I think it's a great idea. I leave my computer on almost permanently, and I've been donating CPU toward AIDS research for some time now. I could definitely afford to leave my browser open.

Many people seem to have qualms, or CPU shortage problems, so if implemented it seems that there would be an opt out option. The real question is, is there any reason not to implement this proposal if there's an opt out option? I can't see any downside. I say go right on ahead.

I'd like to point out that Chris seems to be saying that phpDiplomacy is more (or equally) important than AIDS research.

Is it a problem to run both? I just assumed I could.

I am fine with the pluraprocessing applet. I am also happy to donate. I would suggest that Kestas put another button at the top of the screen that says "Donate" (next to Forum Games Settings...).

Well, it will limit how much of each can be run.

I am happy to do this. Make an opt-out option and there cannot be an objection, other than this:

If it starts to cause a problem, it must be possible to get to a place to switch it off. Basically make there be a page where you can turn it off even if it being on breaks the browser.

Both http://www.handdrawngames.com and pokemonworld.net crash my Firefox browser as well.

Can the other guys who reported crashes also try the other URLs Treefarn posted and see if they also cause crashes?

It looks like this is affecting a tiny fraction of Firefox users and it's a problem with their Java settings but it'd still be good to be able to work around it. Is there any addon you guys are all using?
Treefarn/dangermouse can you post a list of the Firefox addons you're using?

Also do the sites which crash your Firefox browser work fine in IE, or does IE just disable the Java?

Oh and thanks for all the positive feedback, and to everyone who's running the applet, I was dreading a complete meltdown/backlash to what I was expecting to be a positive thing for the site

Hopefully once these rough edges are resolved it'll be unnoticable for everyone

Kestas,
Those two site were the ones that the Plura rep gave in this thread. This site at Java.com to determine if you have Java also crashes.
http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1

If I uncheck 'Enable Java', the sites all work fine.

no prob with my Firefox or Google Chrome: Charge! Charge to Stalingrad!

Is there any limit on the CPU usage? right now mine is showing 18% (up from its usual 3%) usage. thats sounds fine but what about running the php dip open and playing graphic intensive games?

Oh and i am FOR anything that encourages you to spend time working on new exciting maps and variants!

im running firefox and its fine and i normally leave the dip broswer up anyway

Just to put my 2¢ worth in, I did notice (on my old slow computer - P4 1.7GHz 1 GB RAM Win XP) a definite lag when first loading the phpDiplomacy page when the Plura Processing was first introduced to the site. I'm using the latest version of Firefox (3.03), but I think it is more the Java applet that tends to slow things down on my system when it first loads. After that it's fine...

I clicked on the Plura link and it all sounds very interesting and I have no problem with it other than Java slowing my shit down...

However, I also wouldn't have any problem with premium accounts or some sort of non intrusive advertising... (Imagine Google ads tailored to your press in game...)

Basically I have really been enjoying the site and I wouldn't mind ads, subscription or anything else reasonable to keep it going...

The only fear with this whole distributed computing network is that the internet will become self-aware and kill us all, but that's another thread...

Althought I'm not against the plura thing (Kestas, if that convinced you to improve the foruns, I'm totally into it!) maybe registering can not be a bad idea: Wouldn't be viable letting only registered players play more than one game at a time?

that'd be very stupid. Many of us here are minors...

As gobbledydook says, many are minors and will simply leave. I know that I would.

I think this idea is more conducive to introducing the joy of Diplomacy to as many people as possible. Fees and ads tend to scare people away.

Sorry, just to clear up everything (and the conversation has clearly gone on for some time since I last posted yesterday afternoon). I'm not opposed to the idea at all, in fact I think it sounds great. I'm not and haven't every been concerned about criminal activity in connection with this, what I wanted was just to be able to look clearly at who Plura's clients are, and therefore where my processing power would be going. It sounds like they are currently only involved in activities I would fully support, but I just like the idea of being able to check out all the projects, so I can opt out if anything I *personally* find objectionable in some way pops up (gene modeling for the Monsanto Corporation). None of the things I'd be concerned about would be illegal or even immoral by some peoples standards, but I still want to be able to know where my processing power is going, and to be sure I support all of the projects it could be going to and such. But as long as Plura is transparent about the projects they're involved in, and they sound like pretty good people, I don't forsee any problems. I just like transparency and accountability.

So... has Plura been implemented on the main site now? Am I running this java applet as we speak?

It must be, because I am running at 70% CPU with php open in Opera, and 10% with php closed but Opera open.

The only problem it seems to have on my computer is that scrolling using the mouse wheel no longer works on this site.
Its not much of a problem though.
Wow, 75% CPU usage rather than the usual 30%...

I just noticed in bottom right corner of my window it says the applet is running. so... never mind.

Is there anywhere where Plura lists all of their customers? I checked out their site and couldn't find anything like that. I'm sure it's all fine, and probably stuff I'd be happy to donate my processing power to (especially if it helps the site), but I would at least like to know where it's going.

I've worked with Java applets in the past, and I can categorically state that there is absolutely no way the applet is accessing any data on your machine. It just can't-- if it tried, Java throws an exception of some kind and the program crashes, unless the exception is handled (but that's beyond the scope of this discussion). That's unless we were to digitally sign for the applet's being allowed access, and I haven't seen an option to do that yet. (And I don't plan to sign if prompted, either!)

All that's happening is that the applet is running some complex calculations, and up to 70% of our CPU is being allocated to do those calculations. This has nothing to do with data in our RAM or hard drive, except that the applet has a certain amount of RAM allocated as a running program.

Well, I would much rather remove this from my setup. It is currently forcing my CPU levels up to on average 96&91 (CPU1&CPU2). Please will you make this optional kestas, and if you want to test it please can you move it to a different page?
Having said that, there is a strong case for having this as standard, and letting people donate directly to remove the feature. The trouble with this is it will severely harm the site when trying to gain new members. Even as it is people will be wondering why their CPU suddenly jumps to 70+% when they log on the site, and for many that will be enough to put them off.

This is an OT statement in support of GNU/Linux.

I keep on reading of people having "normally" firefox sucking up to 30% of the CPU power in normal conditions (i.e. without the applet). I just noticed that the use of my CPU on my machine for firefox never exceed 0.5% (apart from the few seconds after I launch the browser...).

Power of the GNU, or there is anything I am missing here?

My Firefox at home keeps crashing. Not good.

Can you go to Tools>Addons>Plugins, and tell me what version of Java you have installed? There must be a reason some Firefox users have reported crashes while others are just fine but no-one is giving any info which makes it impossible to fix

My version of Java:
GCJ Web Browser Plugin 0.96-pre running on Firefox 3.0.3 running on Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04 with no crashes.