LookSmart to Power Search With Volunteers
Posted on April 17, 2003
LookSmart, which already provides a web directory, is adding a web search engine powered by volunteers. Each volunteer downloads a screen saver which utilizes unused computing power on the volunteer's PC.
Wired reports that new search engine, called Grub, uses a method similar to that used by SETI@Home -- which used people's unused PC power to search for aliens. It sounds great for the provider of the technology but what does the user get for helping power the company's product? It makes sense for SETI and non-profits but why would people want to power use their PCs resources to power the product of a for-profit company?
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