Hi all,
I've recently downloaded and am currently running software for Boinc.
Boinc is Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing,
Open-source software for volunteer computing and desktop grid computing.
It uses the idle time on your computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) to cure diseases, study global warming, discover pulsars, and do many other types of scientific research. It's safe, secure, and easy.
You can choose from a wide variety of projects to run in the background while you do what you normally do on your computer. I let my computer run Boinc while I'm having dinner or watching TV.
The project I'm working with is Rosetta@home.
Rosetta@home needs your help to determine the 3-dimensional shapes of proteins in research that may ultimately lead to finding cures for some major human diseases. By running the Rosetta program on your computer while you don't need it you will help us speed up and extend our research in ways we couldn't possibly attempt without your help. You will also be helping our efforts at designing new proteins to fight diseases such as HIV, Malaria, Cancer, and Alzheimer's.
Gives me a good feeling knowing that in at least a small way I'm helping to advance research that might ultimately help me.
Here are the links:
Boinc-http://boinc.berkeley.edu/
Rosetta@home-http://boinc.bakerlab.org/rosetta/
You can do the work solo or join a team. I've joined the Where's George rosetta@home team.
Where's George is another great hobby.
Here are the links:
Where's George rosetta@home-http://boinc.bakerlab.org/rosetta/te...hp?teamid=1658
Where's George-http://www.wheresgeorge.com
Join up and make a difference. Tell your friends too!
Cheers John

do these things actually make a difference? I'm a bit naive with stuff like this - used to tie up all my spare processors running seti's software before i suddenly had an epithany and thought wtf? - dont get me wrong - im a total sucker for good causes so if its legit, im in etc etc.

I don't think a seti type program has any real shot in the short term. Other medical research type projects do have a chance at producing a beneficial result. I do believe that the more people who join the faster we'll see results.