Would it be difficult to take a javascript version of stockfish (
github.com/exoticorn/stockfish-js) and have people that want an analysis, make it themselves on their browser and have it posted on the site after (for stat)?
Seems to fit nice with the scalable part...?
@OneOfTheQI am not sure if this hardware info is still up to date:
www.gittip.com/lichess.org/ I thought the same thing and I was going to write a message about it!
some links:
github.com/glinscott/Garbochess-JSwith pgn4web
code.google.com/p/pgn4web/wiki/EngineAnalysisBoardFirst come first served to analyse a game.
Create a waiting list. Stockfish would not overload the server, if there were a limit to the amount of games being analysed at the same time.
We would click on the analysis as usual, but as an immediate reply, the answer could be,..
You are # 10 of 1500 games being analysed. In about 3 minutes, your game will be analysed. Press cancel if you change your mind or close the present window.
1) Distributed computing such as folding at home: Complicated as all hell, and difficult to standardise as all systems will have different processing capabilities. And also overkill for what we need.
2) Use a JS based Stockfish engine: This is only useful to people with powerful desktop machines.
3) Have a queue: we already have a queue.
We just need a moderately powerful computer (or several if you're feeling generous) that can be used constantly for extended periods of time.
I suspect that many lichess users will be willing to help in some way, but only a very small fraction will be familiar with setting up a server. (I mean setting up a linux box, getting a static IP, etc. I'm aware that you guys will be setting up the stockfish part).
On the other hand, I think a much larger fraction will find it easier to just donate money.
Is it possible to run the analysis on Amazon's web services, or some similar offering?
Why not implement a donation system, if 5% of Lichess users would donate 1$, Lichess could easily rack up 2000$/month which is more than plenty to buy amazing server infrastructure and a bit extra to motivate the devs into prioritising the development of Lichess over other projects.
I do rent a server (OVH Kimsufi, so relatively cheap but I guess enough?) and do not use a lot of CPU. How can I help? You can reach me easily through my website (
http://www.symphozik.info/contact.html)
Great, I sent you a message. I hope you can join #lichess IRC chan on freenode so we can discuss it comfortably.
