on 2/3/01 12:05 PM, Heather Donahue at heatherd@... wrote:

> At 8:18 AM -0500 on 2/3/01, tedd wrote:
> 
>> I believe that in "The search for extraterrestrials", commonly known
>> SETI (I think), they use computers the same way. People sign up to
>> leave their computers on and connected so that the organization can
>> use the resources therein.
> 
> The difference is that people volunteer to sign up so as to support
> the SETI effort.
> 
> I just can't see some biomedical research company thinking this is a
> good idea.  The SETI data wasn't a problem, biomedical research data
> could be very sensitive and there could be security problems.
> 
> The SETI project was an effort looking for a solution, Juno thinks
> they have a solution but don't have any projects.

In either Forbes or Fortune, there was an article recently that described
companies that were farming out work to networks of computers in the same
way Juno is trying to sell.  I think I remember that at least one other
company was trying to recruit users in order to sell processing power to
those who would need it.

Most companies (Intel is one example I remember) use their own desktop PCs
in the effort, as they can run their programs with little fear that their
secrets will be compromised.

The point was made that sensitive data would likely not be trusted to an
outside company utilizing recruited users.  I doubt Juno could sell much
processing time coerced from unwilling users.

...Mark Lincoln