Category: Computers

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SETI@home

“What is SETI@home?

SETI@home Certificate of Computation

SETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope data.”

I’ve been running SETI@home for 7 years and have not found any extraterrestrial intelligence. I can’t imagine doing a quintillion of anything unless it was destroying brain cells at Bradley’s while drinking scotch whiskey and smoking cigars.

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Windows Vista RC-1

I downloaded Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 from the Microsoft Customer Preview Program and just finished installing it on my Shuttle. Back in June, I had downloaded Beta 2, but never got around to installing it.

Windows Vista RC1 Default Theme

RC1 installed easily on an empty partition and also installed a boot manager that allowed me to boot to my “Earlier Version of Windows,” XP. I used my Beta 2 product key and activation worked without any problems.

After logging in, the desktop presents the “Windows Welcome Center” a place to start jerking the settings around.

Windows Vista Experience

Viewing the computer details displays a hardware and network overview and the resulting calculation gives the Windows System Performance Rating, in my case 1.0. I guess I should be happy it actually runs on my computer.

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Merom and Santa Rosa

I’m ready for a new notebook computer but with Leopard and Vista around the corner, maybe I’ll wait for a system with either of those installed. With Core 2 (Merom) Macbooks (Pro) most likely being introducted by Apple in their September 12 announcement, plus being able to run Windows, I’m leaning toward another Mac(intrash).

Intel Core2 Extreme processor die (photo courtesy Intel)
Intel Core2 Extreme processor die (photo courtesy Intel)

Currently, I’m using a Rev. A 12″ Powerbook and a Shuttle SB51G desktop with a 2.2 GHz P4 and 845 GE chipset – not exactly the latest technology. Since I don’t do anything, it’s adequate – the Powerbook is running Apache and MySQL for testing, so that’s OK for now.

I downloaded Vista Beta 2 but I have yet to install it. There’s no Windows Aero for me anyway because my Shuttle is using a ATI AIW (Radeon 9000) for video.

Being a former heatseeker (who would pay $1500 for a Motorola Micro Tac Elite?), I know you should just buy what you need. With the Santa Rosa platform due in H1 2007, I guess more patience is required. What I always wonder is why, when you get a new computer, is it fast and then a couple of years later, it’s so slow?