v6: -advmethods
V7: client-type advanced
Sets a client preference to request late stage beta work units if available. This is only a request for a specific type of work unit, and is never a guarantee the client will received this type of work unit. If none of these work units are available, and regular work unit will be downloaded instead.
This switch is not intended for machines where stability or usability are the primary concern (e.g. corporate or education environments). Its use may lead to the client running experimental projects, which may be less stable or much more complex. This setting is not recommended for a machine which is not constantly monitored. This setting may require more donor intervention. The availability of this class of WUs is based on the current projects that are running, so there is no guarantee the client will get these WUs. This setting has no affect on PPD. PPD for these WUs are benchmarked and set exactly the same as every other work unit. However, due to an occasional instability, the WU might fail, which results in lost points, so overall PPD might decrease.
When beginning new simulation projects, they are carefully rolled out using a Quality Assurance (QA) protocol which involves internal testing by members of Pande Group, then testing by the Beta Team, release under Advanced Methods, before a final full deployment across all of Folding@home. This gradual rollout is to prevent problematic WUs and software from getting released to the public and to allow donors to have some choice in terms of bleeding edge donations. The Advanced Method option tells the client to request WUs from projects which have past most — but not all — of their stability testing. Please use this option carefully, and report any problems you encounter to the appropriate section of the Folding Support Forum.