Linux Ecology-HOWTO

Werner Heuser


   

Wade Hampton


   

Michael Opdenacker


   

Copyright © 1999-2009 Werner Heuser

0.20, 2009-09-28

The Linux-Ecology-HOWTO discusses ways to make computers less harmful to our environment and to solve some ecological issues. It explains how to use Linux to save power and consumables like paper and ink. Since it does not require big hardware, Linux may be used with old computers to make their life cycle longer. Games may be used in environmental education and software is available to simulate ecological processes.

Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Objectives
2. Caveats
3. About the Document and the Authors
1. Reduction of Power Consumption
1.1. Advanced Power Management (APM/ACPI)
1.2. Power Management Unit - PMU (Apple PowerBook)
1.3. Turn Monitor off, use Keyboard LEDs
1.4. Screensavers
1.5. Virtual Servers: Consolidation and Virtualization
1.6. Energy Star Label
1.7. Using Spare CPU Cycles
1.8. Miscellaneous Power Saving Techniques
2. Alternative Power Supplies - Sun, Wind, Water
3. Noise Reduction
3.1. Fan
3.2. Harddisk
3.3. Speakers
4. Saving Consumables (Paper, Ink, etc.)
4.1. Printing of Drafts / Multiple Pages on One Sheet of Paper
4.2. Double Sided Printing
4.3. Reading From the Monitor Instead From Paper
4.4. Other Techniques
5. Ecological Behaviour is Convenient
6. Recycling of Consumables (Paper, Printer Cartridges, CD, Floppies, Tapes)
7. Reduction of Radiation, Electro Magnetic Fields, Heat
8. Extending the Life Cycle of your Hardware
8.1. Recycling of Hardware
8.2. Other Techniques
8.3. Linux BadRAM Patch
8.4. Installing Linux on Older Hardware
8.5. Upgrading and Repairing Computer Hardware and Communication Devices
8.6. Other Operating Systems
9. Using Linux on non-PC Hardware
9.1. Using Consumer Electronics Devices
9.2. Using Embedded Linux Boards
10. X10 - Home Automation System
11. Uninterruptible Power Supply - UPS
12. Games
13. Ecology Software (Simulation, Data Collection, Statistics, etc.)
13.1. Ecolab
13.2. Tierra
13.3. Linux in Environmental Research
13.4. SWARM
13.5. Climate-Dynamics
13.6. UNCERT
13.7. EcoTopia
13.8. Digiqual
14. Related Projects, Mailing Lists and Newsgroups
15. Credits
16. Revision History
A. Appendix A - Linux with Laptops
A.1. Ecological Comparisons of Computers
A.2. Battery
A.3. PCMCIA Card Services and Advanced Power Management
A.4. Power Saving Techniques
B. Appendix B - MP3-Hardware-Decoder at Parallel Port
C. Appendix C - Bibliography
D. Appendix D - Recommendations for Buying a New Computer
E. Appendix E - A New Environmentally Friendly Hardware Design
F. Appendix F - Computer Related Eco Labels
G. Appendix G - Other Operating Systems
G.1. DOS
H. Appendix H - URLs of Recyclers
  Next
  Introduction