Uh, that is NOT the problem! The Boinc\Seti section of the project has
about 75,000 users TOTAL! And a bunch of those have never even sent in
a single unit! The new machine can handle a LOT more since it is only
running at less than 10% capacity when the project is fully up and
running. It can handle 2 more cpus and 4 more gig of memory. The
problem is that everytime Berkeley tries to do something, a peripheal
event occurs that throws a huge monkey wrench into the process. They
got brand new machines and they were faulty! They got brand new memory
and it was bad. They got brand new hard drives and they caused
problems. They used new programming code, as suggested by the machine
and OS suppliers, and things didn't go as they were told they would.
They tried doing a backup as the manufacturer of the hardware told
them too and the machine crashed. Turns out the manufacturer forgot
something. They are also trying to run the project on a TERRABYTE
database! That means that the data, when it is manupilated, is
EXTENSIVE! Not a simple 2 minute job.
Then for some, as yet, unknown reason the power switches off. Then it
happens AGAIN!!! Now the manufacturer of the machines is sending them
a UPS program that will gracefully shutdown the machines when the UPS
comes on, but "forgot" to tell them it needs "special" cables!
It is a case of trying to keep EVERYONE happy while at the same time
trying to keep within a VERY small budget! They do an EXCELLENT job!
Leaving the project is NOT the best way BUT crunching for other
projects while Berkeley is having problems IS a good idea!
Remember they are in the process of shutting down Classic too! When
that happens, who knows how soon, there WILL be extra hardware
available for Boinc\Seti use. AND less pressure because then they will
have only one project to maintain instead of the current two.

Firstly I wasn't talking about Boinc in my original post.

Secondly, my argument was that Seti is one of the most popular projects, 
partly because it's one of the oldest, partly because I think the idea of 
searching for Aliens touching something in many peoples psyche.

What I was attempting to argue is that preceisely because Seti has so many 
users (and new ones even now downloading classic) that when things go wrong, 
the sheer volume of users attempting to connect, download and upload can 
make the problem worse. My speculation was that less users might actually 
mean that Berkely is able to get things up and running much quicker.

As to the your implication that I was somehow criticising the staff and 
scientists behind the project then I must reject it out of hand - the people 
behind the project are working, as you suggest, extremely hard with limited 
resources. I have no criticisms of their work or practice. I wish them all 
the best.


-- 
Read my 2005 book log

http://resolutereader.blogspot.com