A Question that's been bothering me

Message boards : Questions and problems : A Question that's been bothering me
Message board moderation

To post messages, you must log in.

AuthorMessage
David

Send message
Joined: 22 Sep 09
Posts: 2
United States
Message 27535 - Posted: 22 Sep 2009, 14:54:14 UTC

So here's something I've been wondering.

I agree that using boinc while I'm on my computer is a worthwhile task. However, with the comparatively minuscule contribution that a PC makes to the overall computing that is done through boinc, is it worth it, in a general sense of what's best for the world, to leave my computer on while I'm away, to run computations?

Does the small contribution to science outweigh the small usage of energy that my PC uses to continue running when I would normally turn it off?

Thanks for the consideration.
ID: 27535 · Report as offensive
ZPM
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 14 Mar 09
Posts: 215
United States
Message 27537 - Posted: 22 Sep 2009, 18:58:21 UTC - in response to Message 27535.  
Last modified: 22 Sep 2009, 19:05:12 UTC

well it's a balancing act..

for the record i'm one of those use 100/100 24/7; minus the down time for a cleaning and updates...

but one answer of many to follow is yes...

i have 2 computers cpu's running WCG, while the other laptop runs for drugdiscovery and the quad(big baby) runs for all projects that i see that are worth my computers time... and yes, every penny(PC) counts.

now, the question of energy... this is a hard definition for me to figure out..

i say that if your newest computer, a q6600 can out run p4 processor hands down, does the energy output out weigh the energy bill? thats a question that everyone answers in their own way. and this also depends on location and where your energy comes from.. a coal plant, wind, hydro***, solar, and nuclear*!

my area is right next to a river, and a dam, so my power is nothing but hydro which makes me happy... no dirty air from coal.

depends on the cpu....
ID: 27537 · Report as offensive
Nicolas

Send message
Joined: 19 Jan 07
Posts: 1179
Argentina
Message 27541 - Posted: 23 Sep 2009, 2:48:59 UTC - in response to Message 27535.  

That depends on, oh, so many things. For example how expensive electricity is in your geographical area. Or what projects you contribute to. Or how useful you think those projects are.

Or even your current mood.

For example, sometimes I'm in such a depressive mood that makes me think even WCG is pointless, because I wonder if humanity is *worth* saving from diseases or we're better off extinct.

ID: 27541 · Report as offensive
ZPM
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 14 Mar 09
Posts: 215
United States
Message 27545 - Posted: 23 Sep 2009, 13:55:32 UTC - in response to Message 27541.  

That depends on, oh, so many things. For example how expensive electricity is in your geographical area. Or what projects you contribute to. Or how useful you think those projects are.

Or even your current mood.

For example, sometimes I'm in such a depressive mood that makes me think even WCG is pointless, because I wonder if humanity is *worth* saving from diseases or we're better off extinct.


um, i feel you nic, can we make the depressors club in the boinc community?
ID: 27545 · Report as offensive
meinsanjose

Send message
Joined: 5 Sep 09
Posts: 9
United States
Message 27645 - Posted: 29 Sep 2009, 0:02:36 UTC - in response to Message 27535.  

I think the way you phrased your question: "Does the small contribution to science outweigh the small usage of energy that my PC uses to continue running when I would normally turn it off?"; is the wrong way to ask. And because it is phrased as it is, is how we get into this horrendous diatribe's, without answers, generated by the Eco-extremists among us. Because the underlying premise poses the real question, "Is human life worth, the particular questioner's measure of resource value?". Or, in more blunt words, Since the questioner chooses to play God, they are assuming His role as ultimate judge. Ultimately a futile and dead premise.
The correct premises to start with are:
a) We humans are here, either by accident or by design, get over it and learn to live with it.
b) It takes energy to live and pursue any and all human activity.
c) So the real question to "energy versus anything" should be, "How can we generate energy in sufficient quantities that people can live & thrive?". And, "How can we generate energy cleanly and with the least impact on our environment, so as to leave our nest clean, so to speak?".

Well, neither of those questions are really germane to this forum.

Now, since we are here in this forum. Since we have the power to make a difference, via the personal computing equipment that we now possess. If we have the economic resources to enable us to act (pay the electric bill), then my response is, do you want to contribute to your fellow human's benefit or not?
ID: 27645 · Report as offensive
Jave Ivanovski
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 23 May 09
Posts: 38
Australia
Message 27654 - Posted: 29 Sep 2009, 9:18:46 UTC - in response to Message 27535.  

Does the small contribution to science outweigh the small usage of energy that my PC uses to continue running when I would normally turn it off?


I think it's worth it. I mean with projects such as World Community Grid and Rosetta there could be multiple benefits to a countless number of people. Which is why I choose to run projects like these. Projects like SETI on the other hand are interesting, but in my opinion they serve no real purpose to mankind. What do we expect aliens to do if we find them? Fix up our planet? "Hey, we really screwed up - can you help us?"
ID: 27654 · Report as offensive
David

Send message
Joined: 22 Sep 09
Posts: 2
United States
Message 28459 - Posted: 2 Nov 2009, 17:48:32 UTC

Good food for thought.

My energy comes from nuclear power - relatively clean - so I suppose if I can foot the bill it's not a bad idea.

Thanks for the responses. More are welcome....
ID: 28459 · Report as offensive
Richard Haselgrove
Volunteer tester
Help desk expert

Send message
Joined: 5 Oct 06
Posts: 5077
United Kingdom
Message 28461 - Posted: 2 Nov 2009, 18:20:28 UTC

We had an intersting case at SETI today, in going green...well sorta.. - someone whose electricity bill had gone down when they started crunching for BOINC, even though the weather was colder than last year and the price of units higher. Turned out his PCs were more efficient heaters than his heater....

The condo I live in is 30+ years old. This system just has big wire heating coils that get air blown over them. So the computers waste heat as a heating device is probably more efficent...

So if we could just get all those big ole wire coils ripped out of 30 y.o. condos....
ID: 28461 · Report as offensive

Message boards : Questions and problems : A Question that's been bothering me

Copyright © 2024 University of California.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.