I just downloaded the SETI@Home client for unix/linux systems, but I'm not sure how to install it. I extracted the four files that came zipped up in the download to a SETI directory, but the documentation included doesn't mention how to actually install it and get it to run. How do I go about doing this?

I went to the site for that and clicked on the download link for the unix version and got this page:
Command-line Client MAN pages and instructions
Try reading that first.

**just my two cents

although space research and extraterrestial life exploration is exciting and adventurous, I find it to be a waste of money and time. Why not contribute to Folding@home (http://folding.stanford.edu), which focuses on protein folding. Or any of the other distributed computing research which deals with things on Earth. There's plenty of them out there if you google 'distributed computing'. It's more DOWN-TO-EARTH (pun intended) and deals with diseases, genetics, and environmental studies for us humans. I don't know about you guys, but wouldn't it make sense to take care of our species first?

Right, I saw all that, but I don't see anywhere in that where it explains actually installing the program.

Well, I personally don't care at all about protein folding and therefore, I choose to continue running what I do. I didn't want your opinion on what you like, I wanted help on installing it. That would actually be appreciated.

Good enough. just remember that next time someone you know gets hit with cancer or gets some genetic disease, maybe you'll look back one day and think "If only I could've done something..."

Good luck with the SETI installation

I won't be thinking that, but thanks anyway. I did get seti up and running a little while ago. Found an installation guide online.