PS3 Downtime To Fight Disease

Aerenel writes, "CNN reports that Sony has teamed up with Folding@home to use the PS3 to study how proteins are formed in the human body and how they sometimes form incorrectly. From the article: 'Donating [a gamer's] PS3's down time to researchers could help cure Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or mad cow disease.' PS3 users will be able to download a software package that tracks when the PS3 is not being used. While gamers are in school, at work, or asleep, their system's Cell processor can be used to perform simulations for research organizations. The PS3, due in November, has gotten serious negative press in the past few months, and this refreshing good news may win back the hearts of gamers still undecided about purchasing the system."

Not HAHA

[eldavojohn]

Well, this article is kind of a dupe [slashdot.org] but the CNN article has a lot of new information.

One of tidbits is that the researchers have to dumb down the PC distributed version so that it runs on even the slowest computer. In fact, they have to play to the lowest common denominator. With the PS3, it's standardized so they can inch out every bit of performance from the chipset. On top of that, they know there will only be on GPU so they can write the renderer for that and you'll see the protein folding on your screen. It will look all science-y and you can navigate around it. People might like this as a screen saver or conversation piece. The researchers are also hoping that it attracts people to also install it on their computers to aid in this endeavor.

Re:Fight my disease

[OSS_ilation]

Even better, how about a link? PS3 to cure Alzheimer's? [kotaku.com]

Re:Potential power costs?

[mspohr]

I guess you are exaggerating to illustrate your point but the power consumption of the PS3 is unlikely to be 500 watts (50 to 100 watts is more likely) and your power cost of 20 cents is two or three times what most people pay (I pay 10 cents in California). Your estimate is probably 10x to 20x too high.

Yes, it would cost electricity but most likely only a few dollars a month, not $750 a year and most likely wouldn't burn out the electricy grid.

Re:How the..

[kpearson]

Have you read anything about Folding@home [stanford.edu] before you started criticizing it? It is run by a public university, not a privately-held organization. The university will not profit from the research. If you can't bother to learn about the project, at least read it's FAQ [stanford.edu].

Re:In other words...

[Anonymous Coward]

Contrary to what distributed computing propaganda says, when you have your CPU at 100% utilization, it uses MORE power than when it is idling. So no, these programs do not just use power that would have been wasted otherwise, since they increase power consumption. If the computer is left on to do nothing, there is wasted energy, yes, but the implication that running folding@home or any other distributed computing program is, from an energy usage standpoint, free, is patently false.

It is also deceitful to try to convince people otherwise.

And yes, I think even a couple bucks more per month in electricity usage is significant.

Re:How the..

[John Harrison]

Leland Stanford Junior University is a private university. Though not a junior university. I can assure you that my loans would all be paid off now if it were a public university.

Re:I feel like a horrible person...

[thrillseeker]

anyone can do the same thing without spending $500+ on a gaming console

Exactly how would you get this level of performance/watts ratio without spending the few hundred dollars? You'd need to run your current PC much longer to perform the same calculations. From TFA the performance is roughly 100x current capability.

Re:Not HAHA

[cbhacking]

I think BOINC allows processor utilization limits (sorry, I haven't set the configuration in months). Generally, you can also intentionally scale down the processor (tying this to a specifc application might be slightly tricky but should be possible).

Or you could just make sure your laptop has adaquate ventilation and run it like it's supposed to be used.

Re:In other words...

[Logreybaby]

Guessing 60 watts difference between idle and 100%.
Assuming F@H running for a month.
Assuming price of electricity is ten cents per kWh.

60 watts * 720 hours * $0.10 > $4.30

So yeah bucks.

Re:Not HAHA

[Anonymous Freak]

BOINC [berkeley.edu] allows such a setting, but it's buried deep within the settings.

The United Devices [ud.com] client has it at 50% by default, and is easier to configure.

Re:Not HAHA

[Lord Crc]

One minimalistic "sleep" or "delay" into your mainloop, and whoop's , you're going to get more work done than you have ever before. Until then, nothing will fold on my machines over here.

The problem is that this won't work well for Folding@Home. It doesn't work like distributed.net where one can just assign some part of the keyspace to one client and have it work on that. The work units returned are used to generate new work units. That's why they have such "tight" deadlines. See their FAQ [stanford.edu] for details.

So for Folding@Home, you'll most likely end up past the deadline (unless you got a VERY spiffy laptop), and not helping all that much (although your work will be used for double-checking afaik).

However for other projects, distributed.net style, it would work out nicely, and I belive BOINC already has an option for this (the new F@H client might aswell, I can't remember, all my folding is done on my linux box now, and I haven't touched it in ages).

Re:Not HAHA

[HTMLSpinnr]

Don't forget the power consumption increase when any computing device is running at 100%. That heat's coming from somewhere.

Re:Why cure Mad cow disses?

[Forge]

As a further clarification. The Wikipedia page on Mad cow disease [wikipedia.org] lists the countries with infected cattle and/or infected people.

Interestingly the poorest country on the list is Thailand [cia.gov], with a GDP per capita of $8,300.00 (Middle income).

Strangely enough they only made the list for the human form of the disease, suggesting that it came from imported beef.

Re:Is it tax deductible...

[Srsen]

Interesting idea, but unlikely to work out. Generally, the IRS does not allow you to deduct the value of your "time or services", only cash or the market value of donated assets. Unless there is some precedent I am not aware of, I would think that CPU cyles would be considered "services" and not be deductible.

Of course, you would also need to be itemizing deductions, so if you don't have a mortgage it is unlikely you could see any tax benefit to a deduction for this anyway.

Re:If I can run a C compiler, it's a computer.

[CronoCloud]

Linux will be pre-installed on the hard drive in the PS3, no kit needed.

SCEA didn't discontinue the PS2 Linux kit, they sold their entire stock and just didn't make anymore even though there was demand for it. it wasn't hard to find at all, all you had to do was order it from Sony right from their website. The rare thing about the kit isn't the hardware, it's the discs. If you have those discs you can install Linux on any PS2 with a HD in it.

Re:Not HAHA

[Anonymous Coward]

Work units without deadlines won't have that problem.

In addition, they give you something like one and a half times the time required for a pathetically slow computer (somewhere around 200 MHz) to finish the unit. I'm operating from memory of an old FAQ on their site that I can't find anymore, but it is in that neighborhood. Even at only 10-20% of the CPU, a modern CPU running 24/7 will usually make the deadline, if you absolutely insist on work units with deadlines.

        -ShadowRanger

Is this the only way to get some of you informed?

[faith.is.blind]

The PlayStation 3 (Japanese: 3,, Pureisutshon Sur?, trademarked PLAYSTATION 3,[2] abbreviated PS3) is Sony's seventh generation era video game console, third in the PlayStation series. It is the successor to the PlayStation 2 and will compete against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii. The PS3 is scheduled for release on November 11, 2006 in Japan, November 17, 2006 in North America (excluding Mexico, where the console will be released in Q1 2007), and March, 2007 in Europe and will ship in two initial configurations, the main difference being a 20 GB or a 60 GB hard disk being fitted. Sony officially unveiled the PS3 to the public on May 16, 2005 during an E3 conference. A functional version of the console was not at E3 2005 or the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005, although at both events, demonstrations were held on devkits (e.g. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots) and comparable PC hardware, and video footage based on the predicted PS3 specifications was produced (e.g. Mobile Suit Gundam).[3] It wasn't until E3 2006 that games were shown on actual PlayStation 3 systems. In preparation for launch, Sony has announced that there will be 27 playable PS3 titles on show at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2006 on final hardware.[4] On GameFly.com, PS3 games are available for rentals. Contents [hide] * 1 Overview o 1.1 System configuration o 1.2 Release data and pricing o 1.3 Game pricing * 2 Software o 2.1 Games o 2.2 Backward compatibility o 2.3 Software development o 2.4 Interface and operating system o 2.5 PlayStation Network Platform * 3 Hardware Summary o 3.1 Controller * 4 References * 5 External links Overview System configuration System Features Feature Basic Premium Upgradable hard drive Yes, 20 GB Yes, 60 GB Blu-ray drive Yes Yes Bluetooth controllers Yes Yes Flash card reader No Yes Wi-Fi adapter No Yes HDMI port No Yes Silver-colored logo and trim No Yes AV Cables Composite Composite Sony's initial retail strategy for the PlayStation 3 will involve two different configurations that are detailed in a Sony press release.[5] The "premium" version of the PlayStation 3 will come with an internal 60 GB Serial ATA 2.5" hard drive, Wi-Fi connectivity, and multiple flash memory card readers, and features a brighter cosmetic silver-colored logo and trim.[1] The second, alternate configuration of the console will have a 20 GB internal hard drive, but will not feature Wi-Fi, HDMI, or a memory card reader. The hard drive is upgradeable, and memory card and Wi-Fi support can be added through adaptors, but the HDMI support is not upgradeable.[6] The lack of HDMI output in the 20 GB model (as with any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player lacking HDCP) could potentially cause problems with restricted output resolution on Blu-ray video. An ICT flag can be set by content producers, which forces non-HDCP video down to a pixel resolution of 960×540 (50% greater than DVD-Video at NTSC resolution, and 25% greater than PAL resolution). SCEA president Kaz Hirai stated that it is "too early to speculate at this point" whether movie producers will activate the ICT feature.[7] According to German publisher Spiegel, a behind-the-scenes agreement was made not to enforce the ICT flag on next-generation optical formats until at least 2010, or possibly even 2012.[8] Release data and pricing Release date and suggested retail price by region* Region Expected pricing at release Release date Basic Premium Japan Japan[5] JP¥59,800(US$512) Open price November 11, 2006 United States United States[9] US$499 US$599 November 17, 2006 Canada Canada[9] C$549(US$485) C$659(US$587) Mexico Mexico - - Q1 2007[10] Europe Eurozone[11] (excluding Finland) 499(US$639) 599(US$768) March 2007[12] United Kingdom United Kingdom[13] - GB£425(US$806) Switzerland Switzerland[14] CHF 749(US$608) CHF 899(US$729) Norway Norway[15] - 5000 NOK(US$875) Denmark Denmark[16] 4495 DKK(US$770) 5495 DKK(US$943) Swe

Re:Pass

[Isao]

That would be the BBC Climate Prediction Project [bbc.co.uk].

You may sign up now. Arrgh.