CSC334 Lab6
Playing with FoldIt!
THe goal of this lab is to explore one form of parallel processing for solving very hard problem. Instead of using a cloud computing where a mass of distributed computers work on different parts of a given problem, and help gather partial solutions to create larger partial solutions, the scientists behind Fold.It are using a human computing cloud where users, actually gamers, compete against each other to fold proteins.
Watch this video to get an idea of what the game feels like: video (this video is also available in the video section of the Fold.It Web site.
- First go to the Fold.it portal, and click on the graphics to learn more about the context and goals of this game.
- Register to get an account with Fold.It, then login
- Download Fold.It for your platform, Windows or Mac. Install the software on your machine.
- While the downloading is taking place, go to the video section of the Fold.It page and review the videos
- Welcome to Fold.It! (skip this one, you should have
- Expert Foldit Protein Folder with JSnyder
- other videos if you want. YouTube.com is also a nice repository of FoldIt videos. Just Google site:YouTube.com FoldIt for more.
- At this point your game should have downloaded.
- Install it!
- Start the application and click on Puzzle Levels where 18 puzzles are waiting for you. Follow the recommendations and attack the fun collection of puzzles presented by Dr. David Parker
Note 1: The FoldIt software is work-in-progress, and it may crash from time to time! Better exit FoldIt every 2 or 3 puzzles solved so that the application will remember that you have solved them!
Note 2: You can solve the puzzle while off-line. You may notice that at different times of the day the FoldIt! server refuses to log you in. But the puzzles are available to play with off-line, so remember this option is available!
- To be continued...
