For instance, we had to come up with software that could run CDROM disks that had to be inserted into each of the participating computers. This step was crucial, to avoid tampering or losing data on any of the computers. More importantly, we had to steer clear of the hard disc so as to enable all the participating computers to run the same operating system and application at the same time, without having to install anything on the hard disks. This way, it was safe for people to lend us their computers since we only intended to use the memory and processors of their computers. Logistically, due to a large number of volunteer equipment in one location, there was a need for a registration and asset tracking system.  This system ensures that everyone gets their stuff at the end of the day. In future, flash mob organizers can also benefit from our software and also use our registration process as a model.

Attendance to the event was satisfactory with people from different walks of life ranging from high school students, college lectures and supercomputing gurus. Everyone in attendance felt like they were participating in a revolutionary event. The event also got the attention of the media, which enabled our project to be shared with the whole world. The response we have received has been very encouraging with a good number of people getting motivated to organize a flash mob computer in their hometowns. The project made people realize that there are many untapped resources in their computers, which are yet to be put to use for a good cause.

Making our software available on our website has enabled scores of people to run their mini flash mobs at their homes, in schools or even at their place of work. A good number of people are eager to turn their ordinary computers into supercomputers. The whole project also created awareness of the potential and the use of interconnecting multiple computers simultaneously to solve a single problem. Some people had never heard of parallel computing until we launched the project. We feel that the project not only introduced a new type of computing but also popularized its existence and made people more aware of its potential.

The first goal of making flash mob computing a reality has been achieved. We have substantiated that making a temporary supercomputer is possible. The next step is even bigger with hopes of creating scientific applications that are built specifically for flash mob computing. There are many easy to run applications for computers everywhere. We aim to create easy to use scientific application for flash mob computing that can be utilized by anyone to perform their experiments. Our vision is for scientists from different genres to adapt their existing supercomputing applications to the flash mob environment. These applications can be created on easy to run CDROMs that can be duplicated to as many copies as the expected computers on the flash mob. If scientists adapt their applications to flash mob, this will create alternative platforms for people who cannot access supercomputers to do their scientific computations. Our website is open to serve as a platform where scientist and individuals interested in building flash mob computers can meet and interact.

The USF team is still planning and reflecting on improvements that can be made to the core flash mob software. The idea is to make the project an “open source” where anyone can download and make modifications to our code. The most significant improvement is to reduce the amount of time needed to setup and configure the flash mob computers so that the computations can be done as fast as possible. In addition, we would like to significantly reduce the chances of failure of the flash mob computers. The benchmark program that was used for the flash mob I would crash if any of the computers on the flash mob failed in the course of the computation. These two improvements will enable the maximization of the computation as opposed to the configuration time, especially because the flash mob supercomputer is temporary.

Flash mob I promoted unity at USF by bringing faculty members and students in the department of computer science together to make the flash mob software. The organizational effort extended over several administrative units and also received great supports from different levels in the university. Both the volunteers and the non-volunteers made it easy for the participants to carry on with their projects.

Above all else, it is of great importance to note that creating a flash mob supercomputer is much about the people who participate in it as it is the technology they offer.