Employer removes screen savers to save energy
That corporate logo bouncing around your screen when you're not using your computer isn't helping the environment.That is the opinion of Telstra, the largest provider of phone and cable Internet service in Australia. They recently issued a statement saying that, as part of its effort to green-ify their business, they have removed all corporate screensavers from employee computers using Windows XP and replacing them with more energy efficient (but less hypnotic) black screens.
Is this going to do anything? Testra thinks so. By removing 36,000 screensavers, they claim to cut 646 tons of CO2, which would be like removing 140 cars from Australian roads for one full year.Turns out the crazy colors or bouncing graphics take about as much power as regular processing. It also turns out that many of today's newfangled monitors don't really burn and don't need this protection. Most screensavers are just trippy distractions when your bored.
Having those flashy graphics zipping around takes as much processing power as you actually doing work, so why bother having your computer wasting all that energy just to have that green Matrix code running down your screen (which, by the way, doesn't make you look like Neo and was only slightly cool eight years ago).
I don't use a fancy screensaver myself - like an increasing number of people, I essentially live, work, and breath at my computer and rarely walk away so I haven't needed one. Knowing that my screen doesn't need saving along with the power wastage issue makes me comfortable with my decision. Despite not having digital fish floating around, power management is a way more important part of getting your computer as green as possible. After you think about ditching your screensaver, start looking into how to get your PC greener.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-06-2008 @ 1:04AM
Chris V said...
For CRT monitors, a black screen is relatively efficient. However, LCD monitors are a completely different technology. A black screen uses more energy than a white screen.
Of course, there is always the option of -gasp- turning off the monitor when away instead of using a screen saver. There are even power settings that automatically turns off the monitor for you.
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6-06-2008 @ 10:22AM
retro77 said...
They should have the monitor go into sleep mode when not in use. They should also do their research before putting how many tons of CO2 they are claiming to cut.
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6-24-2008 @ 1:42PM
Dan said...
If you realy want to save...why not turn off the whole computer and save more a lot that just turning off the monitor, LCD or not they consume energy and pruduces C02. I say turn it all off especially if you will not use it for hours or days or even weeks. I allways do this and recomends to company that I work with. Any electronic items that are not in used or need not to be on the whole time should allways be turned off
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6-24-2008 @ 2:37PM
michael said...
LCD screens do get burn in. They're not immune. If you leave the same image or icon on your screen for a few weeks, a ghost of that image will stay on the screen when you remove it. It will only be visible while the monitor is turned on, unlike crt monitors which holds it even when turned off. However, the burn in on lcds is not permanent. You can unplug the monitor for a day or so, and it will fix itself.
And if anyone is wondering, I've seen burn in on newer and older NEC and Viewsonic LCDs.
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6-24-2008 @ 4:48PM
Danielle said...
Ok so i understand that its a good possiblility that images can burn into your computer screen. However, my boyfriend hooks up his Laptop on to his TV could it burn an image onto his TV?? Its not a flat screen but a rear perjection TV.
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6-24-2008 @ 5:23PM
Dennis said...
I agree that shutting down the entire computer, or at least hibernating it when not in use is better than just shutting off the monitor, but the built-in Microsoft power manager settings can sometimes interfere with your work if you step away from your desk for a while. Have you ever had trouble getting your networked applications working property again after a hibernation (such as Skype, mail, etc)?
An application which is a bit more intelligent, and can be set to check if your network is active, or if you have a pre-defined application running, and delay hibernation until such events have completed is available as a free trial download here:
http://www.marylandgreenpower.com
Click on the Powersave link for computers on the left hand menu, answer a few questions, and it's yours to download!
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6-24-2008 @ 9:46PM
Neta said...
Very Interesting information!
Reply
7-03-2008 @ 12:29PM
Kimberly said...
Just so you know, the "your" in "distractions when your bored" should be "you're".
Your = possessive
You're = you are
Other than that, a good article.
Reply
8-19-2008 @ 10:22PM
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