Boston-based Tech Networks has a line of ultra energy-efficient PCs. Most of the adjustments look like they’re in the cooling systems and power supplies, which are notoriously inefficient in most desktop PCs.
The rigs themselves have that nice faux-Apple sheen all the kids are crazy about, and they claim their standard desktops will save you around 300 bucks a year in energy costs. And if that’s not enough, they’ll also recycle your old computer and make a donation to environmental groups if you make a purchase.
Only one of their current models uses the Intel Core Duo processor, which is significantly more energy-friendly than the Celeron or Pentium 4s on the lower end choices. A model from Dell comparable to Tech Networks’ “Super” costs almost $200 less (and they’ll plant a tree for you), so I’m not sure if the savings are all the company is cracking them up to be … oh, and you even have the option for greener AMD processors on the low-end Dells, too …
Actually, the more I look at this, the more I think you’d still be better off going with Dell if you were in the market for a green PC.
Still, Tech Networks’ heart is in the right place. Probably.
Via Treehugger.
If you love National Parks but hate the crowds at National Parks, you are not alone.
Lucky for us, Ranger X has posted the first in what will hopefully be a wide-ranging series of posts about “Solitude Hikes,” off-the-beaten-path treks in well-trodden areas.
The first is a canyon riverbed hop in Zion National Park that sounds like a great adventure.
Off-trail exploring is not for everyone. It’s more difficult both physically and mentally, and it doesn’t always turn out to be a good time. But when it does, it’s infinitely more rewarding to know you’ve done something very few people can manage to do. Serious hiking bragging rights.
Also, if you bring a camera, you’ll be able to get something other than the postcard shots from the comfort station overlooks that everyone else goes home with.
Las Vegas is one of my least favorite places on the planet. To me, it’s always seemed like a tremendous waste of resources; everything I don’t like about big cities wrapped up into one sprawling, air-conditioned package.
But now it looks like the city might be going on a serious greening-spree.
Treehugger’s got the dirt on MGM’s CityCenter, a new 76-acre development on the Vegas Strip that aims to be the largest structure in the United States to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
There’s a lot I like about this - the fact that the builders are doing it without knowing exactly how much money they’ll save on energy, but knowing that the quality of life will improve; the building’s re-use of old materials from all over the world; the fact that they’re basically tearing down a giant section of Vegas to try to fix it … but most of all the hope that it will inspire other developers in the resource-hungry West to follow suit.
It’ll be three years before the mini-city opens, and I’d be totally down with going to check it out. Except, you know, I’d still be in Vegas.
Check out the development’s site here.
A short, steep, switchback-sprinkled trail up the north face of Mount Disappointment to San Gabriel Peak. You’ll pass an old Nike Missile Station and end your hike on a small peak with some nice 360-degree views. This is a fairly easy, shaded, and short hike, with great views (on clear days) and several opportunities to knock some other peaks off your list.
Continue reading ‘Hiking San Gabriel Peak’
A challenging, lengthy, roller-coaster of a hike. High alpine elevations, great views, solitude, and multiple peaks in the Mount Baldy area. Lots of potential for side-trails or car-shuttle loops.
Continue reading ‘Hiking Thunder Mountain and Telegraph Peak via Three Tees Trail’
While President Bush’s State of the Union urged vague goals about ethanol and included megapolluting industries like “clean coal” and tar sands in his alternative energy initiatives, the Governator went at least ten steps further with California’s own energy plan.
Today, State regulators unanimously approved Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan to completely ban California power companies from buying electricity from dirty sources - even if those sources are out of state. While there are very few coal-fired plants in the Golden State, a fifth of our power comes from coal plants across the West.
The plan will also make it illegal to build new dirty power plants in California, and will shut down existing plants that don’t meet the new clean standards when their current contract agreements run out.
You’ve seen nice photos on Flickr.
You’ve seen good tutorials on shot composition.
Now you’ll see a complete, ten-part primer on the basics and advanced techniques of taking good pictures in every situation.
The slightly-old pages at MorgueFile take you through shutter speed, aperture, camera filters, and - of course - a detailed look at nature photography. Courtesy of freelance photographer Jodie Coston.
While the basic lessons have old post dates, each lesson has a fairly active forum of ’students’ who post their questions and their snapshots for critiquing and assistance. And there are more comprehensive updated lessons on composition and motion.
It’s a good way to brush up your photography knowledge, or a helpful explainer of odd-sounding things like f-stop and polarization for enthusiastic point-and-shooters who want to take their pictures to the next level.
The nature section’s got some great tips on getting clear shots in bad weather and layering photos with different exposures to get snappy-lookin’ sunsets.
To the best of my knowledge, the University of Phoenix Online is not involved in this.
Via Lifehacker.
What a complete mind-blow it was to hear President Bush say the phrase “climate change” without preceding it with “there is no such thing as”? And then to hear him urge higher fuel standards, energy efficiency, and alternative energy? And then to see the vast majority of Congress standing up and applauding in agreement?
Wow.
Yeah, there’s still no such thing as ‘clean coal,’ and the more I read about ethanol the more I think it’s just a political pander to the midwest, but still.
Here’s hoping something actually gets done!
What with the bloggy trail chatter at a lull today, I decided to finally sit down and have a better look at a new social site called Outdoorzy.
It’s kind of like a MySpace for people who actually get outside once in a while, and instead of spam bulletins about profile trackers and free iPhones, you get lots of great information and interaction with like-minded internet folks. There are also a lot less mopey, oddly-angled profile pictures.
There are dedicated forums for all sorts of outdoor activities from hiking to parasailing, and calendars for people to setup bigger group hikes. But the most interesting areas of the site are the Trip Reports and the Gear sections.
The Gear page is particularly useful, as you can find gear organized by type and see how your fellow outdoorspeople liked it, or you can view people’s gear lists for specialized activities - like braving the horrors of an outdoor concert festival.
The site is still in its early stages, but it’s well worth checking out and poking around. And, as with any social-type site, the more people get involved, the better it will be.
Assuming, of course, that you still swing by here, too. You don’t want us getting lonely, do you?
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is due to be made public next week, and early details show off some not-so-good news.
The report forewarns of the usual climate crisis disasters - more deserts, higher sea levels, bigger storms, snowless mountains, acidic oceans, etc.
But what’s especially interesting (read: terrifying) about this report is the scope of its peer-review process. Said one anonymous British climatologist:
The really chilling thing about the IPCC report is that it is the work of several thousand climate experts who have widely differing views about how greenhouse gases will have their effect. Some think they will have a major impact, others a lesser role. Each paragraph of this report was therefore argued over and scrutinised intensely. Only points that were considered indisputable survived this process. This is a very conservative document.
They did say the Gulf Stream would probably keep warming the British Islands, though. So, you know, at least we’ve got that.
The report will be made public on February 2nd in a global press conference. Source article at The Observer.
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