Simple distributed example for learning purposes?

[Nobody]

On Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:06:02 +0000, Tim Golden wrote:

> I'm trying to come up with something which will illustrate
> the usefulness of a distributed processing model. Since I
> may not be using the term "distributed" exactly, my
> criteria are:
> 
> * It should be clear that the application produces results
> sooner when run via multiple cooperating computers 
> than when run on one. 
> 
> * The problem being solved should be broadly comprehensible by
> the students. This rules out some abstruse mathematical
> calculation which would benefit from multiple processors but
> which will fail to engage their interest.

Rendering fractals? Easy to parallelise, easy to code, easy to make slow
enough that the speed-up is noticeable.