Software can change your business, but can it help curtail CO2 emissions?

 

Apparently so.

 

Public computing company Userful Corporation (News - Alert) announced this week that in the past year, its software that allows up to 10 people to work from one computer has saved 29,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking more than 5,000 cars off the road.

 

Just as most of us use only a small portion of our brains every day, modern desktop computers actually sit idle most of the day while we read or type. Userful actually leverages this unused computing power to create an environmentally efficient alternative to traditional desktop computing. Up to 10 users can work on a single computer by simply attaching extra monitors, mice and keyboards.

 

Computers are an environmental threat for a number of reasons. The production of hardware, the discard of the same hardware and the hazard materials it contains into landfills at the end of its useful life, and the power it consumes as it runs all contribute to a negative effect on the environment.

 

"Computer hardware production and disposal is one of the fastest growing threats to our environment. Powering and cooling computers is an increasing contributor to global warming," said Timothy Griffin, President of Userful. "It feels good to help people around the world Go Green. In fact, last year our users more than doubled the previous year's savings, meaning that in the last 2 years Userful technology has eliminated the equivalent CO2 of taking over 7,300 cars off the road!"

 

Userful desktops have been deployed around the world with a typical configuration of six stations per computer. In the past year, Userful's ability to minimize wasted computer power has eliminated 29,000 tons of CO2 emissions, the same as taking more than 5,000 cars off the road. Reducing the number of computers in use has additional earth-friendly benefits. Electronic waste is an increasing problem globally due to the quick obsolescence of electronics. This is compounded by the fact that computer waste is high in many toxic materials such as heavy metals and flame-retardant plastics, which easily leach into ground water and bio-accumulate. Using Userful products can reduce electronic waste by up to 80 percent, further decreasing its environmental footprint.

 

Need an extra PC around the house this Earth Day? Userful is giving away a free version of its software that essentially gives you a second computer for free. According to the company, it’s the perfect way to reduce line-ups for the computer as family members vie for their turn.

 

"The free two-user giveaway doubles the utility and value of your existing computer with minimal cost," says Griffin, "In fact, if you already have an extra monitor and keyboard, it's like getting a free computer for Earth Day.”

 

For more information, visit http://userful.com/products/free-2-user