Someone forwarded me a link to Google's new energy saving initiative, www.blackle.com. Strange that it returns pages mostly from wikipedia
Yep, it had something to do with how much energy you can save. I read an article about it: hxxp://ecoiron.blogspot.com/2007/01/black-google-would-save-3000-megawatts.html
Sorry i didnt get the idea?? Putting a text saying you saved 112 watts makes it unique? it's a constant number 112,492.295 Watt hours saved. atleast a variable number based on how much energy really saved from their algo could be a bit better. If they are serious about running it a non-profit search engine they wont run a custom search with adsense.
I think the idea is to bring the fact of the matter to everyone's attention. I seriously doubt that any internet marketer is foolish enough to jump into the SE niche these days. NOTE: I think you may be missing the full concept. You can learn more at Blackle's about page.
I would call that About Page nothing but a marketing gimmick. If they are so worried about energy savings they would rather run a ad-free google search engine. One of the reason wikipedia was successful because when say they non-profit they meant it.
Apparently you don't, and neither do some of the other people. It has nothing to do with Wiki, it has nothing to do with their algorithm... it is Google custom search, it returns the exact same results as Google. What makes them different is that they use a black screen. The supposed energy saved is from the monitors not shining all that white light that you get when using Google, that's all. There has been some debate over whether or not it actually makes a difference though. No, it's not, and no clue why you would think it is. It goes up every time someone searches, as it should. -Michael
That's all besides the point. The point is that it raises awareness. It obviously returns Google search results, it's not like anyone would switch Google out for Blackle...unless that is, they believe that the black screen makes a difference (it does). I get the impression that the site is meant as a public calling; if Google were to lose 2% of it's traffic because people cared enough about saving energy by using a black screen, they would likely provide a black alternative. Again, I think it's a novel concept and a green idea. I'm sure it won't, but I'd love to see it or something similar catch on.
woot! finally got more watts. the other day i visited that site about 3-4 times, it was showing me the same number now its more 114,334.719 Watt hours saved I do agree its a novel idea but somehow i am not buying that. well its just me
http://blogs.wsj.com/numbersguy/does-a-darkened-google-really-save-electricity-104 I read this too - looks like it's really taken off! Damn - I wish I had an idea like that!
Yeah, figured out that blackle is actually owned by an Australian company called heap media. However, google does have a similar page here: http://power-google.blogspot.com. but the results pages are normal
this is basically a brilliant marketing ploy by Blackle to get free traffic. they've gotten a bunch of press recently....LCDs don't save any energy with their site...CRTs do save a bit.... anyway, props for thinking outside the box to get massive traffic to their site which is basically just an adsense for seach box LOL.
cant agree more cool1g. As i said, just pure darn hype to get good money. They dont seem to care much about how much energy you save. if you really want to spread awareness there is no alternative to run a non-profit website. They get the right attention and people dont question the motives. I would be happy if google gives a black version.