Does AMD know about AMDUsers?

[moderna]

This is a pretty dedicated bunch devoting significant resource towards good causes. This site is almost an ad for AMD and I was wondering if anyone at AMD has noticed. I would be happy to test new technologies or machine setups :) in this rather intensive but real world processing environment.

Just wondering.

[Steve Lux]

No kidding. Distributed computing is approaching 1 million contributors. This is starting to become a significant number and the implied difference is that distributed computers reflect a loyal and dedicated group, which in reality equates to millions upon millions of processors. They ought to be on the bandwagon - especially when there is a group that already represents their products.

[gatekeeper53]

Not to mention that many of us have many more machines than the normal household. Some of us could be considered in the small business range of use and of those computers many are of the higher price range than many small businesses. Also, as a group I think that the computer understanding is much higher than the general public and in many cases IT depts (many are IT people or retired IT people). What better place to recruit testers for new ideas and product testing?

[Strongbow]

I'd hate to put a damp'ner on things but my work has over 8000 AMD servers many of them 4-way DC and we currently haven't any pre-release chips (not yet anyway!). :icon_rolleyes:

[Frederic Brillouet]

i would gladly test some of those quadcore fx'es :icon_mrgreen: so i would know the difference between them and my trusty athlon64

[Steve Lux]

Sure would be nice to have so many servers crunching for our team in their "down" time. Apparently distributed computing isn't on the political horizon for all but a few companies that claim to be concerned about the environment and people. I sent an e-mail to some senior IT people and to one of the Alcoa VP's who is in charge of our sustainability/environmental programs. From the VP I got back a form letter. From the IT guys I didn't get back anything at all. Also, I noticed that the last time PC-Magazine published articles about distributed computing was in 2001. Much has changed since 2001. It seems that with the exception of a very small minority, distributed computing is an unknown to the online computing public.

[Opteron]

If they would just give me the chip I'b buy whatever else I needed to test them and be happy about it!!!

[vaughan]

Several years ago we tried many approaches to lots of companies, AMD included, asking for sponsorship by way of trialling "latest" CPUs and so on. We got some form letter replies "thanks for your inquiry but we have allocated our sponsorship funds" blah blah. There is no future in pursuing this path.

Sure we'd all love to have the very latest Engineering sample CPU and pre-release test them on DC'ing but it just ain't going to happen.

[Beerknurd]

Even if we could officially be AMD sponsored would be cool....

[AMDave]

If any of their development or manufacturing team decided to sign up and crunch long side us that we be REALLY cool too.

[Strongbow]

...crunch long side us...

'for us' would be better though! :icon_wink:

[moderna]

This is more than a business situation. This is volunteer. We are dedicating our resources and contributing our electricity. This is a cause and none of us are making any money on this, (are you?) I don't think we can ever write off the electricity on our taxes.

I really like the idea of AMD at least participating by donating cycles and some energy.

Post any concerns you have as well. I do not want to risk having this co-opted by AMD corporate or anything. We are basically advertising, donating, and are loyal. AMD could use a little good press these days.

It sounds like it has been awhile since any attempts have been made. I would be willing to give it another shot if someone has a contact, previous refusal letters, submissions etc. I am also happy to back-off if there are significant concerns.

PM me or post here as appropriate.

Crunch on team!

Loren

[Lagu]

Several years ago we tried many approaches to lots of companies, AMD included, asking for sponsorship by way of trialling "latest" CPUs and so on. We got some form letter replies "thanks for your inquiry but we have allocated our sponsorship funds" blah blah. There is no future in pursuing this path.

Sure we'd all love to have the very latest Engineering sample CPU and pre-release test them on DC'ing but it just ain't going to happen.

I don´t think AMD would like be our sponsor due to our policy as allow Intels too. If we only allow AMD´s it should be more fair. Chould Intel like to sponsor to AMD?

[Frederic Brillouet]

my main machine is still my trusty amd, though i'm using my dads laptop intel intruder as well. and it kicks my athlons ass:(

[Steve Lux]

I think AMDave brought up a useful idea. If we could contact just individuals at AMD and ask them to join us with their own personal systems, that could get a foot in the door to AMD.

I'm not looking for any freebies myself, but the simple participation from members of the AMD crew, some of their computing power (so we don't keep getting walked over by other teams) and some insider scoop of what is going on at AMD would be nice.

But then, perhaps a two-front challenge to AMD might be more productive. In these days when environmental and medical initiatives are hot topics there is some political and economic traction here... If AMD were approached properly with an explaination that they could profit from the public perception that they are not only helping to reduce their adverse corporate effect upon the environment (as per their 2006 Global Climate Protection Plan: http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/DownloadableAssets/2006_GCPP_graphics_file.pdf), but they could be publically seen (via advertising) as a voluntary contributor to climate change research (Climate Prediction).

Also, as AIDS, SARS, Ebola and other deadly diseases are very much in the news in modern times, there is another opportunity here for them to be seen as proactively helping to find solutions to human health issues.

All laid out as an invitation for them to join a team that is dedicated to using their processors in our attempts to help find solutions to these very human issues. So far I have not seen any similar projects by Intel corporate - so AMD could be the first to join in, and let the world know that they are doing their part, and leave Intel playing catch-up.