| Personal background |
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I've been programming for 40 years in a number of languages from assembler to COBOL on platforms from the Bendix G15D vaccuum tube computer to modern systems, presently working with Wang VS mainframes and IBM and HP unix systems for replatforming of mainframe applications using the COBOL ReSource product. Of interest for practical reasons is emulation of the Wang VS.
SETI is intriguing because there's a virtual zero probability that we're alone in the universe. What prompted me to take the leap was my discovery that the client was available for AIX on PowerPC RS/6000.
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| Thoughts about SETI and SETI@home |
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1. It is impossible that life doesn't exist elsewhere in the universe. I have no idea if, how or when humans will discover proof of it. It's a big place and the distances and latencies are formidable. Benefits begin with facing the fact, not the theory, that we are not alone. Further benefits may depend almost entirely on whether or not the distance and latency obstacles can be overcome. We can't converse with other beings if each half-cycle of communication takes millions of years to reach its destination. Dangers are probably the usual when any groups come in contact with each other -- conquest and defeat. This, too, though, will be moot unless a group within a small number of light years wants our planet for some extremely compelling reason.
2. Probably we should transmit a beacon. The risks are low that anyone will receive and interpret it who will also be close enough to do anything about it or us. Our beacon will travel for millions of years, though, and may some day be of the same benefit to others that an incoming beacon could be to us.
3. I run SET@home because the subject is interesting and because I have at least several computers that must run 24 x 7 in case they are needed but which are almost entirely idle. I think the project is a good idea but I don't have the expertise in the fields involved to have an opinion of how well conceived or executed it is. I have no suggestions at this time. |
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