Not really. distributing the load like SETI isn't really an option in most of these simulations because of the large amount of comunication that needs to occur between the nodes. Problem is this isn't a bunch of independent processing tasks like in SETI. This is the same reason why fast interconnects like myrinet and infiniband are often used to connect the nodes in the clusters.
I've seen a lot of comments here about avoiding the windows tax. This doesn't take into account the fact that very few people actually buy branded computers like HP etc. Most of them are assembled from parts and sold by companies/individuals who ask you what software you want on you computer and then load up pirated versions of everything you ask. Considering that name brand computers are almost 2x or more costly this is what most people buy.
Another things is the whole $380 per year thing is misleading due to disparities in income and because India has a much lower cost of living and fairly large number of middle class families can afford computers. Most of my friends and relatives have computers.
This actually paying Rs850 for always on internet is very reasonable for most middle class families. My parents back in India spend about an hour a day online. In India you *pay* for local phone calls unlike the US unlimited local service... So at approx Rs 1(conservatively) per min for phone charges thats already Rs1800. This doesn't even count the ISP charges which were about Rs 250 for 100 hours the last time I was there. Some ppl contacted my parents to see if they were interested in cable Internet for Rs1000 per month... Needless to say they were. On the other hand most govt run things in India suck big time.
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Not really. distributing the load like SETI isn't really an option in most of these simulations because of the large amount of comunication that needs to occur between the nodes. Problem is this isn't a bunch of independent processing tasks like in SETI. This is the same reason why fast interconnects like myrinet and infiniband are often used to connect the nodes in the clusters.
- dharhas
I've seen a lot of comments here about avoiding the windows tax. This doesn't take into account the fact that very few people actually buy branded computers like HP etc. Most of them are assembled from parts and sold by companies/individuals who ask you what software you want on you computer and then load up pirated versions of everything you ask. Considering that name brand computers are almost 2x or more costly this is what most people buy.
Another things is the whole $380 per year thing is misleading due to disparities in income and because India has a much lower cost of living and fairly large number of middle class families can afford computers. Most of my friends and relatives have computers.
- dharhas
ps. I'm an Indian.
This actually paying Rs850 for always on internet is very reasonable for most middle class families. My parents back in India spend about an hour a day online. In India you *pay* for local phone calls unlike the US unlimited local service... So at approx Rs 1(conservatively) per min for phone charges thats already Rs1800. This doesn't even count the ISP charges which were about Rs 250 for 100 hours the last time I was there. Some ppl contacted my parents to see if they were interested in cable Internet for Rs1000 per month... Needless to say they were. On the other hand most govt run things in India suck big time.
- dharhas