Posts by Michael Hoffmann

1) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (109) Server Problems? (Message 1910614)
Posted 4 Jan 2018 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
The problem is not that the the project is down once in a while. The problem is the lack of communication, as it seems to be a general problem of the project. It's ok to put every effort in the project, into science, yes. But it would be nice to keep the crowd updated. Just a little bit of information on what's going on so the contributors would have a better feeling of being a part of it.
2) Message boards : Number crunching : Reprocessing (Message 1855907)
Posted 17 Mar 2017 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
As the search did not generate satisfying results, I'm posting this question here:
At the moment, my machine is processing 2008 data and I've seen many times before that we're processing "old" data.
Question is: Is it really old data or are we reprocssing it. If so, for what specific reason (i.e. new algorithms etc.).

Would be very interested to broaden my knowledge.

Greetings,
Michael
3) Message boards : Technical News : Data Dump (May 17 2016) (Message 1819329)
Posted 24 Sep 2016 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
Last update as of May 2016 - I mean: really? It's not that I'd expect a weekly update, but once every half year seems a little bit weak.
4) Message boards : Number crunching : Problems using Android app (Message 1762854)
Posted 6 Feb 2016 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
After all, the answer was quite simple: I used the wrong user name *facepalm*
Once this issue was fixed, everything works fine here.

Thanks for the support, I'll keep your advice in mind for problems on other devices.
5) Message boards : Number crunching : Problems using Android app (Message 1762843)
Posted 6 Feb 2016 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
Ich nutze die Standard-BOINC-App. Reicht es, wenn ich die xml lösche oder muss ich sie verändern? Wenn ja, was muss geändert werden?
6) Message boards : Number crunching : Problems using Android app (Message 1762839)
Posted 6 Feb 2016 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
Today I tried using the android app. I don't know why but I was not able to connect to my account.
Do I have to create a separate account or is there something else I did miss?
Would be nice if someone could help me out.
7) Message boards : Number crunching : New S@H 8: Different CUDA versions (Message 1761273)
Posted 1 Feb 2016 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
I always try to understand things better and broaden my limited knowledge.
Thus, I've noticed that with the new S@H 8 8.0 there are cuda42-WUs and cuda50-WUs.
I know that there are different versions of CUDA, if my memory serves me right up to version 7.
My question is: Why does this project use two different versions and where are the advantages comparing one to the other?
I think Einstein@Home uses a similar approach: They compare two versions to see, if the newer one really provides a better performance. In addition, the most recent version is not supported by older hardware, thus limiting the pool of potential participants.
Is this the same for S@H?
8) Message boards : News : SETI@home Version 8 has been released. (Message 1754820)
Posted 8 Jan 2016 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
Since I don't have millions of credits and am not in the inner circle I am not allowed to joke with you Apple guys. I have no raccoons, stripper pictures, or personal attacks (like to me in private, so I returned the favor to them) to post like you guys do. But I still have my same question:

I don't want to run v7 any more. It is not accurate.
If I uncheck v7 will it automatically switch to v8?



This should be the answer: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=78710&postid=1754697#1754697
9) Message boards : Technical News : More Data (Aug 21 2015) (Message 1718543)
Posted 26 Aug 2015 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:

However? Where are the AP's?


Why don't you just crunsh on what is there? I really don't understand this "AP only" -attitude.
10) Message boards : SETI@home Science : First Signs of the NTPCkr (Message 1637671)
Posted 5 Feb 2015 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
There is apparently an unofficial Nitpicker program running behind the scenes, which isn't being made public. The problem has been that due to financial constraints intended Nirtpicker machines have had to be utilised for other roles, and the staff isn't there to run an official Nitpicker project. Don't hold your breath.


Then it would be a very good thing to spend the two minutes to communicate what is going on behind the scenes.
Many people support the project but they also want to know about the problems and successes (and the general "what's going on" stuff).

We all know that the project has to deal with financial and personnel issues but sometimes it's easier if you share all that crap with the crowd.
11) Message boards : Technical News : What's happening... (Nov 8, 2014) (Message 1601434)
Posted 15 Nov 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
I don't know what it costs to ship a box of disks, but I do know I burn hundreds (literally) of dollars per month of *extra* electricity crunching numbers.


Nobody forces you to do so. It is your choice, it is a volunteer project and therefore you're absolutely not in a position to demand anything. Have a tissue.
12) Message boards : Number crunching : WU reset after 20 seconds (Message 1503946)
Posted 14 Apr 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
It's sort of weird: The progress counter of WUs for 7.03 openCL is reset for every WU - after 20-22 seconds the counter goes back to 0% and after that everything goes on without a problem.
This phenomenon does not affect the result but is confusing nevertheless. Anyone knows why this happens?

Simple, introduced in Boinc 7.2.38 was this changeset:

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/gitweb/?p=boinc-v2.git;a=commitdiff;h=9136a369d4e15cc727c06b55b50c833e184bf9fc

client: if app doesn't report fraction done, estimate it

This means before the app has reported progress (fftw might be doing it's planning), Boinc will estimate it, when the app does report progress, it'll then count up (from start, or last checkpoint).

It also means if you get a driver restart, and the app basically stalls, Boinc will continue estimating progress even through there is none, it'll approach 100% but never get quite get there:

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/gitweb/?p=boinc-v2.git;a=commitdiff;h=34f252870310b18c7cbe3e71573daff6b01e768c;hp=9136a369d4e15cc727c06b55b50c833e184bf9fc

client: if app doesn't report fraction done, estimate fraction done in a way that converges to but never reaches 100%.


Claggy


Indeed it appears to be that way. I tried several CPU configurations with no measurable result, so it has to be the altered Bionic 7.2.38 settings. Broadened my knowledge once more, thanks.
13) Message boards : Number crunching : WU reset after 20 seconds (Message 1503604)
Posted 13 Apr 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
It takes about that time to load the GPU.
What are your CPU cores doing ?


Interesting and it makes sense. Just did not think about the GPU-loading before.
CPU cores are busy with crunching on CPU based WUs: 4/6 cores doing normals WUs, 1/6 is for GPU-based WU support and 1/6 is idle or used by other tasks.
Everything within normal parameters.

Edit: Observed the CPU load: When a new WU is started, CPU load showes a peak probably indicating the GPU loading phase. Learning is fun :)
14) Message boards : Number crunching : WU reset after 20 seconds (Message 1503590)
Posted 13 Apr 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
It's sort of weird: The progress counter of WUs for 7.03 openCL is reset for every WU - after 20-22 seconds the counter goes back to 0% and after that everything goes on without a problem.
This phenomenon does not affect the result but is confusing nevertheless. Anyone knows why this happens?
15) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (87) Server Problems? (Message 1485011)
Posted 5 Mar 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
Thanks for the answers! I think, David described it quite well - we're only human. I never thought about leaving, it was just a question out of curiosity.

@Batter Up: Thanks man, YMMD :D How in heaven could I forget about that fact!
16) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (87) Server Problems? (Message 1484977)
Posted 5 Mar 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
Maybe someone can help me understand:
This is a volunteer science project. They are running it for creation and deepening of knowledge. They are not running it for any specific person who contributes to the projects.
So being dedicated to the project is great but what is all this pitiable moaning about when it comes to dropping RACs?
As far as I understand, you switch to another project, when this one does not provide enough work to keep the machine busy. So where exactly is the problem? A slight bend within the project statistics is not that bad, a server failure does not influence the general outcome etc. Or is it really the RAC itself? That would be pitiful as this is no competition or compensation for any deficiencies.
I observed this thread for quite some time now and by this time I really want to understand the phenomenon (so I hope no one will be offended by my question).
17) Message boards : Number crunching : Why is the tape list not being updated? (Message 1483622)
Posted 2 Mar 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
I don't no any more where the information could be found, but the site is based on old code. Matt tried to run it again on the new system but failed. Someone has to create a new site. As priorities had to be set, I guess the data distribution history was one of the things that are now at the bottom of the list.
18) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (87) Server Problems? (Message 1483258)
Posted 1 Mar 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
FYI, I sent E-Mail to David, Eric, Matt & Jeff - because SSP frozen & UL not possible.

Why it's a Saturday!!

Monday will be quite soon enough.

Why do people expect to have work 24/7 and the staff "on call the same"

If there is work, fine if not fine.

Also I suspect the Co-lo would not do anything unless asked by the owners of the servers, so the very idea that we should be able to contact the Co-lo is totally laughable!!

Relax people, if it's not about RAC two, three, four days downtime means nothing.


+1
19) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (87) Server Problems? (Message 1483205)
Posted 1 Mar 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
UL are down again?

Yep.


That ain't cool anymore :(
20) Message boards : News : Astropulse Offline (Message 1482334)
Posted 27 Feb 2014 by Profile Michael Hoffmann
Post:
As for me, I got used to having only random information on what's going on at the back-end. Sometime feels like information only drops in when something is broken. However, information is not necessary for my machine to keep on crunching :)

Anyway, thanks for the news, though they are bad ones. Hope everything will be back to normal soon.


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