Will Google Change Its Background Color to Save Energy?
Posted on 29 May 2007
With energy conservation at the forefront of most recent debates, the idea or rather the theory has been brought to the table that a predominately black computer screen uses less energy than a predominately white screen. This theory was originally introduced by the Energy Analysis Department at the University of California Berkeley and has more recently been brought to our attention by Blackle.
Blackle is just a search page, but instead of having a white background like Google, it uses a black background with grayish font. Although it may be slightly more difficult to read, Blackle claims that “a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity.” A blog entry titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year, goes more in-depth into these claims.
But I can’t help but wonder how energy use will influence web design in the future. Will designers opt for a more energy friendly predominately black page? Or will readability and the love of creative and colorful design win out? My guess is that just like energy efficient cars, it will take a while before function wins out over good design.
3 responses to Will Google Change Its Background Color to Save Energy?
Blackle. Now’s thats just too creative… Moving on, I think the way to go for sites like Google is to let the USER customize their experience. Google’s focus is providing tools for users but most of their apps lack any real visual customization. They’re venturing into the area with the custom homepage, but I’d like to see a simple preferences box for even the main search page. Give me a black theme as an alternate. If I wan’t to be green and save a little energy by lighting up fewer pixels, then I’m in business. For those with poor vision, a high contrast version might be preferable. Just give us a few options Google.
See blacklys.com – The Black Google that i have ever seen
They have a firefox Search Extension too.. Interesting..
More over, You can rename the main display to anything you like. Cool huh?
Here’s an intersting twist.. http://www.pinkle.net/