19 Mar
1999
19 Mar
'99
12:32 p.m.
You know, not to sound mean, but that sounds like a discouragement to me. I
am aware of the fact that it will not be the _fastest_ system around, but it
would be interesting to do. Also, considering that when you have 10 odd
computers, that may not be the fastest around, and can only be used one at a
time, why not have them work together? The last thing I thought I'd see on
the list was someone discouraging someone to try something.
Just my $.0002
--
-Jason Willgruber
(roblwill(a)usaor.net)
ICQ#: 1730318
<http://members.tripod.com/general_1>
-----Original Message-----
From: John Foust <jfoust(a)threedee.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Friday, March 19, 1999 7:06 AM
Subject: Re: Computers in Parallel
This is highly off-topic for this list - along with discussions of
(contemporary) computer security and/or retaliatory recommendations,
etc. Hardly a minute goes by on the net without some youngster hearing
about a new processor, or a pile of old processors, chanting the
word "beowulf" and thinking that 1 + 1 + 1 + overhead suddenly equals 10.
Also, it's a sure sign they aren't paying the electric bill, and
can't afford a $200 PC that'll beat the pants off their dream cluster.
Sure, there's the sheer hack value, but...
- John
19 Mar
19 Mar
10:21 a.m.
You know, not to sound mean, but that sounds like a
discouragement to me. I
am aware of the fact that it will not be the _fastest_ system around, but it
would be interesting to do. Also, considering that when you have 10 odd
computers, that may not be the fastest around, and can only be used one at a
time, why not have them work together? The last thing I thought I'd see on
the list was someone discouraging someone to try something.
I think you should do it. I have a batch of Mac IIfx and I may try a
parallel arrangement with them one of my friends told me about.
As an experiment lots is to be learned from this. I don't however have any
plans to "use" it.
For a start I suggest looking at some of the encryption cracking efforts.
1:16 p.m.
The only way you'd see any difference in speed is if the programs are programmed
to be used in a parallel system, or 'optomized' for it. just what i read.
Robert
Mike Ford wrote:
You know, not
to sound mean, but that sounds like a discouragement to me. I
am aware of the fact that it will not be the _fastest_ system around, but it
would be interesting to do. Also, considering that when you have 10 odd
computers, that may not be the fastest around, and can only be used one at a
time, why not have them work together? The last thing I thought I'd see on
the list was someone discouraging someone to try something.
I think you should do it. I have a batch of Mac IIfx and I may try a
parallel arrangement with them one of my friends told me about.
As an experiment lots is to be learned from this. I don't however have any
plans to "use" it.
For a start I suggest looking at some of the encryption cracking efforts. 
3:32 p.m.
On Fri, 19 Mar 1999, Mike Ford wrote:
Well, I haven't heard of Beowulf being implemented under MacLinux.
Be the first on your block.
--
Ward Griffiths
"the timid die just like the daring; and if you don't take the plunge then
you'll just take the fall" Michael Longcor
You know, not
to sound mean, but that sounds like a discouragement to me. I
am aware of the fact that it will not be the _fastest_ system around, but it
would be interesting to do. Also, considering that when you have 10 odd
computers, that may not be the fastest around, and can only be used one at a
time, why not have them work together? The last thing I thought I'd see on
the list was someone discouraging someone to try something.
I think you should do it. I have a batch of Mac IIfx and I may try a
parallel arrangement with them one of my friends told me about.
As an experiment lots is to be learned from this. I don't however have any
plans to "use" it.
For a start I suggest looking at some of the encryption cracking efforts. 
3:35 p.m.
New subject: Pointers please - Obsolete/discontinued chips
Can anyone recommend a vendor for obsolete or discontinued chips? My
specific current need is for an AMD chip: AM7992BCD (or equivalent).
TIA.
Bill
9:59 p.m.
I think you
should do it. I have a batch of Mac IIfx and I may try a
parallel arrangement with them one of my friends told me about.
As an experiment lots is to be learned from this. I don't however have any
plans to "use" it.
For a start I suggest looking at some of the encryption cracking efforts.
Well, I haven't heard of Beowulf being implemented under MacLinux.
10:54 a.m.
On Fri, 19 Mar 1999, Jason Willgruber wrote:
You know, not to sound mean, but that sounds like a
discouragement to me. I
am aware of the fact that it will not be the _fastest_ system around, but it
would be interesting to do. Also, considering that when you have 10 odd
computers, that may not be the fastest around, and can only be used one at a
time, why not have them work together? The last thing I thought I'd see on
the list was someone discouraging someone to try something.
Correct. The individual processors may not be spectacular, but in a
cluster with proper load balancing, even slow CPUs can make their
mark. Check out the article in the (current & first) isue of Linux
Magazine about the Stone SouperComputer at Oak Ridge National
Laboratory. Or visit http://www.esd.ornl.gov/facilities/beowulf.
--
Ward Griffiths
"the timid die just like the daring; and if you don't take the plunge then
you'll just take the fall" Michael Longcor
11:06 a.m.
On Fri, 19 Mar 1999, Jason Willgruber wrote:
You know, not to sound mean, but that sounds like a
discouragement to me. I
am aware of the fact that it will not be the _fastest_ system around, but it
would be interesting to do. Also, considering that when you have 10 odd
computers, that may not be the fastest around, and can only be used one at a
time, why not have them work together? The last thing I thought I'd see on
the list was someone discouraging someone to try something.
I think John missed the point, and didn't really intend for you to be
discouraged.
So to offset John's remarks, I ENCOURAGE you to join the VCF massively
parallel C64 project (well, its grown beyond just C64's now but the
concept is the same: hook vintage computers together to create a massively
parallel vintage computer cluster).
To join the discussion list, send a subscribe request to
majordomo(a)nut.net.
subscribe vcf-c64 <your name>
Its been dead far a while because we're all waiting on that damn German
Hans to hurry up and finish the design document :) But we should start
rolling on it in a short while. You'll learn a lot from the project, and
you can work in parallel on your own basement cluster using the knowledge
you absorb from working with the VCF group.
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 02/15/99]
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bluoval＠mindspring.com -
dastar＠ncal.verio.com -
gram＠cnct.com -
mikeford＠netwiz.net -
roblwill＠usaor.net -
wpfulmor＠dimensional.com