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The Science of Folding@home
mr_sifter writes "As previously discussed, computers running Folding@home now contribute over 1 petaflop of processing power to research into protein folding, making Folding@home the most successful example yet of a distributed computing app. It's also at the forefront of GPGPU computing, with both Nvidia and ATI keen to push how well their graphics chips perform when folding. So the technology is great, but what about the science? This feature looks at how the Folding project was developed, how it's helping researchers and the thorny question of how long it might be until the software running on your PC or PS3 actually produces real-world results."
I have yet to hear about this place called Hope. I have been searching for the perfect place to nap for years, and the fact that there is a whole department named "i-prefer-napping@hope," brings me, well, HOPE that my life-long quest may finally have reached an end.
Just one problem: Where is this wonderful nappy place called "Hope"? Searching Google Maps for "Hope," I discovered Hope, Arkansas, which greatly surprised me, considering the number of people who told me that there is nothing to see in that boring, empty state. Now I suspect they were hiding something. I had to look deeper...
I could tell from the satellite photo that Hope, AK, seemed to be a remote location in a rural part of the state. Things are starting to come together. What better place for a secret napping facility? I created a new search for "Hope, AK," and found that the original search of Google Maps pointed to the wrong location. Hope is actually a small town, but more importantly, HOPE IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF BILL CLINTON! This reeks of conspiracy! Is Bill Clinton somehow involved in this secret napping facility? Is this the secret to his youthful vigor and ungainly sex drive? But this brings in the best question of all: how are SlashDot and CmdrTaco involved in this conspiracy?
I have a new quest, gentlemen. Godspeed to me, and farewell.
PETA has FLOPPED as a credible organization no matter how one looks at it.
The question I see before me is,
Which for-profit company will patent and profit from the work? And in the process stifle innovation in protein folding for the next 20+ years.