Playstation U.S. Air force using PS3's o.O

[mattbgamer]

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/u-s-air-force-building-supercomputer-from-ps3s/1387199

Basically they bought a ton of PS3's hooked them all together and are doing some sort of experiment about how a human brain processes information. Trying to figure out if a supercomputer can do it efficiently also. Sounds kinda interesting, but also a little waste in the tax payers pocket, at least that is what I think anyway.

What do you guys think about it?

 

[Whoareyou]

I think I've heard about this.

Some company spent millions of dollars developing their own supercomputer and then found out that the PS3 had the same processing power if you could link the processors from enough together.

Short story, they wasted a LOT of money when they could have bought what is effectively part of a small supercomputer from sony.

Off topic, the RAF use Xbox 360 controllers to pilot their unmanned UAV drones.

 

[King Sean]

I heard a similar story about PS2's being used to control missiles. Seems as though our trusted consoles can be used for modern warfare. Just hope that this isn't used by some psychopath one day.

 

[DeadFantasy]

I say that it's stupid and a total waste of money. If they want to find out they can spend their own money for their experiment. >.> We gotta make a living you know? I say they should use our money for more important issues IMO and not using the PS3 for the air force. >.<

 

[Terra Branford]

I heard a similar story about PS2's being used to control missiles. Seems as though our trusted consoles can be used for modern warfare. Just hope that this isn't used by some psychopath one day.

*Today on the CNN*

A young man named Thomas hacked his PSP and used it to control US military missiles to bomb Mogadishu.

 

[blakstang98]

I think it's an interesting concept. I mean, if this sort of thing can be used to find meaningful data, then I would say it's a great idea, regardless if a lot of money was spent on it. It's all in the research, and research isn't always free. Best of luck to the US Air Force, I hope it gives them the information possible to help with the research.

 

[Fusionist]

I just hope that companies don't inflate their prices on their systems if this becomes a more common trend. I'd hate for gaming companies to think about making a system and have it retail at a grand or something, since that may still be cheaper in the long for organizations like the military, where as just 300.00+ is still steep for us common folk Dx

 

[Tmoo]

why the backlash? it's not like every company's going to start buying mass amounts of ps3's (though if you think about it, why not? it gives sony more budget for the next playstation). The air force went with ps3's precisely because they were cheap, lessening the amount of money (tax payers' money) they had to spend to get this running. And, it's being used for research (image recognition, which is useful in my book).

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

it's not like every company's going to start buying mass amounts of ps3's

Companies that aren't using tax payers money is fine. However, we would like to know that are hard earned money that our government takes away is used for something other than PS3's. Especially seeing as how Sony sucks in our humble opinion.

The air force went with ps3's precisely because they were cheap

Bullshit. PS3's aren't cheap.

lessening the amount of money (tax payers' money) they had to spend to get this running.

See above.

And, it's being used for research (image recognition, which is useful in my book).

They could have used something less expensive that PS3's.

 

[Donald Trump]

Companies that aren't using tax payers money is fine. However, we would like to know that are hard earned money that our government takes away is used for something other than PS3's. Especially seeing as how Sony sucks in our humble opinion.

That tax money was always going to be spent on the military. So what they spent it on would make no real difference to you. Unless you thought they should have bought xboxs because Microsoft don't suck.

Bullshit. PS3's aren't cheap.

Everything's relative. PS3s aren't cheap compared to an ice cream, compared to a supercomputer they are.

 

[Sir Kenneth]

why the backlash? it's not like every company's going to start buying mass amounts of ps3's (though if you think about it, why not? it gives sony more budget for the next playstation)

No it doesn't. It doesn't matter how many units Sony sell, they are still selling them at a loss. Where Sony is making money is the game sales, digital sales, and all the flashy equipment that every PS3 owner worth his salt needs to own (A flashy new TV, extra controllers, memory sticks, etc, etc.). So in reality Sony has sold 1700 units to someone who's never going to invest in any of the stuff that makes the PS3 a profitable business.

 

[Tmoo]

So in reality Sony has sold 1700 units to someone who's never going to invest in any of the stuff that makes the PS3 a profitable business.

Yes, and they still got money from it, even if each unit was at a loss - they wouldn't have gained any more by leaving them on the shelves. Argue that willful customers would have bought those units and bought hordes of merchandise if you want - you can't prove that immediately. My point is, there's nothing wrong with the air force buying PS3's for research.

Companies that aren't using tax payers money is fine. However, we would like to know that are hard earned money that our government takes away is used for something other than PS3's. Especially seeing as how Sony sucks in our humble opinion.

The air force, among other government-funded programs, is given a budget and they make do with it. The money was already theirs to spend. I don't see the point of bashing Sony...?

Bullshit. PS3's aren't cheap.

And the supercomputer they would have bought instead isn't more expensive? What do you expect them to do? They would have gone through with the research anyway, PS3 or not. It was cheaper to buy them, so PS3's it was.

See above.

Same to you, good sir...

They could have used something less expensive that PS3's.

Sure, I'll step down and admit I don't know what process of the PS3's they want to use. Name something that can do what the PS3's/supercomputer are doing in this research that can be bought as a cheaper alternative, and you'll have won me over.

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

The air force, among other government-funded programs, is given a budget and they make do with it. The money was already theirs to spend. I don't see the point of bashing Sony...?

Yes, and that budget shouldn't be used on video game products, no matter what they're using it for. At the end of the day, it's tax payer money, and at the end of the day, it still shouldn't be used for PS3's.

And the supercomputer they would have bought instead isn't more expensive? What do you expect them to do? They would have gone through with the research anyway, PS3 or not. It was cheaper to buy them, so PS3's it was.

Even so, 1 uber super computer is going to comeout the same as 5 PS3s. Also, the uber super computer can, and more than likely, will be around longer than the PS3. When they're done with those PS3's they're going to get rid of them. The super computer will be in use longer, and serves many, MANY, more functions than a PS3. In the long run, they would be saving money with a product that better serves tax payer money.

Same to you, good sir...

NO U!

Sure, I'll step down and admit I don't know what process of the PS3's they want to use. Name something that can do what the PS3's/supercomputer are doing in this research that can be bought as a cheaper alternative, and you'll have won me over.

See above.

 

[Donald Trump]

Yes, and that budget shouldn't be used on video game products, no matter what they're using it for. At the end of the day, it's tax payer money, and at the end of the day, it still shouldn't be used for PS3's.

They aren't using the PS3s to play games on, ergo the fact that they are PS3s is irrelevant. Furthermore the idea that the military or the government is accountable to tax payers about this is laughable. Who are you to say that they can't spend the money how they wish.

Even so, 1 uber super computer is going to comeout the same as 5 PS3s.

No, that's just completely wrong.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/135334/ibm_drops_price_on_supercomputer.html
vs
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1311&_nkw=ps3+console&_sacat=See-All-Categories

When they're done with those PS3's they're going to get rid of them. The super computer will be in use longer, and serves many, MANY, more functions than a PS3. In the long run, they would be saving money with a product that better serves tax payer money.

Because the military need a supercomputer right? Because there's no way that they would already have one is there.

No it doesn't. It doesn't matter how many units Sony sell, they are still selling them at a loss. Where Sony is making money is the game sales, digital sales, and all the flashy equipment that every PS3 owner worth his salt needs to own (A flashy new TV, extra controllers, memory sticks, etc, etc.). So in reality Sony has sold 1700 units to someone who's never going to invest in any of the stuff that makes the PS3 a profitable business.

PS3s are obviously sold at a price that covers the cost of components, etc etc. So they'll still paying off their some of their overheads with PS3 sales. They won't be making as much money as they would from 1700 different consumers all buying games, but they're still bringing in money. It may not make what most people would refer to a profit but the sales obviously benefit Sony.

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

Who are you to say that they can't spend the money how they wish.

We're a taxpayer. We have money deducted from our hard earned pay. Therefore, we believe that we have plenty of say in the matter.

No, that's just completely wrong.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/13533...rcomputer.html
vs
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

So, our figures were wrong. However, we stand by the point that one uber super computer would last for years, and years, and years. It lasts a hell of a lot longer, and serves many, many more purposes. The PS3's will just be tossed out of the door when they're done. Wasted taxpayer mon- wait, badly wasted taxpayer money isn't good.

Obvious statement is fucking obvious.

Because the military need a supercomputer right? Because there's no way that they would already have one is there.

Because the military needs PS3's right? Works both ways. (Last sentence is worded improperly, not sure what you're trying to say.)

 

[Marquis of Granby]

So, our figures were wrong. However, we stand by the point that one uber super computer would last for years, and years, and years. It lasts a hell of a lot longer, and serves many, many more purposes. The PS3's will just be tossed out of the door when they're done. Wasted taxpayer mon- wait, badly wasted taxpayer money isn't good.

You seem to be glamourising the PS3. It's just a load of hardware in a fancy black case. It's a computer. They're going to utilise the hardware as though it's any other computer, presumably, and not sit down to a game of Modern Warfare 2. Would you feel any different if they'd bought 1700 Macs? It's the same concept ie it's a computer. Forget the fancy black case because they don't care about that, nor should you. What you perhaps SHOULD worry about is how they're going to implement this image recognition research, if at all.

Big Brother is watching you.

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

Would you feel any different if they'd bought 1700 Macs? It's the same concept ie it's a computer.

That right there was enough to make us see your side of the argument. Although, Macs suck and we would be pissed anyway.

At least now we get where you guys are coming from. Even though we still stand by our points.

Big Brother is watching you.

They've been watching us.

 

[Donald Trump]

We're a taxpayer. We have money deducted from our hard earned pay. Therefore, we believe that we have plenty of say in the matter.

That's a fallacy, individuals can't question things like that. You'd have equally no right to say that you don't want the road that your ex girlfriend lives on to be repaired. The truth is no one cares about individual viewpoints, therefore they aren't accountable. Create a party or lobby, if you don't do either of those things the you can believe, in theory, that you have a say but in reality you don't.

So, our figures were wrong. However, we stand by the point that one uber super computer would last for years, and years, and years. It lasts a hell of a lot longer, and serves many, many more purposes. The PS3's will just be tossed out of the door when they're done. Wasted taxpayer mon- wait, badly wasted taxpayer money isn't good.

Obvious statement is fucking obvious.

Because the military needs PS3's right? Works both ways. (Last sentence is worded improperly, not sure what you're trying to say.)

You obviously missed my sarcasm, which was not worded incorrectly. My point was that they would already have a supercomputer, obvious point etc etc, so that purchasing another one at a much higher price (than the PS3s) would be pointless if they were only going to use it for one thing.

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

Create a party or lobby, if you don't do either of those things the you can believe, in theory, that you have a say but in reality you don't.

Solid logic is solid. We don't like it, but it's the truth. However, it's still taxpayer money that shouldn't be wasted.

You obviously missed my sarcasm

Sarcasm doesn't transfer well over the internet, Brah. (We wish it did though. )

which was not worded incorrectly.

Yes, it is.

Because there's no way that they would already have one is there.

that they would already have one is there.

That part in particular. Maybe it's just us, maybe it's because we haven't slept in a while, but we can honestly say that we believe that that particular sentence is worded incorrectly.

My point was that they would already have a supercomputer

M'kay, we get your point. If that's the case, then they should be using that, not PS3's.

so that purchasing another one at a much higher price (than the PS3s) would be pointless if they were only going to use it for one thing.

The supercomputer is used for many things, not just one.

If the Air Force already has one, then use it.
If not, then buy it. It serves many more purposes than just one, compared to the PS3.

Either way it goes, it looks like they're just wasting money on PS3's.

 

[Sir Kenneth]

PS3s are obviously sold at a price that covers the cost of components, etc etc. So they'll still paying off their some of their overheads with PS3 sales. They won't be making as much money as they would from 1700 different consumers all buying games, but they're still bringing in money. It may not make what most people would refer to a profit but the sales obviously benefit Sony.

Actually the sales price doesn't cover the production costs, so each unit is sold at a loss: http://gizmodo.com/5464610/sony-still-loses-money-on-every-ps3-they-sell Granted, they are not losing nearly as much money as they used to, but they are still dependent on games sales and the like to make the PS3 a profitable venture.

Obviously