[jwh_Denver]

I think you do a lot better with "recruiting" here on FR if you'd explain what it is your doing. I don't have a clue other than you're looking for computers to help you do something. Security issues are a concern though.

[texas booster]

One of us will post a much better explanation than this quickie.

Protein folding is used by geneticists to pinpoint locations on molecules that can be used to produce better medicines, etc. The sheer number of proteins in the body, and the huge number of ways that a protein can fold overwhelm any single computer in existence. It happens that the best way to solve the repetitious problems is large numbers of processors splitting up a problem. Hence, distributed computing.

F@H started out as the Genome@Home project, which ended a few years ago. The granddaddy of all distributed applications is SETI, where thousands of computers spend their unused CPU cycles searching radio signals for signs of extraterrestial life. Most participants of F@H feel that helping research on protein folding has a more immediate return.

People (especially geeks) being what we are, soon Stanford had a group competing with Caltech for bragging rights (my Folder is bigger than your folder) and teams were born.

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As far as security, I know of no breach ever of any distributed project. Here is the official discussion on security from the FAQs on F@H:

What about security issues? We have worked very hard to maintain the best security possible with modern computer science methodology. Our software will upload and download data only from our data server here at Stanford. The Cores are also digitally signed (see below) to make sure that you're getting the true Stanford cores and nothing else.

How is this possible? We take extensive measures to check all of the data entering your computer and the results we send back to Stanford with 2048 bit digital signatures. If the signatures don't match (on either the input or the output) the client will throw away the data and start again. This ensures, using the best software security measures developed to date (digital signatures and PKI in version 3.0), that we are keeping the tightest possible security. Finally, the client/screen saver are available for download only from this web site, so that we can guarantee the integrity of the software. We do not support Folding@home software obtained elsewhere and prohibit others to distribute the software.

[systematic]

Folding@Home is a distributed computing project. People from throughout the world download and run a small piece of software to band together and form one of the largest supercomputers in the world. The software runs in the background, using "spare" CPU cycles and not interfering with or slowing down any of your regular programs. It basically puts your computer's "extra" power to good use!

Many human diseases, including many neurodegenerative diseases, are thought to be caused by improper protein folding, or protein misfolding. ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are just a few of the diseases that could be positively impacted by this project.

Folding@Home is a very worthy cause.

Download the software and sign up on the Folding@Home website: http://folding.stanford.edu

FreeRepublic's team number is 36120