[6:00 AM] SETI@home Client Updated With Must Have Update
by Staff
The SETI@home team has released an update to the SETI@home client for all platforms to version 2.02. The new version includes a host of new features, bug fixes, and performance increases. Since many Team Mac Observer members and other Mac users have the SETI@home client running on a variety of machines, we are including the changes for all platforms.
Changes in version 2.0x of SETI@home (since version 1.0x)
All platforms
Increased security: SETI@home now checks for unauthorized modifications to data and program files. If it detects tampering, it will delete files and start over. It is still possible to move SETI@home data files between computers; see below for more information.
Support for SOCKS proxies. The hostname, port, user name, and password for SOCKS proxies can be entered in the Proxy Server dialog (Win/Mac) or through command-line options or environment variables (text-only versions).
Improved support for HTTP proxies. SETI@home now conforms to the HTTP 1.0 protocol.
Better network protocol for updating user statistics after returning results: one message to server instead of two.
Client returns power array summary for Gaussians
The server can have the client display an arbitrary message, and/or quit.
Graphical versions
The old Peak Power and Best Gaussian values on the display have been replaced by a graph showing how well the power-over-time data fits the shape of a Gaussian curve. While performing calculations other than curve fitting, the display shows the best Gaussian fit so far.
When getting new work unit, clear display of strongest Gaussian.
Windows and Macintosh
Improved network connection retries: if SETI@home fails to connect to the server, it will retry twice at 45-second intervals, then wait 15 or 60 minutes and repeat this sequence. This accommodates users whose dialup sequence is longer than a minute or so. Also, connection errors are reported more accurately.
Retry file opens, to coexist with Sherlock, FastFind etc. This may also give sleeping hard drives time to spin up.
More accurate CPU time calculation
Windows
More reliable display of icon in System Tray.
Macintosh
Password locking. There is now a "Require Password" checkbox in the Preferences dialog. If you check it, the screensaver will require a password to wake up.
Version 2.0 runs under Mac OS 9 (see SETI@home Readme for details).
In application mode, SETI@home runs faster if its window is collapsed, using the Windowshade feature under OS 8.0 and later.
Improved responsiveness to Hot Key.
More accurate CPU time calculation
Better compatibility with older PPC Macs.
Increased timeouts for network input/output.
Resolve alias if preference file is aliased.
UNIX and other text-only versions
Most platforms include a graphical front end (xsetiathome). This is a separate program; to use it, the client must be run with the -graphics option.
New options:
-verbose: enable printfs.
-nolock: skip multiple-instance checking
-graphics: generate data for xseti
Better support for directory locking in UNIX version
The update is free, as is all of the SETI@home software. You can find more information at the SETI@home web site.
[Editor's Note: We will have a long awaited update on the status of Team Mac Observer, our own SETI@home club team, later today.]
The Mac Observer Spin: We ask all Team members to download the latest update.
