you, good reader?</STRONG>

Aw shucks, I'm in.
I'm always up for a beating. Come on gang rough me up!
I'm up for anything that will help the cause.

[jbcool]

Originally posted by SkiBikeSki:
<STRONG>I'd like to compete too, but that means I would have to put the other projects on hold. That's too difficult a descision for me to make, so you guys make it for me. I'd like it if at least 3 people told me what to do, and I'll listen to the majority. I'd be abl to put 3 Athlon 1.4Ghz 3 PIII 1GHz and my G4 867 onto dFold. So I ask you, is it worth it?</STRONG>

Sounds to me like you should be able to generate some good numbers with those machines. Would enjoy your company. But if you feel the need to work on the other projects we will understand. The thing I like about this team is that we try to help all the projects out.

[Shaktai]

Aw, what the heck. I probably can't crank up any more power without Divine intervention, but I don't mind coming in last.

Let's crank it up and drive for the #10 spot while were at it.

[Shaktai]

Originally posted by SkiBikeSki:
<STRONG>I'd like to compete too, but that means I would have to put the other projects on hold. That's too difficult a descision for me to make, so you guys make it for me. I'd like it if at least 3 people told me what to do, and I'll listen to the majority. I'd be abl to put 3 Athlon 1.4Ghz 3 PIII 1GHz and my G4 867 onto dFold. So I ask you, is it worth it?</STRONG>

So what's fun and would bring you the greatest personal satisfaction? Do that. If that means bringing on your power for a few days, enjoy the race and have fun. Hey we'll back you whatever you decide. Besides if needs be you could pull some power from dFold afterwards to help you get back on track with the other projects. After all if it isn't fun for you, then why do it?

BTW: have you noticed how many new faces are on the team? We are up to 27 and some of them came in strong. Welcome to all of them. Heck, 1 week ago, I was playing with the client and some benchmarks and nothing had been done in a while since reader and scott had orginally tested it. Now we are not only a team, but a rising star, thanks to the efforts of "everyone" on the team.

[slipjack]

Originally posted by SkiBikeSki:
<STRONG>I'd like to compete too, but that means I would have to put the other projects on hold. That's too difficult a descision for me to make, so you guys make it for me. I'd like it if at least 3 people told me what to do, and I'll listen to the majority. I'd be abl to put 3 Athlon 1.4Ghz 3 PIII 1GHz and my G4 867 onto dFold. So I ask you, is it worth it?</STRONG>

Doo it Doo it!

[slipjack]

How long to people want to run it? I'm fine with 30 days... anyone else have a preference?

BTW, thanks reader!

[Shaktai]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>How long to people want to run it? I'm fine with 30 days... anyone else have a preference?

BTW, thanks reader!</STRONG>

30 days is a long time for a competition. I think 10 to 14 days would be good. Some people who want to get in on it, may not want to abandon their other projects for as long as 30 days.

[SkiBikeSki]

I'll do it! In answer to readers question #4, I think it should only be race units, since I am more than a million behind most of the other competitors. And let's let it run until a certain date, that's give everyone a good length race. If it were to a certain number of units it could be over too fast. Also setting a date could be more bebeficial to the team, but a mac units would limit the help to the team, possibly.


&lt;For reader's eyes only&gt; I'd also be willing to pay you in terms of units. I'd Throw my farm over to you for a few days. &lt;/For reader's eyes only&gt;

[jbcool]

Originally posted by SkiBikeSki:
<STRONG>I'll do it! In answer to readers question #4, I think it should only be race units, since I am more than a million behind most of the other competitors. And let's let it run until a certain date, that's give everyone a good length race. If it were to a certain number of units it could be over too fast. Also setting a date could be more bebeficial to the team, but a mac units would limit the help to the team, possibly.

</STRONG>

Only one issue that I have here guys. Lets not start this race until we change to the next protien which will have a billion folds as this protien should be finished in the next couple of day.

Woohoo!!!! Drop the mufflers get out the Nitris Oxide put on the wrinkle slicks. It just doesn't get any better than this we get to have a race and Distributed Folding is going to win!!!!

You all are great people!!!!!

[ 04-11-2002: Message edited by: jbcool ]

[Shaktai]

Originally posted by jbcool:
<STRONG>

Only one issue that I have here guys. Lets not start this race until we change to the next protien which will have a billion folds as this protien should be finished in the next couple of day.

You all are great people!!!!!

[ 04-11-2002: Message edited by: jbcool ]</STRONG>

I agree. On all counts. By the time we could get the race going, it will be time to change proteins. Let's get started after the change to the next one, and it should be around long enough for the race. (maybe)

This is one race that Team MacNN wins no matter what.
Oh and the current protein is a billion structures which is already over half done. The next one is a larger protein and is 10 billion structures.

[jbcool]

Originally posted by Shaktai:
<STRONG>

The next one is a larger protein and is 10 billion structures.</STRONG>

Thanks for catching my error.
I sit corrected. Old timer disease strikes again.

[SkiBikeSki]

Actually I think all these protiens have an incredibly large number or folds, well over a trillion. It think its just that with these first proteins the project's admins are only interested in finding 1 billion folds, and for the next proteins they want more precision hence 10 billion folds.

Anyways, I do agree that we should postpone the start of the race until the new protein. That way we can avoid any client update issues before the race starts, and we can give reader more time to do the code.

[slipjack]

Hopefully the official competition will just push our output up! We're starting to crunch at a rate respectible enough to move into the Top Ten

[Shaktai]

Originally posted by SkiBikeSki:
<STRONG>Actually I think all these protiens have an incredibly large number or folds, well over a trillion. It think its just that with these first proteins the project's admins are only interested in finding 1 billion folds, and for the next proteins they want more precision hence 10 billion folds.
</STRONG>

I believe you are correct. What this project is really intended to do is to narrow down the numbers of possibilities, so that further research can be simplified. If successful, it will speed up the process for other researchers and programmers if I understand it correctly.

The competition, should definitely boost the team. I can't believe how far we have come already, in such a short period of time.

Oh, and if you haven't seen it yet, check out the thread
on the distibuted folding form and read the comments from Christopher Hogue, the senior scientist on the project. It goes a long way towards explaining what it is we are doing. His comments are a little way down the page and are a long read but worth it.

[ 04-12-2002: Message edited by: Shaktai ]

[jbcool]

Originally posted by reader50:
<STRONG>

Perhaps you guys & gals could use the time until then to decide who is in, and what the race rules are? I'd prefer a race that will last at least 10 days, shorter ones are hard to justify the code work for.

Info needed:[list=1][*]Who is in? Post in this thread, let us know.[*]When does it start? When I get my lazy self to do the code. (probably around Monday)[*]Does it go to a particular total, or a particular date?[*]Does the race count race units, or total units? Total units are easier, but either can be set up.[*]Who will bid the most for me to rig the stats in their favor? [/list=a]</STRONG>

Reader50 I invited a "little white dog" to come play.
I told him to let you know if he was in here and to ask you any of the
really hard questions that would cause you coding issues.
Hope you don't mind.

Considering the good nature of eveyone else on Team MacNN I didn't figure they would mind.

Hey! Why are you all carrying sticks? I don't think the "little white dog" can fetch that many.

[rkadowns]

You guys go and have fun. I'll just sit here, eating dust and washing sand out of my eyes. :cool

RIP

[jbcool]

Originally posted by rkadowns:
<STRONG>You guys go and have fun. I'll just sit here, eating dust and washing sand out of my eyes. :cool

RIP</STRONG>

Darn it! I was hoping that you would be one of the heavy hitters.
I e-mailed all my friend asking for help and go no response.
Guess that means I have no friends. So now I am trying to make all those junk parts into another cruncher. I figure there is someone out there who is a sleeper. Hope they wake up and shake up the competition.

[reader50]

Originally posted by jbcool:
<STRONG>...
Hey! Why are you all carrying sticks? I don't think the "little white dog" can fetch that many. </STRONG>

Speak softly and carry a large stick.

[Shaktai]

I think it was originally

"Walk softly and carry a big stick"

Been that is what we are doing already in dFold.

[reader50]

dFold ranks code has run for the first time tonight. The code isn't quite complete, but the hard parts are done. With any luck, I'll have something up Sunday night, once we have at least one day of tracking.

That means Competition code can be worked on. The discussion keeps hitting on how the current protein will be finished "soon", but it does have a ways to go. I suspect it has at least a month left. Has anyone run the numbers?

[Grozni Majmun]

Originally posted by reader50:
<STRONG>dFold ranks code has run for the first time tonight. The code isn't quite complete, but the hard parts are done. With any luck, I'll have something up Sunday night, once we have at least one day of tracking.

That means Competition code can be worked on. The discussion keeps hitting on how the current protein will be finished "soon", but it does have a ways to go. I suspect it has at least a month left. Has anyone run the numbers?</STRONG>

Thanks for setting up the stats work reader. I am not in the comp, but I think the current protein will be over in a day or so:

From the dfold stats:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1"face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial">code:</font><HR><pre><font size=1 face=courier>
Total structures generated so far: <font color = blue>917</font>,<font color = blue>597</font>,<font color = blue>162</font>
Goal number of structures: <font color = blue>1</font>,<font color = blue>000</font>,<font color = blue>000</font>,<font color = blue>000</font>
</font>[/code]

Around 161million structures were completed within the past 24 hours, so at some point Sunday afternoon we should be done.

[jbcool]

Originally posted by reader50:
<STRONG> The discussion keeps hitting on how the current protein will be finished "soon", but it does have a ways to go. I suspect it has at least a month left. Has anyone run the numbers?</STRONG>

Looks like the current protein should finsh about 2:00 CDT today.
The next protein should last about six weeks.

[jbcool]

Originally posted by rkadowns:
<STRONG>You guys go and have fun. I'll just sit here, eating dust and washing sand out of my eyes. :cool

RIP</STRONG>

Good news / bad news.
Good news is I just lost a processor on my DP 450.
Bad news is you guys have a chance to rush past me on the dfold project since I am sending help over to the foldin@home project.

Enjoy it while you can gang.
I'm inviting the twins over to help me out so keep the pedal to the metal. I'll be back.

[SkiBikeSki]

Looks like this thing could get started soon. I'd better hurry up and enlist the help of my friends.

[reader50]

dFold Ranks are up.

Competition code isn't, spent too much time on the ranks.

[Grozni Majmun]

Originally posted by reader50:
<STRONG>dFold Ranks are up.

Competition code isn't, spent too much time on the ranks.</STRONG>

Sweet! Thanks for all your hard work. I have one stats question: why is the "Last Week Units/day" figure in the quick stats bar different from the avg/day figure in the ranks table?

[reader50]

The code that generates the ranks table runs at a different time (12-13 hours later) than the code that produces the team's main stats. That means the "stats window" that each uses is different.

Also, the main stats got moved 12 hours this morning, and the ranks counted a 20-hour day (debugging). These things will settle down in a day or two, and the numbers will end up being fairly close.

[wheeles]

I think I'll stand and watch the race proceedings. I'm already pumping out as many units as I can now that my G4 is more stable. The only way I can muster more power is if they come out with a client for my iPod!

In fact I'd probably need a client for every other household appliance (including my kettle) before I saw any significant increase in output.

For those that were following the saga of my crashing G4, there is a bit of an addendum. I have now removed NetBarrier. On my system this crashed frequently. Also several forums (including the Darwin Developers) note lookup and timeout problems with OSX when Airport is not online. This seems to have contributed to the majority of the non-NetBarrier crashes. I now make sure Airport is turned off when the modem is not connected. This has made things far more stable and feels more responsive.

At last I am starting to hold my own in the dFold ranks again.

Happy crunching!

[jbcool]

Originally posted by reader50:
<STRONG>dFold Ranks are up.

Competition code isn't, spent too much time on the ranks.</STRONG>

I think we all apreciate the hard work that you do.
What type of nuts do we need to throw over the wall for you REAL coders?
Or is it pizza and beer nowdays? Would that be item #5?

[jbcool]

Originally posted by wheeles:
<STRONG>I think I'll stand and watch the race proceedings.

In fact I'd probably need a client for every other household appliance (including my kettle) before I saw any significant increase in output.

At last I am starting to hold my own in the dFold ranks again.

Happy crunching!</STRONG>

We will need someone to cheer us on, thanks.
When you figure out how to get the household appliances to help would
you sell us the plans so we can modify ours?
You didn't expect any of us to hold yours in the Dfold rank did you?

Thanks for the update on what your problems were. Stuff like that is always great to share with the rest of us.

[slipjack]

Man, none of my machines autoupdated... grrr. I put the cfg file in and everything... anyone know what's up with that?

[jbcool]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>Man, none of my machines autoupdated... grrr. I put the cfg file in and everything... anyone know what's up with that?</STRONG>

No help here.
Just wanted to thank you for giving me a little time to keep ahead of
you. Lost another cruncher this morning, motherboard bios problem.
Should be a good competition between us until I get the hammer and
fix this thing.

[enola]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>Man, none of my machines autoupdated... grrr. I put the cfg file in and everything... anyone know what's up with that?</STRONG>

Oh no, don't tell me that! I tried the cfg method as well. I don't want to come home and see my tower's been stuck all day. And sucking up memory too probably.

My work PC seemed to have auto-updated okay. This protein definitely seems a lot slower.

[Shaktai]

"I'm back!!!"

Well mostly anyway. Leaving the iBook on SETI until the start of the competition. Other three are back on dFold. All mine updated just fine with the autoupdate.cfg file in place.

[SkiBikeSki]

Summary:
1. These people are in: slipjack, jbcool, Shaktai, SkiBikeSki, DAlex.
2. It should start at midnight EST in the evening the day after the code is finished.
3. It should span 14 days.
4. Race units, since there are huge differences in people's real totals.
5. I will pay you back with dFold units.

If anyone wants to change something, then say so.

Thanx reader for all the work on the ranks and competition code.

[slipjack]

Originally posted by jbcool:
<STRONG>

No help here.
Just wanted to thank you for giving me a little time to keep ahead of
you. Lost another cruncher this morning, motherboard bios problem.
Should be a good competition between us until I get the hammer and
fix this thing.</STRONG>

Hehe, made up 300k+ on you... I should be adding another yummy Dual G4/450 tomorrah... so don't get too comfortable.

[enola]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>Man, none of my machines autoupdated... grrr. I put the cfg file in and everything... anyone know what's up with that?</STRONG>

Mine didn't either but at least I know why. I renamed the original file from 'foldtrajlite' to 'foldtrajlite1' and 'foldtrajlite2' for each install of the client I had so I could more easily distinguish them when doing a 'ps' command.

The update didn't like that and so I came home to see that it's been downloading, updateing and restarting the client ALL DAY LONG without doing a single structure. Sigh.

So I've put the names back to the original so i don't have to mess with this again.

[jbcool]

Originally posted by slipjack:
<STRONG>

Hehe, made up 300k+ on you... I should be adding another yummy Dual G4/450 tomorrah... so don't get too comfortable. </STRONG>

You know I was trying to be a nice guy and let you take the lead by putting all my power over on folding@home to help fend off Team MacOSX.
You really disappointed me by not catching up. I have even lost two machines this week to try and help you. I want you to wear the target for a while so I have something to shoot at.

Congrats on your #3 structure for a while today. Guess our little team is probably starting to draw some attention at this point.

I'll just sit back in my easy chair and watch how you do for a while.
The decide when to knock that chair out from under you.

Been great fun having you push me. Keep up the good work.

[slipjack]

So, what's the word? How are we doing reader?

[reader50]

The dFold Ranks code seems ok, no modifications were made tonight. That's a good sign.

I reworked the Milestones code tonight, dFold Milestones will go official tomorrow. The regular dFold stats will finally run on the server tomorrow too, that will be one more problem out of the way.

I'll put the Competition code together tomorrow night and test it for a couple of days. That should give everyone a chance to settle into the new client.

Sounds ok for everyone?

[Shaktai]

Originally posted by reader50:
<STRONG>The dFold Ranks code seems ok, no modifications were made tonight. That's a good sign.

I reworked the Milestones code tonight, dFold Milestones will go official tomorrow. The regular dFold stats will finally run on the server tomorrow too, that will be one more problem out of the way.

I'll put the Competition code together tomorrow night and test it for a couple of days. That should give everyone a chance to settle into the new client.

Sounds ok for everyone?</STRONG>

Sounds fine to me. Your hard work is appreciated. I don't know how you do it all.

Besides, it will be a couple of days before my "surprise" arrives.


[ 04-17-2002: Message edited by: Shaktai ]

[jbcool]

Originally posted by Shaktai:
<STRONG>

I don't know how you do it all.

[ 04-17-2002: Message edited by: Shaktai ]</STRONG>

I think reader50 is one of those guys who thinks in code.

Ditto on the appreciation of all you hard work.

Whenever it works into your schedule it works into mine.
I might have the twin turbo's installed by the end of the week.

You hoo slipjack are you ready???

[SkiBikeSki]

When I learn enough about the sort of stuff you're doing reader, I'm gonna offer to help you out. Until then thanks if all I can give.

Thanks.

[Shaktai]

speaking of competition.. DAlex, are you in? You just breezed right on by me without nary a word.

[slipjack]

Yes, I think I'm about ready.

Although I may be losing a Dual G4 because X is just too damn unstable with Illustrator 9/Photoshop 6.
If I flatten my machine and re-install it all, it might work better, but I don't have time for that kind of operation right now.

My company can't afford to upgrade yet, so I'm stuck in limbo for a while.

And thanks again reader!