To achieve accessible computational power for our research goals, we developed the tools to build numerically-intensive parallel computing clusters on the Macintosh platform. We find that the usability and reliability of the technology is as important as its performance. Our approach is designed to allow the user, without expertise in the operating system, to most efficiently develop and run parallel code, enabling the most effective advancement of scientific research. In this article we describe the design decisions we made to accomplish these goals and introduce the latest applications of our approach. By "reinventing" the cluster computer, we provide a unique solution designed to maximize accessibility for users. http://daugerresearch.com

Ponencia publicada en: Memorias del Congreso Latinoamericano de Computación de Alto Rendimiento (CLCAR) Santa Marta, Colombia 13 al 18 de agosto 2007. J.C. Jaime y G. Díaz (editores), Publicaciones Univ. Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia (2007).