Distributed computing devices comprising a system for sharing computing
resources can provide shared computing resources to users having
sufficient resource credits. A user can earn resource credits by reliably
offering a computing resource for sharing for a predetermined amount of
time. The conversion rate between the amount of credits awarded, and the
computing resources provided by a user can be varied to maintain balance
within the system, and to foster beneficial user behavior. Once earned,
the credits can be used to fund the user's account, joint accounts which
include the user and others, or others' accounts that do not provide any
access to the user. Computing resources can be exchanged on a
peer-to-peer basis, though a centralized mechanism can link relevant
peers together. To verify integrity, and protect against maliciousness,
offered resources can be periodically tested.