What is RAC? I just run this cause I think its a good thing to do, don't pay any attention to anything beyond that it runs and doesn't run when I'm using my PC.

From wikipedia: BOINC Credit System

Recent average credit
To calculate the useful amount of work provided by a computer, a special calculation called Recent Average Credit (RAC) is used. This calculation is designed to estimate the number of credits a computer, user, and team will accumulate on an average day. Due to the many variables not taken into account including the inconsistency of host processing, time it takes to validate work units, discrepancies in benchmarks, and possible project down time, the RAC calculation proves to be only a guide. Additionally RAC is independent of computers, users, and teams, meaning they cannot be simply added up. RAC was originally meant to help scientists understand the computational power available to them and to increase competition among users by allowing even new users to quickly move up in rank based on RAC, which should directly reflect how fast work is being processed.

---

/Mav

We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean.
We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.
(Carl Sagan)

Ahh so its recent average credit. Gotcha.. Thanks guys. (too bad all the machines i've stuck on this over the last 10 years or so don't give me credit.. keep making new accounts.. /ahh well :D

---

Really RAC might be analogous to a speedometer with a five-second time constant (I don't think any exist because of their limited utility). Real ones have a time constant of about 1/10 second I would guess. It takes one week for the RAC to move halfway toward the true average daily output. In another week it moves another halfway toward the average daily output. So in five weeks the RAC is 31/32 the average daily output providing the latter were constant.

---

Pretty much as above ... Recent Average Credit - its calculation is not the simplest, but its a measure of the level of input you are providing to the project. A sort of ranking of continuous endeavour. The higher the RAC, the more you've driven the cause on, recently.

Obviously, the more credit you have, the more you've "chipped in" - but its just another way of seeing what you're contributing to this worthy quest.

Keep it up!

Steve.

---

IMP --

This may be a totally "lo-tech" answer, but the way I understand it is to compare it with the gauges on a car. The RAC is equal to the needle on the speedometer dial, and indicates just how fast the work is being accomplished (right now). The CREDIT is equal to the odometer, and tells how much total work has been accomplished. Hope this helps ...

---

What is RAC? I just run this cause I think its a good thing to do, don't pay any attention to anything beyond that it runs and doesn't run when I'm using my PC.

---