10 replies to this topic

[Gen.Kenobi]

SAVING ENERGY!

Blackle was created by Heap Media to remind us all of the need to take small steps in our everyday lives to save energy. Blackle searches are powered by Google Custom Search.

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".

Have a look at our energy saving tips page for ideas on steps you can take to save energy or you can follow Blackle on Twitter and we will keep you updated with simple energy saving tips.

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 one of the many great blogs dedicated to environmental awareness.

http://www.blackle.com/

[Libains]

On LCD screens, the use of the diffuser to block light to create a black screen consumes more energy than letting the light shine and to create a white screen. By searching on Blackle instead of Google, you're likely to use about 6% more energy on Blackle than on Google. This is not the case with CRT screens, but the number of people with CRT screens is now so low they have practically no market share.

Therefore, the site is full of it and makes no difference at all, and in fact likely does more damage.

[BeefJeRKy]

I believe AJ has shot down that theory very well. Until we get affordable OLED screens, monitors will continue to drain power.

[Gen.Kenobi]

I know but for my eyes, black is better. I think i'm light sensitive. I can be looking to white in monitor for much time...

[WNxMastrefubu]

lol when i saw "black google" i thought this was something completely different. regardless, if its a good idea, y not jst change regular google black?

[Ion Cannon!]

Its not a good idea see AJ's post for the explanation.

[WNxMastrefubu]

 Ion Cannon!, on 19 May 2009, 16:37, said:

Its not a good idea see AJ's post for the explanation.

o i c, my bad

[TehKiller]

For the west this may be indeed useless...but in less wealthy nations CTD is the extreme majority (90% to be exact)

[BeefJeRKy]

The black still hurts my eyes.

[Admiral Wesley]

Same here. That's why I like the South Park Studios website.

Is this the same old google?

[markintellect]

 General Wesley, on 2 Jun 2009, 1:44, said:

Is this the same old google?

Yes and no. It will give you the same search results as it uses the Google Search API, but it does not have any other of the features (iGoogle, News, Docs et al).