So I just realized that I had been meaning to download at least one of those programs that runs in the background when your system is idle or the like that does stuff like help search for aliens or cure cancer and such when I got a new computer. Well, I got a new computer some months ago, and now I realize that I actually don't know what's out there, how to look for them, or which ones are actually any good.

Help me out Massassi! Post some programs I should look into please!

Folding@Home is probably one of the best options. If you have a good video card, get the GPU version, as the GPU will do FAR more in the same amount of time.

Edit: just to mention this is used to find new proteins which help advance medicine in various areas.

seti at home is rad too

Try GIMPS if you want to help find large prime numbers.

You're looking for distributed computing projects.

I stopped using seti@home when the started using someone else's software.

I was almost going to post about how I heard SETI had lost their funding and wouldnt be getting new radio signals to decode but I figured I better google and double check my info first. Apparently they just got enough funding via private donations to use the Allen Radio Telescope Array for the rest of the year:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/13/setis-search-aliens-seti_n_926121.html

I think it's pretty awesome (no doubt some will read this and think wasteful) that even in these rough economic conditions people can still find money to donate to pure science.

Private donation by none other than Jodie Foster, from Contact.

Among others, yes.

http://lhcathome.cern.ch/ LHC@Home!

I've never heard of stuff like this but it sounds very interesting!