Saturday 01/11/03

Its time to hit the bank account and spend some of the FFF money. I had in mind this combination of parts

ASUS A7N8X-X $109
XP2500+ $149
256MB PC3200 $69
Cases $80

Total $407 per box

Throw in a video card and a 9 GB SCSI HDD with controller and you have a nice Folding machine.

If you want a chance to win BYO4 and BYO5 just send my a PM and I will send you the account details. Check your eligibility here if you have already donated. Currently there is a 1 in 30 chance of winning BYO4 and 1 in 24 chance of winning BYO5. Closing date for donations is the 14th of November and remember the same pledge must be agreed to as the FBOXs, ie you must agree to run them 24/7 if you are the lucky winner.

FBOX9 (Bradman) is padded up and ready to come out swinging for the next round of BtB which starts Monday at 07:00 WST. If you have the minimum requirement of 1000 points nominate yourself in this thread. If you have already nominated you don't have to nominate again.

After a week of continued strong production from DGROMS.com what we all dreaded and hoped would never become reality has finally happened. The demise of DG is almost complete and with each passing update his output continues to decrease. We will have to wait and see where it levels out to but the loss of over 120,000 points is going to hit us as a team and the project really hard.

As you can see from the Flogometer we are going to be in the red for the weekly production in a few days and that means our lead will slowly be eaten away and the No1 Folding team title is under threat. There is no way that we can possibly replace DG's output but we can do our best to maintain our output at or above the [H]ardOCP team. So we need everyone to do their best in recruiting new members and getting that extra machine folding, whether it be resurrecting that pile of bits in the corner or splashing out on a upgrade. We need to do this as a team and with more than 800 active members all we have to do is produce an extra 10 points a day each to give us 8000 points a day. Which should just about keep us at status quo with the [H]ardOCP team.

So with the target of 10 points a day what does it take to get that amount of points.

• Celeron@1100MHz for 8hrs a day.

• AthlonXP@2000MHz for 4 Hrs a day

• AthlonXP@1550MHz for 5 Hrs a day

• A Duron(Morgan)@1400MHz for 6 Hrs a day.

All these times above are assuming that you are using the -advmethods and -forceasm switches to get the Gromac type Work Units and processing them with the SSE instructions enabled. If you are still running without these switches then getting the extra 10 points is as easy has a few key strokes, because the Gromac proteins use the special instructions embedded in your CPU's such as SSE/SSE2/3DNow and process a lot quick than the Tinker proteins. If your CPU doesn't have these instructions then the switches are of no use. Also you will need the beta 3.25 client if you have an AMD machine to use these switches properly because the 3.24 client only uses SSE first the first WU then reverts back to 3DNow processing after that. Below is a couple of screen shots of the switches in place for the console and the GUI client.

Note: The verbosity switch enables the client to print out more detail in the log file, this helps with fault finding with errors.

So in summary what can we do to get that extra 10 points a day per member.

• Keep you machines on a few more hours each day.

• Run Gromac proteins with the switches in place.

• Recruit new members to the team.

• Upgrade your hardware.

• Build up a new machine from parts lying around and a bit of help from the Folding Exchange.

• Build up more FBOXes by donating any spare parts to the FBOX collection.

• Donate to the FFF so that we can build up some more BYO FBOXes.

• Encourage dormant members back to the Fold.

If we all do our bit we can work through this and still proudly claim to be the No1 Folding team for a long time to come.

Update: Here is the thread in the Forums where you can post what you did to get your extra 10 points a day.

Sunday 02/11/03

Forum threads....

• DGROMS.com = NO MORE
• Have you done your extra 10 points today-
• Tinkers Tinkers Tinkers....
• BEAT the BOX- Nomination thread.
• How do I get started-
• BYO FBOX- Build Your Own.
• How to hide folding in linux
• BEAT the BOX giveaway....and the winner is for FBOX7
• Folding Achievements & Milestones

Stats

• Highest day total: 108,533 points (24hrs to 07:00 on the 29th of October).
• Week total: 588,571 points.
• Members: 4082 up 24.
• Active: 806 down 59.
• Out produced by [H] : 10,102 points
• Days OCAU at No1: 48
• Out produced oc.com by 172,275 points for the week.
• 34 members changed Folding Clubs.
• 17 members reached the Top 1000.
• Rising Stars Korner and Syphon
• $1087.10 in the FFF
• OCAU Active CPUs (last 50 days): 6077
• [H] Active CPUs (last 50 days): 4550

• Quote of the Week: "If you increase your output by just 10 points a day, We should just be able to keep the [H]orde at bay, And stop them from eroding our lead away." -Anon.

The Week Bar has turn red, which means that we have been outscored for the week by the [H]ardOCP team. With the servers playing up again and with there still being a few more days before DG's output has stabilized we wont have a clear picture of how we stand until the middle of next week.

Server trouble once again last night, 110 seems to have a habit of folding under pressure (pun intended) then the assignment servers wouldn't give us any work to do for a few hours as well. All seem well now and any queued wu's have been sent off.

This weeks xylus 500 is here.

Thursday 06/11/03

Thanks to Datsun1600 for the suggestion that we have a page with the HTTP Error Codes on it, which we sometimes get in the FAHlog when trying to connect to Stanford. It can be found here and the link is under the Misc section in the left column of this page. These codes may be of help trying to sort out a problem you may have with your Folding.

All the parts to build up the next 2 BYOs are here and over the next couple of days I will build them up and get them folding. The draw will take place next Friday morning.  If you still want in on the draw you have until next Friday to donate the $10 entry fee for each draw. Check out the BYO thread for more details and PM me if you want the account details.

Well I am impressed with what has turned out to be a great response to the call to help cover DG's reduced output. For the past 2 days we have outscored the [H]orde and today should see DG's weekly output stabilise at his new rate. Given that we should start to peg back the weekly deficit over the coming days and hopefully make the Flogometer totally green again. Well done everyone and it is great to see our team work together when faced with a challenge such as this. It just goes to show what a huge amount of work DGROMS.com did for the Folding@home cause.

Changes in F@h Client v. 4.00
--------------------------------------

- Configurable minimum checkpointing frequency (3-30 minutes). (In GUI, controlled 
  with a slider.)*
- If client run with verbosity of at least 5, FahCore_78 will print out a 
  message whenever a timered checkpoint occurs.*
- -configonly flag added to configure then exit.
- -oneunit flag added to exit after completing one unit.
- -forceSSE flag added. Returns -forceasm to its former meaning of forcing
  assembly generally, and takes on the function of forcing SSE specifically.
- Warnings printed if -forceasm/-forceSSE flags given.
- Benchmarking not done except at start of normal operation (for example,
  not if only configuring, listing queue, deleting unit, etc.).
- Warning if attempt to run client with Machine ID of already running client (catches
  most common cases, including if running same client twice)
- Web site printed updated.
- Upon finishing a unit, if fails to return the result but succeeds in 
  getting new work, immediately tries sending all results again.
- Checks user name and team number for legality of use in statistics. (In
  GUI, gives popup error).
- Queue info properly outputted to FAHlog.txt.
- "Ask before connecting" change on Linux -- ignores typeahead and asks for "C"
- Proxy password written out in binary (upon reconfiguration)
- Assignment/work server request authentication
- Send all message altered ("sent x of y" if x not 0, or "no units...")
- CPU usage default of 100 printed out during Configuration.
- Tags in MyFolding page changed to better adhere to HTML standard
- Maximum machine IDs raised to 8.
- Upload and download bandwidths estimated to send to AS.
- If fails to post data, includes server and port in message. Also outputs
  HTTP status code (before this was only done if I.E. settings used).
- Bug fixed where performance fraction could exceed 1.


Of interest to Genomers:

- Batch networking option for G@h (network only when less than 2 units
  ready to work on or more than 5 results to return, and when network, both
  get up to 10 units and send any results).
- If set G@h preference, reflected in GUI title and acknowledgment message.


Windows specific:
- Version information added to executables.


Windows GUI specific:

- Can select and display any GIF file as a logo, and set a URL for the logo to link to.
- Can add any text to displayed alongside the program title (perhaps something
  related to your company or team).
- Browser support for more non-Explorer default browsers.
- Bug fixed where current.xyz sometimes wrongly deleted.


* Items with an asterisk require FahCore_78.exe v. 1.53 to be functional -- certain 
work servers are already forcing downloads of this core.

Friday 07/11/03

Thanks to Agg for giving the team a mention on the OCAU news page and explaining our situation with DG. That news item sure has brought about a great response from the OCAU community with 27 new members in the past 4 days. Also Agg has bestowed upon DG a new forum title "Folding Legend", wear it with pride David because you sure have earned it. Here is the news item in full

DGROMS.com and Folding (5 Comments)
 Tuesday, 4-November-2003  11:22:23 (GMT +10) - by Agg

Just a quick note of thanks to DGROMS.com, currently the #1 individual Folder in the world. He's been a heavy hitter on our team for a very long time now but unfortunately has had to withdraw and return his level of production back to that of a normal human. :) I have awarded him the custom forum title "Folding Legend" in recognition of his achievements, which I'm sure will be remembered by Folders and spoken of around the campfire for a long time to come.

We're still the #1 Team in the world, of course, but without DGROMS.com's production, maintaining that position will require a little extra effort from the rest of us. If you'd like to help keep the underdog at the front of the pack, fight diseases such as cancer and join one of the strongest communities on the net, get Folding! For more info, see our Team OCAU forum or Folding page.

Sunday 09/11/03

This weeks xylus 500 is here. xylus has tweaked the Top 500 this week with a % variation column, nice addition there xylus I think it should be a permanent thing.

Monday 10/11/03

We have reached the bottom of the barrel in regards to HDDs. We have plenty of SCSI drives but no cables (we need 68pin cables with connectors like this one) so only one BYO will get a SCSI drive and the other will get the last IDE drive we have. I tested 4 other drives that were donated and they are unfortunately dead. Therefore if you have any small HDDs that would be suitable for a FBOX (around 1G up) let me know.

Forum threads....

• recruiters help thread-
• Have you done your extra 10 points today-
• congrat's plext taking number one position for ocau
• Beta V4.00
• BYO FBOX- Build Your Own.
• Folding Achievements & Milestones

Stats

• Highest day total: 93,768 points (24hrs to 07:00 on the 7th of November).
• Week total: 605,816 points.
• Members: 4126 up 54.
• Active: 825 up19.
• Out produced by [H] : 11,994 points
• Days OCAU at No1: 55
• Out produced oc.com by 158,210 points for the week.
• 33 members changed Folding Clubs.
• 7 members reached the Top 1000.
• Rising Stars Nemesis
• $513.10 in the FFF
• OCAU Active CPUs (last 50 days): 6049
• [H] Active CPUs (last 50 days): 4570

• Quote of the Week: "I have awarded him the custom forum title "Folding Legend" in recognition of his achievements, which I'm sure will be remembered by Folders and spoken of around the campfire for a long time to come." -Agg

Friday 14/11/03

Sunday 16/11/03

This weeks xylus 500 is here.

Monday 17/11/03

The P4 is a 2.53 not a 3.06 and will go into the next FBOX and we also have a XP1800+ TBredB to build up as well. The motherboards for these are on the way. Thanks to leonard and petercr for the CPU's also trotkiller and =BF= for the motherboards. The FFF will buy the cases and RAM.
 

Wednesday 19/11/03

Forum threads....

• why is my output so low
• Have you done your extra 10 points today-
• BYO Draw- and the winners are.....
• Heat means a reduction in output
• what do i do to F@H-
• BYO FBOX- Build Your Own.
• Folding Achievements & Milestones

Stats

• Highest day total: 95,497 points (24hrs to 07:00 on the 12th of November).
• Week total: 617,034 points.
• Members: 4149 up 23.
• Active: 844 up 19.
• Out produced by [H] : 15,101 points
• Days OCAU at No1: 62
• Out produced oc.com by 170,425 points for the week.
• 29 members changed Folding Clubs.
• 9 members reached the Top 1000.
• Rising Stars clockit
• $812.10 in the FFF
• OCAU Active CPUs (last 50 days): 6020
• [H] Active CPUs (last 50 days): 4493

• Quote of the Week: "ive read some threads and heard people talking about forcearms or forceps? ok found it, -forceasm and -advmethods. what are these? do they make me fold faster or something?" -lazychook

Sunday 23/11/03

This weeks xylus 500 is here.

• ABIT KX7-333 Motherboard: deranged128

• AMD XP1800+ CPU and HSF: deranged128

• 256MB PC2700 RAM: deranged128

• TNT2 Video Card: su3050

• Western Digital 3.2G HDD: Decromin

• PCI 10/100 NIC: deranged128

Monday 24/11/03

hey all

myself, and Froop have combined forces and along with some new b0rgs, we have decided to start a subteam

we are planning to grow, both with our own boxen, and other members too. here is our boxen database link

http://ocau.mega-reviews.com/userinfo.asp?id=890

if anyone out there would like a challenge, how about having a mini race to a certain point level?

also - does anyone have an educated guess at the PPW we will be looking at?

Fold on

Sanitarium_Faction

ok, i have a strange donation to offer:

a server room. yup, that's right. one airconditioned server room, internet connection and remote management of machines.

we moved office recently, and have a massive server room. the idea was that our company would need to grow as much as 5 times in size, but it was all a pipe dream. as such, we have tonnes of space in the server room to fit well over 30 machines if it came down to it.

folding eats power, and generates heat. if people want a place for these FBOXes to live, i'm more than happy to donate server room space. i'll foot the bill for electricity, net usage, and network cable.

if the machines are running linux, i can allow SSH login into them for anyone who wants to take responsibility for their upkeep. if they are windows based, i can do the same via VNC. otherwise i can maintain the boxes myself.

our company is based in the Brisbane CBD. if anyone is interested, PM me and let me know. i'm happy to host one machine, 50 machines, or anything in between. deliver the machine to our back dock during business hours, and we can have it installed and running in a few minutes.

<<< >>>

we're on 2mbit fibre, synchronous.

i'll set up the boxes on a separate network/IP from our corporate network. i'll whack a smoothwall box infront of them and allow SSH or VNC access in over an agreed port per machine. you choose the username and password for your box, and i'll set it up (or you can deliver it preconfigured if that tickles your fancy). i don't really care who's folding username goes on the box. i don't want any points from these machines on my tally.

the machine will have basic web access out, so anyone with authentication can SSH in, use lynx or whatever web browser to pull a new folding client version down, install it and restart the folding.

<<< >>>
 

So if you think you would like to take up this most generous offer by elvis send him a PM ( I know if I lived in Brisbane he would have a few of these machines I have here). Maybe we could setup a subteam with the machines that we send over to elvis, how does Rubberneckin sound for a subteam name. I will go and see what I can scrounge up to get this off the ground, I'm sure quite a few of us have machines that we would run if power usage wasn't a consideration.

Well Murphy's Law never seems to fail. I was packed up and moved almost all my stuff out this past Saturday (the 22nd) but left the folding stats server up and running, I even made sure it was accessible before I left. That way I could transition the stuff over to the permanent location since I didn't have time to do it because of work and stuff.

However, a storm came through Dallas yesterday & today and the power must of gone out, and when that does the DSL goes down too.... *sigh*

So now the stats are down until I go back to Dallas which I'm hoping will be on the 1st or 2nd of December. (I know, that's a week without folding stats!) Unless I can find some recent code on my laptop or something...

**** happens, what can I say...

So that means the Folding Club promotions will be out of action for a while.

Tuesday 25/11/03

Forum threads....

• mazzanet's folding stats page
• Have you done your extra 10 points today-
• Never Stop Folding!!
• BEAT the BOX giveaway....and the winner is for FBOX9
• "Simulation instability has been encountered"
• BYO FBOX- Build Your Own.
• Folding Achievements & Milestones

Stats

• Highest day total: 90,204 points (24hrs to 07:00 on the 21st of November).
• Week total: 606,564 points.
• Members: 4149 up 23.
• Active: 797 down 47.
• Out produced by [H] : 15,448 points
• Days OCAU at No1: 69
• Out produced oc.com by 161,038 points for the week.
• 39 members changed Folding Clubs.
• 10 members reached the Top 1000.
• Rising Stars Brainy
• $723.85 in the FFF
• OCAU Active CPUs (last 50 days): 6049
• [H] Active CPUs (last 50 days): 4507

• Quote of the Week: "I've learned a lesson never stop a folding boxen." -Falls

Wednesday 26/11/03

New disease under study
In collaboration with other groups at Stanford (esp Klein's group), we have started looking at Collagen folding and misfolding. Collagen is the most common protein in the body and mutations in collagen leads to a very nasty disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (or OI for short). In many cases, OI is lethal and leads to miscarriage. However, 1 in 10,000 people have some sort of mutational in collagen. For many, where the mutation is not very serious, it lies unknown and misdiagnosed and leads to brittle bones and other more subtle problems. In others, however, mutations lead to more serious morphological disorders (see below).

We are starting to model collagen folding and misfolding in the 1000 series projects. For more info, see http://folding.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/allprojects#1001

New papers
In the last few weeks, we've now had several papers which have been published based on Folding@Home computation. They are summarized on our papers page. That makes 14 papers from FAH computation!

I'll just summarize two of the most recent below. The paper in Nature Structural Biology is a surprising result on the fundamental nature of protein structure and the paper in Physical Review Letters sets the stage for a new way to perform computational drug design which we are both further developing and applying.

Here we go, here is the page with all the details on how to get the discounts from LownoisePC basically if you are an active folder for OCAU and you have accumulated over 2500 points you will qualify for these prices. Rod has been a great supporter of this team over the years and has donated a heap of prizes to the many Giveaways we have had. Yet again he has gone that little bit extra and chopped his prices so that we folders may benefit. I have already ordered a Copper stream HSF for FBOX14 because the standard HSF is driving me mad, it sounds like a remote control model airplane doing a barrel roll with its variable speed fan changing pitch every few seconds. Also I will be getting a few more Whisper Rocks for my folding boxen as well, I think they are best value cooler around.

Thursday 27/11/03

As most of you know we had a stats blackout at Stanford yesterday due to a server going belly up. That added to the demise of the Extreme stats has made it a bleak time in deed for us stats junkies. When the stats server finally came to life during the night quite a lot of points were missing as shown by the daily stats chart. Never fear we will all get a refund early next week, the delay is due to the Thanksgiving holiday over in the US. Here is the Folding-Community thread.
 

Q: Are the results/points from late on the 25th gone?

A:everything should be in. It's into Thanksgiving holiday right now, so t his will likely be looked into on Monday. Sorry for the delay (Vijay)
 

With the approach of Christmas I though that it might be a good idea to have a special Christmas BYO FBOX. The XFBOX (XMAS FBOX) would be fully optioned up with a big HDD, video card and DVD etc. The same principals as the BYO's would apply ie a $10 donation to the FFF would get you one number in the draw (of course if you want to donate more you are free to do so, each $10 will get you one extra number in the draw) and if we get about 100 entries that should cover the cost of the box and any left over would go in the FFF for the next BYO's or FBOX component purchases.

So what do you folks want in your XFBOX, below is approx $ values for each component.

Mobo: $150
CPU: $150
Memory: $150 (512 MB)
Case: $80
HDD:$120
Video Card:$150
DVD or CDRW:$50

That comes to $850 if we get more than 100 takers then that's a bonus and the FFF will benefit.

The actually component selection can vary to, maybe we can delete the DVD/CDRW and add it to the video card allocation, your choice.

The same rules apply to this XFBOX as far as the running of it goes (ie Folding 24/7 for OCAU and winner pays postage. Entrants must have at least 1000 points accumulated and be active as of today.

If you want in use the forums to PM me for the account details.

Closing date for donations will be Sunday 14th of December and the winner will be drawn on Monday the 15th of December. That should be enough time send it of to Santa so that he can deliver it on Christmas morning to the lucky winner.
 

Sunday 30/11/03

This weeks xylus 500 is here.