Hidden Distributed Search Function in Google Toolbar

Great scoop :) about the Google toolbar

[ROLAND_F]

Do you remember that I suggested Google to use the toolbar as a way to do Distributed computing so we could give back to google ???

They did it ! They are so smart they are really listening to us.

You know that the google toolbar is called the "NavClient".

Now, the Google toolbar look for a registry key called "DcClient".

I suspect that "DC" is for "Distributed Computing".

Have a look at the resouce in the Google Toolbar DLL
GoogleToolbar_en_1.1.53-deleon.dll you will find a "double helix" icon.

While searching for new button name I could add to my registry key buttonId I found this:

"DcTaskFoldingAtHome"
"DcTaskSimpleProtein"
"DcTaskPerfectNums"
"DcClientOnOrOff"
"DcClientMenu"

I think that I will not sleep tonight, I'm so excited :).

Added: [foldingathome.stanford.edu...]
[toolbar.google.com...]

Key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\NavClient\1.1\Options\

Add Binary Value "EnableDC" value "1".

[ROLAND_F]

Hi GoogleGuy, nice to see you :).

And what is the O(???) for computing PageRank ?

F.

[ann]

Google Compute:

1. What is Google Compute?

Google Compute is a new feature of the Google Toolbar. The goal of Google Compute is to make a contribution to science by enabling Google Toolbar users to easily donate their idle computer time to worthwhile causes. The Google Compute version of the Google Toolbar detects when a computer is idle and puts it to work on complex mathematical problem from such fields as drug design and global climate modeling.

More intrusions from the web!Sheeesh....where will it end...detecting what's going on in my personal computer?

I don't think so!

[Paully]

I think this is one of the shadiest things I have seen since the inception of Google. It seems all the skepticism, that I refused to believe, is turning out to be true.

IMHO, if the distributed computing software is soooo great, why isn’t it much more heavily advertised, by Google and its partners? Contrarily, It seems to be hidden in all the "fine print". These are shady tactics, all to common in the business world.

With Google being so righteous with our sites, no hidden links, cross-linking, etc, one would think, they would hold themselves to the same if not higher standard.

I personally need to apologize to Everyman, being one of those gentlemen you described above. I tend to think, I know it all, and am smarter than everyone. All your earlier comments, I blew off as cynicism and paranoia. It just goes to show that age and experience are priceless.

My toolbar is now gone...

[GoogleGuy]

Paully, we consider it a really worthwhile option to offer to users. We haven't talked about it much because it's still in a beta/testing phase. But the feature is opt-in and if you choose not to activate it, the toolbar does nothing new at all.

We are trying to offer the ability to contribute to scientific research in a respectful way. If you think we did something the wrong way or didn't give enough information, the contact email address is [e-mail]. I know they'd welcome any constructive advice about how to offer this ability to users without surprising them in any way.

best wishes,
GoogleGuy

[red_bull]

"For now, all the statistics for Google Compute are aggregated as part of Google's team, so it's not possible to set up a separate group within the Folding@Home system. If this feature becomes available, you will be notified with instructions on how to set up your own group."

Extract taken from the Google compute faq's

It is possible to form your own group by visiting the folding@home homepage and signing up to create your own team.

[cminblues]

Great !

This is the kind of things I love in Google.

cminblues

[Paully]

GG,

A little more specifics please. Are you saying that I have to click a check box, to turn on the Distributing Computing Component? (because I have never seen one) Or is it thrown in along with the PageRank option in the checkbox labeled Advanced Options?

[gilli]

OK I've been running this compute thing for about a week. If it is running it is VERY visible in the toolbar (as a DNA style helix thingo). You can turn it on and off as you wish, get details on what your pc is currently working on and adjust the level of resources that it will use (conservative mode). The application runs in the background regardless of whether your browser is open or not but it is very very low priority doesn't affect other processes (I even leave it running when I play quake). I also had to read and agree to a detailed and informative t&c before I turned it on.

Paully, relax, this is not big brother. The folding@home project has been running for some time, its not just something that google has cooked up to exploit its users. There are many teams currently working on the project (http://folding.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/searchteamstats) and you can check out many stats about the project right down to what your cpu has achieved.

From what I can see google are doing a good thing and doing it well. I would like to see google offer greater variety of DC projects (if there are more out there?) so that I could work on a project that monitored climate change and you could work on a cure for cancer and so on. Folding proteins is a bit abstract for my limited understanding :)

Keep it up guys.

[Chico_Loco]

I've tried a few things including the REGEDIT modification, downloading the latest toolbar etc.. to get this feature working but have had no success..

Can anyone help?
Platform: Windows ME

[gilli]

Forget regedit - its not a hack thats required to get it going, just get that lastest toolbar and go to
[toolbar.google.com...]

GG: please correct me if I'm wrong.

[edited by: heini at 10:30 pm (utc) on Oct. 14, 2002]
[edit reason] fixed url [/edit]

[gstewart]

Got it installed - double helix icon appears, but when I click on "Start Computing", nothing happens. Running XP. Any ideas?

[gilli]

Ummm, what are you expecting to happen? The icon should change from being greyed out to full colour. Also if you mouse over it you should get text saying "Google Compute (running/not running) - ..." Lastly your cpu usage should be sitting on around 100% (due to a process called something like GoogleFahCore...).

Don't be alarmed by this 100% - it will give its resources up as soon as something else asks for them.

HtH

<edit>
Also the menu item that said "Start Computing" should now say "Stop Computing".
</edit>

[gstewart]

Mouse-over stays at "Google Compute Stopped" as I say, any ideas?

[gilli]

[e-mail] maybe? Sorry I can't be of more help.

[mack]

When you click on it and get the options list...there shoudl be an option "start computing" is that there?

[gstewart]

Yes - that option is there. Everything seems in order. Except when I click on "Start Computing" it sends some data, presumably to Google, but then nothing!
I run Zone Alarm, which I've tried disabling, but it makes no difference.

[David Steven]

Yeah - I get the same as gstewart: option turned on, icon always greyed out however many times you hit start computing. also running xp, and on dsl - will try running it through a dial up later.