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Flash Mob Supercomputer?

Posted by timothy on from the all-the-cool-kids-are-doing-it dept.

dan of the north writes "The NY Times (free reg yyy bbb) is running an article on flash mob computing. More info on the first event in SF on April 3, 2004. The goal is to run Linpack and "build a home-brew computer powerful enough to be added to a list of the world's 500 fastest computers." Minimum requirements are 1.3 GHZ Pentium III/AMD equivalent or better with 256MB of RAM, a 100 Base-T network connection and a CD-ROM - laptops preferred. "After taking a shot at a speed record, the computer will be reorganized to serve as the host of a giant multiplayer video game tournament." Cool... a 2fer!"

9 of 259 comments (clear)

  1. licenses by SHEENmaster · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sure the first thing on the minds of the people building this is whether they should buy client or server licenses from SCO.

    (It's 4:20am and I don't have any coffee; I'm sure of a lot of things at the moment.)

    --
    You can't judge a book by the way it wears its hair.
    1. Re:licenses by eclectro · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm sure the first thing on the minds of the people building this is whether they should buy client or server licenses from SCO

      No, the first thing on their minds is the question "why aren't there any girls here?"

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
    2. Re:licenses by lewp · · Score: 5, Funny

      Geek delusion #42:
      The only reason girls avoid me is because they're jealous of my supercomputer.

      --
      Game... blouses.
  2. At last something that qualifies by Crypto+Gnome · · Score: 4, Funny

    At last, something that qualifies for the appelation "News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters".

    Twice over, even.

    --
    Visit CryptoGnome in his home.
  3. Laptops preferred? by Brainix · · Score: 4, Funny

    But these are so much cooler!

    --
    Raj Against the Machine! http://social-butterfly.appspot.com/
  4. Then we're gonna... by wan-fu · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the FlashMob FAQ:
    "How do I setup my own flashmob supercomputer? First and foremost, if you can come to FlashMob I -- there's no substitute for first hand experience. Otherwise, start here and get some experience running a one node flashmob. Then run two. Then run ten. Then take over the world."

    We're gonna to do it on your computer, then two computers, then ten computers, then your neighborhood. And then we're gonna do it at USF, then California, and then we'll take over the world! YEEEEEEAAARRRRGGHHH!!!

  5. Re:I'm there! by FisterBelvedere · · Score: 5, Funny

    The article clearly notes that the this will be used to estimate the Airspeed Velocity of an Unladen Swallow. If there's enough time the organizers said they would try for both the African and European Swallow.

    --

    FisterBelvedere -- Putting a whole new meaning to "streaks on the china" since 1996.

  6. Can't wait by mstefanus · · Score: 5, Funny
    I can't wait for the next Slashdot headline on this. I'm imagining...
    "Flash Mob: 13 people turned up. No GigaFLOPS, just a flop"
  7. Electrical power could be an issue... by TitanBL · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bullshit, eveyone just bring a powerstrip and 'daisy chain' those bad boys....