I want to get started? UPDATE:I started Folding

[orion7144]

I have a 3 computers and would like to join TA. What is the best way to get started. Can you schedule the programs to run at certain times? I am more interested in the research for science stuff like the cancer or protien.

Thanks

 

[Slider76]

hello, getting started is pretty easy. the hardest part is chosing a project to run! i like Folding@Home for its scientific value
Folding@Home Getting Started Link
there are many different projects just pick one that you like

 

[ProviaFan]

In Folding@Home we could really use some help right now, as we happen to be dropping in rank like crazy (we're down to 21 already and going to be 23 before too long).

Folding@Home works best on broadband, but it also works fine if you have a demand-dial connection (like me). Unfortunately, anything under about 300MHz won't be able to meet WU deadlines, so you might want to find something else (like DPAD) for those systems. The graphical client is fine if you stay logged in all the time, but you can also use the command-line-interface client if you want to set F@H up as a system service in Windows NT, 2000, or XP (then it would run even with noone logged in). I highly recommend that you do not run the screensaver, as it has "issues" and isn't very efficient either.

When setting up the client, you can (and should) use the same username for all systems. Just enter 198 for the team number (that's the number of Team AnandTech).

 

[orion7144]

I am on broadband and my pc is a P4 running at 2.7 gig that is used mostly at night. The other 2 systems are kids machines that are AMDxp1800's that I could be running from say 9pm to 4pm. every day.

 

[Stormgiant]

Welcome to TA on whatever project you choose to join...


I would prefer the one in my sig...

 

[orion7144]

I have started the Folding on my PC. Should I run it on all PC's or try something different?

 

[ProviaFan]

By all means, run F@H on all your systems if you'd like to. If you also want to help out with other projects, you could put them on your other computers. UD is a cancer research project, of a medical nature like Folding@Home, but designed to study different things. I don't know much about it, so you'd have to ask around if you're interested. If scientific analysis is your thing, then there's DPAD (aka Muon1), Eon, SETI@Home, and a bunch of others that I'm sure I've forgotten.

 

[ICXRa]

Welcome orion7144 to the Team Anandtech F@H[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

[alnitak]

Orion7144, Did you add the -advmethods switch at the end of the program invocation (the shortcut in the Startup group and the Folding@Home folder?) Will give you a big boost in points on that P4 and a smaller boost on the Athlons.

 

[orion7144]

Are you talking about the configure page?

 

[orion7144]

Holly cow I did not think that my XP1800 would still be doing the first one at about 38% and my P4 was done.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: orion7144
Holly cow I did not think that my XP1800 would still be doing the first one at about 38% and my P4 was done.

Folding@Home work units vary widely in complexity and length of time required to complete. It is quite likely that your P4 got one of the short ones, and your Athlon got a 400 frame monster.

FYI, unlike SETI (where the WUs vary in complexity, but all give the same amount of credit), Folding@Home work units give different amounts of "score" (the score is weighted higher for longer WUs, and lower for shorter ones). That's why in the stats pages you will frequently see two columns: one for WU total and one for score total. The score total is the only one that matters (frequently you can find people who have higher numbers of WUs, but those WUs were mostly short ones, so they rank below someone who has fewer but much longer WUs). Hopefully this was clear enough for you to understand (I'm infamous for being able to needlessly complicate what should be the simplest things to explain). If you didn't get it, please ask and I'll try to clarify.

Edit: And also, you don't appear to have shown up in the team stats yet. If your P4 finished its WU after about 16:00 EST (GMT-5) today, then you won't be in today's stats page. However, you should show up in tomorrow's, as long as you have entered number 198 for your team number.

 

[orion7144]

I am at #276 after the first one was completed yesterday.

 

[alnitak]

Originally posted by: orion7144
Are you talking about the configure page?

No, edit the Windows shortcuts (right click the menu items) and add it to the end:

"C:\Program Files\Folding@Home\winfah.exe" -advmethods