Page 1 of United Devices Cancer Project

I`ve been running the UD cancer project since last April as a member of the DVD Reviewer team. I`m so used to it running in the background now, that I don`t really look much at what it`s doing. I`m just pleased that I`m doing my bit for cancer research in a practical way.

Anyway, I was a bit surprised to find that I`ve been processing anthrax molecules for the last couple of days. Apparently I`ve been switched to their new anthrax project without my knowledge. To change it back to the cancer project I had to log in to the United Devices website and edit my profile.

I`m really a bit p***ed off at this and it appears that EVERYONE is now "volunteered" for the anthrax project by default. I wonder how many people realise this? Anthrax of course is that terrible disease that kills millions of people worldwide every year............. or could that be cancer.........!

I volunteered my computer resources to help find a cure for cancer and if UD want me to help their anthrax project I should have to opt in to it and not opt out. The anthrax project may be just as worthy a subject to study but not for me.

Malky

Mine still seems to be cancer - how did you notice the Anthrax thing?

The protein target looked weird and when I looked closer the name under it was Anthrax Toxin (P.A.). I opened the main window and at the top left corner it`s got Think - Anthrax.

Malky

How strange, looking at mine it now says Anthrax too and I didn`t volunteer for this either. I hope other users can check their device to make sure they`re on the program that they want.

Mine as well, what gits to do this without telling us. I understand the reason they do this is for marketing, so they can launch a new project and quote something like, "hundres of thousands of users have already signed up to help blah blah"

Can anyone see how you turn it back to Cancer?

Oh wait I see, you have to edit your device profile.

This item was edited on Sunday, 27th January 2002, 12:16

I too am part of the UD project. I hadnt noticed the Anthrax thing o the program, but read about them including the Anthrax research program on the BBC News site.

I dont mind helping them research this, but I`d prefer to do it for cancer. The reason why the majority were switched too anthrax was cos their device profiles were set so that they could be put in the prize draw thingy (which was stopped a couple of months back). If you werent in the prize draw, then you would only be setup to research the cancer strings.

Problem for me at the moment is that I havent been able to send or receive my results for over a week now. It simply wont connect.

I like to help these sort of organisations, but at this rate, I`ll join up to the SETI project cos I`m getting fed up of the tray icon blinking at me!

Are you sure you`re not able to connect to UD? I`ve been sending results back without issue.

Me too - I`m still on Cancer!

Slightly related - I think:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1782000/1782050.stm

I noted this yesterday and thought it was pretty damn underhand.

Will post a new column soon to alert our entire team.

DanB