HaloJones wrote:The hockey stick aspect of BA is what needs to change. It is ludicrous to me that returning work faster can have such an exponential effect. The way things are, one big rig (and for $7K I could pick up a 40-core Intel box) could be outproducing entire teams of dedicated folders.
It's not about increasing the others (although I do agree SMP has suffered over the last two years) but decreasing the BA QRB.
Here's what you aren't considering, HJ.
1) FAH gets grants or other types of funding, to conduct some of their (usually large), studies of "THIS" or "THAT" protein action or structure. In order to be accepted, FAH needs to show it can complete said study in a short amount of time. If FAH can't do that, then the grant will go to say, a supercomputer center, or to another protein study and analysis group, instead of FAH. There are several other such Distributed Computer groups that study proteins, around the world
FAH wants those studies/grants! Naturally.
2) Pande Group is run by Prof's and graduate students, at well known Universities (typically). They want (NEED), to publish significant findings, in peer reviewed scientific journals (Cell, etc.). The graduate students need it for their career advancement, and the established Professors want it for their continued contribution and advancement, in their field.
In the University world, getting well published in these scientific journals, is a VERY big deal, and sometimes critical to job security. Always important for advancement.
Now look at the BA project, anew. The BA project was a brilliant idea, but now that the initial period is over, we do need to diminish the disparity between BA and SMP, for those who no longer will qualify. Yes, it will (and should), be a step down in their ppd, but it shouldn't be a push off a 50 ft. cliff. Maybe just a 10 ft. "cliff". Because alienating them is not what we want to do. We want to thank them, and make their continued contribution as an SMP folder, still meaningful.
