What is Boinc?

my internet has been down for about a month and i just got it up and running and i am seeing all these threads about boinc what i want to know is what is it and what is all the talk about seti phase and and such will someone please clarify this.

right now i am running seti spy and seti driver does this mean that they will not be able to work on seti when boinc gets up and running to its fullest cause so far my seti spy and driver have no problems getting new work units

my main question is about the phase one (what the heck is it?)

STF or read here:
http://setiweb.ssl.berkeley.edu/transition.php

i downloaded the boinc and i made a new account so how do i sign up for the oc seti team with this program? also can anyone give me the websites for the stats individual and such thanks

Go here and follow the link at the top left corner:
http://setiweb.ssl.berkeley.edu/sah/team_display.php?teamid=30199

thanks that helps alot