[Novalug] Why I like Linux

[Jason]

Kevin Kitts wrote:
> I have a Pentium II/266 in my basement that serves as a file server in
> my house. I've shut down almost all services - and the performance it
> provides over a wired 100 Mb switched network is just amazing. It gets
> quite a bit of use - but rarely is more than 1 person at a time
> accessing it.
>
> I do feel a bit guilty about running it 24/7 though since a newer
> machine might use a lot less power.
As others have pointed out the older systems tend to use less power than
their newer cousins.  If nothing else you're generating less heat from
the slower clock speed (requiring less energy) and because there's less
heat generated there's less that your A/C has to pump outside so you're
saving twice.  If you're worried about the power supply's efficiency I
don't know that newer ones are better than older but if they are that's
a simple, cheap replacement.  Then keep the old one as a spare. 

If you're really interested in how much power different devices use I'd
suggest picking up a kill-a-watt ($18 at supermediastore.com) and
playing with that.  I got one a month ago and have been pleasantly
surprised by the power draw in my apartment.  My P4-2.6GHz with three
HDDs only draws in 105W while idle and under 150W under load.  I was
surprised to see that my Treo draws about 10W while charging while my
Blackberry only uses 6w.  Fun stuff.

For Windows systems check out an power-monitoring app called
localcooling that will adjust your power saving config and tell you
about how much energy you're saving. 

-Jason

-- 
   --- There are no absolute statements.  I'm very probably wrong. ---
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
                                        - Albert Einstein