The [email protected] team has released an update to the [email protected] client for all platforms to version 2.02. The new version includes a host of new features, bug fixes, and performance increases. Since many Team Mac Observer members and other Mac users have the [email protected] client running on a variety of machines, we are including the changes for all platforms.

Changes in version 2.0x of [email protected] (since version 1.0x)

All platforms

• Increased security: [email protected] now checks for unauthorized modifications to data and program files. If it detects tampering, it will delete files and start over. It is still possible to move [email protected] data files between computers; see below for more information.
• Support for SOCKS proxies. The hostname, port, user name, and password for SOCKS proxies can be entered in the Proxy Server dialog (Win/Mac) or through command-line options or environment variables (text-only versions).
• Improved support for HTTP proxies. [email protected] now conforms to the HTTP 1.0 protocol.
• Better network protocol for updating user statistics after returning results: one message to server instead of two.
• Client returns power array summary for Gaussians
• The server can have the client display an arbitrary message, and/or quit.

Graphical versions

• The old Peak Power and Best Gaussian values on the display have been replaced by a graph showing how well the power-over-time data fits the shape of a Gaussian curve. While performing calculations other than curve fitting, the display shows the best Gaussian fit so far.
• When getting new work unit, clear display of strongest Gaussian.

Windows and Macintosh

• Improved network connection retries: if [email protected] fails to connect to the server, it will retry twice at 45-second intervals, then wait 15 or 60 minutes and repeat this sequence. This accommodates users whose dialup sequence is longer than a minute or so. Also, connection errors are reported more accurately.
• Retry file opens, to coexist with Sherlock, FastFind etc. This may also give sleeping hard drives time to spin up.
• More accurate CPU time calculation

Windows

• More reliable display of icon in System Tray.

Macintosh

• Password locking. There is now a 'Require Password' checkbox in the Preferences dialog. If you check it, the screensaver will require a password to wake up.
• Version 2.0 runs under Mac OS 9 (see [email protected] Readme for details).
• In application mode, [email protected] runs faster if its window is collapsed, using the Windowshade feature under OS 8.0 and later.
• Improved responsiveness to Hot Key.
• More accurate CPU time calculation
• Better compatibility with older PPC Macs.
• Increased timeouts for network input/output.
• Resolve alias if preference file is aliased.

UNIX and other text-only versions

• Most platforms include a graphical front end (xsetiathome). This is a separate program; to use it, the client must be run with the -graphics option.
• New options:
  • -verbose: enable printfs.
  • -nolock: skip multiple-instance checking
  • -graphics: generate data for xseti
• Better support for directory locking in UNIX version

The update is free, as is all of the [email protected] software. You can find more information at the [email protected] web site.

[Editor's Note: We will have a long awaited update on the status of Team Mac Observer, our own [email protected] club team, later today.]

The Mac Observer Spin: We ask all Team members to download the latest update.