Grid computing is a pretty cool technology that utilizes decentralized compute power to perform massive computations. It’s been around for a long time. Back in the day, I remember the first kid on my block to get broadband internet was running SETI@Home, a grid computing program that searches for extraterrestrial life using your PC when you’re not using it. Grid computing seemed to be popular for a while, but I guess the novelty wore off and I haven’t heard people talking much about it in years.
Fast forward to today, World Community Grid is an IBM-led grid computing project built on the BOINC platform which is enabling scientific research on issues such as health, poverty, and sustainability. When your computer is sitting idle at home, you can offer up its resources to these projects simply by downloading and running their software in the background. It’s an easy way to contribute to some valuable research, and you get a cool screensaver!
CoderDojo Los Alamos 