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| The Answers |
What do I need to participate in NEST?
For Windows systems (95/98/NT/XP) you'll need a computer with at least 32 MB of RAM, the ability to display 8-bit graphics in 800x600 resolution, 10 MB of disk space, and an Internet connection (dial up is OK and infact preferred). For Macintosh systems you'll need the above, running Mac OS X. You can use NEST on a laptop that is connected sporadically. We also support many versions of UNIX, including Linux on various CPUs. There are no CPU speed or modem speed requirements the slower the better. It doesn't matter where in the world you live.
Do I need to know anything about science to use this application?
No. All you need to do is download and install the client software, sit back and watch the chaos ensue. The application is created so that patterens in both audio and visual elements of the application are easy to spot. Allowing even novice computer users to join in this project.
How long will it take to download NEST application?
About 5 minutes over a 28.8Kbps modem or a nano second on a big fat line.
I pay by the hour for Internet connection. How much connect time will NEST?
NEST uses such a small amount of your line that you will not notice that it is running.
Why aren't you doing this in Java?
It's not currently fast enough, and there are lots of system-dependent details that we need to handle in C++ and we don't like java very much.
What about security?
The client/screen saver is available for download only from this web page - we do not support NEST software obtained elsewhere. This software will upload and download data only from our data server here at C6. The data server doesn't download any executable code to your computer. All in all, the screen saver is much safer than the browser you're running right now! But probably less informative.
Why don't you release the source code?
We will release source code when the team are happy with it and we will not be made a fool of by all you binary monkeys out there. Encryption will safe guard the client from hacks and cracks but extra help on the development of visualisations for the nest data structure this requires us to make it open source.
How complex is the software? Will users have to get involved with switching it on and off, or sending off the results? Will my computer have to be on-line the whole time?
Users will not have to do anything . Certain results are sent automatically, as the users are on the internet (checking their mail, surfing, etc) however it is our hope that users will check the state of corruption for serendipity while NEST runs. Users can then upload their findings to the website and perhaps make our top five serendipitous moments using the snapshot feature on the application.
Does NEST work through firewall's ?
NEST uses the UDP protocol, and will not work through a firewall or gateway without administrative manipulation of the firewall.
Please see our fire wall section in our tech pages or refer your administrator to... here.
I downloaded the software but my computer doesn't know what to do with a .tar (or .hqx or .sit or .exe) file - what do I do?
Windows software is packaged in files ending with .exe, Mac software with .sit or .hqx, and UNIX with .tar - chances are you have downloaded software for a system other than yours or do not have winzip, stuffit or the relevent unpacking software to de-compress.
The graphics don't move. Won't it burn into my screen?
On most monitors, no. If you are running a machine that runs above 800 600 (and lets face it if you are not then you are probably surfing from the mid 90's).
Can I run this on as many machines as I like using the same NEST login?
No, you will need an individual log in for each machine as NEST will log you out when you try to log in on another.
Can I use a disconnected PC?
No. we're not supporting this because its very silly!!.
Can I use a seldom connected PC?
Yes. There is no problem with running a seldomly connected machine your data will be updated before you are allowed to join the ring making sure that earlier uncorrupted versions of the audio don't purify our studies with earlier uncorrupted files.
why doesn't my corruption make it into the top five why is user X is corrupting Y times faster than me!
This depends on your data transfer and reliability of your connections, this program favours a slower and more unreliable connection and is infact what we are looking for. If you wish greater corruption we suggest you dump your Broadband and go back to a 28.8k modem
My old email address is dead. How do I create a new account?
A new account must be created from the NEST client software (not from the NEST web site). Under File in the NEST client window, select "Settings", then "Change/Create Login". Click "Create New Account" on the pop-up window, and follow instructions from there.
I am having trouble connecting over the Internet. What do these errors on the client mean?
Due to overwhelming interest in the NEST project, the server may intermittently be unreachable as too many clients are trying to connect. The server may also be occasionally down for maintenance. If you are unable to connect, please wait an hour and try again.
Will there be a Windows 3.x version?
Not a chance in hell.
Is there a version that runs as an NT Service? How do I run NEST as an NT Service?
There is a command-line version planned for Windows can be made to run as a service. keep checking the site for news of future builds or sign up for the NEST mailing list to recieve the latest NEST news.
I have an IBM T40 running windows xp and i am experiencing problems with my ATI drivers
Problems with conflicts between Opengl and an un-updated driver will cause all sorts of display problems, black screens hanging,etc. a combination of updating the drivers from http://mirror.ati.com/support/infobase/4295.html and updating the ATI drivers from Microsoft 'Windows Update' solved this problem
What will happen if an serendipitous event occurs?
Users that are running the client in this examination are responsible for updating the server when the detect a chaos event. This will be done by selecting send snapshot from the file menu, the top five will make the site.
Will I get credit if the corruption is detected using my computer?
Yes. see above. Top snapshots will be displayed on the site and will name and shame those responsible.
If you find corruption, how will you decode the information in it?
Our goal is simply to find the corruption. If it contains no information, it may require experts in linguistics or mathematics to decipher it or perhaps just a couple of anarchists.
Will you ship larger chunks of data to faster computers?
No, all computers receive the same size chunks. Faster computers will finish each chunk faster, then immediately get a new chunk to work on, so we'll keep them busy all the time.
What sorts of corruption are being analyzed, and what form does the corruption analysis take?
With UDP there can occur several types of Corruption. Packets can switch on their journey from client to client, creating new variations within the sound file. Packets can also be dropped and this will lead to new arrangements of the data. Nest will visualise these re-orderings and entropic moments both visually and by distributing the audio so that users can capture serendiptious moments and share them with the NEST community.
Are there any safeguards in place that would prevent the sending of a false 'negative' interpretation of data, thus masking a corrupted passing?
Yes. Without going into detail (for obvious reasons) we have a mechanism that detects forged results and electrocutes those involved in this fraud.
What is to prevent someone from hacking the program and sending back false data that would interpret a signal as the voice of chaos?
See the above question. Besides, it wouldn't matter - if there's a "hit", we will analyze that chunk of data ourselves to verify it and then electrocute them.
Will running NEST overload or burn out my CPU?
No. The CPU on most computers is always executing instructions (often the operating system's "idle loop") whenever the computer is turned on. It's no additional strain to execute NEST in fact you could use a calculator chip to handle our executions.
If I turn off my computer while NEST is running, will it lose any data?
No. NEST writes its results to disk every minute or two.
How do I bring up the NEST application window?
Click on the NEST icon in the System tray this will maximise the application window.
Why are the Preferences, Help and Login menu items sometimes disabled?
These are disabled while NEST is transferring data over the Internet, as they could interfere with the transfer.
Can I run NEST without installing it as a system extension?
Yes.
How do I set up my computer to connect automatically? (Windows)
For Windows 95 and 98, do the following steps:
1) From the Start button, select "Settings" and then "Control Panels".
Open the "Internet Options" Control Panel.
2) Select the "Connections" tab. Make sure the desired "Dial-up networking"
selection is set as the default. (The set default button will be grayed
out if you select the current default in the list.)
3) Set "Always dial my default connection".
4) Select the correct "Dial-up networking" from the list, and click on
the "Settings..." button.
5) Another dialog box "xxxx Settings" appears. Press the "Advanced" button.
6) The "Advanced Dial-Up" dialog will appear. Set "Disconnect if idle
for xx minutes" Set the disconnect delay to whatever number you wish.
If you wish, you may also set "Disconnect when connection may be no longer
needed."
7) Close the "Internet Options" Control Panel.
8) Double-click on "My Computer", and then on "Dial-Up Networking". Double-click
on the default "Dial-up networking" icon. Make sure the "Save password"
box is checked. If not, check it and click on "Connect", then "Cancel".
Close the dialog.
For Windows NT do this: 1) Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories,
and then click Dial-Up Networking.
2) Click More, and then click User preferences.
3) In the Enable Auto-Dial By Location dialog box, select each location
for which you want the automatic dialing feature to operate.
4) Click OK and then restart the computer.
I'm running NEST version x.xx. Do I need to do anything special with this version before I can upgrade to a higher version?
No. The NEST installer automatically detects old versions and performs the necessary adjustments. e write it yourself you clever multi media monkey.
How does the computing power of NEST compare with existing supercomputers?
The most powerful computer, IBM's ASCI White, is rated at 12 TeraFLOPS and costs $110 million. NEST currently gets about 15 FLOPs and has cost $50 so far.
When and where was the "Eureka!" point when somebody exclaimed "Hey, we can do this sort of corruption on people's home computers"?
Long conversations at the c6 laboratory of pseudo science led to a nihilistic approach to distributed corruption followed by the usual c6 mantra of 'lets talk about this down the pub'.
