Replies

Can you explain to me in simple terms what this is all about?

Stanford University is researching the mutation of proteins, for the ultimate goal of providing clues to the cures for many diseases, that are protein based, ie, alzheimers, mad cow, and many forms of cancer.

To simulate the possible mutations (or foldings) of these proteins in the laboratory, would take decades, but they have come up with computer models, that accurately predict what long term (physical)experiments would produce.

However, these models take intense computing power. Supercomputers aren't the answer, they're too expensive, and yes, they're relatively slow, when it comes to this type of calculation. They operate in parallel, which is faster, for the applications that they're designed for, but for simulations of this type, they're just inadequate.

By using distributed computing, ie, running a small client program, on millions of computers, Stanford overcomes the limitations of the supercomputers, and calculates many more folds, in a shorter time.

In order to "pique" the interest of those with the ability to supply excess cpu cycles, Stanford setup the program on a competitive basis, with teams earning points. There is no profit, no gain, no publicity for the winners, just a sense of having contributed.

Free Republic Folders - A Tribute to Ronald Reagan

Date of last work unit	2006-01-04 05:23:45
Active CPUs within 50 days	333
Team Id	36120
Grand Score	325172 (certificate)
Work Unit Count	2748 (certificate)
Team Ranking (incl. aggregate)	754 of 42022
Home Page	http://www.freerepublic.com
Fast Teampage URL	http://fah-web.stanford.edu/teamstats/team36120.html

Team members

Rank (within team)	User	Score	WU
1	Klutz_dohanger	45255	408
2	Texas_Booster	24517	192
3	Malsua	23753	183
4	Compaq_Owner	21234	158
5	Dads_AMD3000	18445	64
6	Compaq_Owner3	12397	104
7	Ken_in_Texas	12169	54
8	umbagi	8073	73
9	Uriah	7761	75
10	bubba_sales	7195	60
11	Andrewksu	7178	49
12	T_Admin	6796	53
13	Jim	5799	44
14	Chesterbelloc	4934	45
15	rach_FR	4634	48
16	Kingu	4475	44
17	Tony1	4149	30
18	LSimpson	4121	25
19	dfwddr	4015	67
20	Jinx	3613	38
21	mediamole	3161	21
22	Steve_Wilson_1	2884	26
23	Hawkeyes_Girl	2594	12
24	Weasel	2512	22
25	Seamoth	2512	32
26	FRpapasmurf	2373	22
27	Vern_1	2359	20
28	BoT	2346	94
29	A.Hun	2308	22
30	ENDUSER_Michael	2298	16
31	mouser	2263	11
32	Mount_Athos	2127	16
33	kenth	2007	21
34	Professional_Engineer	1950	19
35	Compaq_Owner_David	1948	18
36	VICI	1810	17
37	Brian_Admin	1649	12
38	FourtySeven	1495	9
39	susan	1412	14
40	FReeper_Dundee	1406	3
41	VAcharonD1	1393	5
42	arderenne	1327	10
43	Tactical	1322	9
44	ValorDaus	1311	13
45	vidi	1230	12
46	Slothful1	1009	11
47	dangermouse	1008	7
48	ezsmoke	994	5
49	David_G_1	990	8
50	cgk	971	11
51	Kevin_Inspiron	952	6
52	Flyer_FR	921	11
53	VeniVidiVici	887	5
54	KGJ1	879	8
55	Senator_Bedfellow	868	4
56	Trax_Admin	848	7
57	RetroSexual	839	14
58	ShakeNJake	821	3
59	Veni	802	14
60	doc11355	793	14
61	greenbo	788	8
62	houeto	778	9
63	Klutza_dohanger	777	4
64	stylin19a	715	8
65	KGJ2	698	7
66	Tigermoth	692	5
67	FrogMom	646	2
68	PureSolace	646	2
69	MarkeyD	629	8
70	ewg	627	5
71	Happy_Babymoon	622	4
72	sales_don	616	4
73	fzx12345	609	7
74	Tami	594	4
75	non-anonymous	567	7
76	Big_Bobs_FTW_1	549	3
77	Pusterfuss	537	4
78	SamFromLivingston	533	9
79	xeniast	526	3
80	RebelTex	521	7
81	David_Griffith	453	4
82	Suzy_Que	452	3
83	BitDrifter	444	5
84	Hiredhand	438	5
85	Treb	436	6
86	Petronski	426	5
87	brityank	425	5
88	ArgentCent	423	3
89	Cralic	414	3
90	hessian	412	6
91	Regina_Plumm	407	4
92	Drango1	407	3
93	patricia_bell	405	3
94	FRstentor	398	5
95	HangThemHigh	388	2
96	Jacy	379	4
97	rodneymatlock	379	4
98	Mississippi_Freeper	374	4
99	DocRock	354	3
100	Craigon69	352	3
101	_MontanaDal	343	5
102	Cementjungle	333	3
103	1066AD	314	5
104	TheMightyQuinn	295	2
105	Vladimir_F	287	10
106	KJC1	287	3
107	Becky1	282	2
108	manwiththehands	257	2
109	colinhester	246	2
110	Katya	245	3
111	dblevins	241	1
112	DTwistedSisterS	241	1
113	pbrown	232	5
114	Swordmaker	230	5
115	sshultz460	206	1
116	Drachenfels	206	1
117	smith288	199	2
118	CPQ_1700	197	2
119	PCBMan	194	2
120	MONTANADAL	187	3
121	Hoplite	184	4
122	William_Helvig	184	4
123	Michael_K	182	1
124	Jeff_Musselman	182	1
125	Incredulous	182	1
126	Westlake	181	1
127	bpolhemus	180	2
128	Tax_Government	179	2
129	Heil_Dad	171	3
130	GL-Bartaholic	166	2
131	FReeper_Marie	166	1
132	BigBro1	166	1
133	gl_terri	157	2
134	Cody	153	1
135	JohninWAGL	153	1
136	David_White	141	2
137	placerville9	140	3
138	paengineer	138	3
139	paulat2	138	3
140	feefee	138	3
141	Brian_Allen	133	1
142	Roger__Heidt	131	2
143	walkerk	127	1
144	bbarr	126	2
145	ChadGore	94	2
146	Clara_Lou	93	1
147	GLDoug	92	2
148	SC_Swamp_Fox	92	2
149	uglybiker	86	1
150	freeper_krb	69	2
151	Pitcherfan19	48	1
152	RedWing9	48	1
153	InfraRed	47	3
154	Klurz_dohanger	46	1
155	mastercylinder	46	1
156	linda_gei	46	1
157	greenbo__	46	1
158	DocRock_2	46	1
159	WESTPALMSENIOR	46	1
160	greedo	46	1
161	Bobibutu	46	1
162	idiots_will_catch	46	2
163	LynnHam	46	1
164	Yokiepoo	46	1
165	MyMacMini	46	1
166	Anonymous	46	1
167	zeugma	46	1
168	HangnJudge	46	1
169	ARubin	46	1
170	jarod_1	19	1