Author: Slater Wold
Date: 22:36:19 08/29/01
Go up one level in this thread
I really didn't want to get into this discussion, only because it's more about thoughts and morality more than chess. If I wanted to talk about thoughts and morality, I'd go to AA* or some kind of support group*. Or even join the SPCA*, or some kind of environmental protection group*. However, I thought this was fitting: For the first time in history, a computer has been designed that boasts enough pure processing power to actually pose a serious challenge to Garry Kasparov, the World Chess Champion. With the creation of the Deep Blue computer, IBM has designed a system that can search through a century of historical chess moves at speeds up to two hundred million positions per second. But why build a system that plays chess? Other than Kasparov, who would be interested in such a computer? By learning from a "friendly" chess match - an extremely complex and strategic game - the computer playing against Kasparov can be programmed to solve complex but common problems that, historically, have been very costly in terms of both time and money. The technology developed by the Deep Blue experiment explores a new computing paradigm: combining both specialized software and hardware with general purpose machines to more effectively tackle difficult problems. The power behind Deep Blue is an IBM RS/6000 SP system finely tuned with customized processor chips designed by IBM Research. This combination enables users to take on larger problems and use expert knowledge to analyze a deeper number of possibilities as they seek a solution. Industries from express shipping and air transportation to health insurance, financial investment, cosmetics manufacturing and retail distribution can benefit from the Deep Blue architecture. The primary research goal of Deep Blue's development is to broaden the range of applicability of the RS/6000 SP and to enhance its effectiveness through new algorithms and technology. The methodology chosen is to explore and understand the limits of massively parallel processing through the development of Deep Blue, a computer system designed to play chess at a grandmaster level. The technological concept explored by Deep Blue is the utilization of parallel special-purpose accelerators combined with a general-purpose parallel system such as the IBM RS/6000 SP. The development of a system and special-purpose accelerators for the game of chess was undertaken because chess is widely known for its computational complexity and near endless alternatives. But chess is also a game based on a small number of simple and easily comprehended rules. These attributes make it an excellent candidate for study. The experience gained and the lessons learned through the study of chess are applicable to many complex computer applications of significance commercially and to society. This was taken from http://researchweb.watson.ibm.com/deepblue/meet/html/d.3.4.html. An IBM page titled, "All this power just for chess." Anyway, I thought it was fitting. Slate *Not that there is _ANYTHING_ wrong with AA, support groups, the SPCA, or environmental protection agencies. Simply stating, that if I wanted to have a conversation on what's wrong with the world, and more detailed, wrong with people, I would talk to one of THESE groups. Not the CCC forum! **Sorry to have shifted Deep Blue into this conversation, but it _WAS_ relavent to this matter. This thread hasn't been deleted yet, therefore I take it, it is acceptable. However, I am unsure if another thread about Deep Blue is. :)
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