SETI@home 5.2.1

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Publisher's description of SETI@home

From Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence at Home: SETI@home is a scientific experiment that harnesses the power of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running this screensaver, which downloads and analyzes radio-telescope data. There's a small but captivating possibility that your computer will detect the faint murmur of a civilization beyond Earth.

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Editor's review of SETI@home

Search for extraterrestrial intelligence

This interesting screensaver doubles as a science experiment. SETI@home (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence at Home) uses the idle time of hundreds of thousands of computers to analyze data about radio or light signals emanating from the vicinity of 30,000 sunlike stars that might indicate intelligent life.

The analysis of the data results in a colorful readout on your desktop, with graphs as well as status displays of your computer's part in the project. The graphics don't move, so you might want to set your monitor to power down after a certain amount of time. The allure, of course, is that your computer may be the one to finally make contact with other life forms. Whether the project succeeds or not, this screensaver provides some nice-looking graphics, a way to get involved in science, and a great conversation starter when others look at your desktop.

User reviews of SETI@home

• Average user rating: out of 121 votes
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  SETI@home

  beware

  by: miso111 on 06-Jan-2006 04:26:01 PM

  Pros: looks neat

  Cons: uses too much CPU, increases CPU core temperatures, diminishes the lifespan of your PC.

  DO NOT USE this software. I would very much like to help out in the exploration of space and that is the reason why I tried this out, but this software is not good for your PC. I have a Dual Pentium 3.2GHz CPU, with 5 case fans to keep everything running smoothly. The CPU power consumption of this software is between 50-60% and in a 5 minute test run, the CPU core temperature went up by nearly 30%. If you run this all the time, you'll either fry your CPU and motherboard, or significantly diminish the lifespan of your hardware. Even if you adjust your preferences on the BOINC website it will not help. I read the reviews but was curious and installed the damn thing anyway. It took me 5 minutes to see I should have listened to the warnings, but oh well. Cool idea, but not a good idea. If you want this for the screen saver, you aren't saving anything. I work in the IT field, and this is just a warning for the average user... DO NOT INSTALL !!!

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (118 of 129 users said yes)

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  SETI@home

  Not useful with the average computer

  by: ironyears on 07-Jan-2006 04:53:45 PM

  Cons: This program WAS in its earlier form a very good little prog, before it somehow developed into a monster. Somehow it went from being a very small screensaver/math processing system to something that seems to tax even the best computers available for home use. It is difficult to impossible to get it to connect to its server, it uses up from 45% up of your processing power, and it taxes your computer physically by causing overheating. I would give it a negative star of that were possible.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (34 of 39 users said yes)

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  SETI@home

  Confusing

  by: ExtremeDownloader on 02-Apr-2006 08:19:06 AM

  Cons: Incomplete uninstallation.

  Confusing interface. A lot of projects aren't very useful. Once project starts running, CPU temperature is raised by at least 25% and CPU Usage go up to 100%.

  This might overheat the computer/melt the CPU. Don't download.

  ***Want to help with distributed computing? Try Folding@Home instead!***

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (5 of 7 users said yes)

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  SETI@home

  System runs HOT

  by: dnelsch on 06-Jan-2006 05:17:52 PM

  Pros: Server Performance is down more than it is up!

  Cons: Causes CPU temps to rise, causing fans to run full rpm all the time!

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (27 of 31 users said yes)

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  SETI@home

  cannot connect

  by: bravadoca on 07-Jan-2006 04:07:41 PM

  Pros: none. couldn't get it to work

  Cons: Could never connect to seti server.

  Was this review helpful? Yes | No (9 of 11 users said yes)

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