Join AOA Folding@home today! (Newbie guide and FAQ)

[Allan]

Q: What is this Folding@home anyway?
A: Folding@home is a distributed computing project that uses our computers to unravel the mysteries of the protein folding procedures. We are helping scientists at Stanford University to understand why and how proteins 'fold', so it will be easier for them to find cures for diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS etc.

Q: This sounds interesting, can I help?
A: YES! You sure can, and it is free too! All you need to do is download a small application, and run it in the background on your computer. It will only make use of the unused clock cycles, so you will never notice that it is running. Once in a while it will connect to the internet to get new info (a new work unit) to process. The folding of a work unit (WU) takes several hours, depending on your computer.

Q: Which version should I choose?
A: If you are on a Windows machine, you can choose from the console client or the graphical client (which is also a screensaver). The console version is a bit faster for folding, but does not show fancy graphics. I recommend you start out with the graphical client as it is a bit easier to set up. There is also a Win NT (screensaver only) version, a Linux console version and some Macintosh versions available.

Q: Great, I've downloaded and installed the application, now what?
A: Now you are ready to join our team and fold! Run the application, and you will be questioned with username, team number etc. Username is up to you, and as team number just enter number 45 and you will automatically join our team, AOA Forums. If you want to add more computers to the project, but want to fold with the same account, just put in your unique username on all folding machines and set them up on the same team (45).

Q: Can I make it go any faster?
A: Yes, you can. Edit the shortcut from which F@H is run (normally this can be found in "Start -> Program Files -> Start up"), right click this shortcut and select preferences. In the destination field add the following flags:

-forceasm -advmethods

Ie. destination field could look like this on an XP CPU:
"C:\Program Files\Folding@home\FAH502-Console.exe" -forceasm -advmethods

Q: I would like some additional info, where should I go?
A: You are always free to ask any questions in this forum topic, or you can PM or e-mail me directly (allan@aoaforums.com). The official Folding@home site is also worth a look, Folding@Home or you could check out our team site at http://www.aoaforums.com/frontpage/c...egory/1/26/46/

Q: Any other links?
A: Yes, I've collected some good links for you at the bottom. There are links to statistics and info pages.

Q: Are there any third party utils?
A: Yes, there are many. I recommend you give Electron Microscope III a try, it is a fine little utility to monitor your Folding@home process, especially helpful if you are using the console client. EM-DC.COM

Q: Can I install this as a service in WinXP?
A: Yes, one of our members (RussianMissile1) has made an easy to use service installer for your convenience. http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/attac...achmentid=9941 The service install is mainly helpful if there are several users on the same PC, and each user needs to log in seperately.

Q: Anything else I should know?
A: Yes, once you have joined the active ranks of the folding team, feel free to add our official folding badge to your signature. Follow these instructions to do so. You'll need to know what your Folding@Home username is, so make a note of it if you don't already know.

Next, click here to edit your signature

Once you're ready, add the following line, but remember to change the "PUT_YOUR_ID_HERE" so that it is EXACTLY your Folding@Home username!

PHP Code:

[team=fah]PUT_YOUR_ID_HERE[/team] 


WELCOME to our team, thank you for joining - I hope you enjoy folding with us.

LINKS
DOWNLOAD: http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandeg.../download.html
Official site: Folding@Home
Projects summary: Folding@Home
Server status: Folding@Home server status
Stanford FAQ: Folding@Home FAQ

AOA Team page: http://www.aoaforums.com/frontpage/c...egory/1/26/46/

Official team standings: Folding@Home
AOA stats (Stanford): Folding@Home
AOA Stats (Statsman): http://statsman.ww-testsites.co.uk/f...s/html/45.html
AOA Stats (EOC): AOA Forums - Team Summary - EXTREME Overclocking Folding @ Home Stats



Go team 45 - FOLD ON!

Regards,
Allan Nielsen
Team Captain