Folding@Home

[MrAwesomePants]

Hi i was going to setup a Folding@Home team for A-N. Just wondering if it is ok for me to set one up and also do A-N already have a team.

Thanks!

[Scott]

And just what is Folding@Home? I am picturing a Cooking Mama kind of game, but with laundry...

[MrAwesomePants]

Folding@Home is this http://folding.stanford.edu/

Basically it uses home users computers to "fold" proteins to find out more about them. It doesn't lower computer performance just uses unused processor power to help a scientific cause!

Also you get certificates lol after folding a certain amount.

(good for dual core computers)

[bigsim]

And PS3s do it, as well.

[MrAwesomePants]

So can i setup a team for A-N?

Or do i have to ask someone?

[REV_pioneer]

How much processing power does it actually consume?

[MrAwesomePants]

That is up to you to decide

[Ginny]

I don't understand what this is. :?

[Apophis]

I don't believe A-N has a folding team, so feel free to set one up. I'll certainly fold for it.

Folding is basically using unused processing power on people's computers to run simulations of how protein cells fold. It's called distributed computing, and it's a good way of running scientific calculations and simulations without having to fund a huge supercomputer. Small packets of information are sent to your computer - instructions telling your computer what to simulate, then once it's done, the results are sent back to the scientist dudes for analysis. Protein folding is a fundamental process in biology, and by running simulations of it and recording the results, we're learning more about how they work. This could at most lead to cures for diseases such as cancer, and at least lead to a better understanding of how cells work. At any rate, it's an easy way to help a good cause!

[Ginny]

I don't understand..

anywho, I'd fold. :?

[MrAwesomePants]

"New team A-N Folding Team with number 116707 has been founded by MrAwesomePants"

The team is now created!

head over to http://folding.stanford.edu/ download the client -> change the config file and enter A-N team number and there you go!

Team Name: A-N Folding Team
Team Number: 116707

[triggen]

It's a brilliant idea, without a doubt. But my ancient computer probably wouldn't be able to handle it. :(

[Curt]

I occasionally use Folding@Home on My PS3, every little helps.

[Apophis]

Any computer can fold, the older hardware just limits how fast it can fold. But any contribution is a good contribution!

[TSPhoenix]

Folding is good, but just a few things to note.

Firstly is to think of the environment, don't set it to use 100% CPU because at high usage it generates a lot of heat and drains lots of electricity, not to mention being quite expensive. Setting it to about 50% usage will use much less than half as much electricity. As such using it on a laptop will kill your battery life if you aren't plugged in.

If it causes any performance issues go to the settings and set it as low priority (should be by default), that way when other programs need the CPU, Folding will stop and let them so it doesn't get in your way.

Lastly is that this program needs internet access, no point on installing it on a box that is never online.

Other than that have fun and maybe discover something important.

[MrAwesomePants]

Awesome!

We should so totally get some certificates lol

[Wormmm]

sounds cool! ill give it a go :D

[S2333]

I use SETI@Home but I'll see about folding@home.
I used to do it using Googles program but they shut their team down. I had folded about 200-300 proteins. I forgot what my number was though. So my progress will always be lost :cry:

[TryMe]

Not for me, sorry. The amount of electricity that this thing could potentially chew is a big deterrent for me.

Even though it is for a worthy cause, using less electricity is now a priority for me since a few years ago.

[TSPhoenix]

As for SETI@Home, seems rather pointless to me. Lets assume there are aliens sending signals into space, they are so far a way it is ridiculous to believe the signals would arrive in any way intact.

[Jader7777]

I remember doing something similar, it was for Pi. I quickly lost interest when it used up my system resources.

[Dajosa]

I had folding@home running for half of 2006 on my old desktop. Set up a team and I'll join!

[Spike]

I had folding@home running for half of 2006 on my old desktop. Set up a team and I'll join!


Team Name: A-N Folding Team
Team Number: 116707

[Dajosa]

Thanks for the pointer. So far I've got an old 533Mhz box hooked up, doesn't look like it's going to contribute much though.