[Beowulf] $2500 cluster. What it's good for?

[Dean Johnson]

On Dec 18, 2004, at 9:52 AM, Jim Lux wrote:

> I think it would be interesting to contemplate potential uses of a 
> $2500
> cluster.  Once you've had the thrill of putting it together and 
> rendering
> something with POVray, what next?

While not terribly elegant, scientifically interesting, or 
cluster-sexy, you could do distcc. "Look ma, I'm compiling over my 
cluster". High school kids might like to do cluster BLAST type stuff. 
There is certain value in getting the dog-looking-at-the-tv look from 
their parents when they explain their activities. "Well Son, I got no 
damn idea what you are talking about, but your Mom and I are very 
proud".

Maybe someone should put together something akin to the OpenCD for 
cluster usage by novices. Put together a bunch of the standard 
cluster-aware apps in nice buildable or RPM type packages.

	--Dean