distributed.net was the Internet's first general-purpose distributed computing project. Founded in 1997, network has grown to include thousands of users around the world donating the power of their home computers to academic research and public-interest projects.

Some of us are participating in organized by Distributed.net effort to crack RC5-72 encrypted message using brute-force approach. RSA Labs offers a $10000 reward. The sum is distributed as follows:

• $1000 for a winner
• $1000 for a winner's team (or for a winner if he's working alone)
• $6000 for a non-profit organisation
• $2000 for distributed.net project

All you need to do is to download official distributed.net client (available at Distributed.net) and configure it - apart from providing your email address, you can set in not to count the OGR (Optimal Golumb's Rule). You can do that under “Buffer and Buffer Update Options” ⇒ “Load-work Precedense”, where you change OGR-P2 to OGR-P2=0.

Once you send your first results, you will be registered at Distributed.net's system. You can then go to your personal statistics page (Go to RC5 page and type your email address under 'Particicpant stats') and click on the “Please email me my password” button at the very botton of the page. It should be mailed to you within few minutes.

Once you know your password, go to PLD Team's stats page and click the “I want to join this team” link. You will be asked for a login (use your email address) and password.

Nothing

You just sit and enjoy the statistics.