Calling all DCS players: Unite against CoVID-19 through Distributed Computing.

[Pally]

Hi all:

 

I know this isn't a flight sim related topic, but I believe this is worth it. It is about using our PC, and or laptops, to help further medicine, specifically for finding vaccination against COVID-19 through distributed computing via Folding@Home.

 

I recall in my early 20s and being part of a protein folding group using my first rig (an ASUS A7N8X with an Athlon OC'ed XP1800). The purpose of the folding project was to provide computational power from our personal computer in a collective manner to find vaccines and anti-cancer drugs. In other words, we gamed, and all the while contributed to some good (albeit, independently and at our own pace). To some who may be unfamiliar, the idea of Distributed Computing was to crowd-source computational power where workflow could be made more efficient by means of distributing a large project into bite-size chunks doable by our individual PCs/laptops. Reasoning that Super Computers though are powerful, they are also prohibitively expensive to operate.

 

Well, it has been almost two decades now. I am an RN (Registered Nurse in the U.S) by profession, and when time permits, a part-time "full-time" DCS enthusiasts. Now, in the past few months, as so many had already became aware of the awful impact of the COVID19 on individual health and global economy. I am motivated to find more meaningful way to go about public health beyond doing my job at work.

 

As such, I am motivated to make this post in our forum to create a positive action avalanche: That we, as DCS enthusiasts, possess in our hands an arsenal of computional power which runs our beloved DCS; conversely, those very watts and bytes also put us in a unique position to calculate protein sequences to further COVID19 vaccine discovery.

 

Guys and girls, ladies and gents, cross nations and gender, age and boundaries, (or even Stable vs OB) the power is in our hands, and we have this power very well within our reach, everyday. From every patient lag to lead pursuits, to every rounds and every FOX calls, offline or online, we can contribute our PC(s), and or laptop(s) to help the "Fold" to win. This is indeed a different kind of folds, though not about nor for honor; rather, it is for us, for us all. We can "Fold to Cure" (I'm sure there are better words, or slogan for it, if so, go for it).

 

In the end, this will worth our collective time and effort. I am doing this and so can many many more. The opportunity to push back this COVID19 is here, and through our capable machinery I firmly believe we can further a positive and global impact. In others words: UNITE AND ENGAGE.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

In sincere regards,

 

"Pally"

 

For more information, please see below:

 

What and Who is Folding@Home

https://foldingathome.org/

 

Popular Mechanic's post re Folding@Home

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/fhb5e4/coronavirus_specific_gpu_projects_are_now/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

 

Reddit's "r/pcmasterrace"

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/fhb5e4/coronavirus_specific_gpu_projects_are_now/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

 

What is distributed computing?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/distributed-computing

Edited March 15, 2020 by Pally
Syntax error, hyperlink fixes, and salutation.

[viper2097]

Its an excellent idea to use our high end power machines for such a good thing while we are not flying!

 

:thumbup:

 

Small thing for a single user, propably a big step for the collective!

[Neil Gardner]

Wonderful idea

[BitMaster]

Burning through kWh after kWh at full speed, whatever it takes before it is too late, if it isn't already.