Well, it was just recently since I discovered a little thing called "distributed computing". Basically it's just a company or organization that can utilize your computer when you're not on it. They use your computer to help find cures for diseases and such. There are also other distributed computing projects that you get paid for, such as something that you wouldn't normally volunteer for. One of these examples would be helping mathematicians calculate pi (pronounced pie) to the 100 millionth digit. There are also companies that pay you to help relieve some workload from their servers such as file hosting companies and such. I personally only do the distributed computing from organizations that help people such as the national science foundation and the CRA because they use my spare processing power to help them find cures for diseases and help the sick and wounded. It is a good way to help out when you don't know how. Of course, you are just taking their word for it when they say they're using your computer for specific things, but at least it's better than nothing.
