Put your computer to good use.

dlofnep

I know this is probably suited for another forum, but it will get the most traffic here - and the more the merrier.

Some of you may be involved in Boinc projects already, but for those who are not - Boinc is basically a piece of software that uses your computer (along with millions of other computers around the world) to process calculations for various areas - such as Medical research and SETI.

The software is free, and if you are like me and leave your computer on alot, it would be worthwhile to use your computer to try and aid in areas like Cancer research.

You can download the software from here: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php

A list of projects that you can assist with are here: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/projects.php

I would personally reccomend getting involved with the Rosetta@home project, which is described as the following:

Rosetta@home needs your help to determine the 3-dimensional shapes of proteins in research that may ultimately lead to finding cures for some major human diseases. By running the Rosetta program on your computer while you don't need it you will help us speed up and extend our research in ways we couldn't possibly attempt without your help. You will also be helping our efforts at designing new proteins to fight diseases such as HIV, Malaria, Cancer, and Alzheimer's

There are other interesting projects to get involved with, such as SETI.

I've only recently got involved with Boinc again, but it's certainly a worthwhile project. The more computer's that are involved, the more processing ability the projects have - which will enable them to solve problems much quicker.

You've nothing to lose.

DarkJager

So its essentially a zombie network of PC's?

dlofnep

Essentially.

The Monkey Pump

DarkJager wrote: »

So its essentially a zombie network of PC's?

We voted yes to it in a recent referendum.

DarkJager

dlofnep wrote: »

Essentially.

That could be a very very bad idea, especially if some hacker with a few "skills" gets hold of it. Botnets like that are already being used for mail and virus activities, what says that a good one won't be hijacked for the same means?

ctrl-alt-delete

Have had it set up on the ps3 for a good while now, thought it was a great idea myself.

Overheal

Its a Botnet essentially. And if you read up on those, they are pretty scary.

My computer though is already put to good use: Its called Tawnee Stone and the Russian one with the Giant natural knockers.

drdeadlift

If it were explained a little better maybe more would try it,do they want to use my computers cpu? store crap on my pc ???

dlofnep

DarkJager wrote: »

That could be a very very bad idea, especially if some hacker with a few "skills" gets hold of it. Botnets like that are already being used for mail and virus activities, what says that a good one won't be hijacked for the same means?

Boinc has been running for years, without many issues. It's pretty secure. There is always the chance of something occuring, but the benefits outweigh the cons. The chances of your system being compromised are very low.

dlofnep

drdeadlift wrote: »

If it were explained a little better maybe more would try it,do they want to use my computers cpu? store crap on my pc ???

Basically, your computer is given a workload to perform a certain operation on. It performs it and sends the result back to the original database.

Think of it like this - Instead of having lots of super computers, costing millions to try and conquer something like Cancer research - they use home computers to process smaller quantities of information - but combined with millions of home computers, alot of accomplished.

I've never had an issue with Boinc.

Cuddlesworth

DarkJager wrote: »

That could be a very very bad idea, especially if some hacker with a few "skills" gets hold of it. Botnets like that are already being used for mail and virus activities, what says that a good one won't be hijacked for the same means?

Outside of the issues with modifying the underlying software, most hacker groups I'm aware of would crucify and take down anybody who went after this project.

biko

Yeah, used to have the SETI one. Never found the alien though.

DarkJager

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Outside of the issues with modifying the underlying software, most hacker groups I'm aware of would crucify and take down anybody who went after this project.

White Hats would love this idea, simply because it follows their own ideals and I can see the positives to be gained from such a project.

However, there's always those who want to pump spam and virus crap out as fast as possible for their own benefit, and a ready made botnet of a few thousand PC's would be like gold raining from the sky to them.

dlofnep

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Outside of the issues with modifying the underlying software, most hacker groups I'm aware of would crucify and take down anybody who went after this project.

Yeah, pretty much.

Actually, hackers use similar legitimate clusters to check encryption algorithims for weaknesses. In most part, they would be very much against compromising software that was used for such a noble cause.

CianRyan

I thought this was going to be about free porn.

pickarooney

Has this boinc stuff ever had any actual results (besides the aliens found in Borris-in-Ossary)?

CodeMonkey

dlofnep: start a boards.ie team

dlofnep

CodeMonkey wrote: »

dlofnep: start a boards.ie team

I think there is one already for the SETI one. (I'm in Paddy's in Space at the mo). Not sure about Rosetta@home, I'm on my own for that.

Cuddlesworth

DarkJager wrote: »

White Hats would love this idea, simply because it follows their own ideals and I can see the positives to be gained from such a project.

However, there's always those who want to pump spam and virus crap out as fast as possible for their own benefit, and a ready made botnet of a few thousand PC's would be like gold raining from the sky to them.

Big difference between a ready made botnet that's closely monitored and your own one which is operating freely.