CO2 Saver: Toolbar Reduces, Measures Computer Energy Use, Carbon Emissions
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO 
on 04.26.07
Computer applications designed to minimize our ecological footprint (or "ecosoftware," as Lloyd dubbed them) continue to roll out: yesterday, Snap.com released its CO2 Saver toolbar. The app not only helps users apply power-saving settings to their computer, but also tallies the amount of CO2 not emitted by changing those settings.
On the one hand (as Lloyd noted in his review of Local Cooling), this application adds no real functionality -- all of the settings can be changed through the normal power options in most operating systems. On the other hand, though, it does drive home the idea that our use of home electronics has consequences for the climate. Like the gas mileage displays in most hybrid vehicles, applications like the CO2 Saver could spur our sense of competition with ourselves to further lower our emissions... and that would be useful! ::The CO2 Saver from Snap.com
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In my general computer use, I turn my laptop on, use it, and then turn it off. I very rarely leave it on or on standby. And with CO2 saver, I found myself leaving it on standby just to see if it worked. While it may be best for those who have to leave their computer on for whatever reason...we need to remember that not making those numbers move can be even better.
Actually, contrary to what you write, you can do better than the computer's power settings -- CO2 Saver adjusts several settings to achieve a much lower power sleep mode than the operating system might otherwise use, something that can't be done with Control Panel. On one of our PCs here, the difference was nearly 70 watts!
Paul Angles
Marketing Director
Snap.com/C02 Save
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Writer's note: Thanks for chiming in, Paul... I'll continue to use it and see what kinds of results I get...