>With the monitor asleep, computers just don't draw a whole lot of power, so,
>unless there's a security problem (like kids using it when you're not
>there), there's no real reason to shut down.
Folks, these machines are more susceptible to power problems when
they are left on 24/7. Brownouts (voltage drops for extended
periods) cause far more damage to AT&T switching systems (computers)
than surges -- an estimated $16 million a year in dead components due
to brownouts (1995 AT&T report published by APC). Many of these
power bricks are NOT designed to line filter or moderate voltages
beyond 10% of 115V here in the U.S. In fact, I don't know of one
that does. APC sells line filters with monitored inverters, but that
is NOT what we have for our laptops.
And the argument about leaving it on is better than power cycling to
avoid heating/cooling stresses is kind of bogus. The actual
measurable loss of lifespan is negligible compared to the waste of
electricity -- even for systems in sleep mode.
On another list I read for our web hosting company, someone was proud
to proclaim that their IT systems go into sleep mode and "only
consume 30 watts or thereabouts". So, that's a Californian talking,
where if you have two million computers in sleep mode over night,
that 60 megawatts (someone help me with my math) of energy wasted --
That is the entire output of the Humboldt Bay nuclear power plant in
Eureka, California. Every hour. Every night. What do you want to
bet the number is much higher than 2 million computers? Just in that
state.
What a complete waste of juice! Maybe the moron running the country
doesn't believe we should learn to conserve, but someday I'm going to
have to look into the eyes of my grandchildren when they ask why our
generation had all this time to come up with responsible energy
solutions, and we squandered all of it selfishly. We may not have a
true energy crisis yet, but if we don't start acting like it, that
day will arrive far faster than necessary.
whoa... sorry --- clearly I haven't had my coffee yet.
paul
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