Evolutionary Goo

Green computing continues to make the news. For those of us with careers in IT, Green Computing is going to be something we are going to hear more and more about. Here are some Green Computing links from the last few weeks.

• ‘Green Computing’ Vague, Misleading (2008-07-18)
  
• IBM launches second phase of Project Big Green (2008-07-18)
• PickensPlan.com (2008-07)
• Business computing going green (2008-07-11)
• Environmental impact: IT sees the light on green computing (2008-06-30)
• IT companies bet on virtualisation(2008-06-25)
• Set goals for your green IT strategy (2008-06-03)

Here are some links related to green computing from the last few weeks.

• The Story of Stuff (2008-4-22)
  
• The 5 quickest returns on your green investment (2008-4-22)
  
• 5 habits for greener computing (2008-4-22)
  
• IBM servers run cool to woo Web 2.0 crowd (2008-04-23)
• Six lessons learned at the Uptime Green Enterprise Computing Symposium (2008-05-01)
• HP Desktops Go Green (2008-05-13)
  
• Green IT Numbers Don’t Lie (2008-05-18)

This video about “stuff” is very thought provoking and worthy of your time if you are the least bit interested in sustainability and issues that affect our environment. One thing I find interesting about sustainability (or environmentalism or conservationism for that matter), is that planning for a sustainable future touches on both liberal and conservative political ideas. Sustainability really shouldn’t have to be political at all. And for us to go forward we’ll have to get past politics and be able to agree on solutions to fix our current problems.

As a software developer, the video also made me think about what I do for a living and how I can help. What is cool is that I think in many ways software development trends have already started down this path. The current trends of getting away from bloatware, making software simpler and easier to use, as well as requiring less computing resources to run applications are all ways in which software developers can help to build a sustainable future.

Using a lightweight PC operating system like Linux or a programming language that doesn’t require a bloated IDE can help to not need to purchase a new PC or laptop every two or three years. Creating lightweight applications for others to use will not only decrease the demand for new PCs, but can also create more efficient and easier to use applications that make better use of people’s time. People should be able to get their work done faster, use their computers less and enjoy using a computer more.

While software developers are compensated well, I know many developers who are not just in it for the money. They are in it for the love of technology and a passion to create things. I think sustainability can become one more reason to love the profession.

Dr. Peter Raven will be speaking at Manchester United Methodist Church on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 PM. Dr. Raven is currently the director of the famed Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, MO and has been called a “Hero of the Planet” by Time Magazine. His speech is titled, “Building a Sustainable World: Our Responsibility, Our Future”. This is a public event and is free of charge.

For more information, click here.