SustainableComputing

When you close your computer, whether for the day or just for a few minutes, you probably aren’t consciously considering which mode will use the least energy and serve you most effectively.  Most of us simply fall into a pattern of clicking the same button every time, regardless of which is actually the most efficient choice.  Understanding the difference in sleep and hibernate modes can help you decide which is the appropriate course of action each time you finish using your computer.

A computer placed in sleep or standby mode is utilizing a type of power-saving method that will reduce the power used by your monitor and turn off the hard drive, but it stores whatever you were using or working on in random access memory (RAM).   True to its name, when your computer is placed in this power-saving mode it can easily be restarted or woken up.  However, your un-saved work is at risk because if the battery power dies or there is a power outage with a desktop computer, RAM fails and you can lose your work.  For this reason, sleep should be used when you are only going to be away from your computer for a very short time period.  If you use the sleep mode more than a few hours you can drain the battery, using unnecessary amounts of electricity. Read the rest of this entry »

In many ways technology has made our lives much simpler.  It can save time, help avoid mess, and has much greater capabilities than we ever could have dreamed of.  With all of these advantages, there is obviously a downfall.  Viruses and identity theft are not new issues, but recently, individuals and companies are at a much greater risk as a result of the unanticipated increase in internet and technology use.  Take a look at our top 5 ways to protect yourself from such an attack so that you won’t be the next victim.

1)      Anti-virus software: This is a crucial element of online protection and there are many companies that offer extensive and trusted products to protect your computer from a virus.  A Firewall, which hides your system from hackers, is also one of the best ways to avoid a cyber attack.  However, by wary of unknown, online products offering anti-virus software.  These can actually be viruses posing as such software, and when downloaded will infect your computer. Read the rest of this entry »

Slowly but surely, more and more companies are realizing the cost and energy benefits of going green. Take William Hill, a CIO from Dayton, Ohio for example. By replacing his old set up of 80 networked terminals consisting of varying assortments of PCs with thin clients (a computer/computer program that depends heavily on another computer which acts as a server to fulfill its traditional roles) for 60% of his staff and PCs for the rest, he was able to obtain optimal use at minimal cost. Initially, the reason behind Tills switch to thin clients was their lower cost. Once the new system was in effect, he noticed a corresponding drop in how much energy the organization was using—enough to save the city between $60,000 and $90,000 annually.

While many companies are switching to eco-friendly business technologies for monetary reasons, others are making a change strictly for the environment. As Andrew Fanara, team leader at the EPA’s Energy Star Program puts it, “as competitive entities, we have to do more with less. So why not use less electricity as well?” It seems the sustainable computing trend is catching on. At a conference on opportunities for energy savings co-sponsored by the Energy Protection Agency, over 200 reps attended. These attendees included large companies such as AT&T, Target, and Visa.

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As corporations become increasingly dependent on internet technology, the risk of cyber attack continues to grow.  There has been a recent push by both government and research institutions to create more secure internet software.  Cyber attacks come in many forms, but they are almost always crippling. Another industry trend that is increasing the risk of security breaches is cloud computing.  This is a process where information is stored and accessed from one central server and can be used by any number of authorized people.  By having so much information stored in what is sometimes an indeterminate location, the risk can increase.  While this may seem like a foreign concept, chances are you are “cloud computing” more than you think.  Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, which allow you to store information and files such as pictures, are forms of cloud computing.  Some see this as an even greater risk because often information on these sites is personal.  How to go about combating the security issues associated with internet technology and software depends on whether you are functioning at an individual level or with your business.  Most companies utilize some sort of Firewall system that makes them invisible to potential hackers but many individual computer users are not aware how important this product is.

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The continued increase in demand for software, computing devices, and internet technology in the developed world along with the rapid industrialization of developing nations is forcing us to take a look at more sustainable technologies.  Not only is there a concern that we are depleting some of the finite resources used in these technologies, but their effect on our environment could be devastating.  There are a number of ways that IT departments are looking to increase efficiency in order to create a more sustainable technological industry.

One of the major areas of change in the technology industry is the type of monitor used.  Traditional CRT monitors are rapidly being replaced with LCD screens.  Known for their precise technology, CRT screens are still necessary in some industries such as graphic design.  However, many people have switched to LCDs, which are lighter weight and don’t consume as much energy as CRTs, nor emit the heat produced by CRTs.

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The presence of the government’s Energy Star label is growing as a focus on energy efficient products emerges.  Now that our home and work life revolve around technology, it’s important to find more sustainable products.  If you’re looking to buy a new PC there are several computer companies that are leading the way in green technology.  The new Mac mini from Apple is the self- proclaimed “world’s most energy-efficient desktop computer.”  This product received the Energy Star label from the EPA.  Some of the specifications required for computers to receive the Energy Star label include amount of energy consumption, efficient power supplies and the use of sleep modes during periods of inactivity.

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You can’t walk into an office building, no matter what size, and not find people working at computers.  The days of paper files and hand written receipts are over, and with that have come an immeasurable number of computers and other technological devices such as printers, scanners, and fax machines.  In some ways, this shift is a more environmentally friendly trend because there is a reduced demand for paper products.  However, the problem comes when it’s time to replace the old computers and cell phones.  Because of technological advancements, most electronic devices become obsolete within a matter of a few years and must be disposed of and replaced.  Currently, the practice of disposing of such products can be very detrimental to the environment.

Two of the most common ways of disposing electronic equipment is by dumping it in a landfill or incinerating the equipment.  When placed in a landfill, which is often done in developing countries, hazardous and toxic chemicals used to make these products can seep into the ground and eventually end up in the water table. When incinerated, these devices release elements such as lead and mercury into the air. Exposure to these toxins can lead to extreme health problems for the surrounding populations.

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