22 Feb
2004
22 Feb
'04
10:30 p.m.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf(a)siconic.com>
To: "Classic Computers Mailing List" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 5:17 AM
Subject: Flash mob computing
Interesting concept: get a bunch of people together who all have at least
a 1.3Ghz P-III (or AMD equivalent) laptop with at least 256MB RAM and a
100baseT network connection and hook them all together to try to get onto
the list of the world's 500 fastest supercomputers:
http://www.flashmobcomputing.org/
Maybe I'm behind the times, but I don't think that many people can afford
such a laptop right around now.
Maybe not laptops but there are plenty of luggables. With the dawn of LAN
gaming parties, thousands of young folks, used to be yuppies, have powerful
small computers that are designed for easy transport to these parties. There
is even one pre-made model with a flip-out 17" LCD screen, the MaxPac by
MaxVision (3.2Ghz, 1 Gig memory.
Add to this the companies that make very small cases with handles and
factory made with fast video and 5.1 sound (all you add is the CPU and the
RAM) , ie. Shuttle, and you'll see how this idea isn't so far fetched.
Actually a major manufacturer, forget whether it was hardware or software,
runs a gigantic LAN party with big prizes every year in, I believe, LA.
where hundreds show up with their luggables and play games.
I'd predict that the largest group to get into this would be a LAN party
gaming group.
I'll show up with my Kaypro.
BM