IDGF Looks to Increase Volunteer Computing 100 Fold

The term, “Volunteer Computing” is sure getting a lot of ink these days.

According to the newly-formed International Desktop Grid Federation (IDGF), about half a million volunteer computers contribute unused computing time to science every day. Scientists use these “scavenged cycles” to run simulations and speed up discovery, but just think what they could do if they were connected to more of the nearly 1 Billion PCs in the world today.

To reach the lofty goal of increasing the number of active volunteer computers by at least ten fold in the next two years, the IDGF Portal site is designed to create a vibrant community of Desktop Grid experts who will share their knowledge and expertise with those who want to get started with Cloud Computing. Already 20 organisations (60 persons) are members of the International Desktop Grid Federation.

The IDGF effort complements the European Grid Infrastructure project announced this week by Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda. You may remember Neelie as the government official who held up the Oracle acquisition of Sun Microsystems last year, and anyone who can go toe-to-toe with Safra Catz is OK in my book.