SETI@home is a scientific experiment that uses Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). You can participate by running a free program that downloads and analyzes radio telescope data.  The project is now part of BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing).

Here's how to join the "Square Dancers" team:

  1. See the web site at http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/ for information, and to download the BOINC software.
  2. Go to the download page: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php
  3. Select the version for your computer, and download and run the installer program:
    1. You can choose the Single User mode.
    2. I don't use the screen saver (it's not very exciting)
  4. Run the BOINC manager, which will ask you to connect to a project::
    1. Type in, or cut-and-paste: setiathome.berkeley.edu
    2. Create an account by entering an email address and creating a password.
  5. Go to the group page for the Square Dancers team, and click on Join, or follow the Join link:
    http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/team_join_form.php?id=101637
  6. Log in with the email address and password you used.
  7. In the BOINC Manager "command" menu:
    1. You can select the Run Always option (if your computer is new and fast)
    2. You can select Network Activity Always Available (for DSL/Cable Modem, etc.)

Then let your computer process the data in the background. Your computer will download sets of data, scan for signals, and send the results back. Work units may take a few days, especially on older computers.  Also, the servers are typically offline on Wednesdays.

You'll have the satisfaction of knowing your computer is doing something useful when it would otherwise be sitting idle. If enough people participate, it might even generate some good publicity for Square Dancing. Recruit your friends and co-workers! The more machines the software is running on, the faster you'll be crunching the numbers!  (But remember: You should not run the software on computers that aren't yours, or that you don't have permission to use.  Your workplace may have a policy against such software.)

For best performance, you can leave your computer on all the time.  When you're not using it, you can turn off the monitor to conserve energy (if you don't have a system that does it for you automatically). Remember, you won't have to wait for your computer to boot up every time, if you always leave it on!

You can let the program connect automatically (especially if you have a DSL line, cable modem, LAN, or other network that's always on, rather than a dial-up connection).

The screen-saver portion of the software is not required, or it can be configured to go to a blank screen after a certain number of minutes. The software runs somewhat faster when it isn't showing the data.

Give it a try! It's fun to know that you're helping with a project that would otherwise be impossibly expensive.  There are also other BOINC projects, doing worthwhile medical or scientific research.  You can connect to more than one project, and your computer will switch automatically between them (every hour unless you specify otherwise).