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Gridwars Parallel Programming Challenge

Posted by timothy on from the your-base-all-ours dept.

Peter_Pork writes "New Scientist has an article about GridWars, a challenging new game that runs on large clusters of computers. Programs fight each other for supremacy in terms of the number of processors they control, and the main point of the contest is to develop better parallel algorithms. It seems a nice idea: have fun while you improve the state-of-the-art in cluster computing. The result of the last contest was somewhat of an upset, since a craftsmanly Russian program defeated a sophisticated genetic algorithm from NASA."

14 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. A strange game. by mrpuffypants · · Score: 4, Funny

    The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

    I couldn't resist!

    1. Re:A strange game. by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Funny

      and just how would YOU stand up to a piece of frozen waterlogged foam thrown at you at thousands of miles per hour?

      --
      liqbase :: faster than paper
    2. Re:A strange game. by Timesprout · · Score: 2, Funny

      Personally I would stand in a sort of ducked position

      --
      Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
      What truth?
      There is no dupe
  2. OMG by The+Bungi · · Score: 5, Funny

    An article where SOVIET RUSSIA *and* beowulf jokes are on topic. What's next? A Natalie Portman interview?

    1. Re:OMG by Jellybob · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah... it'll be about here newly bought Russian beowulf.

      And it'll be posted twice, with the evil bit set on the dupe.

  3. I might be good at this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've often been told my programs require more cpu, allocate more memory, and take more time than any other coder on the team. If I can scale up my special skillz to more than one processor at a time, I might have a chance here.

    1. Re:I might be good at this by bobbozzo · · Score: 2, Funny

      So quit using VB!

      --
      Nothing to see here; Move along.
  4. Next article prediction by LordOfYourPants · · Score: 3, Funny

    Scientific American has an article about Hellmouth, a challenging new game created by Junis that runs on large clusters of computers. Sponsorship from SCO looks to be confirmed and celebrities such as Natalie Portman promoting grits are in tow.

    Sadly, the death of Stephen King during the game's promotion at E3 and LinuxWorld (where no one showed up) put a damper on things, while in Soviet Russia the people controlled YOU.

  5. Gridwars, the next Rogue-alike by smarthippy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Rogue: oh no! a 'C' is chasing my @! majick missle! majick missle! arghhll...

  6. experience by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    The result of the last contest was somewhat of an upset, since a craftsmanly Russian program defeated a sophisticated genetic algorithm from NASA.

    Perhaps their virus writing skills give them an edge

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  7. Deja vu? by WegianWarrior · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...the ultimate way to debug their programs - let them compete against other programs in a gladiator-style tournament.

    Dont that sound awfully familiar?

    --
    Everything in the world is controlled by a small, evil group to which, unfortunately, no one you know belongs.
  8. Re:My brain hurts! by DoorFrame · · Score: 3, Funny

    You could program them to fight each other for possession of individuals neurons in your brain, then post the joke that's able to hold onto the most territory in your head.

    Sound good?

    --

    --
    RumorsDaily
  9. Russia won the cold war? by geeklawyer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh right the
    col^Hde war.
    phew.

    --
    -he who laughs last, is a bit slow.
    journal
  10. They'll all remember this as how SkyNet started!!! by ReallyQuietGuy · · Score: 2, Funny

    They've got to stop it now!