How green is your computer?

Last week, we talked about using the Internet as a tool to make your life more eco-friendly (if you missed that column, it's online at statesman.com/lifeguide). But what about the power all that computer use takes up? According to PC maker Lenovo, the average American is on the Internet about 33 hours per week. And even when we're not online, we often leave our computers on — burning up more power.

With Earth Day coming up on Tuesday, here are ideas for cutting that power total.

Buying electronics

Get a list of energy-efficient computers at energystar.gov. "Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping the consumer save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices," says Peter Mann, CEO of Austin-based Alen Corp., which makes Energy Star-rated indoor air-quality products.

The book "MySpace/Our Planet," from the popular social networking site, also suggests looking for the EPEAT certification (epeat.net), which evaluates computers based on both how they run and how they were manufactured.

The Consumer Electronics Association's Web site mygreenelectronics.org features an energy calculator for home electronics products and a database of energy-efficient products.

Saving power

In a survey commissioned by Austin-based tech support service site support.com, more than half of computer users almost never turn their computers off or turn them off only when they go to bed. A video on the company's Web site talks about "greening" your PC and the free power-management consultation Support.com offers.

Set your computer to go into sleep mode if you'll be away more than 10 minutes, says Gillan Taddune, the chief environmental officer at Austin-based BeGreen (begreennow.com), the carbon offset arm of Green Mountain Energy. Turning your monitor off or putting it in sleep mode can save you about $50 a year, according to "MySpace/Our Planet."

Also, don't forget about the energy-saving settings on your computer, according to Lenovo or do you know how much greener is your PC ? If not call the technicians from the company like iyogi, microsoft, norton etc they will guide you. Through the end of April, you can get a free consultation on your computer's power settings at www.norton.com/gogreen or by calling (877) 788-4877.

Put appliances or printers in hibernate mode, Taddune says, or just turn them off when you're not using them. To make this more convenient, try to concentrate your printer use in the same time frame.

Smart charging

Unplug chargers when they're not in use, says Taddune. Even if the device is fully charged or turned off, the charger is still drawing energy. The same is true of your computer and other office appliances. Taddune says roughly 12 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere from unnecessary electricity use.

Or, Taddune says, plug devices into a power strip so that you can turn them all off by switching the power strip off. Belkin (belkin.com/conserve) makes a surge protector that keeps power flowing to a couple of outlets, for things like a DVR that need to stay on. Green tips site idealbite.com recommends Smart Strip power strips, which turn themselves off.

The Dallas store Current Energy (store.currentenergy.com) sells solar chargers such as the Solio, which powers devices such as MP3 players, cell phones and PDAs. The Solio is a favorite of the bloggers at Ideal Bite. They use it for charging devices during plane flights. Last week, we talked about using the Internet as a tool to make your life more eco-friendly (if you missed that column, it's online at statesman.com/lifeguide). But what about the power all that computer use takes up? According to PC maker Lenovo, the average American is on the Internet about 33 hours per week. And even when we're not online, we often leave our computers on — burning up more power.

With Earth Day coming up on Tuesday, here are ideas for cutting that power total.

Buying electronics

Get a list of energy-efficient computers at energystar.gov. "Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping the consumer save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices," says Peter Mann, CEO of Austin-based Alen Corp., which makes Energy Star-rated indoor air-quality products.

The book "MySpace/Our Planet," from the popular social networking site, also suggests looking for the EPEAT certification (epeat.net), which evaluates computers based on both how they run and how they were manufactured.

The Consumer Electronics Association's Web site mygreenelectronics.org features an energy calculator for home electronics products and a database of energy-efficient products.

Saving power

In a survey commissioned by Austin-based computer support service site support.com, more than half of computer users almost never turn their computers off or turn them off only when they go to bed. A video on the company's Web site talks about "greening" your PC and the free power-management consultation Support.com offers.

Set your computer to go into sleep mode if you'll be away more than 10 minutes, says Gillan Taddune, the chief environmental officer at Austin-based BeGreen (begreennow.com), the carbon offset arm of Green Mountain Energy. Turning your monitor off or putting it in sleep mode can save you about $50 a year, according to "MySpace/Our Planet."

Also, don't forget about the energy-saving settings on your computer, according to Lenovo. Through the end of April, you can get a free consultation on your computer's power settings at www.norton.com/gogreen or by calling (877) 788-4877.

Put appliances or printers in hibernate mode, Taddune says, or just turn them off when you're not using them. To make this more convenient, try to concentrate your printer use in the same time frame.

Smart charging

Unplug chargers when they're not in use, says Taddune. Even if the device is fully charged or turned off, the charger is still drawing energy. The same is true of your computer and other office appliances. Taddune says roughly 12 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere from unnecessary electricity use.

Or, Taddune says, plug devices into a power strip so that you can turn them all off by switching the power strip off. Belkin (belkin.com/conserve) makes a surge protector that keeps power flowing to a couple of outlets, for things like a DVR that need to stay on. Green tips site idealbite.com recommends Smart Strip power strips, which turn themselves off.

The Dallas store Current Energy (store.currentenergy.com) sells solar chargers such as the Solio, which powers devices such as MP3 players, cell phones and PDAs. The Solio is a favorite of the bloggers at Ideal Bite. They use it for charging devices during plane flights.

Support: statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/other/04/20/0420guide.html

Related News and Articles

Online Computer Support

Computer Troubleshooting Tips

Online Computer Help

Computer Help and Support

Protect Themselves from Online Threats

CARLISLE, Pa., April 2, 2008, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Newly-formed Internet safety software company CyberPatrol, LLC today announced it has acquired the CyberPatrol parental control software product, from security vendor Websense, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBSN). The newly-formed company was founded by former executives of PestPatrol, a provider of antispyware support services common among computer enthusiasts solutions, and is dedicated to delivering on the promise of safe computing for all ages.

"The problem of online predators, from pedophiles to child pornographers to cyber-bullies, is getting worse," said CyberPatrol President and CEO Bob Bales. "CyberPatrol is committed to developing new and enhanced products that will place children's online safety firmly in the hands of parents."

A Youth Internet Survey reveals that 1 in 5 children encounter a sexual approach or solicitation online, and according to a study by the Pew Internet& American Life Project, 89% of solicitations occur in chat rooms or through instant messaging.

"Our plan is to provide simple and non-intrusive products that will work for families. We know that technology alone will not keep children safe on the Internet at all times. Education and the ability to offer flexible products that allow users to determine the degree of protection and the degree of individual control they want is clearly what the market is demanding. CyberPatrol meets that demand," added Bales.

Websense acquired the CyberPatrol product through the acquisition of the UK-based company SurfControl, which was completed in October 2007. CyberPatrol will continue to computer support existing customers of the CyberPatrol product, said Bales, including small and medium sized businesses, libraries and educational users that use CyberPatrol to manage their users' Internet access to offensive and undesirable Web sites.

"Divesting the CyberPatrol product line is another milestone in the execution of our acquisition of SurfControl," said Doug Wride, president, Websense. "We're pleased that the CyberPatrol customer base will be backed by a company dedicated to maintaining this industry-leading consumer Web filtering product."

Several key executives from PestPatrol, which was acquired by Computer Associates in 2004, have joined the new company to help execute CyberPatrol's business plan and expand the product offerings. Along with Bob Bales, founder and CEO at PestPatrol, John Sancin will provide a key leadership role as COO. Thirteen former PestPatrol employees will provide leadership in the areas of finance, product development, product management, computer support and marketing. Acquisition was led by Bob Bales and Philadelphia investor and entrepreneur Vince Schiavone who is a board member of CyberPatrol LLC. CyberPatrol's Board of Advisors include: Dr. Peter Tippett, Benjamin Wright, Esq., Keith Lubner and Mark Amtower.

Source foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/technology/article/newly-formed-cyberpatrol-help-families-protect-online-threats_544949_12.html

Related News and Articles

Get Antivirus Security for your Computer

Online Spyware Removal Services

Firewall Support Services

Online computer help