Folding Forum

bdwilson wrote:

VijayPande wrote: I have one point to add: we have been working on ways to make it easier for people to contribute to FAH. The latest (v7) of the client is a ground-up re-write with non-expert usability in mind. We also have another project in mind which could make it even easier, although it's a bit early to announce details (sorry to be so coy, but I mainly wanted to stress that usability is a big push for us right now).

I'm looking forward to hearing what this is about. If there were a simple standalone uniprocessor client, something that could be installed and start folding without any configuration at all (messing around with core numbers, "slots", changing SMP to uniprocessor, etc), that would make F@H much more appealing to laymen. The SMP/GPU integration in V7 is of course essential for dedicated folders, but it would be much easier to recruit new people and to get the masses involved if there were a separate small and simple folding client, just a .exe they could open, hit "next" a couple times, then be done, and have the basic uniprocessor client folding permanently in the background for the life of their machine.

I know the uniprocessor client doesn't get nearly as many points as the others, but given that it can run on virtually any machine without causing hiccups, the sheer number of people who might install something like this will more than make up for it.

You do not need to mess around with core numbers or slots or changing SMP to uniprocessor or any of that -- unless you want to. The V7 installation is EXTREMELY easy, asking only a few questions. If a novice simply accepts the defaults, a client will be installed and it will run. The problem is that people are naturally curious and will want to find out about Donor Names, Teams, about which choice is "best" for them so they start down the road of making it complicated.

The default client will install for SMP if you have multiple CPU-cores or a UNI Slot if you have a single Core. The default is to autostart when you log in. Do note that the GPU Slot isn't a default for simplicity reasons. However, a user can always select it and the setup will manage the required configuration (assuming that everything else is working fine).

V7 is still being developed so it's subject to change, but I don't know any way to make it simpler. Find yourself a novice who is not running FAH and ask them to install it and comment on it, then just listen. DO NOT suggest that they can do anything other than accept the defaults. Report back please. (The only thing complicated is that it doesn't appear on the download page because it's still being developed, so I suggest you download it for them.)

Interesting people at work, is difficult. It is the problem of blood donors. We all know what to do; but few are those who do.

There is a way of trying to recruit people in a team. A night of these revised ancient matters; I found a file of Seti@home. I looked for the latest statistics of my country. Luckily, I found myself in the place 63/2000.

I have given the task to locate these people. It is very difficult but possible to find them. Convince an addict is very easy; much more difficult for an inexperienced to show loyalty.

On the contrary, a donor to 5 years, is easy to convince him and transform it into a strong partner.