Assignment 4

These are some of the links that I searched in connection with Green Campus Computing.

http://greencampus.winserve.org/greencampus/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=7&Itemid=39

The content of this particular link talks about setting the computer in “Sleep” mode when you are not using it. It takes less time for the computer to start up from sleep than it does after it has been turned off. If the computer is in “sleep mode”, it is turned on, but it is in a low-energy consumption mode.

Also in this link are tips on how to reduce your energy usage.
1. Use Energy Star Products.
2. Replace Incandescent light bulbs with Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFL's).
3. Turn lights off when you're not in the room/classroom.
4. Use half the lights when possible
5. Use natural light when possible.
6. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
7. Turn off computer's during the night.
8. Use your computers "Stand-by" mode instead of screen savers.
9. Plug Appliances that have phantom loads (anything that basically needs a remote or needs charging) into a surge protector and switch it off when appliances are not in use.
10. Unplug Cell Phone Chargers when you're not charging your cell phone.
11. Reduce the number of refrigerators in use by sharing refrigerators.
12. Avoid leaving the refrigerator or freezer doors open.
13. Remember to turn off the oven and stove tops
14. Turn off curling and straightening irons and unplug hair dryers.
15. Do laundry during off peak hours (after about 6 pm).

Although here, I think the ones concerned with green campus computing are numbers 1,8, First off, we go to number one.

Number one talks about the use of Energy Star Products. Computers which have an indication that they are Energy Star Products are considered to be computers that are environment-friendly and consume less power. Just like in the computer at home, when you it starts up, there is an “Energy Star” logo that pops out. That means it’s an Energy Star Product.

Number 8 talks about putting your computers in “Stand-by mode” instead of screen savers. This is a good way to save energy, because some screen savers are very flashy and have high graphics and some animation. If it uses too much of the computer, then that means it also consumes more energy, while if you put it on stand-by mode, the monitor only shows black, nothing else. You save more energy if you do it that way.

http://chronicle.com/free/2009/01/10296n.htm

This link talks about a conference entitled “Greening the Internet Economy”, which was designed to address the problem of the soaring financial and environmental costs of information technology. Here are some of the ideas that were presented there that involved Green Campus Computing.

• Relocate a college's server computers next to a solar-power generator
• Replace AC power with DC power
• Cool the servers only where they get the hottest
• Put the servers in the ocean and power them with waves

Also it talked about a device called the Greenlight Instrument, which will deploy sensors and software to measure the energy use, humidity, and other variables in various parts of a Sun Modular Data Center, a popular, self-contained complex of servers.
This instrument could greatly help the cause of Green Campus Computing, because you are able to see if you are using too much energy or not, and you are able to monitor other factors that may affect the energy consumption of your equipment in your company or facility. And it can let engineers determine how to use energy more precisely. They can determine what area of the facility generates more heat, so they can cool it. And they wouldn’t just cool the area because of standard procedure, they would just only cool it if the readings say that it is generating too much heat.
And they were talking about replacing AC(alternating current) power with DC(direct current). Computers generally use direct current, but the public electricity grid typically supplies alternating current, and 30 percent of the electricity can be lost in the conversion of one form to the other. This is such a waste of energy, so they tried ways on just using direct current in schools and universities, like getting their power directly from solar cells or other sources of DC power on the campus.
Placing campus data centers beside renewable sources of power like power plants definitely will save energy. Only high speed optical transmission lines are needed to connect them.

http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/news/campus-computing-comes-up-green-1.345643


This link here talks about The University of Utah’s (also called as “The U”) problems with their e-waste(electronic waste). They have problems on their electronic waste management, so they are finding ways to to solve these issues. Currently, e-waste generated at the U is processed via the university surplus and salvage department. This department separates anything that still has "utility" from true waste. Usable items are resold, while waste is handled by Guaranteed Recycling Xperts, a company that contracts with the state and local schools to process this e-waste in an environmentally responsible manner.
This style of dealing with e-waste would be good for schools, because it could save space for trash and it could also generate income for the school. And also, students could find alternatives for finding equipment.
Green Campus Computing really I think has no disadvantages, because its goals are for the environment. Finding ways for saving energy, making less out of e-waste, and many more. I think these goals don’t mean any harm to any people. I salute Green Campus Computing.