tedster - 9:27 pm on Nov 27, 2008 (gmt 0)

Sorry your early scopp was overlooked Jake. I've crossed linked it now.

In the thread you posted, you asked: "Any ideas on when it will apply to the data pushes? Do you think the data pushes will happen more often, more updates?"

Google's article says:

By pushing the boundaries of these types of programs, we learn about the limitations of current technologies as well as the lessons useful in designing next generation computing platforms. This, in turn, should help everyone have faster access to higher-quality information.

So I'm guessing that they are planning on using their learning in-house, to the degree that it is practical. This time trial is apparently an enhancement of their MapReduce [labs.google.com] program, which they've been using in some form or another since 2004.