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SETI@home Project Responds To School Firing
SETIGuy writes "SETI@home Project Scientist Eric Korpela has responded to many of the allegations made by Higley Unified School District administrator Denise Birdwell regarding the difficulties caused by the installation of SETI@home, which led to the recent firing of the school's technology supervisor. One of the project's founders, David Gedye, takes issue with Dr. Birdwell's claim that 'an educational institution ... cannot support the search for E.T.' Meanwhile, the fired supervisor denies misusing school computers."
Who knew leaving a bank of computers on 24/7 costs money?
I guess they're too busy allocating all their resources trying to find intelligent life in their class rooms...
That's a myth, actually. a CPU of a certain model running at 1GHz or 3GHz uses the same amount of power, and does so whether or not it's working. The only difference is the amount of heat (power) emitted when in use, NOT electricity (power) consumed at the socket. Electricity and Heat are two very different things, and it's only when actually performing work that the electricity is turned into heat, otherwise it runs straight back out into the socket, although your utility provider still counts it as used, as the potential is there.
Maybe that means air conditioning had to work a little harder as some computers warmed the room up a degree or two, but that's only a few dollars' worth, nowhere near $1.6 million.
If that CPU time is being used, it has to be paid for.
We've come so far since the 60's mainframe days.
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"It could also lessen the life of the computer. A computer that is shutdown at night would likely last longer than one crunching numbers every night."
Very true. A computer fan spinning at 100% 24/7 is far more likely to suffer a early death due to dust and hair, as you can see from these photos:
Dust in computer
What can happen to the Computers of Pet Owners; with Dirty Pictures
Computer Killers – Pet Hair, Dust and Cigarette Smoke
If the computer is shutdown or in low power the fan isn't spinning so it's not sucking in dust and dirt.... or bugs
my karma will be here long after I'm gone
Electricity and Heat are two very different things
True, but I'd have to say that electricity, and your understanding of electricity, are also two very different things.
Can you tell me what 17x16 is?
It's a multiplication, sir!
In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!
I love the part in "It's a Wonderful Life" when you sucker punch George Bailey and Martini kicks you out of his bar. You were totally believable.
I'd love to, but none of the schools around here have courses in fucking for me to teach.
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Slashdot being the motherlode of deluded malcontents, though, perhaps I should not be surprised.
Slashdot being the motherload of randian ubermen living in their mom's basements with fascist delusions of grandeur, though, perhaps I should not be surprised at your ridiculously authoritarian framing of the issue.
When information is power, privacy is freedom.