Frequently Asked Questions
These are our general FAQs, we also have technical and troubleshooting FAQs (you’ll need to be logged in)
Will this affect my computer security?
No. Security of computers accessing data over the Internet is very important. For this reason the Nereus client software, around which theSkyNet is based, is designed to work within the Java ‘sandbox’. This means that data is sent to the computer, processed and sent back all without ever having been saved to the computer hard disk. The Nereus client is unable to access the disk of the computer so it cannot add viruses or trojans; nor can it read any files.
What are the system requirements?
You’ll need Java 1.6 or above (installed already on most computers and easily updateable at java.com) and at least 2GB of RAM to run theSkyNet on your computer. You can donate your spare computing power to us with computers that have less the 2GB of RAM, but it wont work as well as intended. You can read the technical FAQs after signing up for more details.
Will this slow my computer down?
No. theSkyNet uses thousands of machines to simulate a single very powerful computer. Each packet of data processed is very small and a computer signed up to theSkyNet will only be used to process data at a rate that won’t noticeably affect the performance of the machine for the user. If you open more than one theSkyNet client on your computer you might start to notice effects, but the system has been optimised to be invisble with just one client running.
Will this affect my internet usage / data plan?
The packets of data sent back and forth from theSkyNet to your computer are very small, but they can add up over many weeks of donating to theSkyNet. As a member, you can control how much data theSkyNet uploads and downloads each month by changing the Monthly Network Limit under Manage Account. theSkyNet team are also negotiating with Internet Service providers around Australia to make all traffic to and from theSkyNet ‘unmetered’.
I’ve heard I can win a prize?
You sure can. Individuals can win a trip to the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) to see the radio astronomy projects that are springing up in the desert of Western Australia.
What are credits?
You earn credits for contributing your compute power to theSkyNet. The longer you are connected, the more you will contribute and the faster you will earn credits.
Credits win you trophies, help you climb your way up theSkyNet ladders and add to any alliance you are in. In the coming weeks, we’ll announce how many credits it will take to take out our grand prize.
- You can contribute more by logging in to your theSkyNet account from multiple computers.
- Any credits you earn while you’re in an alliance add to that alliance’s tally, and will stay with that alliance even if you decide to leave.
Have a question not covered here?
Contact theSkyNet and we’ll get back to you with the answer.
