It is not very often that you will find computers idling in the Library, but when you do, take comfort in knowing that these computers are not really ‘idling’ at all – they are now being harnessed to help solve some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian problems.
The Library has recently joined the World Community Grid, a public computing grid that harnesses the computational power of idle computers to expedite research on worldwide humanitarian concerns, such as AIDS and the environment.
The World Community Grid makes use of grid technology by drawing together PCs from around the world to create a unified system with computational power exceeding that of a few supercomputers. In this way, when the Library’s computers are not in use by students, faculty, or staff they can communicate with the World Community Grid’s server to receive, process, and return data.
There are other small groups on campus involved with the World Community Grid, however, the Library is taking the lead as a test-bed for a potential campus-wide partnership on the project. “The Library is excited to be involved with the World Community Grid. Involvement in such a project is in line with our commitment to supporting advances in research, both at the University of Waterloo and around the world,” said University Librarian Mark Haslett.
For more information on the Library’s involvement in the World Community Grid, please contact:
University Librarian
Ext. 33568
University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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