Is SETI@home an exercise in futility?

[OS]

There seems to be substantial limitations to the project, such as the limited angle coverage of the Arecibo dish, the limited frequency search, actual result analysis hasn't actually begun, and finally, if there is an ET signal out there at all. I'm currently participating in SETI@home, but I'm thinking about dropping it.

 

[Locutus of Board]

Umm, struck by lightning any help? <<EDIT>> Struck by lightning if you lived 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 years help?

 

[Balt]

Is SETI@home an exercise in futility?

Probably, but at least it looks cool!

Umm, struck by lightning any help? <<EDIT>> Struck by lightning if you lived 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 years help?

Actually, that's no help at all because I can't understand wtf you are saying.

 

[OS]

<< Probably, but at least it looks cool! >>



Yeah, it does actually, but I don't really get to use a screensaver often so it's not a whole lot of benefit to me. Being in CA with soaring electricity prices and all, I just tell the computer to turn the monitor instead of hitting the screensaver.



<< Actually, that's no help at all because I can't understand wtf you are saying. >>



Ditto.

 

[ZeroEffect]

Futility means nothing gained. Just the fact that SETI
has proven that distributed computing can be a huge
success strikes down the nay sayers. If you never set
out to look for something, you'll never find it. You
people would have been the same ones shouting the earth
is flat!!!!

2,996 units processed.

late

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

Well, I think it is an interesting project, but &quot;actual result analysis hasn't actually begun&quot; is a dicouraging element to it. Such a huge participation and it always seems like the project management would just prefer things go a bit slower. At least there are some nice stats to follow though

 

[Balt]

You people would have been the same ones shouting the earth
is flat!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I love SETI. I have it running on my one computer (197 units completed). But when it is all said and done, I doubt much will come of it.

 

[Soybomb]

As the other guy said, its an excellent way to introduce people and corps. to distributed computing. As far as the actual goal of finding something....I think you're more likely to find a snipe when snipe hunting.

 

[Moonbeam]

Actually we don't use radio waves.

 

[DukeN]

good question

 

[datalink7]

Will something come of it? I don't know. Maybe.

Is it important? Yes. Too me, I believe SETI is an important project that can be undertaken by the human race at this point in time. And I'm too tired to explain more...

 

[Elledan]

SETI@home is useful for keeping our overpowered rig's busy