[AnupSavvy]

on the other hand, I would also like to know how do people collaborate to do some research work or publish papers if they are not enrolled for any degree program. Professors play an important role in guiding the research and hence I am curious to know how do people come up with theories or results without guidance. Is there any website where such like-minded people can be found ? or ycombinator is the best place ?

[blhack]

Check out http://www.kaggle.com, they host machine-learning contests.

[AnupSavvy]

Nice!!! I always knew of such things but never thought of these places from research angle. Working on those problems itself is challenging. May be I could keep an eye on such competitions going ahead so that even if I have to take up a less interesting software job in future, I might be able to at least satisfy the urge to work on something interesting by working on those problems with brilliant people.