[jdrock]

http://www.80legs.com - web-scale web-crawling for everyone. Launched in September and growing revenue now. We've solved a lot of big data store issues in our back-end. Challenges have shifted from technical to business :)

Extractiv - web-listening and content-extraction that combines semantic analysis and web-scale reach for a complete picture of what information is on the web and what the web is discussing. The core technology is working, currently turning it into a real product.

[Tichy]

While in principle I think the approach is great, I have recently learned that some of your "volunteers" are in fact people infected with spyware. Can't find the corresponding article atm, though :-(

[barmstrong]

Yeah I met these guys when they presented at Rice a while back. I can tell you they aren't doing anything with Spyware. It was actually really frustrating because they had to keep answering this question over and over.

[jdrock]

They're not infected with spyware. Some of the computing power comes from the users of freeware applications, who are asked _during install_ if they want to enable the grid system that powers us.

[Tichy]

The article I read was about one of these freeware applications (something starting with "G", and a green Logo or mascot I think, I can not remember unfortunately), which installs the spyware if the users does "Express Install". Buried in the TOS is "we may use your computing power". It was by a third company, which in turn is supposed to be used by 80legs. Perhaps 80legs is not even aware of the shady practices of that company.

[jdrock]

You're talking about Digsby. If you managed to follow the story to its conclusion, you'll see that they dramatically changed the install process to follow Plura's (our sister company) affiliate agreement.

[Tichy]

I suppose I had read an older article. Thanks for the clarification!

[robryan]

Have you thought about the economics of having a program where people earn money from allowing use of there processing power vs paying for it regularly/ having your own processing power.

Even if it was barely worth it for the user after factoring in electricity costs the novelty factor might attract people.

[jdrock]

We have thought about it.. there is a downloadable app an individual can use, but it's not too likely they'll earn any significant money.

[DTrejo]

Some people leave their computer on all the time anyway, so they would probably be interested.