OK, here's a good example of networking and the power of people. Many science labs can't afford large super computers. So, they send batches of data to ordinary folks like you and me who let their computers number munch in their down time, or all the time. Whichever you set the settings for. I suspect that as scientific knowledge grows, the need to munch will expand. For instance,

Chiba University in Japan has identified several proteins which cause childhood cancers, killing children as young as two years of age. Now Chiba wants to see which of 3 million possibilities will be the best drug to fight the diseases.

Also, Harvard is searching for the best material for solar panels. I believe they want to explore 10,000 or more options.

SETI analyzes radio waves from space, looking for intelligent life.

I've been munching for a few years. I just went to

boinc.berkeley.edu/

and downloaded the basic program Berkeley created. Then, I selected projects to help. I found World Community Grid has a wide selection, including the Harvard and Chiba ones, mentioned above. BOINC lets you specify how much of your CPU to devote to munching.

Oh, and some have screen savers. SETI's is especially cool.

I highly recommend it. If Intentional Communities hooked up with the Community Grid, answers would start flowing in even faster.