The upcoming firmware update, expected around the same time as the UK/ European launch on March 23, wll be bring in something else- folding. What is folding? It's using the unused processor power of the computer (or in this case the PS3) to process data sent to it in a program running in the background. When that is done the results are sent back via the internet and the next chunk of data is sent down.

The Folding@Home project is an ongoing scientific project from Stanford University which involves the study of protein folding and other diseases that are related to folding. These include Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, cystic fibrosis, and some cancer types. While it has been available for use on the PC for some time now it was just in 2006 that Sony said they would like to help.

The folding program will be found in the Media bar on the PS3 following the update and can be either launched manually or set to run in the background when idling. As Sony Computer Entertainment International (SCEI) CEO Masayuki Chatani said, "Millions of users have experienced the power of PS3 entertainment. Now they can utilize that exceptional computing power to help fight diseases ... In order to study protein folding, researchers need more than just one super computer, but the massive processing power of thousands of networked computers. Previously, PCs have been the only option for scientists, but now, they have a new, more powerful tool - PS3."

Using the program is completely voluntary but keep in mind that some of the findings done by this may help someone you know in the future.

I had heard the phrase "Folding club" and things like that, but I never knew what it meant. I still am sort of confused about what it actually is, but I think you are saying that they will use our internet connection to research diseases. Do I have that right? Or are they using are ps3's hard drive?

I dont really get it either.. (sorry)

Will it affect the system in any way while your playing it if you turn the option on???

Well, I hate to sound like a jerk, by giving a thumbs down to this idea, but I don't know when there would be a time where my ps3 was idle and cut on...

If my PS3 is on, it probably means I'm playing something, or downloading something else. I support the cause that they are trying to work to help, but I can only do so much :\