SETI....

[JoeRicard]

Ok..

yes, yes, yes I'm a noob and don't know much! But this is why I setup an account of the forum to ask questions, read and learn.

The basic question I have is:

What is this program desgned for, what's it major functions, purposes ect?


Any input would be great!

Thanx in advance,

Joe

 

[ProviaFan]

Someone who types faster than me will probably get this before I have a chance, and explain it in much more detail, but anyway...

SETI is a distributed computing program. That means that it connects to a server in Berkeley, California, and gets some data (in this case data obtained from radio telescopes; this data comes in about 300KB chunks, called work units, or WUs). Then it processes this data, looking for signals of extraterestrial (sp?) intelligent, and other interesting astronomical things. After it finishes this (which may take from around 4 to 16 hours depending on the speed of your computer), it will upload the data back to the server, and get another WU to process.

 

[Orange Kid]

<< SETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope data. >>

<----------Plagerized directly from the S@H site

It basically looks for anomalies

For more info than you cna digest in a evening check out Seti @ Home from the Berkeley site

 

[Robor]

jliechty pretty much described the project. It's looking for repeating patterns that could be a sign of intelligence outside our planet. If you go to the SETI homepage you'll find a ton of info on the project.

Some join because of an interest in the science part (that's what got me hooked), some join just because of the stats/team part, some join because of both. One thing is certain, once you join you'll be hooked!

Welcome to the team!

 

[Logix]

The basic premise behind distributed computing is that the amount of data collected by the radio telescopes is immense, and if only one computer were to analyze the data, even if it was a supercomputer, the time it would take would be astronomical (pardon the pun), and it might take hundreds or thousands of years to analyze it all. But, if you get 1 million computers all crunching little pieces of the pie, the analysis becomes feasible, and that's what we all do for SETI@Home. The same idea applies to searching for certain security algorithms or for possible cures for cancer.

 

[JoeRicard]

I seriously appriciate all the time and effort put into the replies. This has surely gaven me a better outlook of the progam and its understanding.

I'm going to Setup an account when I get home and try this badboy out.


Thanx in advance,

Joe

 

[paf077]

>One thing is certain, once you join you'll be hooked! <

Very true! and alsop a lot of fun and good humour in this TeAm!!!

Welcome aboard JOE