Folding@Home | Why?

infernox · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:13

What is it, why do people spend there money on new kit just to do and keep there machine on 24/7 to do it ?

it seems pretty much like a lose / lose situation but i dont know what it is ?

enlighten me please

- Infernox

Si105 · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:14

To aid in medical research.

Lleot · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:15

Possibility your effort could help cure a disease.

setter · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:17

As above, also it fosters a good bit of competition between different teams.

infernox · 19 Jun 2010 at 21:22

oh so you turn your computer into a whore basically giving yourself out to help cure diseases

DIABLO · 19 Jun 2010 at 22:38

In the like 10 years this has been running has it actually discovered anything?

craig3000 · 19 Jun 2010 at 22:40

DIABLO said:
In the like 10 years this has been running has it actually discovered anything?

View the website, yes it has aided them in a number of areas as I last recall.

Se7ven · 19 Jun 2010 at 22:46

It's a fun way to utilize your machine for a good cause

setter · 19 Jun 2010 at 22:53

infernox said:
oh so you turn your computer into a whore basically giving yourself out to help cure diseases

Pretty good way to utilise your machine i think.

Se7ven said:
It's a fun way to utilize your machine for a good cause

Yep, ive considered getting involved in it myself.

kieves1 · 19 Jun 2010 at 22:59

Every little helps

jaybee · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:08

So you basically run your machine at full load 365 days a year in the name of research? And you can afford the electricity for that? Must all be minted.

Azza · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:11

You don't run your PC at full load 365 days a year 24/7!

QlimaxUK · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:14

i wonder about this, so how exactly does this program 'help cure disease'?

Skillmister · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:14

My dad used to run Seti whenever his comp was on the screensaver. I've considered doing the same or folding but it would have to be when i move out.

Skillmister · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:16

QlimaxUK said:
i wonder about this, so how exactly does this program 'help cure disease'?

I think its something to do with working out how proteins 'fold' by doing millions of calculations.

http://folding.stanford.edu/English/Science

Frozennova · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:39

why not? Your helping with the medical research for a couple of pence per day, even less if you ofset the cost due to the fact that it would be running anyway, and lets face it most members of OCUK have powerful rigs, how many hours a day do you utitlise the full power of your machine.

You dont have to run thousands of pounds worth of dedicated hardware, I have very cheap hardware in comparison to most yet im still fairly high up in the list of top folders on the team.

The competition and banter between members and teams add to the fun aswell

setter · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:44

frozennova said:
why not? Your helping with the medical research for a couple of pence per day, even less if you ofset the cost due to the fact that it would be running anyway, and lets face it most members of OCUK have powerful rigs, how many hours a day do you utitlise the full power of your machine.

You dont have to run thousands of pounds worth of dedicated hardware, I have very cheap hardware in comparison to most yet im still fairly high up in the list of top folders on the team.

The competition and banter between members and teams add to the fun aswell

I believe that the client can be switched off, say for instance you wish to do a bit of gaming, or something more cpu intensive, ie video editing/encoding/photo editing, as you say the machine is running anyway, so while your web surfing you can run fah. Im no expert on the subject but i do think its a nice idea.

arknor · 19 Jun 2010 at 23:45

why not? Your helping with the medical research for a couple of pence per day, even less if you ofset the cost due to the fact that it would be running anyway, and lets face it most members of OCUK have powerful rigs, how many hours a day do you utitlise the full power of your machine

you realise how big the difference between idle and load is right? its around 3-4 100watt light bulbs for most people with top spec machines

Frozennova · 20 Jun 2010 at 00:07

i understand the extra power draw I was pointing out that the cost can be ofset against the small increase to what your actual usage is. You wouldnt need to pause the client when gaming or doing anything intensive as it runs as a low priority proccess so wouldnt intefer.

Hotwired · 20 Jun 2010 at 00:10

You're paying in hardware and overhead costs to do the calculations for X research project.

A modern form of volunteering/donating/charity work perhaps.