It's easy. All you have to do is fold.
The Stanford University Folding@Home Project is a distributed computing project that analyzes proteins. Specifically, it analyzes how proteins assemble themselves, or "fold." When proteins "mis-fold" they can result in diseases like Cystic Fibrosis, Alzheimer's, and Mad Cow. By figuring out how proteins fold and mis-fold, we might be able to unlock the secret of how these diseases function, and possibly put a stop to them altogether.
All you need is a computer and a connection to the internet.
If you're running Windows 2000 or Windows XP, get the program right here. Extract the zip file to a folder on your desktop - be sure to extract the files, both are necessary for the installation! Run the setup program and select the "automated" installation. All done!
If you're running Windows 98 or Windows ME, go to the Folding@Home download page and get the latest graphical client. The Win98/ME version will run from your system tray. You will be prompted for a username and team number when you install it. If you like, you can enter none, or you can enter my username and team number, which is "mokiejovis" and team "33." All done!
The F@H client only uses the computing power you aren't using.
The Folding@Home Distributed Computing client runs in the background, consuming your computer's spare cycles. When you're not using your computer, it crunches numbers on those proteins. When you are using your computer, the program only uses the computing power you aren't - you'll never even notice it's there.
Fine. You want more?
Okay, I have a flash movie for your viewing pleasure. Now watch it... wait for it to load, it will take a few seconds ... great, finished? Now get folding!
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