any computer shop owners???

[spazzychalk]

Hello computer shop owners and employees. Use your computing power.

I've noticed when I drop something off for a repair i get a "tuneup", a few bits of free software like ad-aware and avg free (that were not installed before the repairs). Wouldn't this be the perfect time to say to the customer, "Hey have you heard about folding?"

And all your display computers can be running. Come on guys.

[bruce]

This is a good idea -- just be sure to get the customer's written permission, per the EULA.

[spazzychalk]

with customer bring ins yeah, but with display models its your computer they just get it as pre packaged software

[susato]

The ARM_Systems guys, a small PC building business who used to fold on the Silent PC Review team, used to burn in all their new builds on F@H. Earned lots of points and did some great science. And I believe they encouraged their customers to install Folding and become a part of the project. But selling a computer pre-configured to Fold is a violation of the EULA - at least a violation in spirit, because it involves running the software on someone else's computer without the owner's fully informed consent. So sure, run it on a display model, but it should be taken off the machine before the customer carries it out the door.

Any form of F@H recruiting that participates in intimidation or deception of any sort, has a downside for the project. In the restaurant business they say that a happy customer tells one friend, an unhappy one tells 100. If folding points (or scientific results) are gained in a way that others find annoying or underhanded, the project's reputation suffers, and the short term gain in points is more than offset by future difficulties in recruiting.

[spazzychalk]

id say most computer shops sell whats already there on display. usually used. sitting there. 24 hours a day for weeks sometimes. doing nothing. customer walks in decides its what they want and leaves with it right there.