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Healthy Computer Habits

by Carl Foner, Verdant Computing Founder   |   03/24/2007

 

At Verdant Computing we're trying to push technology forward to make it more energy efficient and longer lasting. In the meantime, here are some simple steps you can take right now to make a difference.

Shutdown your computer. When you're not going to be using it for a long time, turn it off. The same can be said for peripherals, too: monitor, printer, scanner, cd burner. It all adds up. Not only will you save energy and money, you'll also protect your computer from unnecessary wear and tear.

Put your computer to sleep. If you're going to be away for a little while, and turning off your computer isn't practical, try putting it to sleep. All modern computers have a sleep mode which consumes a lot less energy. It'll save a lot more than your screen, and a lot more energy than your screen "saver".

Don't buy until you need to. By waiting, not only do you extend the useful life of the equipment you own, you'll also get a better deal. Computer price points stay roughly the same or even go down over time. However, the speed and power keeps improving. By waiting, you'll end up with more bang for your buck!

Don't try to keep up with the Joneses. Some people think they're missing out if they're not constantly upgrading to the latest and greatest. They're not. I started this company using a 6 year old computer. Not a screamer by anyone's stretch of the imagination. But it works just fine. Remember, there will always be something new. Make sure you buy something that does what you need now and what you think you'll need a little further down the road.

Upgrade. One way to teach your old computer new tricks is to upgrade. Add more memory. Install a bigger hard drive. Get yourself a faster processor. Why spend all that money on a brand new computer, when you have something that works perfectly fine, but just needs a little boost? We'll be happy to show you what upgrades will make the most of the computer you already own.

Buy upgradeable. When people buy a house, they don't necessarily buy the smallest house possible. They buy something a little bit bigger, one with room to grow. The same holds true for computers. Upgradeability should be one of the factors in your purchasing decision. Spending a little bit more now could save you from having to buy a whole new system later.

Don't cram equipment. Keep under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine. While you don't need to give a computer it's own room, it should have some space to breathe. The air vents on the computer are there for a reason. Computers produce heat. If the vents are blocked and they don't get to breathe, they'll heat up more quickly. The hotter they get, and the more often they get hot, the quicker they breakdown. Give a computer good air flow, and you'll lengthen its useful life.

Plug equipment into a surge protector. This has a couple of benefits. First, and very importantly, it can protect your computer against electrical surges. The second advantage is the energy you'll save. All those adapters draw power even when they're off! That's because they're not really off, just dormant. But turn off a surge protector and you'll quickly and completely cut the power to anything that's attached to it.

Share equipment. While we all use the computer a lot, no one uses it all the time. Consider sharing: in your family, in your apartment building, in your neighborhood. You can build a sense of togetherness and community. Think of all of the resources that could be saved if we shared!

Reuse/Recycle. If your computer has outlived its purpose, don't throw it out. There's lots of things you can do with it. See our article Before You Throw Out Your Computer... for ideas. Or check here for information on recycling programs.

Printing. The easiest way to green your printing is not to print at all. These days, with so much communication being done online, it's easier than you think. For those times when printing is a must, be sure to use recycled paper. Reuse your ink cartridges. Print double-sided. Re-use paper as scratch paper or shred it up and use it as packing material. And when you're really through with it, recycle.

Click here or here for some additional information on greener printing.

Have ideas of your own that you want to share? Email us at suggestions@verdantcomputing.com.