From my understanding of the rules you can start your machines whenever you want under the CC name, just make sure not to say stop your clients because your going to finish a couple hours before the contest starts. 
I have refrained from saying this before but if there was no altering of the scoring system it would be evga racing against itself since there is no competition any more. I love a good race but why race a bicycle against a motor bike, I think you already know who would win. 

@texinga:  We have enough power folders here that even with the handicap won't be a issues.   I agree with you that its a bit bother some.  But I guess that's what happens when you become #1!

**Disclosure - Team Captain for MaximumPC**
 
I want to thank Barbarossa for representing all of you well, also.  I have read much of this thread and all of his posts in the captains' forum and he has been very respectable.
 
Since I was the one who made the comment about timing  of bigadv WUs in the captains' forum, I'll chime in.  My intent wasn't to say that no one should drop a bigadv WU in the first update.   That would not be natural.  Bigadv WUs drop every update.  But looking at the EVGA EOC stats (I'm using your team as an example because I'm posting here, this applies to all teams including MaxPC), your updates are typically in the 2-2.8 million range.  If EVGApes comes in with a 4 million first update after the start of the race, it would indicate that many folders stopped their machines and let them sit idle for a period just to ensure a big jump at the start of the race.  I understand the idea behind the strategy for the race, but it is bad for Stanford.  For that reason, I said it should be discouraged.  Let's face it, most of us are 24/7 folders (generalization, not everybody).  If you fall in that category and stop your machine for hours just to time the start of a race, then the project is missing out on scientific results they would have normally gotten from you. 
 
I can be as competitive as the next guy, but I fold because I want to see cures in my lifetime.  Everything else related to folding, including the Chimp Challenge, is secondary.  I refuse to do anything that delays results that may help find that cure.
 
I stated in the captains' forum that I would be switching my username over early enough so that any WU I finish after the start of the race would be in the maximum_monkey name.  I will make no further effort to time the finish of a WU.  If my first bigadv completes 5 minutes after the start of the race, or if it completes a day and a half after the start, then so be it.
 
Let's have a good race, but let's also remember the mission of the Folding@Home project.

Full_Taoer
**Disclosure - Team Captain for MaximumPC**

Let's have a good race, but let's also remember the mission of the Folding@Home project.

Thanks for coming over this evening and elaborating on your perspective.  I would also like to make sure one thing is clear from my questions/comments above about starting Bigadvs ahead of the CC start time.  Knowing most of the teammates that have commented in this thread, I believe I can safely say that (like you) we are all committed to the Science first.  That is stated so much around here that it is a staple of our Folding diet and conversations.   I would never consider stopping/delaying a Bigadv, SMP or GPU work unit for any contest advantage because finishing the work always comes first (just as you believe).  So, in that regard we are all in agreement and "brothers in Folding one and all". 
 
To me, the contest is really an annual opportunity where we all come together to show our technical best at what we can collectively do for Folding.  So, best of luck to your Team and may you have cool temps for all of your Folding efforts!

Full_Taoer

**Disclosure - Team Captain for MaximumPC**

I want to thank Barbarossa for representing all of you well, also.  I have read much of this thread and all of his posts in the captains' forum and he has been very respectable.

Since I was the one who made the comment about timing  of bigadv WUs in the captains' forum, I'll chime in.  My intent wasn't to say that no one should drop a bigadv WU in the first update.   That would not be natural.  Bigadv WUs drop every update.  But looking at the EVGA EOC stats (I'm using your team as an example because I'm posting here, this applies to all teams including MaxPC), your updates are typically in the 2-2.8 million range.  If EVGApes comes in with a 4 million first update after the start of the race, it would indicate that many folders stopped their machines and let them sit idle for a period just to ensure a big jump at the start of the race.  I understand the idea behind the strategy for the race, but it is bad for Stanford.  For that reason, I said it should be discouraged.  Let's face it, most of us are 24/7 folders (generalization, not everybody).  If you fall in that category and stop your machine for hours just to time the start of a race, then the project is missing out on scientific results they would have normally gotten from you. 

I can be as competitive as the next guy, but I fold because I want to see cures in my lifetime.  Everything else related to folding, including the Chimp Challenge, is secondary.  I refuse to do anything that delays results that may help find that cure.

I stated in the captains' forum that I would be switching my username over early enough so that any WU I finish after the start of the race would be in the maximum_monkey name.  I will make no further effort to time the finish of a WU.  If my first bigadv completes 5 minutes after the start of the race, or if it completes a day and a half after the start, then so be it.

Let's have a good race, but let's also remember the mission of the Folding@Home project.

I'm sure that that makes some sense to you and many that want an excuse when they lose. Simple fact is that the more teammembers the larger the opportunity for "highs/lows" statistically.
 
I fold for several Teams, I fold what I want when I want and how much for any Team. I suppose that this will be a big problem as well if I pull some or all the points from another Team(s) to the Apes for the CC???? Yet Teams can import folders that don't fold normally for a particular Team?
 
Also, what is up with having to estimate folding points? What level above this estimate is too much? Let's call a percent over for disqualification per individual or Team or whatever up front. With me it's more about income vs electric bill as I will have 5 rigs by start-up. My electric went up about 30% but tyhis may be the 1st month that a bill will show the difference.
 
I'm simply disappointed that all the Team Captains have gotten together to make up such a set of convoluted and grey shaded rules as to allow disqualification in the event of what "should be" innevitable.
 
Sean

You know what?  I'm no longer worried about my ability to match what I did in those previous high months.  Now that I'm running -bigadv I am able to keep the heat producing GPU clients at a reasonable level for now and still rake in some bigger points a few times per week.  I still wish I had the knowledge to tweak my OC a little higher, 65 hours is a chunk of time to finish a WU.  I wish I could get one done in 48 hours, but I think that may be biting off a little more than my i7-875K can chew.
 

Just need to get the overclock stable, then its a green light for me.

Since you handily won last year do you think it will be that hard to get participation?
Who is this THEY you keep reffering too? The only people I have seen complain about bigadvs are on this forum... FT said that as long as you didnt stop your folders and time them for the start of the race there was no problem, that holds for all teams not just EVGA. 
You will also see that the same problems with timing bigadvs is small compared to the threat of people using server racks in this contest. Last year it was the same story and everyone was complaining about servers.  All it does is stir up more drama so why threaten to use them in what is supposed to be a friendly FRIENDLY competition. 
This is about the SCIENCE! This is about changing up the daily folding routine once a year. If you take this too seriously then what is the point and why ARE you doing this again?

magnumsrule

Since you handily won last year do you think it will be that hard to get participation?
Who is this THEY you keep reffering too? The only people I have seen complain about bigadvs are on this forum... FT said that as long as you didnt stop your folders and time them for the start of the race there was no problem, that holds for all teams not just EVGA. 
You will also see that the same problems with timing bigadvs is small compared to the threat of people using server racks in this contest. Last year it was the same story and everyone was complaining about servers.  All it does is stir up more drama so why threaten to use them in what is supposed to be a friendly FRIENDLY competition. 
This is about the SCIENCE! This is about changing up the daily folding routine once a year. If you take this too seriously then what is the point and why ARE you doing this again?

I'm guessing by your "Since you handily won last year do you think it will be that hard to get participation?" that your points for EVGA are only for the EVGA Bucks as otherwise it would have been "more like a we" thingy. Also, I was not here last Year so I'm simply 'basking in the overcast limelight'. This years contest FWICD is nothing like last year.
 
As for the bolded part of your post, I've not seen "Bupkus" here in EVGA CC thread about server racks as a complaint about Last Year's Challenge until you brought it up and we're on almost 200 posts. As far as Drama goes, and again JIMO, it has never made for anything other than excitement in competitive sporting events. Also, why would one such as yourself who seems comfortable with the "rules" consider short-term ownership a big deal (Threat) if it's "for the science" especially if the rules do not preclude it????? I would consider it a decent way for a larger member Team to take advantage of a "Tax Loophole". And for Science to take a VERY Large booster shot.
 
I guess Science value only matters if a Team can't post it to win.
 
Sean

EDIT: You are just another Maximum PC'er trying to justify the rules that put your team in one of the easier runnings for the win in the CC

drougnor

SBB - Jason, the guy that owns EOC just hasn't updated it is all. Nothing to worry about.

Cool thanks!                            

There is No way of winning this contest, in 10 days we WILL have produced OVER 200 Mil points and still be in last place.
 
Sorry but thats the way it is!

Sorry guys getting in on this very late, err actually just now, today.  - thanks Barbarossa
 
I, for one, have very big problems with 10 days folding for the monkey, I can live with 3 to 5 days, but I was going like "stir crazy" last year, and that was no where close to 10 days.   I hated it.
 
I like the idea that Xavier had.  It goes to the central point of the competition, getting others (evga forum members and visitors to evga.com, or friends and family) to join with us to increase our production for Stanford, and we get to keep or own points.   
 
Unfortunately I don't think we have any chance of winning this type of competition.
 
 

Xavier Zepherious

but it is the fairest method
every team would have a chance
it's based off your teams folding in last 4-6 months
the idea is to prove you can improve your teams output over the teams previous months (and do better than other teams doing the same)
and to grow your teams participation and output as a whole
adding new members while doing it
(to better ourselves so to speak...that is the goal)

it gives everyone even odds
what's wrong with that? or are we afraid of a fair fight

science and folding would be the big winners

Im the new member here...
Even I see that we can do this

I say the CC could use a good revamp and make the contest fair for all teams

mmillion

Sorry guys getting in on this very late, err actually just now, today.  - thanks Barbarossa

I, for one, have very big problems with 10 days folding for the monkey, I can live with 3 to 5 days, but I was going like "stir crazy" last year, and that was no where close to 10 days.   I hated it.

I like the idea that Xavier had.  It goes to the central point of the competition, getting others (evga forum members and visitors to evga.com, or friends and family) to join with us to increase our production for Stanford, and we get to keep or own points.   

Unfortunately I don't think we have any chance of winning this type of competition.

Xavier Zepherious

but it is the fairest method
every team would have a chance
it's based off your teams folding in last 4-6 months
the idea is to prove you can improve your teams output over the teams previous months (and do better than other teams doing the same)
and to grow your teams participation and output as a whole
adding new members while doing it
(to better ourselves so to speak...that is the goal)

it gives everyone even odds
what's wrong with that? or are we afraid of a fair fight

science and folding would be the big winners

Im the new member here...
Even I see that we can do this

I say the CC could use a good revamp and make the contest fair for all teams

 
I'd have to agree with you on this one.  I don't for see any good coming out of this years CC for Team EVGA.  The only good is for the cause obviously.

Singed up.  I wont have my main rig up for a little bit, but when I do it will be rockin!

Ah well, they can win a little competition, but at the end of the day we are still #1 without a proper competitor in sight!