> From: Mark Boon <[email protected]>
>
> On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM, Don Dailey wrote:
> >
> > So I think we have to embrace the fact that hardware is a part of these
> > kinds of advancements. In fact I have always believe this anyway, the
> > whole idea behind computing is to perform simple and stupid operations
> > very very quickly. It's easy to forget that everything about
> > computing and what is possible is tied to the power of the hardware.
> >
> > There is another school of thought that I somewhat subscribe to and I
> > think you are alluding to, that we have been spoiled by the power and do
> > not look for the most efficient way to do things.
>
> That is another matter, one that I agree with. But that was not what I
> was alluding to. If anything, the fact that MC programs are highly
> scalable puts much more focus on efficient algorithms than has been
> the case in prior years.
>
> As with any IT problem, Computer-Go is both about hardware and
> software. I have no problem with that, it's the nature of computers
> and software. What I was alluding to was that I hope the software
> doesn't take a back-seat to the increase of hardware. I don't think
> it's nearly as interesting if it becomes a competition of who can
> bring the biggest piece of iron or who can arrange the biggest sponsor
> to pay for hardware (which is a bit what happened with Deep Blue).
>
> In the meantime, I think the advances that MC programs have brought
> are great. And so is the attention the matches get when playing
> against a pro with a super-computer.
In my experience with IT systems administration, people do tend to let the
hardware do the heavy lifting when algorithmic improvements could double and
quadruple the performance. We don't know much about the space of useful
algorithms; if we focus on some particular algorithm, we may only be able to
wring a few percent out of it, where some better algorithm could possibly yield
50% or 75% reduction in run time. We are looking for higher peaks on a mountain
range enshrouded by a heavy fog of uncertainty.
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