Distributed computing is the process of solving very complex computing projects through the use of many, geographically-dispersed computers. Basically, the "problem" is split up into sub-tasks scaled for execution on almost any hardware platform, and the results are then transmitted back to a central system that incorporates the sub-task results into the ongoing solution.
You load software on your computer, and it processes for one of these organizations that are seeking "big answers to big questions." You can turn it on and off as you please (e.g. I turn it off when I'm working with video editing), and you can throttle it to only use a certain percentage of your CPU. And, you can usually login to a web portal to allow you to see how many "work units" you have processed.
My first encounter came in Berkeley's SetiAtHome initiative, in which individuals can load a program to help process data from radio telescopes to search for signs of alien life.
I never got fired up enough about that to actually try it, but now I've found something much more compelling: Stanford University's FoldingAtHome. It's a human biology project, seeking the causes and cures for protein mutation-related illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson's, Huntinton's, Alzheimers and ALS.
I've got plenty of experience in the past few years (as I'm sure most reading this have) with these diseases, and this is such a miniscule amount of effort that it's embarrassing to even call it a "sacrifice".
If you decide to do FoldingAtHome, you can join my "team" (143189) and track your individual results, and our collective team results. Comments encouraged!
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