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Simon Lehrich

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Message 1442619 - Posted: 15 Nov 2013, 10:22:29 UTC

Hi !

I am new here so it is possible that something like this already exists but would it be possible to show (on your website) how far the S@H programm has progressed.
I have seen on my screensafer that the data being computed was recorded in 2008, would it be possible to show people something like:

- "As of today we checked all data up to 01.01.2008 and so far there has been no detectable signal of alien intelligent life"

or

- "XX percent of the data we have is computed by now"

This also could be spiced with "close calls", something that keeps people motivated like "on (date) signal X was double-checked 4 times but then rendered not important"
I think it would be nice for people to look at this and think "wow we have to keep on going, next time it could be the real thing"

Just some thoughts :)

Kind regards
Simon
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Message 1442647 - Posted: 15 Nov 2013, 13:07:37 UTC - in response to Message 1442619.  

Hi Simon,

Thank you for your thoughts. However, I don't think either of them would be a very good idea.

Your first idea about saying how far we've recorded and stating that we've found no signals should be obvious and redundant. If we found a signal, it would be all over the news. As far as how recent the data has been recorded, we actually have more processing power at this project than we have data. SETI@home just released a new science application a few months ago, which is like getting a more powerful microsope for a biologist. With this more powerful app, we're going back through older data to take a closer look at it, which is why you're receiving data from 2008.

As for your second idea spicing things up with "close calls", with all the nutcases out there that already think we're being visited by aliens with a massive government cover-up, I'm not sure encouraging them by giving them data about "close calls" is a good one. Most certainly someone would attempt to use this data to conclude that the "close calls" are because they're already here and SETI@home is forced by the government to cover it up.


Since this is your first post here, I don't want to discourage you too much though, so please don't stop making suggestions or becoming part of our community!
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contalis

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Message 1442747 - Posted: 15 Nov 2013, 18:32:08 UTC

A fully operational NTPKCR might be what you're looking for
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/ntpckr_faq.php
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/ntpckr.php
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Simon Lehrich

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Message 1442986 - Posted: 16 Nov 2013, 10:23:04 UTC

Hi "" (sorry, it doesn't show a name on the left side) :)

Thanks for your answer. I was under the impression that the data is piling and the computing can't be done as quick, so thank you for that information ! That was actually what I was looking for with my first thought.

You defenitely have a very good point with the nutcases and I agree that no one ever should call out a "close call alien signal" !
But how about doing it the scietific way. Just some facts, no conclusions. There is a very good explanation on the S@H website of what S@H is looking for and how a detected signal will be further checked and double-checked. I guess what I am thinking of is information on how often that happens, how often does a result go into round 2, round 3,... how often has that happened recently?
I still have your nutcase-point in mind. But they are not called nutcases because they use scientific facts. They make up their own. And I think they will keep doing that no matter how close real science gets to the real thing.

@contalis: Thanks for the links !!!

Simon
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Message 1443016 - Posted: 16 Nov 2013, 13:51:05 UTC - in response to Message 1442986.  

But how about doing it the scietific way. Just some facts, no conclusions.


Then the NTPCKR (a.k.a. the "Nitpicker") is what you're looking for. See the links above. The Nitpicker is supposed to give "just the facts" about interesting signals recorded that might warrant another look.

I guess what I am thinking of is information on how often that happens, how often does a result go into round 2, round 3,... how often has that happened recently?


Actually, we're still in the data collecting phase. Right now, from what I understand, we don't have a round 2 or round 3. SETI@home simply records the data, splits it up and sends it out to us, and the results are stored in a Master Science Database. Then the Nitpicker goes through to find the most interesting signals.

But they are not called nutcases because they use scientific facts. They make up their own. And I think they will keep doing that no matter how close real science gets to the real thing.


Excellent point, Simon. I concur. :-)
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