What better way to make use of your unused computer-power than combing the universe for greys and wookiees and the like? Thank the fellas over at Project SERENDIP (Search for Extraterrestrial Radio Emissions from Nearby Developed Intelligent Populations), they've made it all possible. All you need to do is hit their site, download the "seti@home" software, and sit back as your computer starts sifting through alien-transmission-laden radio-waves.

Here is how it operates: when you aren't using your computer the program activates, downloads a chunk o' data brought down by the Arecibo Radio Telescope, in Puerto Rico, analyzes it and shoots it back to the SERENDIP team. As if that weren't enough, th' bad mama jama throws up a sly screen saver so you can watch it do its thing.

The project has been in action since May 17th and after just two weeks users have turned in over 2000 years worth of computer time. No word on the wookiees.

Government conspiracy at work? The Man duping us into letting him use our desktops - downloading your hard-drive every couple weeks to check up on you and make sure you aren't starting a Revolution or telling your buddies not to pay taxes or thinking freely? Rest easy, friend. The whole deal is endorsed by the SETI Institute (and everyone knows that the government hates SETI). Plus anything Carl Sagan had a hand in has got to be on the level.