constellation@atheron:/faq$
// Questions and answers
Short answers.
And a person when you need one.
The questions people ask most. For anything else, ask Atlas in the chat, or read the step-by-step help articles.
The app
Is it free?
Yes. The app is free, and you need no plan to take part. You pay for your own electricity, which is what the points pay you back for, with 50% on top.
Which systems does it run on?
Windows 10 22H2 or newer, macOS 13 or newer, and Linux with glibc 2.35 or newer, such as Ubuntu 22.04 or Fedora 39. There is also a command-line node for servers.
Where do I download it?
Only from the members portal, once your identity is verified to Core. This site has no download files.
Will it slow my machine down?
It runs only while you are idle and pauses within a second when you touch the keyboard or mouse. It also pauses for full-screen apps and games, and never runs on battery.
Will it heat up my machine?
It keeps to the temperature and power limits you set: by default 75 °C for the GPU, 85 °C for the CPU and 80% of the graphics card's rating.
Can I use it without a graphics card?
Yes. Processor jobs run on any supported CPU. Machines below the minimum specs still install and are told plainly which jobs they can take.
Points
How are points worked out?
Each checked result earns the power it used, at your country's average household electricity price, plus 50%. One point is one Canadian cent of plan credit.
When do points start?
Once your identity is verified to Core. Your machine can run before that and its work counts, but points start from verification, at your verified country's price.
Is there a limit?
Yes, 8,500 points a month for each device, bonuses included. Each graphics card and each processor you link has its own cap. Work past the cap still counts for the leaderboard and your node card. Points beyond what you can spend are kept with no expiry, ready for when you can use them.
What can I spend them on?
Your Atheron plan, from the day live trading opens. Add-ons and pre-orders come later, and merchandise after that.
Can I cash them out?
No. Points are plan credit only. They are never paid out as cash or anything like it, and they cannot be transferred.
Why does my power price matter?
Points repay the electricity your work used, so they follow the average household price in your country. The leaderboard ranks checked work, not points, so prices never decide who wins.
Monthly stars
How does the leaderboard work?
Each calendar month, members are ranked by checked work. The top 10 and the top 3 in each region win plans, and become named stars on the map.
Do I have to buy anything?
No. Taking part is free and no plan is needed. Winners must be verified to Core and answer a skill-testing question.
Can I join a team?
Yes. Create, join or leave a team from the members portal. Teams have their own board.
Privacy
Can a job see my files?
No. Jobs run in a sandbox with no access to your files or the internet, and the app never runs as an administrator.
What do you learn about me?
Your device class, run times and temperatures with each report. Never file names, usernames or your precise location.
Who sees me on the map?
The public map shows only city dots and counts, never your name, handle or node.
Still have a question?
Atlas answers right away in the chat, and a person follows up during our business hours.