Dumbest Idea Yet

floydefisher · 2023-05-05T16:06:49.994Z

If I was to actually get paid for crypto mining in my basement, I would definitely report it.

Again, folding@home (and other DC projects) use similar amounts of electricity as crypto mining. I have friends who set up 20 computers in their basements running such projects (they have big hearts and want to help cure stuff like cancer). How do you tell the difference between someone doing folding@home, from mining crypto?

In fact, as a protest, I offer the following: The hannity community start a folding@home team. We can burn similar amounts of electricity for a good cause and put up our middle fingers to the Biden administration.

Does our esteemed host approve of this protest?

rp5x5 · 2023-05-05T17:04:51.585Z

floydefisher:

That’s not the point.

The point is, how do you tell if I’m mining, folding at home, or running a web server?

The only way you can really tell, is if you hack into the machines themselves and see what is running.

They can find you on this forum and hunt you down and eat you.

floydefisher · 2023-05-05T17:23:09.980Z

I’m nothing but muscle and bone…I taste terrible.

coolidge · 2023-05-05T17:30:57.597Z

I havent seen crypto mining characterized that way. I am not saying its wrong. I just admit i am intrigued at the perspective. The documentaries i have seen about it have romanticized it.

Rurudyne · 2023-05-05T17:36:49.496Z

Aside: crypto coal mining … Pay the miners in crypto … guaranteed to outrage enviros…

floydefisher · 2023-05-05T17:37:59.439Z

I’m not for or against crypto mining per se, just how do you enforce anything to clamp down on it without breaking and entering a computer to prove what they are doing?

Could be crypto mining. Could be a bulk email operation. Could be doing DC projects. Could be a web server.

How do you tell the difference?

GWH · 2023-05-05T19:17:31.664Z

My power company gives me a breakdown of what appliances uses however much energy each month. I’m not sure how, but they do. Water heater is a big one.

GWH · 2023-05-05T19:20:07.629Z

Probably first through power usage, charged with tax evasion, then subpoenas of your servers to prove the assertion.

As long as you have ~30K emails deleted from those servers, you’re safe.

DougBH · 2023-05-05T19:37:31.751Z

If gambling can be regulated or made illegal, I don’t see why the same principle doesn’t apply to crypto play money.
With the backing of a government, it is just another form of currency.
Without the backing of a government it is just another form of roulette.

Supreme_War_Pig · 2023-05-05T22:43:46.851Z

GWH:

My power company gives me a breakdown of what appliances uses however much energy each month. I’m not sure how, but they do. Water heater is a big one.

Wait, what?

So, your statement might say something like downstairs flatscreen: 5kph?

Gaius · 2023-05-06T00:06:34.086Z

The so-called “mining” of crypto is based on a lottery.
The more electricity you burn the more random numbers you generate, the better your chances.

GWH · 2023-05-06T00:30:26.622Z

No, more general. Like water heater, heat and air, lights…I’ll try to find one.

Here it is. Yes, I have a very low power bill.

IMG_78041170×1129 97.6 KB

Supreme_War_Pig · 2023-05-06T00:42:48.380Z

Thanks. It is still weird that they can differentiate the uses. Are all your appliances smart appliances or something?

GWH · 2023-05-06T00:53:40.485Z

No. This is the best I could find it explained.

That is one of the oft-discussed consequences of smart meters, yes.

Because they measure at a far higher granularity (sample rate) it is relatively easy to identify the use of electric ovens, kettles, refrigerators etc. The consumption of a computer is likely to be steady over a lengthy period - even continuous if it is never switched off. Heaters of any kind tend to have a duty cycle in several minutes because most thermostats are on-off controls; and TVs tend not to be on much outside peak viewing periods.

One justification is to offer you advice - such as putting computers on standby when not actively in use - t o save you money.

Quora

How do utility companies provide data around how much energy is consumed by...

Answer (1 of 6): The data they provide is representative, average data. Manufacturers know how much power their equipment uses; there is no reason not to share that with the utilities. (Indeed, if the utility gives rebates for energy-efficient...

Supreme_War_Pig · 2023-05-06T01:06:10.186Z

Well, I guess that makes sense. Thanks again!

e7alr · 2023-05-06T02:42:54.012Z

That is the smart meter linked with your smart appliances.

Steel-W0LF · 2023-05-06T03:12:11.880Z

GWH:

My power company gives me a breakdown of what appliances uses however much energy each month. I’m not sure how, but they do. Water heater is a big one.

This is just my semi educated guess.

I would guess they can tell by the wattage use and the “startup” profile when the voltage jump hits the meter.

For example then might know that most residential refrigerators use 900 watts, but have a startup load of 1300 that last 2 seconds, where as an electric dryer uses a small startup load, but an “on again off again” load of 1,200 watts as they can see the heating elements cycle on and off.

So long as 2 appliances don’t start up at exactly the same time I would think they could be fairly accurate guessing as to what turned on or off.

Samm · 2023-05-06T04:02:51.078Z

e7alr:

That is the smart meter linked with your smart appliances.

None of my appliances are smart. But the meter might be. Our electric utility replaced all the meters several years ago so they can be read remotely. My electric utility has no idea what energy source I use to heat my water, dry my laundry or cook my food. And quite frankly, I don’t think they care to know.

e7alr · 2023-05-06T08:02:55.967Z

The goal is to be able to remote set your energy usage. You betters know best what amount of energy, thus standard of living, you are entitled too. It goes in the same column as digital currency.

floydefisher · 2023-05-06T08:38:17.137Z

It’s based on a percentage of your electric bill. Plus how much natural gas you’re burning.