What will actually happen when the RC5 key is found?

[Sukhoi]

I'm assuming the client will know it's the correct key. Thus, will the client that finds the key put off all sorts of sounds and stuff, or will we have to wait for Dnet to announce it? Sorry if this has already been answered

 

[Joe O]

Although the client will know that it may have the right key, it will only set a flag to alert DNet. DNet will then recheck the key to see if it is the right one. When DNet has confirmed that the key has been found, then it will start the contact process.

 

[Maniac9127]

The client will try to decode the first part of the encrypted message, if it can decode the known words then it will send the key to distributed.net and they will attempt to decode the rest of the message, if it decodes the entire message then they'll send it to the guys sponsoring the whole event, and if it's the right key then they give out the cash.

The client doesn't do any bells and whistles or anything, because there are lots of keys that can decode the first part of the message, but only one that can decode the
whole thing

 

[Rendus]

From what I remember, the client will send off the key with a very special "HEY LOOK AT ME! FREE PR0N!" flag, and THEN plays the cow moo sound (unless they changed that aspect of it, dunno) and puts a message in your log/on screen. Then one of the guys (I think this was Bovine's responsibility on the DES contests, not sure) manually decrypts the key, checks to make sure it matches, then sends it off to the people running the contest. They then check it and keep in contact with whoever, and eventually we find out if it's a hit or miss.

 

[Train]

I'll tell you whats gonna happen:

Team AnandTech will throw the bash of the Millenium in DanC's backyard with lots of free kegs of Heineken and a few hundred bikini models. A big enough hot tub for everyone will be provided by heating up the trout pond to a toasty 103 degrees Farenheit Paulson will not be able to handle himself and end up yacking on Russ. Things will get out of control at about 5 am, after Engineer, Ray, and the other old guys who are keeping everyone cool finnaly pass out from Stats withdrawal symptoms, Then drunken crackers start brawling from the insanity brought on by the lack of updates on Mika's. The Washington National Guard will be called in to keep the peace.

A few days later TA will reassemble and spread its enormous computing forces across OGR, SETI, Gamma Flux, and a few other projects, then will eventually get back into the swing of things to do it all over again once another project is conquered.

 

[toph99]

i like Train's idea...

 

[vss1980]

Once the key is found the following possibilties are gonna happen: (by the way - Dnet are clear on the fact that the client will say nothing if its on the right key)

All of the hard-core RC5 fanatics will either stop distributed computing OR
They all get dissolved into other dc contests/efforts.

While RSA on paper have contests all the way to 128-bit (with the next being 72-bit), it is looking less likely that RC5 will continue for a few reasons:
+ Paying jobs from companies that actually have a good use for all that CPU time and will pay for it
+ RC5-64 is itself a colossal project and RC5-72 would only be more complex
+ There are other volunter projects that may be more appealing

 

[ViRGE]

Maniac9127 is right on the dot. Dnet has confirmed it with RSA, you'll most likely get a phonecall and/or email saying you've won, along with asking for your permission to be used in a PR. Oh ya, they'll probably also ask for an addy to send the grand to.

 

[Sukhoi]

Cool, very interesting.

Now, what happens if a miniteam would find the key? RSA wouldn't have any idea who to give the money to. hehe

 

[SSP]

Hey Virge, are they going to post our pic or something? And do we have to agree to the PR part to receive the money?

 

[SSP]

Good point Sukhoi. That'd be an interesting situation.

 

[ViRGE]

They might post your pic, but it's unlikely. As for the PR agreement, that's just so they can have your permission to use your name; you get your cash no matter what.