Can Black Google Save You Energy?
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dev/my/lennart An Australian company, Heap, has come up with a search engine that could Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year. How will they do it? They've turned Google black.
According to their website:
"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"
From what I've read, there is some debate on whether the energy saving is significant or not. This Wall Street Journal article mentions a test which was performed using different screens and websites to compare the actual energy saved. On the LCD screen, there wasn't a remarkable difference, but on a CRT screen (the bulkier PC monitors) you could save from "5-20%". However, it is noted that the test was loosely run.
For those who are wondering, Google claims it has no affiliation with Blackle. The two websites actually bring up different results so perhaps, even if it doesn't save a significant amount of energy, it could be useful as an alternative search engine.
And to see for yourself, of course, visit www.blackle.com.
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Someone emailed me about this yesterday, and pointed out that the amount of energy saved would be worth about £60K a year. Among the millions on google users, that doesn't sound like a great deal.
At least staring at a black page is easier on the eyes that staring at a white page. I don't know why more people don't go with the white text on a black page. So much nicer.
"I'm turning google black" yeah!
This is certainly unique.
I can think of a thousand better ways to reduce costs and save money.
"I can think of a thousand better ways to reduce costs and save money."
are you limited to only doing 1000 things to reduce costs and save money? is there some unwritten law or code that we have to abide by that says we can only do or know about the best 1000 things? i think there are actually A LOT more than 1000 ways to reduce costs and save money. doesn't mean we can't share ALL the ways and let each other choose whether they want to or not.
penny wise, pound foolish
"Black" google is indirectly racist.
Kyle K: I understand "jigaboo google" is racist. But "Black" Google? Come on now, stop trying to always find the negative in everything. It's now all about you...
you're not THAT important.
absolutely not. noone is really THAT important to begin with.
There's a great Addon for Firefox called Stylish and a companion site at Userstyles. Just load a different style sheet for the real Google site and there you go... not that this actually saves power ;)
THIS SITE IS WHITE TOO! PLEASE MAKE WISE BREAD BLACK.
so much in this world....
The best black google I found so far is
www.pixeleco.com
very cool black search.
;-)
Blackl search engine is far more advanced. Blackl search engine uses small data transfers to save more energy. Blackl search engine is also powered by renewable energy. It can also also display a real Google layout (the only one in the class being able to do it?). If we add to it that Blackl is available for over 50 countries it really makes all other websites look small. I prefer a white Google but people who I know that use a Black Google, all say Blackl is more advanced. Blackl can be found at Black Google. If anyone wants to compare Blackl to others feel free. I had a look at several ones and Blackl does seem to be better when it comes to search results layout.