Linux Ecology-HOWTO

Werner Heuser

Wade W. Hampton

The Ecology-HOWTO discusses ways Linux computers can be used as a means to protect our environment, by using its features to save power or paper. 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.

Copyright © 1999-2006 by Werner Heuser. This document may be distributed under the terms set forth in the LDP license at COPYRIGHT. The information in this document is correct to the best of my knowledge, but there's a always a chance I've made some mistakes, so don't follow everything too blindly, especially if it seems wrong. Nothing here should have a detrimental effect on your computer, but just in case I take no responsibility for any damages incurred from the use of the information contained herein. All trademarks belong to their owners.


Table of Contents
Introduction
Objectives
Caveats
About the Document and the Authors
Miscellaneous
Translations
1. Reduction of Power Consumption
Advanced Power Management (APM/ACPI)
Linux Compatibility Check
Introduction
Caveats
Troubleshooting
ACPI
Power Management Unit - PMU (Apple PowerBook)
Turn Monitor off, use Keyboard LEDs
Screensavers
Energy Star Label
Miscellaneous Power Saving Techniques
2. Alternative Power Supplies - Sun, Wind, Water
3. Noise Reduction
Fan
Harddisk
Speakers
4. Saving Consumables (Paper, Ink, etc.)
Printing of Drafts / Multiple Pages on One Sheet of Paper
Double Sided Printing
Reading From the Monitor Instead From Paper
Other Techniques
5. Ecological Behaviour is Convenient
6. Recycling of Consumables (Paper, Printer Cartrigdes, CD, Floppies, Tapes)
7. Reduction of Radiation, Electro Magnetic Fields, Heat
8. Extending the Life Cycle of your Hardware
Recycling of Hardware
Supported CPU Families
Linux Applications and Distributions for Old Computers
Dealing with Limited Resources or Tuning the System
Other Techniques
Linux BadRAM Patch
Installing Linux on Older Hardware
Upgrading and Repairing Hardware
Other Operating Systems
9. X10 - Home Automation System
10. Uninterruptable Power Supply - UPS
11. Games
12. Ecology Software (Simulation, Datacollection, Statistics, etc.)
Ecolab
OpenClassroom
Tierra
Linux in Environmental Research
SWARM
Climate-Dynamics
UNCERT
EcoTopia
Digiqual
13. Related Projects, Mailing Lists and Newsgroups
14. Credits
15. Revision History
A. Appendix A - Linux with Laptops
Ecological Comparisons of Computers
Battery
PCMCIA Card Services and Advanced Power Management
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
DOS
H. Appendix H - URLs of Recylers