[STIFF_UK]

Stanford University are running a project at the moment to study the folding of protiens.

This research is expected to lead to breakthrough in diseases such as vCJD, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Cystic Fibrosis, and even cancer.

If you go to folding.stanford.edu you can download the software that will use your computer (whenever the CPU isn't processing something else) to study the folding of protein strings.

Why should you help?
Well to study this takes a massive amount of computer power, so much in fact that by using a "supercluster" (a load of computers on the internet) they can work faster and more efficiently than they could with supercomputers.

If you take part in this you can get a username to keep track of how much you have helped.
They also have "teams".

I've set up a team called "HipHopWorld" - if you join the team, then we can see how much help every bboy, MC etc that joins it has done together.


For more info check the stanford site (link is above) and post in here if you're joining in.


When you install the software (it's a very small download) put 45655 as your team number - that way all the work units you complete will also be added to the team amount so we can see.

This is nonprofit, noone gets money for taking part in this - but you do help to further the research which could lead to cures for diseases that ruin lives.

Take a few minutes to read the site, download the software and join the team.
That's all you have to do - just leave the program running on your comp and it'll work whenever you're not using the CPU.

You can even watch it working in a window/screensaver aswell.


Post here if you do it.

[l3_l3oy_trance]

sweetness on a stick, i joined, looks dope, so when do we get paid?

[theb]

oh you get paid ? im deff into it then

EDIT: i juss finished reading your post stiffo and we dont get paid , im still signin up tho......................

[STIFF_UK]

It takes a while to complete a work unit.
I've been running it since just before I made this post, on a 3GHz Pentium4 with 1Gb RAM, It's done less than a quarter of a work unit.
(80/400 frames)

Once you get a work unit done you'll show up on the team list.
Until someone reaches 1WU the list remains empty (it's a new team y'see)

[l3_l3oy_trance]

Originally posted by theb
oh you get paid ? im deff into it then

EDIT: i juss finished reading your post stiffo and we dont get paid , im still signin up tho......................

FISH!

you fell for it.

it's still cool tho, c'maon ppl sign up, you don't have to do anything and you get to see lots o balls.

BALLS!

[ManHy xD]

Blah I joinned, but its killing my slow 56k connection speed xD

[Lil_bReAKz]

Originally posted by STIFF_UK
It takes a while to complete a work unit.
I've been running it since just before I made this post, on a 3GHz Pentium4 with 1Gb RAM, It's done less than a quarter of a work unit.
(80/400 frames)

Once you get a work unit done you'll show up on the team list.
Until someone reaches 1WU the list remains empty (it's a new team y'see)

Wow I was actually down for the cause until you said that shit. =P

[STIFF_UK]

Manhy - a 56k shouldn't be a problem.
It may take a while to download the client and each protien string at the start of a work unit, but most of the work is done locally, it runs the algorithm, folds the string, and then uploads the results.

Breakz - all that means is that it takes quite a while to work on a string. You can select to work only on units that don't have a deadline so that using a slower comp isn't a problem.



The way this works, is that it runs on your comp with 100% CPU usage.
Sounds bad - but it also runs with the lowest possible priority.
As soon as you or your computer needs to do anything - the folding client frees up the CPU, and then uses it again when it's free.

I've had it on for a day now and only noticed any system slowdown when I was using AutoCAD - and that was basically because I caught it mid-calculation and it took a moment for the CPU to free up.
Otherwise my comp is running as fast as it usually would.


Don't let slow connections or older comps put you off.
In fact if you read the stanford site (link in top post) there's an FAQ that deals with older comps. Read that and you'll see it can work on most.


I'm half way through my first work unit - looks like this one's going to be around about 48hours (i've left my comp on constantly to work it)

Even if it takes you ages though, you're still helping some important research. Every work unit you do, wether it's one a day, or one a week.

[l3_l3oy_trance]

Stiff, son,(ha j/k)... all you have to say is, "it has sweet pics of balls", and ppl will flood in, that's what convinced theb.

[Lil_bReAKz]

I bet it takes that much longer just because of the priority set on its cpu usage. :P

My computers capeability is not in question but I can see how you would derive that from what I said. f' it ... im in ...

[Zeke1]

i used to do the seti thing..sounds similar.....ill check it out when i get home

[STIFF_UK]

Zeke - it's a lot like SETI@Home.


And yes it does take a while longer than it would at high priority, mine has had a lot of time to work uninterupted as I've left my comp on to work on it. I shut down all nonessential progs and let it do it's thing overnight.
If you're reading forums, the prog will have a lot of time on your CPU, as when you're just reading and there's no mouse/keyboard input, it can have the CPU to itself.
Playing games, music, watching videos and doing other work it gets less, but still helps the cause.
I've had the thing running for a good while now and am about 3 hours from the end of my first work unit. Got one bit of lag again today, and again that was when starting AutoCAD.

[elsexo5]

i joined >=]

[STIFF_UK]

To the person who asked - I use AutoCAD for work.
I've not been in school for a long time now.