"...If Google had a black screen, taking in account the huge number of page views, according to calculations, 750 mega watts/hour per year would be saved."yup, sounds exciting? after all, everyone is born with a save-the-world streak that is inherently programmed in all humans. so knowing that we could do our bit to help the world become a better place is definitely intriguing and exhilarating!
In response, Google has created a black version of its search engine, called Blackle, with the exact same functions as the white version, but obviously with lower energy consumption:
Spread the word... instead of google.com, use www.blackle.com
If everyone switched to blackle, you would be doing the world a great service! So while we can't exactly reduce our computer usage with the massive amounts of emails coming at us everyday, let us try to reduce a teeny weeny bit of electricity used by us!
but...
Just a bit of technical information - LCD screens operate by having a backlight on all the time. Black colour on an LCD is simulated either by blocking off the backlight, or by mixing colours (depending on the type of LCD). In either case, MORE power is consumed when displaying a black screen. Look for some old LCD monitors or TVs and observe how badly they simulate black.ggxx. i'm confused. o_O
Typographically, white words on black are actually less readable than black words on white (go ahead, time yourself reading a passage in white words on a black screen), so you may actually spend even more time using blackle than normal google.
The only time when blackle would save energy is if you're using a conventional CRT monitor, in which case, savings of between 5% to 25% in power consumption can be expected. However, LCDs typically consume half the power that CRTs do anyway.
While it's great to do one's part for the environment (hello screwy weather), do not believe everything you read on the internet. Lots of stuff should be taken with a fistful of salt.
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