Installing [email protected] on Ubuntu Desktop

This post describes how to install the [email protected] (read “folding at home”) software package on Ubuntu Desktop (using a GUI!). That package includes FAHClient, FAHControl, and FAHViewer. I was interested in contributing spare computing cycles for COVID-19 research, and I found [email protected] while researching options. I had some experience with distributed computing clients because I previously contributed to the World Community Grid several years ago. [email protected] is inspired by the [email protected] project.

From the [email protected] website:

“[email protected] is a project focused on disease research. The problems we’re solving require so many computer calcul­ations – and we need your help to find the cures!” This post describes how to install the [email protected] software on Ubuntu Desktop (18.04 LTS) for Ubuntu users interested in contributing computing resources to the project.”

[email protected] Website

Let’s start folding!

Install [email protected] Client

1. Using your web browser, navigate to the download page
2. Click the link fahclient_7.5.1_amd64.deb (7.5.1 is the current version as of this writing. The version you see may be higher)
3. Click Open with and select Software install (default)
4. Click OK
5. The Ubuntu Software window appears
6. Click Install
7. You may need to enter your password
8. Ubuntu Software installs [email protected] Client

Install [email protected] Control

1. Click the link fahcontrol_7.5.1-1_all.deb (7.5.1 is the current version as of this writing. The version you see may be higher)
2. Click Open with and select Software install (default)
3. Click OK
4. The Ubuntu Software window appears
5. Click Install
6. You may need to enter your password
7. Ubuntu Software installs FAHClient

Install [email protected] Viewer

1. Click the link fahviewer-7.5.1-1.x86_64.rpm (7.5.1 is the current version as of this writing. The version you see may be higher)
2. Click Open with and select Software install (default)
3. Click OK
4. The Ubuntu Software window appears
5. Click Install
6. You may need to enter your password
7. Ubuntu Software installs FAHViewer

Configure your [email protected] Identity (optional)

1. Open FAHControl
2. Click Configure
3. Click the Identity tab
4. Enter your name or alias in the Name field
5. Enter and confirm your passkey (if you don’t already have a [email protected] passkey, click on the link above the passkey fields to request one)
6. Click Save

[email protected] Viewer

Open FAHViewer to use the [email protected] 3D Visualizer. It’s pretty cool!