Hello All,
This is my first post here on Steemit, so I’d thought I’d take a few lines to introduce myself. While I’m still going to hide behind my internet handle, I will let you know a little bit more about me. Although computing has always been a hobby, I am an accountant by profession. As such, I am always interested in the incremental value provided with each investment in technology.
In the mid-90s (if memory serves me), I was part of the original SETI@Home project before it migrated to BOINC. I don’t recall how many units my computer crunched while running its screensaver, but it was a fun distraction. After that computer died, I never really bothered with it on my next machine.
Fast forward nearly 20 years later
My consumer NAS device began to fail and I struggled to find a suitable replacement. I decided to build my own server powered by FreeNAS. A small disadvantage to this setup was the need to leave the server running and the drives spinning all the time. I tried to find something to do with my idle CPU time. Looking at ways to sell excess CPU time, I was not taken by any of the options available.
I then stumbled across ways to donate excess CPU time, specifically via the World Community Grid. I noticed that one of its projects was anchored by the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Seeing as I had several family members treated for cancer at this hospital, I felt compelled to give back. While crunching at WCG was going to lead to a small increase in my monthly electricity costs, I felt this was a worthwhile “donation” to the cause.
Getting BOINC to work in a FreeNAS jail was a bit cumbersome but I managed to get it going. After FreeNAS was upgraded a few versions, I was able to deploy BOINC via a Virtual Machine running Linux. This lead to faster processing of the work units (don’t ask me how, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?).
At the same time, I bumped into an advertisement for Gridcoin. While I was a bit weary of cryptocurrencies, I thought it couldn’t do much harm to join up as I was running BOINC anyway. Several months later, I have several devices (1 server, 1 laptop and 3 mobile devices) crunching away on various whitelisted projects.
What’s next? Perhaps a cluster of ODROID XU4s…anyone have any fun with these?
If you like single board computers I did a whole series on setting them up, this last post has the links yo the earlier ones at the top https://steemit.com/gridcoin/@scalextrix/optimizing-your-gridcoin-raspberry-pi-experience
Welcome to steemit. If you would like to see all Gridcoin goodnes in one place you can view it in the chainBB view here: https://beta.chainbb.com/forum/gridcoin
Welcome to Steemit @agentjuno - and also to the BOINC & Gridcoin community! Great to see new faces :)
I saw you mention the potential of ODROID XU4s in your post - @jimbo88 actually did an investigation into single board computers a few weeks ago and the ODROID XU4 came out as the clear winner - Here's a link if you'd like to take a read!
Have given you a follow and look forward to more posts from you in the future :)
@Joshoeah
Welcome and enjoy steem world!
Steem on!
Welcome to Steem @agentjuno I have upvoted and sent you a tip
thank you very much!
Let me welcome you to Steemit @Agentjuno . I'm @chrisx and if you need any help feel free to contact or follow me :-)
hi Agentjuno I hope you enjoy your time here, its a great community !! Nice post, Wish you much luck! Cheers! i will follow your account, please follow me ...
Hello @agentjuno. Welcome to Steemit. I am David. I wish you have a happy journey here.
Welcome to Steemit @agentjuno :)
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Welcome!
Regarding Odroids, I'll plug this post of mine. Most of my BOINC machines are single board computers.
good to know, thanks!
Very nice introduction @agentjuno. Welcome to the community my friend. Looking forward to seeing more post for you pal. Steem on steemiteer
@slickhustler007
#minnowtowhale
#minnowsupport
Welcome to steemit !! Followed. Follow me back 😘
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