Is not completing WUs on time useless ?

[bruce]

This is what I understand, but like PantherX said, things may have changed.

Assume Timeout=1 and Expiration=7.

Day 0. WU A is downloaded.
Day 1: If WU A was returned, the project has moved on whenever it was received.

If A was NOT returned, FAH assumes it was lost and WU B is downloaded

If A really was lost, then B's one-day time is now actually on day 2.

If A really wasn't lost, then either A or B may be returned first and the project moves on. I'tg now possible that both may be returned and the second one will be discarded, but it will still earn points.

Since WUs can be on an assortment of hardwre with different speeds, and computers may not be processing continuously (yes, some computers are turned off at night) so any WU might be returned up to 7 days after it was issued and still get credit although the one that gets used for science is the first one to be returned.

If A was not completed on time, there's still a reasonable chance that it will be completed BEFORE B is completed so it's not useless, By returning it before B was returned, the project move on sooner.

[peterjammo]

I had a look at the last 3 which I didn't make timeout:

https://apps.foldingathome.org/wu#proje ... e=4&gen=23

Returned failed by someone else on the 10th, issued to me on the 12th (faulty wu been fixed perhaps?). I missed the 1 day timeout by about 4 hrs, but it doesn't seem to have been reissued to anyone else.

https://apps.foldingathome.org/wu#proje ... 732&gen=38

I missed the 2 day timeout by about 1/2 day. It was reissued about 6hrs after timeout to someone with a much faster setup, but mine was still returned 3 hours before theirs. They did beat my 24/7 time by almost 2 days though.

https://apps.foldingathome.org/wu#proje ... =824&gen=2

I missed 1 day timeout by almost 6 hours, but it doesn't seem to have been reissued (unless it's gone to someone even slower than me).

Since that one 2.5 days ago, I haven't picked up anything else I can't do. One was returned 15 mins before timeout on a 1 day timeout though. All the others seem to be comfortable again. Seem to be picking up new wu on all 5 machines almost straight away again too.

I've upgraded the cpu on my faster Laptop, which should help that one a little, and it looks like my new "spare" cpu may work in one of my older machines to give that a small boost. One advantage of running old crap, I've upgraded 2 machines now for a total cost of £20.

[Neil-B]

Fine examples of why it is important/useful (and not a waste of time/resource) to continuing to fold (or even just try to upload) after Timeout …. Thank You … Keep Folding !!

[ilhaguru]

I have a mid-2011 MacBook Air with 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5. I fold overnight, when I'm not working and temperatures are lower. 1 day to complete is usually not quite enough for me, I pause for the day and continue the next night. Am I being a drag on the project?

If I select other diseases, am I more likely to get longer timeout/expirations and positively contribute to FAH? Or perhaps my machine is just too slow to be of any use. . .

Thanks for any help. Just wanna make sure I'm not being a drag.

[Jan]

Other diseases will most likely have longer timeouts, yes. From what you are describing, you are most likely not a drag though. Look at the example in the op. *edit* Not op, first post of this page by bruce.

[Neil-B]

You are not being a drag !! … You are providing resource and participating in FAH and helping the science … Some Projects do have longer Timeouts but I really wouldn't worry about trying to select for them … Do what you can to the best of your kit and as your time allows … If another folders gets issued your WU after Timeout and returns it before you there is nothing lost - If (as in the cases highlighted in previous post) you return WU before anyone else then you have done your part - someone else may get the reissued WU and either be slower than your kit or have issues leading to a faulty return … Simply do what you can and be happy that you are participating and helping

If your kit was struggling to meet the Expiration Date then it might be a tougher call as to whether to keep folding - but this is not the case from what you are saying … Fold On