Road Warrior - Green Computing
With all the talk about “Green Computing” and doing things on the cheap these days, wouldn’t it be great if everyone was on board with it? It might actually work, revive the economy, and save the planet in the process. But sadly some of us still haven’t gotten the memo on affordable living or green pc repair. I recently saw an ABC special “Earth 2100” which painted a rather bleak scenario of the ravages of Energy shortage, Global Warming, and the plague of locusts, etc. It painted a picture reminiscent of the Classic Film “Mad Max: The Road Warrior”. Though it is challenging, we don’t have to go quietly into that post-apocalyptic wasteland. To quote one of my favorite childhood shows: “Six Million Dollar Man”: “We have the technology”. We have it for sure. In fact we have it in our own backyard. Of all the garden spots in Texas (and there are a lot) Austin could be said to be the greenest of them all. Some of the greatest minds of the 20th century live and work within the Travis County Limits. The question remains, do we have the motivation? Since’ less is more’, we all have to come together to do ‘less’, but also produce ‘more’ with scarce resources, and at the same time increase ‘Return on Investments’, instead of just continuing to rely on the standard (and expensive) “In-Your-Face” Advertising that just leads to more wasteful consumption. (Insert Ad here ->) Which is why CPU says: “Don’t replace that old Laptop Computer, REPAIR IT, for a fraction of the cost! – Available 7 days a week – Evenings and Weekends!… (512) 351-7841!… Call Now!… .Don’t Delay! ….Our Prices are INSANE!!!”
We must say goodbye to the old business model, with Caffeine-Laden sales pitches (Apologies), and High-Tech gimmicks, and start using our resources and time more effectively. This not only reduces costs for the customer, but reduces waste and increases overall productivity, in the workplace, and in the home. Many individuals and families operate home-based businesses and need to be cost conscious to reduce their overhead, just like any office-based business. Many families have home networks that rival some offices. And their budgets, and efficient use of their resources, is just as important as it is in a traditional business environment. It all comes from the same place. Cost overages in the home ultimately reduce disposable income that should be finding its way into the business world as increased sales. This is what consumer “confidence” (which is the driving force behind the overall GDP, last I checked) is all about. So “Green” and “Lean” is our salvation and I, for one, view the present economic downturn as a much needed and welcome wakeup call , that will help us can turn things around in time, lest we become like the inhabitants of the “The Road Warrior” and Mel Gibson has to dust off his chaps, and do battle on the highway with the Lone Biker of the Apocalypse (I plan on being that mechanic guy that hung by rubber suspenders, only over a huge microchip, or mobile network switching station or something).