This is only true in certain types of supercomputers. The only one we have that will do this is an SGI UV-1000. It surfaces groups of blades as a single OS image. If one goes down, the kernel doesn't like it.

The rest of our supercomputers are clusters and are built so that node deaths don't effect the cluster at large. Someone may need to resubmit a job, that's all. If they are competent, they won't even lose all their progress by using check-pointing.

Sensationalist titles are sensationalist I guess.

http://www.dban.org/ Works wonders :)

They have to have the server connection going. How else would they control item drop rates and such? They have to do this because they are going to have a Diablo 3 "Auction House" where you can buy game items with real world cash. I think this is probably the biggest reason for the constant connection requirement. The rest is just icing for them. Blizzard is not a company that is known for being dicks about stuff like this.

I forgot to mention that he worked with Verizon and got a WiMax testbed started in my hometown. :) That was pretty freaking sweet.