Folding@Home NTSC team

[Number45]

I'm lost for words. "An irresponsible attempt at some free PR"? Having this run in the background on a PC, using up spare CPU cycles that aren't in use by running applications, and increasing the power consumption of that PC in the process, is better?

And, to the best of my knowledge, it's not a requirement to leave the PS3 on at all times. Granted it would be nice if it had some background mode, but then this is version 1.0 of the software, it can be upgraded if the need is there.

Leaving my Wii on at all times so that it's capable of providing me with virtually zero functionality and with no tangible benefit to anyone. That is irresponsible.

[Concept]

It is PR and someone from Sony admitted as much when they were interviewed on 1up. But, you know, it's for a good cause and kudos to Sony for providing the platform for these kinds of experiements to properly work out. Unlike in previous generations when these sorts of stories were reported on and the proof was never seen, the online component shows the system is being put to good use. Can't see how that's a bad thing.

[watusi]

I don't think it's just me being cynical but I see this as an irresponsible attempt at some free PR for Sony. We are always being told now to turn things off stand by when not in use, not to leave a massively power hungry monster like a PS3 on full tilt all the time. It's obscene, frankly.

Better to run such networked computing applications on PCs, where they can run in the background while people use Word, Firefox etc.

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm now running folding on my Pc though (which this has inspired me to do), and I've set the PS3 to start folding if I wander off for too long , but there's no way I'm leaving the PS3 on all the time. I'd rather help the environment to be honest. Having said that i'm a bit overly anal and don't even leave anything on standby anymore...

[Bru]

I don't think it's just me being cynical but I see this as an irresponsible attempt at some free PR for Sony. We are always being told now to turn things off stand by when not in use, not to leave a massively power hungry monster like a PS3 on full tilt all the time. It's obscene, frankly.

Better to run such networked computing applications on PCs, where they can run in the background while people use Word, Firefox etc.

After a funeral at work today for someone who lost their battle against cancer - I decided to refrain from gaming for a week, using the time were I would normally have the consoles running for the PS3 to fold instead (with the rear pro TV, subwoofer and amps all shut down)

Just my little bit, however small...... and balanced.

I honestly don't see that as being obscene at all - especially as I do much more than my fair share for conservation, research charities and green issues.

I do see your point - but it's swings and roundabouts I guess.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Swings and roundabouts... perhaps...but impersonal as it may sound saving the planet is more important than curing disease. If you look at the bigger picture.

[Bru]

Swings and roundabouts... perhaps...but impersonal as it may sound saving the planet is more important than curing disease. If you look at the bigger picture.

I agree and as I said, I do more than my fair share regarding that issue. Just for this week I'm folding when I'd normally be gaming - which cuts out all the drain of the associated AV kit..... and the weather's perfect at the minute for mountain biking too ;-)

[dcmk]

so Kotatusu Neko.. Sony given the opportunity to include this they should of said no and scrapped the idea because of the adverse effects this would push on the enviroment? and not give the many scientists in the world the opportunity to research and try understand/cure diseases that blight many. 1 in 3 people will get cancer in their life time.

i know i would be using feature if i get a PS3

[Number45]

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/776/776347p1.html?RSSwhen2007-03-27_155500&RSSid=776347

IGN clearly have too much time on their hands. Everything really is expensive in Hawaii.

[The_G_Man]

Just joined team ntsc-uk

I was having a look at the active cpu's and PS3 is certainly doing it's part.

I just hope some good comes out of the research as it has the potential to affect us and people we care about.

[tom-nook]

so Kotatusu Neko.. Sony given the opportunity to include this they should of said no and scrapped the idea because of the adverse effects this would push on the enviroment? and not give the many scientists in the world the opportunity to research and try understand/cure diseases that blight many. 1 in 3 people will get cancer in their life time.

i know i would be using feature if i get a PS3

Whilst I can't speak for Kotatusu Neko I don't think for a minute he'd suggest Sony shouldn't have included folding

Personally the issue I have is that they should've taken a more considered approach before implementing it. On a pc you can run folding in the background while you go about your normal 'activities' with no additional environmental impact. On a PS3 you can't do anything else whilst Folding is running. At a time when the World (and goverments in particular) is finally waking up to the fact that what we do does has a direct impact on the environment it seems morally dubious. 'til they do I'll stick to a pc (& join the ntsc-uk team).

clearly cancer/ disease are major problems but they're comparatively (& I stress the word comparatively here) trivial in comparison to the state of the planet.

Hopefully Sony will release an update shortly that'll let people run folding in the background so they don't face the dilemma (other than the one to turn on their PS3's or not of course!!).

[CMcK]

PS3 doesn't have enough RAM to run Folding as a background process. It doesn't even have enough memory to handle more complex WU 's like the Linux/Mac/Windows versions.

[Yoshimax]

PS3 RAM is segregated all over the shop - out the gates 256mb is graphics only (RSX?) leaving the other 256mb.

Friends/Buddy list thing takes about 60mb (wtf) and I dunno about the XMB itself. Doesnt' leave much.

[CMcK]

The space reserved in the RAM for the XMB etc is supposedly 96MB of the main 256MB RAM. That's a fair old chunk.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Two of the SPUs are also reserved. One for the OS, and one is assumed to be defective and is disabled.

[MyDogSkip]

Joined!!