Match computer a Commodore 64?

[secretwave101]

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Or maybe a 286...

I can't imagine WHY the match process takes from Feb. 22 until March 16th when everything is done on a computer. I've thought through the general idea of all the variables that need to be weighed, and I just can't see how it would take this much time. The computing process, with not much more than some above-average RAM, would probably need an afternoon. MAYBE a full day.

Am I totally under-estimating the complexity here? Just curious (and done waiting).

 

[fantasty]

I don't know the specifics, but they do run the match several times for quality control purposes. They have to randomly start the algorithm but by replicating it, they can prove that the start point doesn't matter. Therefore, it doesn't matter if you were the first person matched or the last person, the final results should be the same for nearly everyone.

 

[robotsonic]

According to Iserson, the Match program takes 6 minutes to run. The rest of the 3 weeks is quality control. They have to check that all of the data they are putting in is correct, etc and they have to run the program many times to check that it is consistent. I'm sure there is a lot to it. Sure, they might be able to do it faster, but we might see more errors.

But I'm starting to go nuts, too. 😉

 

[doctorsquared]

Or maybe a 286...

I can't imagine WHY the match process takes from Feb. 22 until March 16th when everything is done on a computer. I've thought through the general idea of all the variables that need to be weighed, and I just can't see how it would take this much time. The computing process, with not much more than some above-average RAM, would probably need an afternoon. MAYBE a full day.

Am I totally under-estimating the complexity here? Just curious (and done waiting).

The match algorithm is on 42,703 punch cards and every year someone has to figure out where the punch cards are hidden for security reasons (1 day). Someone drops them and has to put them back in order. This takes about 4 days. Some of the cards need to be repunched. Finding a keypunch operator takes 3 days through Kelly Technical. Finding and purchasing a keypunch machine on Ebay takes 5 days with express shipping.
Winning bid $23 (Shipping $173.). It then takes the IBM-370 supercomputer 6 minutes and 24 seconds to read the punch cards and the program takes 0.132 seconds to run. It takes 7 additional days to find computer paper that will run in the Silvereed dot matrix printer and 15 hours for the printer to print the results. Typing in emails by hand takes four additional days.

So I think they get the results out pretty quickly! 🙂

 

[Loopo Henle]

The match algorithm is on 42,703 punch cards and every year someone has to figure out where the punch cards are hidden for security reasons (1 day). Someone drops them and has to put them back in order. This takes about 4 days. Some of the cards need to be repunched. Finding a keypunch operator takes 3 days through Kelly Technical. Finding and purchasing a keypunch machine on Ebay takes 5 days with express shipping.
Winning bid $23 (Shipping $173.). It then takes the IBM-370 supercomputer 6 minutes and 24 seconds to read the punch cards and the program takes 0.132 seconds to run. It takes 7 additional days to find computer paper that will run in the Silvereed dot matrix printer and 15 hours for the printer to print the results. Typing in emails by hand takes four additional days.

So I think they get the results out pretty quickly! 🙂

What do they do with the hanging chads?

 

[secretwave101]

What do they do with the hanging chads?

Every year the final result goes through the U.S. Supreme Court for verification. Kinda poses a bottleneck.

 

[docB]

There is a simple reason that they make everyone wait 3 weeks for the results of a 6 min process. It is the same reason behind many of the inconveniences we all face from license applications, CME, ACLS/ATLS/PALS recerts, license renewals, taxes and so on. No one cares. If you ask them they'll say you're lucky they don't make you wait a year.

 

[Sohalia]

Even given that they take 3 weeks to get the results out, why can't they somehow include the information about what program one matched at when we find out if we matched or not (the 13th)? Why make those who matched wait the extra days to find out? The scramble can still take place for those who didn't match and there can still be a match ceremony at schools when the scramble is over. That way people find out where they're going in the privacy of their homes (or wherever) instead of in front of everyone. I bet a lot of people would prefer that. The match ceremony would then just be a time when 4th years announce to the class where they are going instead of this big nail biting event & would thus probably be more enjoyable to the participants overall (I know it would be for me).

 

[PickyBicky]

Even given that they take 3 weeks to get the results out, why can't they somehow include the information about what program one matched at when we find out if we matched or not (the 13th)? Why make those who matched wait the extra days to find out? The scramble can still take place for those who didn't match and there can still be a match ceremony at schools when the scramble is over. That way people find out where they're going in the privacy of their homes (or wherever) instead of in front of everyone. I bet a lot of people would prefer that. The match ceremony would then just be a time when 4th years announce to the class where they are going instead of this big nail biting event & would thus probably be more enjoyable to the participants overall (I know it would be for me).

I hear what you're saying, but in a sense, this is like a 7 year old asking why they can't open their christmas presents on christmas eve...

-PB

 

[u_r_my_serenity]

Last year at my school one person tried to make a change to his certified rank list on the last day allowed. Presumably due to the heavy traffic on the NRMP website, he somehow ended up with NO rank list when the match algorithim started. The NRMP contacted my medical school who then contacted the student and the issue was resolved with him submitting a new rank list.

I bet that student isn't complaining that it takes 3 weeks for something that should "only take 6 minutes."

As for making matched applicants wait until the 16th to find out where they matched after telling them on the 13th that they matched- I support this for the same reasons I support keeping grades confidential. The 13th and the 14th allow time for people to scramble *and* enjoy the celebration with the rest of the class. It also protects them from the extreme pressure and sense of shame they will feel if everyone finds out they "failed". My dean told us today that she will consider any fourth year who is not scrambling coming to the dean's office on the 13th or 14th as committing unproffessional behavior. If the majority of the class finds out where they matched on the 13th then the match party is going to be on the night of the 13th one way or another.

 

[deleted4401]

Gimme a break. I didn't match last year. It sucked, but I didn't feel it to be unprofessional for people to be at school or at the office that day. It's a pretty special day for everybody, and just because of a few of us have bad luck shouldn't make anyone else feel bad for matching. The last thing on my mind that morning was what my classmates thought. They know me, and most of them liked me. They felt bad. The only embarrassment was that I was unable to be happy for them ... until Match Day - then it hit - it's a great day, and even though I ran into a hitch, I was so happy for my friends.

I think the 13th we should all find out not only if we matched, but where we matched. Let the scramble happen on the 14th, and then have the big Match party on the 15th. Why wait on this? We've waited long enough.

-SDP

Last year at my school one person tried to make a change to his certified rank list on the last day allowed. Presumably due to the heavy traffic on the NRMP website, he somehow ended up with NO rank list when the match algorithim started. The NRMP contacted my medical school who then contacted the student and the issue was resolved with him submitting a new rank list.

I bet that student isn't complaining that it takes 3 weeks for something that should "only take 6 minutes."

As for making matched applicants wait until the 16th to find out where they matched after telling them on the 13th that they matched- I support this for the same reasons I support keeping grades confidential. The 13th and the 14th allow time for people to scramble *and* enjoy the celebration with the rest of the class. It also protects them from the extreme pressure and sense of shame they will feel if everyone finds out they "failed". My dean told us today that she will consider any fourth year who is not scrambling coming to the dean's office on the 13th or 14th as committing unproffessional behavior. If the majority of the class finds out where they matched on the 13th then the match party is going to be on the night of the 13th one way or another.

 

[secretwave101]

Last year at my school one person tried to make a change to his certified rank list on the last day allowed. Presumably due to the heavy traffic on the NRMP website, he somehow ended up with NO rank list when the match algorithim started. The NRMP contacted my medical school who then contacted the student and the issue was resolved with him submitting a new rank list.

I bet that student isn't complaining that it takes 3 weeks for something that should "only take 6 minutes."

So, THOUSANDS of students have to sit around for 3 weeks just in case the yearly Captian Bizarro manages to defunk his rank list on the very last day?

That's like having a crosswalk in the middle of the highway.

 

[AlternateSome1]

I hear what you're saying, but in a sense, this is like a 7 year old asking why they can't open their christmas presents on christmas eve...

-PB

I think it is more like having Microsoft or Enron or Coca-cola trademark christmas, then move the day back 3 weeks just because they can.

 

[Plastikos]

So, THOUSANDS of students have to sit around for 3 weeks just in case the yearly Captian Bizarro manages to defunk his rank list on the very last day?

That's like having a crosswalk in the middle of the highway.

Yeah, sorry it just doesnt make enough sense to justify. They could deal with that on the side or probably with no detriment at all.

 

[Idiopathic]

the final results should be the same for nearly everyone.

I hope you meant to take out the nearly.

 

[flighterdoc]

The match algorithm is on 42,703 punch cards and every year someone has to figure out where the punch cards are hidden for security reasons (1 day). Someone drops them and has to put them back in order. This takes about 4 days. Some of the cards need to be repunched. Finding a keypunch operator takes 3 days through Kelly Technical. Finding and purchasing a keypunch machine on Ebay takes 5 days with express shipping.
Winning bid $23 (Shipping $173.). It then takes the IBM-370 supercomputer 6 minutes and 24 seconds to read the punch cards and the program takes 0.132 seconds to run. It takes 7 additional days to find computer paper that will run in the Silvereed dot matrix printer and 15 hours for the printer to print the results. Typing in emails by hand takes four additional days.

So I think they get the results out pretty quickly! 🙂

Two things frighten me about the above: That it's true, and that I understand (and have used) all of the above equipment (but not in the last 20 years or so).

 

[3dtp]

The match algorithm is on 42,703 punch cards and every year someone has to figure out where the punch cards are hidden for security reasons (1 day). Someone drops them and has to put them back in order. This takes about 4 days. Some of the cards need to be repunched. Finding a keypunch operator takes 3 days through Kelly Technical. Finding and purchasing a keypunch machine on Ebay takes 5 days with express shipping.
Winning bid $23 (Shipping $173.). It then takes the IBM-370 supercomputer 6 minutes and 24 seconds to read the punch cards and the program takes 0.132 seconds to run. It takes 7 additional days to find computer paper that will run in the Silvereed dot matrix printer and 15 hours for the printer to print the results. Typing in emails by hand takes four additional days.

So I think they get the results out pretty quickly! 🙂

This is the upgraded system. The magnetic core memory in the PDP-8 stopped working and the paper tape reader on the teletype jammed, so they called IBM after Compaq bought out DEC and refused to service it.

The real reason is so the NRMP officials can call their program buddies and auction off their top choices for cruises, golf outings, condos in the Caymans, ski trips to Europe, cash...

 

[u_r_my_serenity]

SimulD: I believe if 95% of the class finds out where they match on the 13th then the (unofficial) match party will be on the 13th. Further, you seem like a strong individual and not everyone will cope as well as you do.

Secretwave: Yes, I think it's ok for all of us to wait since the only problem is that you're impatient. Where you match will not change by waiting and you don't actually lose anything. Compare this to having where you match decided in error and being forced to move your entire life to wherever that is because some people just could not wait a few weeks to iron out the errors. And student-error is not the only possibility of the errors that could made.

 

[Sivastraba]

Two things frighten me about the above: That it's true, and that I understand (and have used) all of the above equipment (but not in the last 20 years or so).

Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice;
moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue



Real Heros wear uniforms - not jerseys or "bling-bling"

Damascus; Pyongyang; Tehran; Riyadh; Khartoum; Paris delenda est!



99.9% of lawyers give the rest a bad name

So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. G. W. Bush



Ending tyranny? More than 2/3 of the dictators in the world were placed into power by the US...

 

[southerndoc]

Commodore 64? I thought it was a Vic 28?

 

[Sugar72]

Man I had a killer commodore 64 with qbert on it. I played that baby all day long. It was way more fun than the match

 

[Poety]

Man I had a killer commodore 64 with qbert on it. I played that baby all day long. It was way more fun than the match

I loved that damn Q-bert.

 

[Gfunk6]

I loved my C64. I really loved to play Raid over Moscow, Beachead, Pool of Radiance, and Manhunt.

 

[Sugar72]

I loved my C64. I really loved to play Raid over Moscow, Beachead, Pool of Radiance, and Manhunt.

wow - you had a lot of games. I just had qbert and a really bad flight simulator that noone in my family could make fly. Thank goodness we had an atari also with frogger and ET.