[At-Large] A geek's way to give back (off-topic)

Dev Anand Teelucksingh devtee at gmail.com
Tue Dec 28 19:01:19 UTC 2010


Thanks for the informative summary, Evan. Will give it a try as I
often have computers on at home and it seems an easy thing to do.

Wishing you (and all on the list) happy holidays and the best for 2011
and beyond,

Dev Anand Teelucksingh




On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 1:20 AM, Evan Leibovitch <evan at telly.org> wrote:
> Hello everyone, I hope this email finds you well during this time of year.
>
> For some, the coming of the new year offers a time to reflect; many make new
> years' resolutions and others make contributions to charity
>
> I have a suggestion to make, of a small but worthwhile contribution you can
> make that costs no money and very little time. The contribution is in the
> form of unused processing and memory power in your computers, which can be
> used to contribute to assist research projects intended to enhance human
> scientific progress.
>
> Some of you may be already aware of the project known as
> "SETI at Home<http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/>",
> which has been using the power of hundreds of thousands of under-used PCs in
> homes and businesses worldwide to decode radio signals in the search for
> Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. What is less known is that the same
> distributed processing network used for SETI and other math projects is also
> being used to assist research to combat Cancer, AIDS, Malaria, Muscular
> Distrophy, Dengue and other diseases. Specifically, I am referring to
> the "World
> Community Grid <https://secure.worldcommunitygrid.org/index.jsp>", an
> IBM-sponsored way for researchers to have access to this distributed
> processing system. Among other projects are efforts study climate change
> models and find ways to provide clean water.
>
> Getting involved is easy. The open-source client software, called
> BOINC, is available
> for Windows, Macs and Linux <http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php>. After
> installing it you attach it to the project(s) of your choice. My own systems
> are attached to the WCG as well as "malariacontrol.net" and SETI.
>
> Once connected, as your computer(s) complete the tasks assigned to them you
> earn "credits", a point system that acknowledges your contribution.
>
> Almost all projects have a concept of "teams", which is nothing more than
> arbitrary groups of individual account holders. Most teams are based around
> educational institutions, computer clubs etc. and many participants are
> members of a team (though it's not required). For what it's worth, I've
> created ICANN teams at SETI, the WCG and malariacontrol.net. Feel free to
> join -- membership is not limited to At-Large and there is no moderation
> process -- just to see what we can do collectively.
>
> This may not be everyone's idea of community work, and some may even
> consider it a form of
> "slacktivism<http://www.snopes.com/info/glossary.asp#slack>"
> because it's so low-effort (once you install and join, there's not much for
> you to do except track the progress of your projects). But such activity has
> real value to the researchers and ... who knows? You may have a tiny role to
> play in solving some of mankind's more complex medical and environmental
> challenges.
>
> I'm more than happy to assist anyone having problems connecting, though
> chances are than an audience that is already savvy on issues such of DNS and
> IPV6 doesn't need too much hand-holding. Being a volunteer in ICANN policy
> making already shows that you have an interest in giving and improving
> society through use of the Internet.
>
> This email and this effort have not been submitted to anyone for endorsement
> -- and I have no intention on doing so, since it's way out of scope for
> ICANN -- but I think it's a good idea for individual effort.
>
> Thanks, and have a good and happy holiday season.
>
> Evan Leibovitch
> Co-Chair of ALAC, but speaking on behalf of nobody but myself.
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