Donating your computer

***Earniel*** · 05-20-2006, 11:07 AM

Since a few years scientists have tried to tap into the giant potential computer power owned by the population. I think SETI started the trend, at least it was the first one I've heard from. But now you've got loads to choose from: cancer reseach, anthrax research, research into climate change, searching for signs of extra-terrestrial life, etc...

The main benefit of this is that scientists can process a lot more data than they would be able to on their own. The programmes can be run on ordinary computers and they normally don't interfere with the day-to-day use of the computers. So there isn't much you would have to do yourself.

So what do you think of it? Would you donate your computer to such a cause? Or why not? Do you think the data the computers process could be useful to science? What sort of programme would you choose, existing or not? Or which do you have already?

Spock · 05-21-2006, 12:46 PM

I know that you can run a background program for SETI which searches for alien signals, while your using your computer at home. Donating tiny home computers to such massive institutions doesn't seem practical.

***Earniel*** · 05-21-2006, 06:47 PM

Perhaps with enough computers joining in the programme it might be worthwile? I wonder how many computers exactly would be needed for it to be worthwile to do research this way. After all I suppose writing these research programmes for ordinary computers can take a while.

***Khamûl*** · 05-21-2006, 10:55 PM

Actually, I've had my computer set up to help find a cure for cancer for the last 1 year, 198 days, 4 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds.

I figured since I have it on most all the time at college, I might as well be putting it to good use. You can find a full list of 'mooters helping in Jonathan's signature. (Aren't you one, Earniel?)

***Earniel*** · 05-22-2006, 03:16 AM

I was one, but a while ago I lost the programme when Dave crashed. My sister then fell out with the people on the messageboard there and we moved to another cancer-reseach programme that has recently ended.

So now we're looking into it whether we'd join the BBC climate change programme.

trolls' bane · 05-22-2006, 11:41 PM

Proposal: To create an interntational team of volunteering Entmooters to participate in the BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing), aiding in scientific research by allowing the project to use a selected percentage of their computer's resources.

Requirements:
-Will to help out in any or all BOINC projects listed below.
-Have the BOINC program installed on your computer.
-Be at least moderately computer-savvy and good at figuring things out for yourself.

BOINC projects include:[list]SETI@Home - Searching the sky for potential alien signals.
Predictor@Home - Predict protein structure from protein sequence.
LHC@Home - Help in the construction of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN by simulating particle behavior.
Einstein@Home - Full sky search for pulsars using the LIGO observatory.
SZTAKI Desktop Grid - Find all generalized binary number systems up to dimension 11.
BURP - Big and Ugly Rendering Project.
Rosetta@Home - Protein folding, design and docking.
PrimeGrid - Factoring the number in the RSA Factoring Challenge.
uFluids

Finish this later. DO NOT CLOSE THIS YET!

***Earniel*** · 05-23-2006, 03:10 AM

Technically your thread was advertising, TB. But since it's about the same topic and gives a few examples of those programmes I merged it with this thread.

sun-star · 05-23-2006, 04:47 AM

Janny's donated his computer to search for prime numbers (or calculate them, or something). I've looked at the BBC climate change programme and it seems like a good idea, but unfortunately my laptop isn't connected to the internet so I can't do anything at the moment. I think I would if I could, though.

***Earniel*** · 05-23-2006, 05:27 PM

Searching for the highest prime number? Heh, I didn't know they also had a programme for that! Sounds typically Janny.

The requirement for an internet can be a bit of a drag. When I temporarily moved to be closer to my college I had to reconnect my laptop constantly so it could transmit the finished data.

05-20-2006, 11:07 AM	#1
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	Donating your computer Since a few years scientists have tried to tap into the giant potential computer power owned by the population. I think SETI started the trend, at least it was the first one I've heard from. But now you've got loads to choose from: cancer reseach, anthrax research, research into climate change, searching for signs of extra-terrestrial life, etc... The main benefit of this is that scientists can process a lot more data than they would be able to on their own. The programmes can be run on ordinary computers and they normally don't interfere with the day-to-day use of the computers. So there isn't much you would have to do yourself. So what do you think of it? Would you donate your computer to such a cause? Or why not? Do you think the data the computers process could be useful to science? What sort of programme would you choose, existing or not? Or which do you have already? __________________ We are not things.

05-21-2006, 06:47 PM	#3
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	Perhaps with enough computers joining in the programme it might be worthwile? I wonder how many computers exactly would be needed for it to be worthwile to do research this way. After all I suppose writing these research programmes for ordinary computers can take a while. __________________ We are not things.

05-21-2006, 10:55 PM	#4
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	Actually, I've had my computer set up to help find a cure for cancer for the last 1 year, 198 days, 4 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds. I figured since I have it on most all the time at college, I might as well be putting it to good use. You can find a full list of 'mooters helping in Jonathan's signature. (Aren't you one, Earniel?) __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

05-22-2006, 03:16 AM	#5
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	I was one, but a while ago I lost the programme when Dave crashed. My sister then fell out with the people on the messageboard there and we moved to another cancer-reseach programme that has recently ended. So now we're looking into it whether we'd join the BBC climate change programme. __________________ We are not things.

05-22-2006, 11:41 PM	#6
trolls' bane Entmoot Secretary of the Treasury Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Campsite-by-Giraffe Posts: 5,408	Entmoot@BOINC Proposal: To create an interntational team of volunteering Entmooters to participate in the BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing), aiding in scientific research by allowing the project to use a selected percentage of their computer's resources. Requirements: -Will to help out in any or all BOINC projects listed below. -Have the BOINC program installed on your computer. -Be at least moderately computer-savvy and good at figuring things out for yourself. BOINC projects include:[list]SETI@Home - Searching the sky for potential alien signals. Predictor@Home - Predict protein structure from protein sequence. LHC@Home - Help in the construction of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN by simulating particle behavior. Einstein@Home - Full sky search for pulsars using the LIGO observatory. SZTAKI Desktop Grid - Find all generalized binary number systems up to dimension 11. BURP - Big and Ugly Rendering Project. Rosetta@Home - Protein folding, design and docking. PrimeGrid - Factoring the number in the RSA Factoring Challenge. uFluids Finish this later. DO NOT CLOSE THIS YET! __________________ KI6PFA Amateur Radio Operator

05-21-2006, 12:46 PM	#2
Spock An enigma in a conundrum Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 6,476	I know that you can run a background program for SETI which searches for alien signals, while your using your computer at home. Donating tiny home computers to such massive institutions doesn't seem practical.

05-23-2006, 03:10 AM	#7
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	Technically your thread was advertising, TB. But since it's about the same topic and gives a few examples of those programmes I merged it with this thread. __________________ We are not things.

05-23-2006, 04:47 AM	#8
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	Janny's donated his computer to search for prime numbers (or calculate them, or something). I've looked at the BBC climate change programme and it seems like a good idea, but unfortunately my laptop isn't connected to the internet so I can't do anything at the moment. I think I would if I could, though. __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

05-23-2006, 05:27 PM	#9
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	Searching for the highest prime number? Heh, I didn't know they also had a programme for that! Sounds typically Janny. The requirement for an internet can be a bit of a drag. When I temporarily moved to be closer to my college I had to reconnect my laptop constantly so it could transmit the finished data. __________________ We are not things.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
computer and technology help	afro-elf	General Messages	21	01-28-2006 02:59 PM
Basic Computer Games	Shelob's Hubby	Entertainment Forum	14	12-18-2004 03:46 PM
The LOTR computer game	Comic Book Guy 2001	Lord of the Rings Books	11	06-02-2001 07:08 PM
Computer woes...	bmilder	General Messages	35	07-06-2000 12:45 AM