Thank you for joining the UCS Citizen Science Project!
All you need to do is download software onto your computer and join the Climateprediction.net project.
From there, model runs will be automatically sent to your computer. To get started, you'll need to
download, install, and set up the climate model software from ClimatePrediction.net, a process that
takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
This Citizen Science Project is a pilot project at UCS. We appreciate your help in trying it out and letting
us know how it works! If you don’t want to download the software, you can still get involved here.
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/what_you_can_do/spread-word-carbon-producers.html
Once the climate model is set up, it will run automatically whenever your computer is not in use. You
can actually watch it in action — interactive graphics allow you to toggle between different aspects of
the climate model as it runs.
Please read: A few notes before starting.
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UCS assumes no responsibility for any problems associated with BOINC (the modeling software)
or Climateprediction.net. For information on Rules, Policies, License Agreement, and Technical
Requirements, see http://climateapps2.oerc.ox.ac.uk/cpdnboinc/rules.php
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These instructions are written for Microsoft Windows, but should follow similar steps for Mac
systems. Please visit here for more information on installing on a Mac:
http://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/Installing_BOINC
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Before you start, save or print these directions. The installation requires a computer restart and
you will need to refer to these directions again.

Please complete through Step 4 to help ensure your computer runs smoothly after installation.

Once installed, BOINC should automatically become your screensaver, where it will show in real
time the progress of your climate model. If you don’t want this, adjust your computer setting as
you normally would to change your screensaver.
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This is a pilot project at UCS. We appreciate your patience with any problems that may arise. If
you have suggestions or comments, contact [email protected] Thank you!
Get Started!
FAQ and Troubleshooting
Step 1: Download BOINC software
Don’t forget! Save or print these directions. The installation requires a computer restart and you will
need to refer to these directions again.
Go to: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php
Click on “Download BOINC.” More information about VirtualBox is on the website, if you are interested
in downloading it as well. Either version will work.
Go to your browser's Downloads folder, open the .exe file, and choose “Run” and follow Install
instructions.
Accept the License agreement to begin the download.
Save the program to your computer (wherever you want it to go).
Install Program
Step 2: Save instructions! You will need to re-open this document after your computer restarts.
Once BOINC is installed, it will prompt you to restart your computer. After restart, it should
automatically open BOINC Manager with a prompt to “Add project or account manager.” If the program
does not automatically open, open manually as you would any other program, such as from the Start
Menu.
Click “Add Project” on the opening screen. A window will appear; select "Add project" and click
"Next."
Choose Climateprediction.net from the list of available projects, then click “Next.”
A login window will appear. Select "No, new user," and then enter your email address and choose a
password. Then click "Next."
You should be directed to finish setting up your account on the Climateprediction.net website.
Fill in Name, Country and Zip Code (optional) and click "OK."
You are now done installing the software and creating an account!
Step 4: Set Computing Preferences
The default settings in BOINC can make your computer run hot and sluggish. To avoid this, we suggest
changing these settings so the program will not overburden your CPU.
Open BOINC Manager (from Start Menu or other program location) Click on "View" -> "Advanced View"
Then Click on "Tools" -> "Computing preferences…"
Under the "processor usage" tab, uncheck the box “While computer is in use” Set to “Use at most 50%
CPU time” Click "OK"
DONE! Now that you have installed BOINC and chosen the Climateprediction.net projects, it will
automatically download model runs when they are available. There are likely to be times where there
are no model runs available. Don’t worry! As soon as there are tasks to run, Climateprediction.net will
send them to your computer.
FAQ and Troubleshooting
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My computer is running hot and/or sluggish.
Is my computer at risk by downloading this software?
I am having trouble exiting out of the screen saver.
Doesn’t this use a lot of electricity?
I noticed there are Teams on the climateprediction.net website. Is there a UCS team?
How does UCS get the data from my computer?
How will UCS use these data?
Why aren’t there any models running on my computer?
The screensaver indicates you can toggle to different displays, but when I try it exits out of
screensaver mode instead of going to different visual. How can I view the displays?
10. Do I need to be connected to the internet or leave my computer on all the time to run the
model?
11. Are all the available models part of UCS research?
Don’t see your question? Additional resources here:
http://www.climateprediction.net/support/technical-faq/
http://www.climateprediction.net/getting-started/
Please send questions or comments to [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our
pilot Citizen Science Project!
My computer is running hot and/or sluggish.
We recommend setting the computing preferences to run only when your computer is not in use and to
use less CPU time. This should help solve a slow or hot computer. If it doesn’t, drop the CPU time further
than our recommendations, for example to 25%. More information is available on the BOINC message
boards: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dev/
Is my computer at risk by downloading this software?
Any time you download a program through the Internet you are taking a chance; any downloaded files
are vulnerable to dangerous errors or to viruses from a hacker. Climateprediction.net has made efforts
to minimize these risks: they have tested the applications carefully; the servers are behind a firewall and
are configured for high security; and to ensure the safety of program downloads, all executable files are
digitally signed on a secure computer not connected to the Internet. Climateprediction.net was
developed at the University of Oxford. BOINC was developed at the University of California.
For more information about the security at Climateprediction.net, visit
http://www.climateprediction.net/getting-started/rules-policies/
For information about the security of the BOINC software, visit
http://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/BOINC_Security
I am having trouble exiting out of the screen saver. We have noticed that sometimes when trying to
exit out of the screen saver, it exits but then quickly goes back into screensaver mode. We have been
unable to find a permanent solution to this problem, but there are a few temporary solutions you can
try. One option is to open BOINC Manager immediately after exiting the screen saver and click on
“Suspend.” This will temporary stop the software from running the program and allow you to exit the
screensaver. Another option that often works is to simply wait about 20 seconds after trying to exit and
it will exit on its own. If it still occurs, change your screensaver settings so they don’t load BOINC. If you
would like to explore more, please visit the BOINC or Climateprediction.net message boards.
Climateprediction.net: http://climateapps2.oerc.ox.ac.uk/cpdnboinc/forum_index.php
BOINC: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dev/
Doesn’t this use a lot of energy? Running complex climate models takes a lot of processing power. This
can be done using large supercomputers or through distributed computing, like this project. Because
supercomputers require an enormous amount of electricity, both to run the machines and keep them
cool, they use more energy to run the same model simulations than distributed computing does.
I noticed there are Teams on the climateprediction.net website. Is there a UCS team? Yes, there is a
UCS team and you are welcome to join! It’s not required to help run the models, it’s simply another way
to get involved and see how your team matches up against other teams. Here’s how to join the UCS
team.
Go to http://climateapps2.oerc.ox.ac.uk/cpdnboinc/home.php to log into your account Click on Teams
on left navigation bar
Search “Union of Concerned Scientists”
Click on Union of Concerned Scientists Team name
Click on “Join this team”
Done! You can check out the team profile anytime by either searching teams or clicking on the name
from your Account page.
How does UCS get the data from my computer?
The data from the model runs on your computer are sent back to secure servers where they are all
compiled. UCS collaborators at Oxford University and Oregon State University have access to those
servers. Once the model runs are complete UCS and our collaborators will analyze the results. We’ll
keep you updated on progress via email.
How will UCS use these data?
Learn more about the UCS research on our website www.ucsusa.org/citizenscience
Why aren’t there any models running on my computer?
This may happen occasionally. Not to worry! It just means there aren’t any available model runs. As
soon as tasks are put online at Climateprediction.net, they will be downloaded to your computer when
you are connected online.
How can I view different visual displays?
In order to see the displays—temperature, clouds and surface, rain and snow, and pressure—the model
must be running. Our recommended settings do not run the model while your computer is in use. To see
the different visual displays, you must first set the computing preferences to run while in use. See Step 4
above on how to adjust computing preferences to run while your computer is in use. Then, open the
BOINC Manager and click on “Task Commands” -> "Show Graphics"
Do I need to be connected to the internet or leave my computer on all the time to run the model?
Absolutely not. Once you have installed the software and registered with the project, you are free to
disconnect from the internet. However, an internet connection is required for the final upload of data
whenever you finish an experiment. Messages will appear in BOINC when it’s ready to upload.
Don’t worry about keeping your computer on. The software will run in your computer’s idle time. If you
don’t have much computer idle time, it will take longer to complete the simulation, but that’s ok! Only
leave it on and run it as much as you prefer.
Are all the available models part of UCS research?
No, UCS is only working on a specific project. But, no matter what model is running on your computer,
you can be assured it’s helping advance our scientific understanding of climate science!