Reviews of BOINC for Windows

1. 
   Mr Swiffer

   Reviewing 6.11.4 Beta (Aug 10, 2010)

   Excellent program. Leaving a computer running at 100% CPU usage 100% of the time does not harm the environment, especially when it's being used for distributed computing projects. These only do one thing. They improve quality of life for everybody. The one and only thing that harms the environment is the Earth Liberation Front. These people aren't protecting the planet. They are harming it. Anyone who agrees with them is a complete and total moron.
2. 
   gawd21

   Reviewing 6.11.4 Beta (Aug 9, 2010)

   Just a large scam!
   
   I used to help them, but I grew up and learned that it is BS.
3. 
   EvoXXX

   Reviewing 6.10.18 (Nov 11, 2009)

   One of the kind programs that helps the progress!!!
4. 
   darthbeads

   Reviewing 6.5.0 (Development) (Dec 22, 2008)

   $700 on electricity for having computers running? Please. Unless you have a library of HAL 9000's running in your apparent Batcave, then, yes: there is either something wrong with your rigs and/or your wiring, or you were roughly raped by your electric company. Congrats on that.
5. 
   ttrimble

   Reviewing 6.5.0 (Development) (Dec 21, 2008)

   Boinc is an excellent tool for contributing to real research. If you spent $700 on electricity for not shutting down your computer then something is wrong with your computer or your home wiring. Compared to the cost for research foundations to perform these calculations, it is far more effective to distribute these processes to idle computers. If you don't want to help then that is your choice. If you do, then Boinc is a great way to contribute resources and do your part to help out.
6. 
   chadamus

   Reviewing 6.5.0 (Development) (Dec 20, 2008)

   Also 5 for the effort and functionality of the software.
   
   I use to run this on my computers in the background... until I got a $700 electric bill.
   
   Save the environment by just NOT using this software. Let your computer idle or shut them down and just donate periodically to the good causes.
   
   I would imagine my $700 that I spent on electricity could have done more good as a donation than any work my computers got done for the same price.
   
   Edit: Computers, plural. Didn't say how many computers now did I? Nothing wrong with my computers or wiring, I assure you.
   
   Edit again: I'm so glad the concept that computers running at 100% CPU usage really generate a lot of heat is being missed here. 8 quad-core systems running at 100% CPU usage really generate a LOT of heat. So in addition to the power usage of 8 systems running at 100% usage, you have the heat to deal with as well. The heat dissipation systems and air conditioning were also a factor in the $700. Oh, and it was July, so my fault for even messing with this stuff in the summer.
7. 
   belthurgp

   Reviewing 6.5.0 (Development) (Dec 19, 2008)

   5 for the effort but Zero for harming the environment.
   
   I used to run SETI before it even became part of BOINC and then BOINC for a couple of years. But then, it's much more practical to save energy, save earth by shutting down computers than try to find aliens.
   
   People shut down those computers if you don't need them running.
8. 
   4tehlulz

   Reviewing 6.3.21 (Development) (Nov 3, 2008)

   Oh noes! We must not research cancer cures to prevent Big Pharma from making money!
   
   Five stars because it works.
9. 
   Undesired Username

   Reviewing 6.3.21 (Development) (Nov 3, 2008)

   Oh yeah--cure cancer or AIDS. More like "help find yet another way for pharmaceutical companies to make more money". And spare me with the "it's public domain" crapola... it matters not.
10. 
    coover

    Reviewing 6.2.9 (Development) (Jun 29, 2008)

    6.29 seems to have fixed the problem.
11. 
    coover

    Reviewing 6.2.8 (Development) (Jun 20, 2008)

    Boinc is a 5. This version, when installed, interfered with the use of my computer by forcing the use of the screen saver onto the screen, causing me to minimze it while I'm doing other work. Then a series of read-write errors forced me to reboot the computer, uninstall this version, and go back to the older version. I suggest others wait a few days for Boinc to get the bugs out before upgrading to any version 6.2
12. 

    Reviewing 6.1.12 (Development) (Apr 6, 2008)

    You can already use these programs without adding this.
13. 
    why hello there

    Reviewing 6.1.12 (Development) (Apr 5, 2008)

    BOINC is incredible software. Just by running it you contribute your system to scientific research for medicine, physics, mathematics, and more, all at your discretion.
    
    If you want to know about available projects and easily manage your BOINC contribution, check out http://www.gridrepublic.org/ -- their purpose is to bring this to the main stream. Offer a suggestion to make it easier, they listen!
    
    Power consumption can be a concern for people, but it really isn't that bad. Even if you have a quad core beast, you're really only looking at ~80 kW/h per month. At $0.06 per kW/h, that's less than $5 on your bill--$5 to help cure cancer or AIDS, to calculate prime numbers to advance computing, or to help develop nanotechnology for vast application in science and medicine.
    
    You'll waste more money leaving the lights on...
    
    If you're worried about energy conservation, concentrate on your heating, cooling, and transportation habits...ride a bike. You won't notice $5 when saving $100!
14. 
    brusco

    Reviewing 5.10.42 (Development) (Feb 15, 2008)

    Good idea but who are all these "projects", I know of seti and folding@home, but who's to say that there aren't certain organizations using a front to tap into the massive distributed computing grid that is OUR pcs. Do you know EXACTLY whats being calculated or are you taking it on faith.
    
    It also encourages wastefullness to. Leaving your PC chewing up cycles all night and all weekend is a dumb idea. CPUs nowadays use serious amounts of power when at full tilt. Core 2 Quad @150 watts 100% capacity, for say ~50 hours a week idle time. Do the math.
    
    Also people have been fired from their jobs for using office equipment in this manner. (google it) I know I'd can any douchebag costing me money like this.
15. 
    GBH

    Reviewing 5.10.38 (Development) (Jan 17, 2008)

    boinc is truely an awesome concept, I run boinc on my desktop while downloading files, the thing that I like most about it is that you can participate in multiple projects and only run the one client. Then you can specify the priority of the projects e.g. Seti@home 80% ABC@home 20% etc..
    
    Also if your favourite project is not running at the moment e.g. Seti@home has gone offline temporarily, it will pick up the slack by working harder on another project you are involved on.
    
    as for the trolls heckling the person who made the comment about leaving the computers on all the time, what are you people thinking, it's a valid point and if you had half a brain you would not be posting stupid reply's like that.
16. 
    elopez17

    Reviewing 5.10.30 (Development) (Jan 9, 2008)

    We should talk to Berkeley so we can put monzi brain in Bionic and use all the power to fiend why his brain don't work. LoL
17. 
    SuzzyWoozy

    Reviewing 5.10.30 (Development) (Nov 14, 2007)

    monzi: are you for real?!
    
    We all can leave our computers running for a century and will never pollute more than the last French atomic test in Mururoa Atoll.
    An BOINC actually can help people affected by the above, like cancer for instance - not BOINC directly, but the projects running under its umbrella.
    
    Coming back to our senses, it seems that the trend is to move more and more projects to support BOINC especially for its versatility - WorldCommunityGrid for instance will slowly migrate from its own client to BOINC.
    
    Regards to all Berkeley volunteers that keep this software updated!
18. 
    monzi

    Reviewing 5.10.30 (Development) (Nov 14, 2007)

    This program sucks. It encourages people to leave their computer on all the time thus making more polution and thereby destroying the atmosphere
19. 
    Cris3

    Reviewing 5.10.30 (Development) (Nov 14, 2007)

    These programs are effective. Another fun one is actively looking for comet dust particles for U.C. Berkeley. The link is
    
    http://stardustathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
    
    This one is not automatic and takes some concentration but your name will go in the history books if you are credited with finding a particle.
20. 
    RWW

    Reviewing 5.10.26 (Development) (Oct 24, 2007)

    Point Zero voted for Bush.
21. 
    rotjong

    Reviewing 5.10.21 (Development) (Oct 3, 2007)

    How anyone can give this a really low rating is beyond me. Distributed computing has many very valid purposes that can be amazingly beneficial.
    
    I originally used the old SETI@Home software and sometimes I miss it but having BOINC allows much more flexibility now and a framework for the integration of other projects. I focus solely on the World Community Grid these days. A somewhat nicer UI and more control over settings would be nice but as it is I find even the development builds to be very stable.
    
    Giving this software a low rating because SETI@Home discontinued their own software is childish. Rating this software low because people are using more electricity is also ridiculous. I run the program when my computer would otherwise be on, anyway.
    
    That said, the program does what it is supposed to and the purpose behind BOINC is a good one. It gets a 5 from me.
22. 
    SuzzyWoozy

    Reviewing 5.10.21 (Development) (Oct 3, 2007)

    Point Zero: who is Paris Hilton?
23. 
    morriscox

    Reviewing 5.10.21 (Development) (Oct 3, 2007)

    A pity when people rate a product they don't comprehend. Point Zero seems to have zero comprehension. Distributed computing helps take some difficult tasks and make them possible within our lifetimes.
    
    BOINC needs a better UI. Being able to change prefs for a project within the UI, getting more info about a project when trying to add a new project, getting a better idea of what projects are available, etc.
24. 
    Point Zero

    Reviewing 5.10.21 (Development) (Oct 2, 2007)

    So you guys are really wasting electricity to get Paris Hilton faster towards another universe ?
    Climateprediction !?!?!? So you keep you computer running all days long to get an accurate climate prediction ? Paris Hilton would say : It's gonna get HOT !
25. 
    morriscox

    Reviewing 5.10.19 (Development) (Aug 22, 2007)

    Don't blame BOINC because you can't get your SETI alone, CharlieGimbert . Don't be a retard. Complain to the SETI@home people.
26. 
    CharlieGimbert

    Reviewing 5.10.19 (Development) (Aug 22, 2007)

    i want my seti alone. not BOINC.
27. 
    biligt

    Reviewing 5.10.13 (Development) (Jul 14, 2007)

    krgood,
    
    Are you mentioning about graphics? SETI for BOINC already has graphic. For many projects I use www.gridrepublic.org
28. 
    SuzzyWoozy

    Reviewing 5.10.12 (Development) (Jul 3, 2007)

    Works best for me.
    
    But if someone thinks is not good, and you're dedicating yourself (or your computing power) to only one project you may use the project's own job manager tool - almost all have one.
    
    Rating: 5 out of 5
29. 
    krgood

    Reviewing 5.10.6 (Development) (Jun 14, 2007)

    Dwarden,
    Guess you did not read my post very well. I had Bonic up and running, upgraded my system and my accounts would not accept the new configuration. Went to the Boinc forum, but no one could figure out why it would not work. Went to Berkley support directly, no response. I gave up, their loss. If yours works, fine and good for you. Boinc needs to work on support response requests..
    No more Boinc for me.
30. 
    Dwarden

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 10, 2007)

    Guess You not realized BOINC isn't Seti@Home. BOINC is framework which allows others projects (like SETI) to be run under them. In short BOINC application handles downloads of work/updates and starts/ends the calculation sub-application. If You cry about 'visual' data then it's optionable if You want to watch it (again this depends on what each project offer). There is BOINC forum itself and most of dozens projects got theirs own and quite sure someone may help You there with any problem.
31. 
    krgood

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 9, 2007)

    I had SETI, the predissor(sp?) to Boinc and it was much more fun to watch and run. Boinc is difficult to get to run and if you have problems, forget it. I tried for weeks to get assistance to no avail. I upgraded my system to a faster processor and the BOINC program refused to recognize it. Finally, I just gave up and removed it from my computer..thier loss.
32. 
    flibberyGiveIt

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 9, 2007)

    Since I'm happy with 5.4.11 I've no reason to play
    with a new version. I give 5.4.11 a five because it
    worked when the grid.org program would not.
    
    As for power usage. My computer does not have a
    power saving type of CPU so it essentially does not
    matter power wise whether I run the CPU at 100% or
    at 1%. So, since the box is going to be on 24/7
    (knocks on wood) anyway is no real reason for me to
    not help cure cancer, find an anti toxin for that
    poison that anthrax produces etc.
    
    I'm reminded of a qoute: "Nattering nabobs of
    negativity."
33. 
    Terry6v

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 9, 2007)

    sounds interesting. but I'm sure my tax dollars go towards some of these projects already. I don't wish for my electric bill to as well. doubt I'll get a new computer when the cpu lifespan shortens either. as far as a review on how well this program works, I'm completely useless.
34. 
    French_Pastiches

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 9, 2007)

    BOINC web page v5.10.3 beta
35. 
    elopez17

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 9, 2007)

    I'm a member since 1998, it is true this will use a lot your CPU if you let it, but any time you let your computer use this program help a lot. Is not only now for SETI it is now for many research programs that need your computer time. So put it let it run when you do nothing in the computer and a great service you will do for research.
36. 
    fatray

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 9, 2007)

    I can see this little program shooting my electric bill through the roof.
37. 
    mjm01010101

    Reviewing 5.10.2 (Development) (Jun 8, 2007)

    "Why leave a computer idle when it could be doing something beneficial?"
    um, because it draws massive power and is wasteful? I'm pretty sure small kittens or puppies are hurt by this somehow as well.

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