In an article for Wired Magazine, Jim Martz explains what Distributed Computing is and how it helps to analyze large amounts of data by spreading it across multiple computers. A first in this area was SETI@home, which searched for extra-terrestrial life using a screensaver to have users scan radio signals.

Martz proposes how, with the new gaming consoles being developed, the general public could help to analyze large scientific projects like “unlocking the mysteries of how protines fold.” Because new gaming consoles will have multiple, high-powered processors in them, if there was a distributed computing client in the machine, the consoles could do a little work, while the owner wasn’t playing.

It makes a lot of sense, and I think it’s a really good idea. Imagine how many hours a day, a gaming console sits unused. And since the new consoles are going to be so powerful, why not put them to good use during that time? It would be a small project for large corporations like Sony, Microsoft and Nintento, and would help the greater good. It makes sense to me. We’ll see what companies agree with me.

Link to the article on wired.com