WCG distributes the same type of work to Linux as it does to Windows and Mac. All computers in a quorum will be either Linux, Windows or Mac, not a mix. The reason is the results differ slightly between the operating systems so it's impossible to verify a result from a Linux system against a Windows or Mac system.

I couldn't care less about the points. The problem is that many crunchers cheat and some projects use a quorum of 3 just to eliminate or reduce the cheating. That's a terrible waste of CPU power and it totally "urinates me off". My position is that the projects should wash their hands of the points entirely and devote their time and attention strictly to the science. If the BOINC developers and interested third partys want to have points then let them develop the system and award and publish the points completely independent of the projects. I wish the projects would stop awarding points and publishing scores immediately. The argument that nobody will crunch unless they receive points is false doctrine. That's all I have to say on the topic.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Dagorath, your post does confirm what I thought to be the case.

I couldn't however disagree more about the points system. It is a tool and an incentive and if used wisely will greatly benefit the science.
I compare it to "climate control" in a car. It saps power and is by no means a necessity in the majority of climates. Just try to produce a car in this day and age without it however and market it alongside a similar vehicle with climate control to see how many you wont sell. These science projects are a public marketing exercise whether we like it or not.

In a perfect world where everybody is an idealist, a point system would be unnecessary. You and I do not live in that world. The politician who fails to recognise the wants and needs of the people who vote against him is doomed to failure. Given that a point system does exist, it is essential that it be a fair and equitable one. Those who choose to make use of it deserve nothing less. This can and does benefit the science project immeasureably. A climate control system that doesn't work and is known to not work wont sell cars either.

So again I must ask; Why can't a simple scaling system be applied to the point scores in order to bring about an equitable distribution between OSs?

Cheers ozylynx.

Dagorath,

The Wifi can be connected by ethernet cable to the computer too if need be for emergency, but come to think, i better make sure i have already each and every critical driver before starting on this mission.......probably will want dual boot though.

BTW Have u considered BOINC Studio ....Fabriqué en France...runs on Linux. It's like BOINCview.

part of post dropped off from the SIMAP site by the site admin Aug.29: