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Volume 20 |
Number 2/3 |
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The Monthly Journal of the Hampton Roads (VA) Computing Community |
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Articles Club Notes TUG
Back Issues |
What is Your Carbon Footprint? It used to be that one
only had to worry about muddy footprints! I do not really understand how the
carbon bit applies, but I can understand an ecological footprint.
The Grinning Planet;
Eco-logical has an article on Vampire
Power . Fun read, but a serious subject. There is energy leakage and
standby power on all the time and we could contribute to the universe and our
pockets. Visiting in the UK and
Ireland I have noticed that each power outlet has not only the two plug-ins
as we do, with a shut off switch. I could not turn on a computer for someone,
and they had to point out that the outlet was turned off. Ummmm, why do we
not have that? When I turn off the
lights at night my living room looks like a landing field - all the
appliances that are still using energy while I sleep glow red and green. They
are all on standby whilst I slumber. I do turn off the computer, and unplug
the modem - on the APC surge arrest at night, and unplug the appliances, i.e.
toaster, etc., after using them. I have switched to the compact flourescent
lightbulbs. Did leave the TV setup on during a recent trip as I was recording
some of my favorite programs on the DVR. Small joys! How else can I save more
of the vampire
electricity leakage? It is estimated that over 16% of energy use is lost
to leakage and standby power. Some other items to consider are gaming
consoles, iPods, battery chargers, There are lots of
products on the market that tout Green. Ed Begley show GreenSwitch and Jay
Leno has a hydrogen BMW here! You too
can be among the mature glitterati! And if you are into
recycling, have a look at this creative reuse of old
bags .... **************************
Umbrellas from
the Past In March 2003: "NEC
CRT 17" monitor cost $800 in 1995. Now one can get the same for less
than $200.00." "Jim [Tyson]
demonstrated a voice recognition software package called Dragon
NaturallySpeaking, which is published by Dragon Systems Inc. " February 2003: The South Hampton Roads Users Group (SHRUG), began the upgrade of their club computer from Windows 98 to Windows XP Home Edition .. |
