# Electric Sheep

> volunteer distributed computing project and screensaver

**Wikidata**: [Q1325932](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1325932)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Sheep)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/electric-sheep

## Summary
Electric Sheep is a volunteer distributed computing project and screensaver that creates fractal flame animations. Developed by Scott Draves, it functions as free software and utilizes distributed computing to generate and display evolving digital art. The project is licensed under the GNU General Public License and Creative Commons.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Volunteer distributed computing project, screensaver, and free software.
- **Developer**: Scott Draves.
- **Software Engine**: Uses `flam3` for rendering fractal flames.
- **License**: Client is under GNU General Public License v2.0; server software is freeware; content uses Creative Commons.
- **Operating System**: Runs on Linux (and others, though Linux is explicitly cited).
- **Source Code**: Available at `https://github.com/scottdraves/electricsheep`.
- **Primary Website**: `http://electricsheep.org`.
- **Social Media**: Twitter handle `@electricshe3p`; Facebook group `groups/ElectricSHE3P`.
- **Wikidata ID**: `/m/023nzq`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Electric Sheep used for?
A: Electric Sheep is a screensaver that utilizes idle computer processing power to contribute to a distributed computing project. It generates and displays fractal flame animations based on user votes and algorithmic evolution.

### Q: Is Electric Sheep free?
A: Yes, the client software is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0. This allows users to run, study, change, and distribute it.

### Q: Who created Electric Sheep?
A: The project was developed by Scott Draves.

## Why It Matters
Electric Sheep is a significant example of collaborative internet art and distributed computing. It demonstrates how idle computer resources can be harnessed for creative rather than purely scientific purposes. By leveraging the "flam3" software engine, it creates a unique visual experience that evolves over time through crowd-sourced input, making it a pioneering project in the field of generative and participatory digital art.

## Notable For
- **Distributed Art**: It is a primary example of a screensaver that doubles as a distributed computing project for generating art.
- **Fractal Flames**: Notable for its specific use of the `flam3` software engine to create intricate fractal flame visuals.
- **Open Licensing**: Distinguished by its dual licensing model, offering the client as GPL free software and the visual content under Creative Commons.
- **Community Driven**: The visual output is often guided by user interaction and voting systems within the distributed network.

## Body
### Project Overview
Electric Sheep is defined in Wikidata as a "volunteer distributed computing project and screensaver." It is classified as an instance of both a screensaver and free software. The project is open-source, with its code hosted on GitHub under the repository `scottdraves/electricsheep`.

### Technical Details
The software relies on the `flam3` software engine to render its visuals. It is compatible with the Linux operating system.

### Licensing and Distribution
The licensing for Electric Sheep is multifaceted:
-   **Client Software**: Licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.
-   **Server Software**: Classified as freeware (specifically version 2.7).
-   **Content**: The generated visual content is licensed under a Creative Commons license, allowing for remix and reuse.

### Online Presence
The project maintains a web presence at `http://electricsheep.org` and `https://gold.electricsheep.org/`. It also has social media profiles on Twitter (`@electricshe3p`) and Facebook (`groups/ElectricSHE3P`). The project has a notable footprint in knowledge bases, with a Wikipedia presence in multiple languages including English, German, Japanese, and Russian.

## References

1. GitHub
2. [Source](http://www.electricsheep.org/node/509)
3. [REMIX AND REUSE](https://electricsheep.org/license/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/scottdraves/electricsheep)
6. Quora