@ TheMawn- The situation is regrettable, and I do feel bad for David, but not to the extent of tolerating the destructiveness which was being stirred up. I'm glad you stuck it out. I would also like to think that with the provocation put in Quarantine, that the waves will settle down, and people can have reasonable discussions, including disagreements, without going for the jugular.

It is truly a shame that David is too much in turmoil for polite company. To be blunt, I think mortality is heavy on his mind. He mentioned liver failure some time back. If he's trying to control a long-standing alcohol habit, that can bring about all kinds of emotional backlash.

I don't mean any of this to excuse bad behavior, but only to offer my understanding and speculation about the background of that behavior.

Thanks TheMawn, klander et al...

I must apologize for being a bit of a lightening rod for some of the negative energy here on the forum.

I truly do not understand David's motivation. But, to add to klander's thoughts, it is possible that David considers the idea of GPUing to 72 to be his and he thinks I "stole it" from him. I really don't remember who within the community initially suggested that particular number -- it might have actually been David.

However, for the record, I called it GPU to 72 (and registered the domain) because it rhymed. Further, I would argue that the GPU72 system was inspired by the fact that Mr. P-1 was initially coordinating the work by hand with a dozen or so people with GPUs.

I believe strongly that argument (read: debate) is healthy (and, you might have noticed, I really enjoy it). One might just learn things. However, debate (read: argument) should be respectful, rational and sincere.

There is a non-zero probability that one or the other side(s) are wrong.

There are situations where there is a non-zero probability that everyone is wrong.

Namaste to all.

[QUOTE=LaurV;355232]Hey Chris, can you pull in some 37M-38M exponents for LLDC?...[/QUOTE]
This was the post that was the nail in the coffin. What I don't understand is why [I]he[/I] got so upset? If you want a change to the way G72 works, [I]who else [/I]would you ask to make the change? G72 workers were asking for changes to G72 assignments, period. Though I also enjoy the usual back and forth, it did get out of hand.

Look forward to future, healthy debates :smile:

I wholeheartedly agree to that. I just hate it when it gets "out-of-hand".

Chris- It is one thing to suggest some form of an idea. It is quite another to implement something which accomplishes the aim. It is yet another level to take on a never-shrinking To Do list in the development and polishing of that implementation. If David has the programming chops, he could have put code where his "mouth" has been.

When I got my first GPU, I put it to work in Mr P-1's group. Reading about the wonders of GPU factoring probably had a lot to do with getting the card. Besides, I got a close-out deal on the GTX 460 which I did not even try to refuse.

It amazes me what Mr P-1 was doing, apparently by hand, in capturing newly-released exponents, and farming them out to workers via email.

I certainly remember when you (Chris) started talking about your spider. I was rather too ignorant to attempt joining in at that point. I think I jumped in almost as soon as you put up the earliest GPU to 72 pages.

Just for those who came later, or don't remember: the last I knew, Chris also provides the server space for everything associated with GPU72. He sort of laughingly started a Team which now sits among the highest rankings in a number of production categories.

No doubt, people with the hardware would have found ways to keep it fed. It seems likely to me that there would not be as many of them, and that it would be a lot more work for them to keep running.

When Scott (swl551) made the beginnings of MISFIT available, that really completed the system we have now. He has put an awful lot into fulfilling people's wish lists, too. I happen to be one of the people who, as Scott put it, "Likes to fondle his exponents," so I don't use nearly all the automation he built. It really has become a "set and forget" utility. Even so, it is a super-convenient way to handle things manually, too.

So, I'm just saying that I see this whole sub-project as a shining example of the best that GIMPS has to offer. There are many others; more than I can name off the top of my head, so I hope those I don't remember will forgive me and my aging brain cells. Others should feel free to add to this honor roll.

Of course, George and Scott K. got things going, and head the pantheon. Just thinking about the GPU end of things I come up with
msft
The Judger
Bdot
chalsall
kracker
dubslow
frmky
jasonp
henryzz
LaurV
flashjh
firejuggler
nucleon
TeknoHog
xyzzy (though he might not admit it, this sub-forum is proof.)
Brain
axn
garo
xilman
bcp19
ET
ATH

I consider that people who engaged in discussion, suggested features, beta tested, etc., all contributed to the overall effort. Don't take the order of the list as meaningful except at the very top, where even I have some idea of who the real titans are.

You forgot owftheevil, creator of P-1 for CUDA. :smile:

TheJudger=mfaktc
Bdot=mfakto
msft=CUDALucas(Dubslow as well here), clLucas

EDIT: Ugh for all things why am I in that list??


[SIZE=1] (Also, where's daviddy /rofl)[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=kracker;356224]You forgot owftheevil, creator of P-1 for CUDA. :smile:

TheJudger=mfaktc
Bdot=mfakto
msft=CUDALucas(Dubslow as well here), clLucas

EDIT: Ugh for all things why am I in that list??


[SIZE=1] (Also, where's daviddy /rofl)[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

I knew I would forget someone. Thanks, kracker. As to your presence, you have been a big part of testing owtheevil's work.

I don't know how to parse David's contributions. Insufficient data on my part.

[QUOTE=kladner;356236]I knew I would forget someone. Thanks, kracker. As to your presence, you have been a big part of testing owtheevil's work.

I don't know how to parse David's contributions. Insufficient data on my part.[/QUOTE]

:ermm: I haven't tested/done anything here/there, I only have OpenCL cards.(at the moment)

I guess my mention was based on the impression that you've been quite involved in the discussions. No embarrassing implications intended. :smile::blush:

[QUOTE=kracker;356224]EDIT: Ugh for all things why am I in that list??
[/QUOTE]
Same here too. Beside of having a ton of hardware and a big mouth, I didn't contribute too much... Beside of the titans (like msft, Oliver, Bdot, oftheevil, who contributed with nice software) I would stress more on Jerry (flash) and Bill (Dubslow) who created the "modern version" of cudaLucas, and to James (hey, where is he in the list?) who did the "mersennaries" site (actual mersenne.ca). Also, where is Scott-misfit? I would also put jasonp, bb, and few others in a top of a separate list, less related to mersenne/gimps and more related to factoring in general, and I would make a third list with people who really invested "hardware time", like Craig (nucleon), Mike (Xyzzy), monst, and few others. On the third list, somewhere in the middle, I would place myself. :smile:

I told you I would overlook some people. James has crossed my mind more than once while I have been away from the computer. I sincerely regret the neglect.

You LaurV, on the other hand made my list [I]because[/I] of that big mouth. :razz: (The quieter ones are easier to slip up on.) That, and your detailed descriptions of tuning FFT lengths, and other user-friendly information stuck in my mind. Take it as you will. I think I saw a good bit of contribution to discussion, feature concepts, and general good humor.