Why do you do it?

[Keebler]

As our team completes our transition, I think it serves as a perfect opportunity for everyone to stop a minute and think about this incredible project they are involved in.

Please, take a moment to ponder over your commitment to the Folding@Home project and Team 93, and post here why it is you believe in this project and continue to fold.

Thanks to everyone for your continued efforts! :)

[Slick]

When I first found team #93 I did it to become fimilar with everyone and get some more friends. Now I continue to do it because of the encredible team effort. Also to be part of this amazing team.

[Gobd]

I do it because i was always at Icrontic and one day ventured into the folding forum and found out about all the great stuff that folding can do for humanity and how it has almost no effect on PC performace. Since then all of my computers have been running F@H 24/7.

There is no reason not to do it, so i won't stop until F@H dies or a more helpful project appears.

[primesuspect]

I do it because it's the right thing to do.. It fits right in with my spiritual practice, and it is completely painless to do. I will always support this project, as long as it exists and has merit.

[Crypto]

I was sucked in to folding first off as a stress testing program. Then I got to love the mounting excitement of checking my progress in the team.
Then I started to think about the real implications of what I was doing and thought " I can't possibly NOT do this" It costs a couple of quid a month for the electricity and I would gladly donate that small amount to such a deserving cause.

Finally, I'm sometimes overwhelmed by the community spirit, particularly after the passing of Bart Williams.

Team 93 is the place to be and I'm proud to be part of it.

Fold On :D :D :D

Crypto

[CyrixInstead]

I used to run the United Devices Cancer Research Distributed Computing program. However, at Icrontic the members had cool 'folding sigs', and they had an area to discuss their choice of distibuted computing.

I thought that this was much more a family spirit community, and if I had a problem with the folding I would be able to ask someone about it.

So, I like the sigs (please lets get a sig generator back ASAP!!), and I like the community spirit.

Oh, and of course it's for a good cause (my mum has had breast cancer and my ex-girlfriend used to work at an Alzheimer's Home).

[Hotrodsun]

Well, I don't know why I do it. I like the feeling of helping my fellow people. But really I guess It more for me, I'll will probably have Alzheimer when I get old. Because I can't remember sh*t now and I'm only 25.

[qparadox]

Well I do it for a number of reasons, I'll start with why I choose to participate in any DC project and then move onto my specific reasons for choosing folding.

WHY DC?

So often in our society we expect discoveries and technological advances to simply come from some brain child with funky hair and no social skills. The sad truth is that most advances do not come from people with funky hair. instead they come from grunt work by many many people working collaborating. In modern times the collaborators have also had to turn to numeric simulation to solve problems that aren't approachable any other way. This need, and the often high price for computing time, makes a lot of great research unachievable at the current time.

Distributing computing projects are a bridge between the "normal" people and those who are on the leading edge. It provdies a way for a large portion of society to contribute to technological innovation and research that has never been available before. We all get to participate and those running the project get much needed computing time. Hopefully, the end result will be something that benefits society.

SO WHY FOLDING?

In september 2002, I decided to make a gradual shift from UD/SETI to folding. I decided to switch (insert lame apple ripover commerical here) for a number of reasons. I was first attracted to folding by the harsh dedication and team atmosphere of the members of team '93. But there was a deeper reason for my choosing to fold. The fact that the project was run by a purely academic institution wasn a big plus. I know that my contribution will be furthering research and not simply be a cheap way out for a company. Having a very rudimentary knowledge of chemistry and biology (I'm an engineering physics student) I also realized the extremely difficult nature of protein folding simulations and why it requires such a massive amount of computing time. Without folding@home these simulations wouldn't have happened for years. So the pande group needs us. but society needs their research. There is so much we don't fully understand about protein folding, but through folding@home we can, work unit by work unit, build up knowledge and eventually gain understanding of the process. The final result of the folding@home project will be a great leap forward for understanding a very common occurance, and a great start to finding solutions to some very important ailments.

So in short: we need the results of folding@home, but folding@home needs us to flourish. A perfect synergy exists between these needs, so it simply makes sense to fold.

I hope that all made sense, I just typed it up after getting massacred on a vector calc mid-term (the prof thought we had 2 hours to write it but we only had 50 minutes ....) after cramming all nite. So if its BS please tell me :D. And yes my writing is overly long.

[Thrax]

I do it because I have a competitive spirit. I like to try to be the best at anything I do. With folding, I can have friendly competition and have it for a good cause.

<b>Put simply</b>
<i>Because I can.</i>

[morfeu]

Cuz i wanna do it n i can, cuz this team is great, ppl are great, if we can help ppl, why not do it?

Cheers.

[LawnMM]

Because it may save somebody's life, and it doesn't cost me anything. Its like giving blood, no harm to you...could really help somebody else! I do that too :D

Its better than SETI...I'm more concerned with curing diseases people I know may develop than finding phoning ET.

[fatcat]

wife had pre-cancerous cells at 22 and had to have surgery a few years back....

.....in hopes to find cures

fc

[tycho]

donating my computer time costs me little to nothing but is a huge benefit to those involved.
i love the community here and i love the competition as well

[profdlp]

I originally posted this back at the old Icrontic. I was doing the F@H project before my mom was diagnosed with cancer, mainly because it seemed like the decent thing to do. Now it's personal.

Here is what I wrote in April:

*********************************

Some of you may remember my previous mention of my mom's cancer diagnosis. She had a fast-spreading cancer, which necessitated a no-nonsense approach. Within two weeks of her diagnosis she had surgery, then began an aggressive chemotherapy treatment.

While visiting my folks I mentioned the FAH project, and showed them GenKeeb's Flashfold presentation. My parents were immediately interested, and began folding the same night.

I recently learned that while she was in for her latest chemo session (this is not fun, folks) she was browsing through the usual stack of outdated magazines and came across an article in TIME relating to the FAH project, and mentioned to the Doctors, Nurses, and other patients that "my computer is doing this right now, even as I sit here waiting for my treatment".

The interest was unbelievable - everyone in the place wanted to know more about it. Many people assumed that my mom had some sort of supercomputer stashed away in her basement (I wish!) and were surprised to hear that just about any computer could make a significant contribution to this project. I'd be willing to bet that there were a few more home computers folding that evening.

My mom is not giving up, and neither am I, but we do realize that by the time the raw research is complete and all of the data is analyzed, it may not have an immediate impact on our own lives. Maybe if this project had been around 25 years ago (when I was 19 years old) I would not have to watch my mom suffer through some pretty fierce treatment to save her life. In another 25 years I will be her age. Maybe I'll be able to spend a little more time having fun and going fishing, instead of having to undergo weekly medical procedures (weekly = timed so you have just about enough time to recover before you go in for the next one).

Maybe it won't affect our lives at all. But it's bound to make a huge difference in someone's life. Maybe, just maybe, this research will improve the lives of thousands - or millions.

Maybe YOU will be able to look back and say that you made a real difference in the world. How good would that feel?

Prof

(PS: I wanted to link to the TIME article about folding, but it requires a paid registration so I did not include it.)

*********************************

Prof

PS: Thanks to everyone involved in this project!


:)

[NoFuture]

I do it for a lot of reasons:

-To give my contribution to the world.
-To help science making our lives better.
-I love the community.
-I don't like wastin' GHZ.
-I'm a (soon to be) scientific.
-It keeps my computers busy.

[csimon]

I do it because it is a worthy cause ...and because the last time I had mad cow it took me 6 months to get over it. jk ...for starters I live in the heart of "cancer alley". :fold:

[kroff]

i do it for the money ;-) ..oh yes...and the stars ..i want those stars back ;-)

[pseudonym]

Peer Pressure.

I just couldn't help it, over and over again, telling me to do it, nothing made em stop...........

[danball1976]

I do it for one reason because my mom's side of the family has a history of Breast cancer. My mom and my Great Grandmother had breast cancer in the same breast. My Great Granmother died before I was born and had breast cancer for 15-20yrs before dying of it. My mom had it in 1991 and took the requisite Chemo and radiation therapy that was par for the course back then

[profdlp]

danball1976 said
I do it for one reason because my mom's side of the family has a history of Breast cancer. My mom and my Great Grandmother had breast cancer in the same breast. My Great Granmother died before I was born and had breast cancer for 15-20yrs before dying of it. My mom had it in 1991 and took the requisite Chemo and radiation therapy that was par for the course back then

I hope your mom is OK now. My mom is going through the chemo stuff right now. She didn't react well to it, so they cut the dose back. Unfortunately, this means she had to do six sessions instead of four. I think she has one to go.


Prof

PS: Yes, F@H really matters!;)

[WuGgaRoO]

1)competition (it must be me or sumthing)
2) i kinda know what the site is talkinga bout (im currently a biochem major and i love science)
3) Im altruistic ( yeah u heard me right)
4) the sigs (man the chicks did them)

[danball1976]

profdlp said
danball1976 said
I do it for one reason because my mom's side of the family has a history of Breast cancer. My mom and my Great Grandmother had breast cancer in the same breast. My Great Granmother died before I was born and had breast cancer for 15-20yrs before dying of it. My mom had it in 1991 and took the requisite Chemo and radiation therapy that was par for the course back then

I hope your mom is OK now. My mom is going through the chemo stuff right now. She didn't react well to it, so they cut the dose back. Unfortunately, this means she had to do six sessions instead of four. I think she has one to go.


Prof

PS: Yes, F@H really matters!;)
Yeah, she's doing pretty well, she does get tired easily though because of all that stuff, and she didn't loose her hair when she had chemo and radiation.

[profdlp]

Glad to hear that. My mom is bald as a cueball right now. Her loyal children have been calling her Uncle Fester for the past month. My girlfriend is a doctor, and says it should grow back alright.

A sense of humor helps; if the family ever started acting too grim about it it would be hard on everybody - especially her.


Prof

[croc_]

My mother died of cancer (throat / tongue / spine) 7 years ago.

I guess I want to do this in memory of her. Also to help your team, and the whole project in general, to find cures.

[Jonsey]

Not to make light of the actual reasons many fold. I will steal a line from Tino. The insensitive idjit who writes for www.grabtwistpull.com the non-official webcomic of RIT.

"Because Yes."

Why do I fold? I fold because there's no reason not to (at least with the console only client, which has not even made me drop frame one inside a shooter), I fold because it might help, I fold because of my Grandmother's (may she rest in peace) Alzheimers... I fold for the diabetics, I fold.

Also, the promo videos, the snappy sigs, and the joy of recruiting others makes it worthwhile.

[Leonardo]

Also to help your team

No, Sir!:banghead: It's your team.

Yes, we compete feverishly; but all members are equal in terms of respect.

[GnomeWizardd]

I do it because I want to help the people suffering from sickness and If my computer helps find a cure for something ONE day i might have I can say " Yea i help find the cure! "

[a2jfreak]

My main reason is because I want to do what I can to help find possible cures for crippling illnesses and diseases.

However, my motives aren't entirely altruistic as I do very much enjoy the competition and the main reason I want to keep adding more machine is because I wanna kick some butt!!! :fold: on!:cool2:

[BDR]

Why do I Fold?

I'm trying to "do my part".
I've lost too many friends and relatives to cancer.
My step-grandson has been diagnosed with Duchenne's form of Muscular Dystrophy.
My Mom has Macular Degeneration.
The list goes on..

I fold in hopes that at some point in the future they may be able to find cures for these dreaded diseases.
Maybe research on one thing may lead to a cure for something totaly unrelated.
I can only hope..
and do my part.

Why do I fold here?

After doing a little searching, I've found I like this place and it's members. It's a fun and relaxing place to be.

[Buddy J]

I do it for the free beer and ladies!

[topherice]

FormFactor and CaffieneMe threatened to beat me severely if I didn't install a client and start Folding for Team93.

[leishi85]

when i first found out about FAH, i do it because it's interesting.

after my Grandpa died of cancer, it strengthed my dedication for folding.

[FormFactor]

Cause I have a bunch of PCs on anyways, They might as well be doing something constructive.

Also the cause is indeed a very important one. More important to me than something like SETI at home. I just dont think thats a very realistic project.

[Ultra Nexus]

Because I Can! :vimp:

[EyesOnly]

I first came to this site a week ago following a link about the catalyst 3.8 drivers causing trouble. As i read i noticed that several post had pictures about something called f@h. After checking around i decided that i might as well fold as well so i signed on to the forums and installed the software.

Though my slow rig won't be turning in many wu:s it will at least help and the forums seems great in general (though i've only been a member for a few hours) and this is the first computer forum i've ever entered.:D

[BDR]

EyesOnly, welcome to the foruma nd the folding team. :)

[Shorty]

Buddy Jesus had this to say
I do it for the free beer and ladies!

:vimp: You know it

topherice had this to say
FormFactor and CaffieneMe threatened to beat me severely if I didn't install a client and start Folding for Team93.

.. and so they should as well. It's called 'power-recruiting' ;D

EyesOnly had this to say
I first came to this site a week ago following a link about the catalyst 3.8 drivers causing trouble. As i read i noticed that several post had pictures about something called f@h. After checking around i decided that i might as well fold as well so i signed on to the forums and installed the software.

Though my slow rig won't be turning in many wu:s it will at least help and the forums seems gret in general (though i've only been a member for a few hours) and this is the first computer forum i've ever entered.

Welcome in :D:D

:fold: on everyone

[a2jfreak]

Welcome to the fold (cheep pun intended) EyesOnly!

[ginipig]

Err, didn't realise that I should've posted my extensive reply here.

Folding @ Home is a great idea. Practical, beneficial, and all those other positive -icials.

[robby]

It is, quite simply as Prime put it "the right thing to do". It's an amazing example of the power of unity. It's steps like this that I believe forward the evolutionary process and allow us to truly work together toward a common goal.

[madmat]

Cancer has been a real mo'fo' in my family, I've lost more members of my family to it than I can name along with my sister and mom being survivors.
I've also lost one of my grandmothers to alheimers so I see folding as a way to maybe stop some kid in the future going to as many funerals as I did.

[a2jfreak]

I don't know what to say in response to that, Jack, other than: Wow! and I'm glad your wife seems to be doing better!

[profdlp]

Jack, anyone who reads that and doesn't feel like this is all worthwhile has no heart. It made me go and re-check all my comps, just to make sure everything was running in top shape.

:smokin:

[muddocktor]

Wow, that is one good testimony, Jack.:)

I can't believe I never posted my reasons for folding here; I'd done it before the old ICF forum hack and I guess I never got around to it again. :buck:

I originally started folding for overclockers.com in December 2001 and then came to Team 93 (under the Icrontic banner) in the summer of 2002. I first started with just 1 computer and then the addiction set in. :eek2: There is a history of both cancer and Alzheimer's disease on both sides of my family, so it seemed a natural to try to help Stanford out with running the folding project by donating my unused cpu cycles. I lost my father's father when I was still a young boy in 1962, to a non-malignant growth that basically took over his liver. In 1979 I lost my mother's father to a stroke brought on by the effects of radiation and chemo and surgery for the colon cancer he was diagnosed with in 1975 or 76. In the mid 1980's, my mother's mother started showing all the classic signs of early onset Alzheimer's disease, which she was thankfully spared from suffering the full affects of when she died of a massive heart attack in 1988. The previous statement might sound cold, but next I was to see the devestation that Alzheimer's disease can do to a loved one when my father's mother started showing Alzheimer's symptoms shortly after Grandma Moulin died and watched it slowly erase her mind over the next 3 years to where she didn't even know her own children any more, much less her grandchildren. When the Lord finally took her home it was actually a blessing as we then knew that she was suffering no more. Also around this time my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was successfully treated with radiation and chemo. Around 1997 or 98, my Dad's brother died of cancer and it was just terrible to see what that dreadful disease had done to him. He turned from a healthy looking older man to a skeleton in only around 3 months. I just learned a couple of weeks ago that my cousin Brad has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and is also showing some spread to the liver via cat scans or mri, but his liver functions are still showing normal. He has just started radiation and chemo and the prognosis is guarded but good for his recovery.

So you can see that I have a vested interest in seeing this project be successful also. I'm presently 47 years old, so maybe some of the research we are doing today might be of benefit even to me later on in my life, as well as for countless others. I figure that running my farm probably ups my electric bill around $100-125 month, but that is OK as long as I am working and can afford to do it.

[KingFish]

Those were both quite moving replies muddock and Jack. I haven't personally seen the devastation that cancer, alzerheimers, mad cow, etc can do but am encouraged by what you two and others have written. I've always tried to help others; this is quite motivating to help come with new ways to help combat these diseases through computers.

KingFish

[Leonardo]

Muddoktor and Witenoiz, thanks for the inspiration. Although there is almost no cancer history and very little Alzheimer's on either side of my family tree, your stories provide me even more motivation to keep pumping away at Folding. For both of - I am sorry for the pain that degenerative deseases have caused your families. I'm Folding for you! Witenoiz - you must have a strong wife - physically and character.

[EyesOnly]

My mothers mother got alzheimers or something like that about the time i was born. I never really got to now her or her me even though she lived till i was like 12. Now my father mother has it to and i haven't seen her for years. At least i've got no cancer in my family. Let's hope that this will one day pay off even if non of us are around then.

Though i don't feel as bright of mood as i did before reading jacks post i was going to say that a really good reason to fold is keebs movie. Only a heartless SOB can watch that and not wonna fold. Now lets get those farms up and running. :fold:

[profdlp]

Last Monday my dad (nearly 72 years old) began having dizzy spells and pain in his arm. Within a few minutes he passed out. My mom called 911 and the paramedics arrived in under five minutes. Thank God they were so close by.

They revived my dad, who lost consciousness again in the ambulance. Again, the rescue crew brought him back.

Once at the hospital he went down for a third time. If he hadn't been at the hospital already it would have been very iffy for him. They kept him at the hospital for a few days and installed a pacemaker on Wednesday. Amazingly, he was discharged and went home last night.

He seems to be doing alright, for now, but needless to say it has been a tough week.

I just wanted to thank each and every one of my fellow team members, and everyone involved with this important project. It means more than you may think.

[Armo]

a friend of mine passed away a few weeks ago a month shy of his 31st birthday. he died froma fualty heart. so i fold.

[dragonV8]

Prof, good to hear things working out for your Dad. I can honestly say:"Been there, Done that". Meaning, i understand what you are going through.

Keep thinking positive, as hard as it may seem, especially now your Dad is on the mend.

Best wishes mate.

Jon & Sally

[Straight_Man]

Lost my Dad, a cousin, and grandmother to things that Folding is working on addressing. Also friends and friends of friends. That sums primal core motivation for my wanting to fold.

In one sentence, I fold to possibly prevent others from hurting due to losses of folks they hold dear in future, and sooner the better for some things. Folding addresses a critical to society and to me "need to know." I do not need to know fine details of how the medical knowledge helps, but have seen enough hurting due to lack of medical knowledge for a lifetime. So, I want to have my boxes work as virtual guinea pigs so people do not have to in desperation.

[TheGr81]

Project seemed cool when I first started hearing about it. After that, peer pressure (sorta, if you can consider leo and john d (then ageek) peers ;D j/k, wasn't just them ;) )

My mom's diabetic (does that count?), my grandma died of cancer.

[Leonardo]

They kept him at the hospital for a few days and installed a pacemaker on Wednesday. Amazingly, he was discharged and went home last night.

Prof, I hope that your dad's next couple of decades will be a very smooth, with one productive operation per each clock cycle that his pacemaker emits. You were so fortunate that the medical response was so timely. Sounds like your town has very good emergency response and medical services.

But anyway, my Dad is getting older too. I appreciate your story and wish you and your father the best.

[Squeak]

The reasons are simple...Scientific research for the bettering of man kind at the cost of a free program is enough reason for me.

[Snarkasm]

Why would you not do this? Honestly. It doesn't affect anything that you do, whenever your computer's on you're helping towards the advancement of science, and you yourself could reap the benefits in the future. And nothing matches the feeling of teamwork. I just started today and even I know all that.

[Guyute]

I just started last night. I feel guilty as hell (heck, for those atheists) having a perfectly good PC and all I do is indulge myself by fragging online and looking up guitar tabs.

I realized that after having lost both my Aunt and Uncle (they were married) to Alzheimer's within 2 years of each other, plus my Mom, my Grandfather and a girlfriend (she was 18 when she died) to Cancer that something had to be done. I don't have a lot of extra cash, so donations were out of the question, plus hearing that most charities spend 80% or more of their earnings on administration really upsets me. This just seemed to be a natural fit. I don't want a medal for doing this, but I would like my Mom back. That won't happen, but maybe I can save someone else's...

As othes have said, I can afford the extra few bucks in electricity. Plus, who knows, someday MY health may be aided because someone folded.

[Justin]

I finally got it started last night and I am doing it for my grandfather. He has had Parkinson's for a few years now and I have watched him slowly deteriorate over time. This man was a father to me and I know that someday, if a cure or treatment is not found, the diseases ravaging his frail body will surely do him in and I don't think I could live with myself not doing anything about it. I would also like to send out a big thank you to everybody else on the team, together we are making a difference.

[Enisada]

I first heard of folding@home nearly two years ago. Back then I use to have my spare time go to SETI. After realizing that was rather pointless as of now, with so many problems here to fix before going out looking for potentially more. Around that time I use to post on Icrontic and later saw they had a team so I joined up mostly help find a cure. My grandfather has been battling cancer now for over 14 years now. He has over 9 types of cancer but I can't remember them all. Over these years I've seen him beat many but it seems within weeks he developed yet another one. In any event I admire him so much for his will to live. The doctors gave him six months when he got his first cancer back in 1990. He proved them wrong time and time agian. Anyways when I started folding I just wanted to help a great project. However it turned into an addiction, I wanted to make the most possible effort I could. Over the past six months his condition has been rapily detoriating. Just three days ago my grandfather has been taken to the hospital because he can no longer walk. Last night I overclocked my system just a bit more to add just a little more to my production. I have high hopes for this project and will contine to fold into the future. The more we prooduce the closer we come to finding a cure.

[Guyute]

Microsoft should make this program mandatory instead of IE...

[Yakumo]

Well for one its a way of thanking the short media people that will help me with my computer problems (Hehe HSA probs) So i figure why not join the team. And now that i realize what its for i see its a good cause, I mean Cancer hasnt been to well for my family, Aunt had breast cancer, Grandmother has Enphezema, Gradfather had lung cancer, Other grandfather Smokes so much he probably will have cancer, other grandmother had skin cancer, Best friend's dad died of colon cancer. Not so great so i figure why not help out

[Siggy]

I stumbled across S-M forums after a google search for a PC problem I was having. You guys fixed that for me and I saw the thread asking if we wanted to give something back. I read it and thought "why not?"
After reading the many moving reasons others are doing it, I just feel that it is right that i do my little bit.
I have just had a baby girl - 2 months old - I dont want there to be any disease or illness around when she grows up~!

So I started today and put the console on all my machines. (I cant keep them all on 24/7 - but hell, 23 machines on 14 hours a day is better than nothing, I think!!!!!)

And I wanna get up the rankings!!

All the best to everyone that has family that are sick right now, I pray that they may recover and be with you for a long time to come.

Siggy

[ZacMan1987]

I do it because one of my grandmothers died 2 weeks before I was born of brain cancer, and another is dying of Alzheimers. I'd like to think that this research will mean that 20 years down the road, somebody else will get to meet their grandmother, or still be able to talk to her when she's 80.

[MrNiceGuy]

I can't believe I haven't posted here yet :)

Why?
- Because it's for a helluva good cause!
- Because I am fortunate enough to participate and help with what little I can offer for the greater good.

Less serious reasons:
- Because it's addictive! :D
- It fuels my competitive spirit.
- It makes me itch when my cable is out, I can't get a new WU and the CPU is idle. :eek3:

[profdlp]

Looking over the last few comments (and all the rest, for that matter) leaves me with a very nice feeling about the way things are going. :)

[Qeldroma]

I knew when I finally got down to writing this, it wouldn't be easy. But ...

I live in a house that is just a revolving door of teenagers. It gets noisy, busy, crazee and all those other eee's you can think of. The day is going to come when it will go quiet- I'll miss them ...

I read through each of these write-ups. All your reasons run from fun :bs: to poorly masked pain.

You gave your reasons FOR folding. But (NOT from any of you) I've also heard some, uh, interesting ones against- like "They'll be able to get all our private information!", "They may be making bio-genetic weapons and drugs!", and (my personal favorite) "SkyNet is a distributed computing program too!".

My turn to say why I'm FOR it -

It looks like fun, I care, and I like competition too.

It looks like fun because some of the people here crack me up and I like point games too.

I care because I see some good people here who need the support to help them through.
I care because I've housed those orphaned by one of these diseases.
I care because I can't express the grief people feel when the box they inter is less than 3 feet long.
I care because ....

Competition? Me and my lone little Athalon XP that does it only when I'm at home and me or the teens aren't using it? With all those people and their massive server farms, etc., etc. to compete with?

Yeah. Because it's not who I'm competing with but the "whats" we are competing against.

Because the competition I want to win is the one where we plant our collective foot firmly up the "whats" pitiless, relentless, unfeeling and killing ass.

And if I'm alive to see it, I plan on feeling joy ... even for my small part. Yeah. If I'm not, well I didn't want to miss this simple opportunity to help.

And to those against it- maybe so, maybe not. It is a risk, but if you bother to look around and do your homework, I think you'll discover it is straight-up. And I know what MY reasons are, God does too, and I will NOT turn away from something that may do something wonderful because I was afraid. If I erred, I'm sorry, but I erred on the side of compassion.

You all have your reasons and commitments and whatever it was, I personally pray that God bless you all and that all will turn out for the best.

Fold on.

:thumbsup:

[Crypto]

Qeldroma,
a very thoughtful and moving piece there.

You are very welcome in team 93.


Fold on :thumbsup:

[dragonV8]

Qeldroma,
a very thoughtful and moving piece there.

You are very welcome in team 93.


Fold on :thumbsup:

Could not have said it better.

Jon

[Leonardo]

Because it's not who I'm competing with but the "whats" we are competing against. It could not be said better than that.

Please enjoy the team as much as the rest of us do! Thanks for joining. :thumbsup:

[shwaip]

So I've yet to post my reason...

the points. I have other deeper reasons, but I can assure you that without the points, I wouldn't fold.

[DogSoldier]

It's been so long that I had to think (always a painful excercise...) I was originally drawn here because of the Flashing The Radeon 9800 Non-Pro To A 9800 Pro thread. (I still have the same vid card. Thanks SimGuy!) and then I got curious about the sigs and the obscure references to "Folding". After installing the GUI, I was a stat watcher for about 3 months. Even made it up to 50th place before my production dropped off, or more accurately, everyone elses production increased. I'm just one CPU and I can't compete with the farms. Now, it's a habit. Like turning off the light before going to bed.. I double click that lil red icon before going to sleep.

[Sledgehammer70]

Well I am probably one of the newest members of team 93, I fold for the pure reason of helping others. You never know which computer will fold a cure, or help someone in getting that much closer to a cure. I have allot of comps that do nothing for the most part. And I wanted to do something good with them. So I now have them folding 24/7 In just 1 week I am pushing 6000 Points, and I plan on doubling that here in the near future. I joined team 93 because this team seems very friendly, I reality I stumbled across this site looking for a place to talk about computers. And look at me now I am a folding fool.

[Leonardo]

I joined team 93 because this team seems very friendly The antagonistic members (former, that is) are all buried at a remote farm in Saskatchewan. :rolleyes:

[RADA]

My cousin died of bone marrow cancer in 1980, at 7 years old.

She was going through Chemo, and my aunt (her Mom), and I were both designated as potential donors, but her body couldn't handle the treatments anymore.

In her honor I donate blood every 56 days, and folding agrees with my nature to help others.

It's just an added benefit, that SM is such a stand up group of individuals, I'm a better person from knowing y'all.

[Qeldroma]

My cousin died of bone marrow cancer in 1980, at 7 years old.

She was going through Chemo, and my aunt (her Mom), and I were both designated as potential donors, but her body couldn't handle the treatments anymore.

In her honor I donate blood every 56 days, and folding agrees with my nature to help others.


RADA, thanks. :thumbsup:

[Nightwolf]

Can't believe i havn't noticed this yet.

I fold for my cousin who has Parkinson's!!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Yui-Ikari]

Why? because is for a good cause ^___^

[djstubbs]

gotta love it

[Qeldroma]

Thank you, Yui-Ikari. Welcome! :)

[Venz Dirge]

Why Do I do it?

well... Last year I lost my brother to Cancer..
This year my wife Had some Cancer cells cut off her leg (still healing from that).

Cancer sucks, it is'nt fair...in fact seems to me I've heard of so many good people dieing of cancer, but never a Hitler...

My father in law is in the VA hospital with what is best described as a cross between Parkinsons and Alzheimers, One of the nicest guys I ever met, now he can barely eat (if spoon fed the right foods) in unable to walk...or talk...or make eye contact.... he'll be 65 this year.

While this project in all realistic expectations probably won't make a difference for him or my wife, Maybe my daughter...or their children...

Let's all Hope...or better yet...Let's fold.

[Leonardo]

Very sobering, Venz.

Thank you for reminding me why I'm in this. It's testimony like that makes me hold my head high and not worry about the little extra for the electricity bill that must be paid. It's worth the effort.

[GnomeWizardd]

I just found out 5 weeks ago my good friend Kristi has cancer ( thats why I made my comeback to team 93 I need to be aroud people with the same passion ) , Talk about an eye opener, she is only 21. Now it has only fuled my passion I went from one pc folding to 3 in my own little farm and scrounging to get a 4th

[IamMrRay]

my grampa had cancer and I wanna try to help put an end to it all and I am ready to go all out on it. I have his support and permission to run it 24/7 in the basement once I set up a farm. :thumbsup:

[Thelemech]

I do it so my Computer (that I have a sixth sense may be sentient:Rocker: HA) can keep itslelf busy!

Seriously- it fascinates me ; the idea of thousand/millions of computers centered around solving the same type of problems. The power is there!:cool:

[DogDragon]

I do it cause I came here for help and read the best way to say thank-you
is to fold. so thank-you.
I stay cause my computer needs something to do while I'm fishing and at work
and reading the forum keep me coming back :)

[Leonardo]

"...to say thank you." You are welcome. Thanks for becoming part of the team. Also, thanks to all of above that I didn't mention individually.

[djshowdown]

i do it because its a good cause and also because my computer is always on anyway

to be honest, it would be selfish not to

i have a competitive streak as well which is why the points is such a good idea

it makes us all work harder

if one day they find a cure for cancer or any of the other things that the F@H project contributes to, i want to be able to proudly say that i had a hand in it

[QCH2002]

Good spirit, DJ. Everyone has their motives. Compitition while helping a good cause is as good as they come. :thumbsup:

[chevyfan1a4]

I do it because I want to be apart of something good. I have alot of friends and loved ones that have had and even died of cancer, and if I can do something to try to find a cure, I am going to do it. I have been a member of team 93 since I first strolled into the forums. I can safely say that you are a bunch of good people and I am proud to be working amongst you all. ROCK ON TEAM 93!!!:rockon:

[QCH2002]

I do it because I want to be apart of something good. I have alot of friends and loved ones that have had and even died of cancer, and if I can do something to try to find a cure, I am going to do it. I have been a member of team 93 since I first strolled into the forums. I can safely say that you are a bunch of good people and I am proud to be working amongst you all. ROCK ON TEAM 93!!!:rockon:Yep.... Rock on Team #93!!! :headbange:

[Nightwolf]

Rock On Chevyfan.

[lewicron]

I just dig polypeptide thermodynamics.

Straight up, dawg.

Word.

[csimon]

Roland and I have been friends since we met as little rascals at the sand pile in front of the new house my dad was building for us. We were three years old and I remember the meeting like it was yesterday.

Growing up and getting into our early teens we visited his grandparents who lived behind the new construction ...and he lived just a door or two from there. I remember him telling me she (his grandmother) was crazy while we were outside out of earshot and he said that a few times now and again. After his grandfather passed away I remember him telling me that she has alzheimers but I never realized the severity of the disease. I did witness one moment of the embarrassing craze but I brushed it off as senility. At that time I had little idea what the disease incured. She died a few years later.

We had always been fishing buddies Roland and I. We had the same routine season after season when the reds and trout were running. Sometimes we even went to freshwater but mostly we enjoyed the saltwater catches. Each time we returned from a trip Rolands dad counted our fish and took pics of us next to our prizes. He was always proud of those moments.

Once Mr. Horace retired I remember his wonderful garden that he had always kept weedless showing signs of neglect within a few years. It wasn't long after that it ceased to produce like most of the fruit trees in his yard. He stopped riding his bicycle as well ...something he did every single day weather permitting. He had inherited the dreadful disease that took his mother ...and perhaps his father as well.

Mr. Horace died about 10 years ago. It was a sad moment but the one thing I remember was when Roland confided in me. He said that his dad was far better off in death than the toturous life he was leading in the end and I believed him. He had told me most of the symptoms and mishaps along the way as the disease progressed but one day I actually witnessed something on my own.

We were talking after a fishing trip ...just standing there talking. This time a cane took the place of the usual camera. He was talking fine like he was aware of his surroundings and he was telling me about some of the problems he had been having with the disease. All of a sudden after he finished a sentence he just fell backwards ...right down to the hard concrete patio. After we lifted him to his feet he replied in embarrasment ..."I forgot that I wasn't sitting down".

So I fold for a cure so that we don't have to see loved ones experience such embarassing moments ...and so that they live longer healthier lives.

May God bless the Duplantis family.

[Crypto]

Do you know, I've just been sitting having a solitary dinner (Mrs Crypto is away today) and Csimon's posting is on my mind.

Why do we do it? Well for some of the younger guys and gals it's for their Grandparents and we have some moving stories which help us all to focus our minds.

Me, well I'm pretty ancient and I guess I'm hoping they blooming well hurry up 'cos it might help me shortly!

My main reason for posting though is to praise the majority of members of Short-Media. Now please don't get offended peoples of the world but I have to say that generally in Europe, the citizens of the USA do not have a good reputation I won't go in to the stereotypes but unfortunately a lot of them travel and reinforce the mode. Here in Short-Media, the majority of members are young and American.

What a great bunch of people you are. You Guys break the mold with your generosity and thoughtfulness. You really act outside the envelope in which your countrymen are cast.
Ladies and Gentlemen I salute you. Thank you for allowing me to be a member of your illustrious group.

Now I really must go and have a cup of tea

Crypto

[V|P]

why it is you believe in this project and continue to fold.
cauz' I can. :grr:

[Daxx]

Because disease is like humans...a virus. It moves in and consumes all natural resources until the host dies and then mutates and moves on to cause more harm and destruction. It must be eradicated. All must be eradicated. The planet must be PURGED!

That and my Dad's health is failing due to his bone marrow producing too many red and white blood cells. He's from Irken I tell you! No, no, not from Earth...IRKEN. But if Earth can save him -- I'm in. I love my Dad.

http://home.comcast.net/~dlancep/casual_zim.gif

[csimon]

Hope your dad makes out ok!

[rolleggroll]

Hi everyone! I joined team #93 because of folding see the "who are you" thread for more details on that. Otherwise I also fold to honor my grandma and my friend Jeff C. who died of cancer. Other than that, it is great knowing that my computer's leftover processing power is going to a good cause. Let's keep it up guys, we might find the cure on day! Keep folding.

[csimon]

I'm just getting home from Houston, Tx. We went to take Christopher v2.0 to the Texas Childrens Hospital for extensive evaluations to determine his condition. I feel more assured now that we can work with him and he will be highly funtional. I won't go into anymore detail unless someone really wants to know cause that's not what this is about.

This is about the stay on Main Street Texas in the heart of the Medical Center. It's a wonderful place to be if you are sick indeed ...and if you work in the medical profession I would think this place should be on the top of your list to aspire to as a working environment.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Medical Center. There are many many hotels and such in the nearby vicinity of this hospital area. There are sooooooo many hospitals and I know I at least saw one new one each day ...in addition to the 6 or 7 on the first day. There are 8 complimentary shuttles that take you to whichever hospital you need aside from the three major standard stops. They also take you to the zoo, museums, shopping or wherever on special request and never did they make us feel as though we were putting them out. All for free ...practically anywhere in Houston.

The thing inspiring me to write this now is the way I felt while I was there. I came across and met so many people who were there for several reasons. But aside from all of that the ones who tugged at my heart the most where the cancer patients ...especially the ones who you don't have to ask why they're there because it is that obvious. The conversations always start out the same (by them). Why are you here? or Who are you seeing here? or something of the sort.

I met one fellow who recognized my LSU ball cap. He asked where I was from and when I told him he just sort of snikered and told me he was from nearby. He asked about my trip and all that. He was truly concernced for my sons well being as I told about the testing and all and when I asked about him he told me he was there on a check up because he had battled cancer before and was now in remission. The next day when we spoke again he casually mentioned that the doctor told him that he needed to go through chemotherapy once again. They told him that without the chemo the chances of the cancer return would be 80% ...and with it the chance was 50%. The man never showed any sign of sadness or anything and seemed relieved that there was a doctor who could initiate the thereapy closer to home.

Today before we left there was another older guy who was wheeled to the front door of the hospital. As the doors opened he slowly stood out of the chair and walked about 6 feet over out of the way ...as though he was taking every last chance at reclaiming his dignity on this earth. The man was tall and you could tell that he had been a stronger man all of his life. The color of his skin and his slow pace was about all that gave his condition away. It really made me feel useless as a human being at that point.

Which brings me to this. It never occured to me that I am folding at home for a cure the entire time I was there. I was so overwhelmed by the various characters ...all of them trying to put on their best face and keep every single ouce of dignity that they could muster. I really wish there were more I could do.

So with that I'd just like to appeal to everyone who is folding now to encourage you to continue giving your cycles for the cause and to let you all know that your "little bit" is far better that nothing at all. Folding for the cure just seems to be a good peace of mind effort for us who are not having to go through the torment of the disease. Don't give up. Keep your points going no matter how small.

And lastly ...well today we made a stop at MD Andersons. I cannot begin to describe the way that I felt as we drove by all of those patients waiting outside for their shuttle. Out in the heat and the rain they sat there waiting for their shuttles or whatever. But the driver said something that made me think. He said "Yeah they're all there, waiting for that medical miracle". It certainly put a whole new light on things at that point.

So ...I've drawn the conclusion that we, the distributed computing services of the community who are folding for that cure, are folding for their hope. Their "medical miracle".

:fold::csimon:

[profdlp]

Chris, that is quite a story, and it holds lessons for us all.

I've taken the liberty of publishing it on our Team 93 Front Page. (http://www.short-media.com/folding.php)

:fold: :csimon:

[csimon]

Chris, that is quite a story, and it holds lessons for us all.

I've taken the liberty of publishing it on our Team 93 Front Page. (http://www.short-media.com/folding.php)

:fold: :csimon:

cool thanks prof! I'm so tired and exhausted from the trip ...the only way I can describe it is extremely humbling.

[PsycoKillr]

20940I'm folding because my wife had Gestational Trophoblastic Metastatic Choriocarcinoma back in 2000 and she was told that she would never have children again. Basiclly she had a miscarriage and the placenta metastisized causing 17 tumors to grow in her lungs. She's been cancer free for 5 yrs now and Thankfully she was able to have another child. My son Bane.

[profdlp]

PsycoKillr, I wish you and your family all the best. Every step closer that we get to solving some of these medical riddles is a step closer to eliminating the need for others to endure the problems which we hope to help cure. :fold:

[QCH2002]

PsycoKillr... Thank you for folding and thank you for letting all us know how important it is to work towards cures!!!

!!!~ FOLD ON ~!!!

[Datsun 1600]

Youngest niece, born deaf in one ear and blind in one eye, diagnosed with Cancer at eight years of age, went through Kemotherapy at age nine, lost a kidney to Cancer at age eleven.

She survives today, living every day, like it could be her last.

My reason,
Datsun 1600

[SPIKE09]

Some very stirring personal reason's for why we fold here, Datsun I hope the young lady in question has many more good day's. I do not fold for your team but I do fold, with every PC I can get.
Why? well my two nieces do not have a mother anymore, my sister died of cancer a few years ago aged 47 she had battled cancer for over 20 years. My father also cancer he died 2001, my uncle died of cancer 3 months before I got married in '96, my other uncle has survived cancer He now has Alzheimmers, as does My mother, dealing with Her on a daily basis for years now, has brought home to me that this is the most undignified condition I have ever seen. When i take her out to the shops, I am Variously her son/brother/father and occasionally her Husband, we get some strange looks when she says the last one.
A little poem what i wrote about my feelings for Alzheimmer's

Memories fleeting and precious,
expect them to last forever,
then Al's hammers come,
little erosions everyday,
good days, bad days,

bad days hate the disease,
good days break your heart,
because our memories are clear,
of the people We love so dear,

No rhyme or reason to be sure,
just fold on and pray for a cure.

[QCH2002]

!!!AMEN Spike09!!!

[SPIKE09]

I thank you my folding friend,I wish I had discovered you folk's age's ago. Your attitude to help and folding is excellent. Unfortunatelly at the moment our wee folding team would implode without my input. But after my race to 250,000, I will have to consider thing's as the BWA as that would look very nice on my desktop.:thumbsup:

[witenoiz]

I thank you my folding friend,I wish I had discovered you folk's age's ago. Your attitude to help and folding is excellent. Unfortunatelly at the moment our wee folding team would implode without my input. But after my race to 250,000, I will have to consider thing's as the BWA as that would look very nice on my desktop.:thumbsup:

Thanks for visiting Team 93 - and most of all your aspirations for the BWA! Had to edit this - got the awards mixed up somewhat. :fold: :fold: :fold: :hiding: Jack

[Shalimar]

I lost my little sister when we were still living in moscova, she never saw her 5th birthday. I just miss her so much, it's difficult to talk about because her birthday is nearing.

I fold for her.

[profdlp]

Great stories, my friends. Helping to save others from going through bad things like this is what makes it all worthwhile. :fold:

[DogDragon]

SPIKE09 I think that poem
is hitting the nail on the head.
My Mom is dealing with that or
should I say my sister is.
I do when my Mom is with me and
don't know what to say it's hard
I know it has to be scary for her
But it is for us too you don't know
when things just turn.
It's strange you don't know
I wounldn't wish it on an enemy
It's mess with more than just Mom
We just are glad for the good,
you know they're getting fewer
meds don't seem to be doing to good
But she's still living with family and
IT will stay that way.
We think if Mom had a good day in the hospital
or a home would be worst than a bad day with family
just typing what I'm thinking
But the poem is great

[lewicron]

Hey Spike, nice to have a fellow Scotsman on the site :)

BTW, I work in pharmaceutical R&D, trying to develop treatments that provide symptomatic relief for Alzheimer's sufferers. It's a truly horrible disease, but hopefully effective treatments should be available in the next 5 -10 years.

[Clutch]

I can't believe I have not posted in this thread as long as it has been going on. So I'll share why I fold.

I have been folding with Team #93 as long as I can remember being with this great community. I was chosen to host a very special machine in memory of a member who passed, and it started to sink in a little more. Folding started to get personal for me when I found out my dad had cancer in late 2003. Cancer took my dad from me in July of 2005. I seen my dad battle it from start to finish with every bit of air he could take in. My dad knew about the folding project so he knew we were fighting this with him. We had a family and friends cookout for him a few months before he passed, little did we know that would have been his last cookout with his loved ones. The day before I went and got the tattoo that you see in my folding sig. The day of the cookout I spent a moment with my dad and showed it to him, I explained how the cog was apart of folding and that everytime I looked at it I will know he is with me and that I am fighting for what we would soon find out took him from us. I fold for my father and for the time that we find a cure for what took the most important man in my life from me.

Fold on Team 93!

[QCH2002]

Thanks Clutch... Touching story. Folding is not about the competition... It a fight to cure really bad diseases... Fold on my friends.... :fold:

[New Day]

The people in the forum have helped me several times with fixing my messed up computer and never asked for anything in return. This just seems like the right thing to do. Thanks again for all your help :)

[QCH2002]

Welcome, New Day. Every person we add to the project makes a difference. :thumbsup:

[Qeldroma]

Yes,

You get help and, if you want to, you get to try and make a difference. Perhaps we'll all get to help make a "New Day" for someone -

Sounds win-win to me :) .

Thanks for joining! :thumbsup:

[digitaltree]

I'm folding because I think the more we know about the human body, the more we know about ourselves, and perhaps the quest for improving human life will lead to the propagation of peace for all.

[_k_]

I am doing it because I was told to do it and I have nothing better to do while I am sleeping...productivity to the MAX!

[mas0n]

Because it's an excuse to search for more megahertz.

Also, because one of my networks that I support is a retirement community and Alzheimer's is quite possibly the scariest thing I have ever witnessed.