Suzi’s Blog

I’m going to write about how people like you and me can make a small difference just by using the computer and the internet. I know there are plenty of other places like the ones I will list out there, but these are my favourites and that I have faith in.

Distributed Computing Project

Most of the time we spend on the computer our processes aren’t using their full potential. If you could use processing power alone while helping people at the same time, wouldn’t you do it? The links below explain programs that do just that. The programs themselves only process a very small amount of work compared to that a supercomputer at a research facility could, however you are just one of thousands contributing to the same cause.

World Community Grid – this program has changed a lot since I first started using it, but the basic principle is exactly the same. Right now the Grid researches Cancer, AIDS, African Climate, Dengue Drugs and Human Proteome Folding.
Folding@home – slightly different in operation, this is run by Stanford University Medical Center. They are working on researching Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Disease as well as Cancer, Osteogensis imperfecta and improving antibiotics.

Click to Donate for Free

This is something that’s been around for many years now and it involves going to a website and clicking a link. The website is paid by advertisers or sponsors per click they get which translates into being able to give to those who need it the most. Here are just a few out there. Register for free for further benefits.

Care2 Click to Donate – a selection of causes including saving the rainforest, baby seals, neglected pets and many more besides.
The Hunger Site – each click is worth around a cup of staple food to those that need it the most in the world.
The Breast Cancer Site – The Pink Ribbon Challenge hopes to get enough clicks from individuals so more mammograms can be purchased and Breast Cancer can be caught in its early stages.
The Child Health Site – this helps pay for treatments, preventions and care for sick children.
The Literacy (for children) Site – helps pay for books so children can learn the wonder of books and learn how to read.
The Rainforest Site – every click is worth several square feet of rainforest land that have been saved from destruction.
The Animal Rescue Site – this goes towards the food and shelter for rescued animals.

Proceeds go to charity

Greater Good – this is run by the same people that run the Hunger, Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest and Animal Rescue sites. You buy things at their webstore and they give proceeds to one of those charities of your choosing.

Sending joy to ill children and their families

Although this last section isn’t free all it requires is time, love and the cost of sending a letter or a gift. I always get very emotional reading each child’s individual story.

Post Pals – a UK based website supported by The Prince’s Trust and Children In Need. You can send a letter, card, gift or email to the children or family members listed on the website and bring a little cheer to someone who might need it.
Make A Child Smile – this is based in the US and you can send letters or gifts to children or their families. The child’s page is updated every so often, including if the child has passed on in which case visitors are then invited to send their thoughts of condolence to the relatives.

Thanks for your time. It means a lot.

Edit as of 9th, February 2007 – Just wanted to add a few extra links that I remembered about.

Edit as of 13th, March 2008 – Updated by adding new, and changing old.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 8th, 2007 at 5:52 am and is filed under Spotlight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.