View Full Version: Blackle

Evolution > PC Central > Blackle



Title: Blackle
Description: From the creators of Google


/backslash - July 24, 2007 12:36 PM (GMT)
Want to save energy? Want to still use the PC at the same time?

Bookmark Blackle

This is a new energy saving search engine website which is exactly the same as Google (they made it) but its all black, hence the name. I discovered this whilst reading the Tech section of the West Australian newspaper today. It uses 33% less electricity than the all-white Google page you're used to

QUOTE
Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black. "Image displayed is primarily a function of the user's color settings and desktop graphics, as well as the color and size of open application windows; a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen." Roberson et al, 2002

In January 2007 a blog post titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year proposed the theory that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity of the search engine. Since then there has been skepticism about the significance of the energy savings that can be achieved and the cost in terms of readability of black web pages.

We believe that there is value in the concept because even if the energy savings are small, they all add up. Secondly we feel that seeing Blackle every time we load our web browser reminds us that we need to keep taking small steps to save energy.

How can you help?

We encourage you to set Blackle as your home page. This way every time you load your Internet browser you will save a little bit of energy. Remember every bit counts! You will also be reminded about the need to save energy each time you see the Blackle page load.

Help us spread the word about Blackle by telling your friends and family to set it as their home page. If you have a blog then give us a mention. Or put the following text in your email signature: "Blackle.com - Saving energy one search at a time".

There are a lot of great web sites about saving energy and being more environmentally friendly. They are full of great tips covering the little things that we can all do to make a difference today. Try Blackling "energy saving tips" or visit treehugger.com a great blog dedicated to environmental awareness.


Maybe we should think about making an energy saving forum skin once we upgrade our Zetaboard forums (whenever that is)? :huh:

_MetalliX_ - July 24, 2007 12:53 PM (GMT)
Now that's just weird.

Ninja Catfish - July 24, 2007 01:24 PM (GMT)
It must be awesome, like black people in the movies.

Machiavelli - July 24, 2007 03:40 PM (GMT)
QUOTE (/backslash @ Jul 24 2007, 10:06 PM)
Maybe we should think about making an energy saving forum skin once we upgrade our Zetaboard forums (whenever that is)? :huh:

Nobody knows when, It's a big secret apparently. It does come with a skin changer built in, so we could make it happen.

Surely that energy usage statistic only applies to CRT monitors, LCDs use the same amount no matter what colour it's displaying.

/backslash - July 24, 2007 04:42 PM (GMT)
QUOTE (Machiavelli @ Jul 24 2007, 11:40 PM)
Surely that energy usage statistic only applies to CRT monitors, LCDs use the same amount no matter what colour it's displaying.

Really? So if say 90% of people have LCDs then using Blackle would be pretty pointless for people like us who put style in front of every other priority?

At least its nice and dark, I'm very sensitive to light so too much white actually hurts my eyes. For now I'll continue to use Blackle as my homepage , the name isn't quit as catchy though "Why don't you just Blackle it?" Hmm

edit:

QUOTE (Blackle's theory)
Now take into account that about 25 percent of the monitors in the world are CRTs, and at 10 cents a kilowatt-hour, that's $75,000, a goodly amount of energy and dollars for changing a few color codes.


Okay so it is just CRTs. Why are 25% of people still using them anyway? I went into Officeworks the other day and whilst they're surrounded by LCDs they still use 1980 CRTs for their registers :blink:

FreakTrigger - July 24, 2007 11:14 PM (GMT)
Because they tend to be very cheap :)

Qubert - July 25, 2007 06:22 AM (GMT)
The only major issue I have with my LCD is that the brightness can change based on viewing angle. So if I lean back it gets darker. Aside from that it's great.

With my CRT however after 3 years the image flickers or just shrinks down to a single line every so often and it won't come back unless you turn it off for 10 minutes. I find this to be a major disadvantage to CRT monitors.

sarunas007 - July 25, 2007 10:32 AM (GMT)
QUOTE (Qubert @ Jul 25 2007, 04:22 PM)
The only major issue I have with my LCD is that the brightness can change based on viewing angle. So if I lean back it gets darker. Aside from that it's great.

My monitor is like that aswell.

I would hate the forums to be dark, but if its for the world then let it be :)

FreakTrigger - July 25, 2007 11:12 PM (GMT)
QUOTE (Qubert @ Jul 25 2007, 04:22 PM)
The only major issue I have with my LCD is that the brightness can change based on viewing angle. So if I lean back it gets darker. Aside from that it's great.

With my CRT however after 3 years the image flickers or just shrinks down to a single line every so often and it won't come back unless you turn it off for 10 minutes. I find this to be a major disadvantage to CRT monitors.

In it's death throes mine refused to display anything but green and purple.

Like a colossal obelisk, standing as a monument to gay pride in the corner of my room...




Hosted for free by InvisionFree