Rightways: Technology Can Save Money, Planet

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Technology Can Save Money, Planet

We must act in order to preserve our planet. This is self evident. One interesting aspect of this important endeavor, in which we all should take part, is that you may help accomplish it by saving money.

Imagine this, you are taking good care of yourself, your pocketbook, you become more generous and this contributes to life on our planet. Let's see, if we do not spend on things that are not really needed, we save money. Therefore, we have more resources (maybe money) to spend on those things that really are important: health, leisure, study, travel, giving, etc. - quality of life. Sounds like good business, doesn't it?

Interestingly, an Internet trend based on this reasoning is gaining momentum -- examining it provides us with interesting examples and opportunities for action. This new trend is called SaaS, an acronym for "Software As A Service". Note the philosophy: why buy word a processor or spreadsheet if you can use them at Google Docs, that you access only when needed? Google's word processor and spreadsheet is a classic example of SaaS. The advertisers pay Google (dearly) so that you have this service for "free."

Well, you can say there is the Open Office, it is free, I agree, but what about disk space? To spend it on something you use occasionally? Use this space for the software you really always use, even if for fun stuff - our hard drives should not be a software cemetery. Via SaaS you have one more gain: your spreadsheets or documents are always at your disposal anywhere in the world and ready to use.

With SaaS it is easy to see the saving action effect. Indeed, if we just need to access the Internet, our computer (laptop, notebook or desktop) can be simpler and cost much less. This equation in itself points to computers becoming cheaper, therefore generating greater social inclusion, more business, more opportunities, etc. And more, light computers use less electricity.

And guess what? This trend is global and irreversible; SaaS is here to stay. SaaS will more than double by 2012, said the analysis firm Gartner in a report last year. There a lot of other providers of SaaS as well. Just two weeks ago, at Intermodal South America, I met people offering something I never thought about. My interview with them is embedded below.

A World Free of Nuclear Weapons

February 2010

Since the first atomic bombs exploded in 1945, some have tried to rid the world of nuclear weapons. President Obama has embraced this goal with new vigor. This issue of eJournal USA examines the challenges to achieving nuclear disarmament. It conveys the hopes of some thinkers, and explains the doubts of others.

Well, back to saving money, resources and the planet we live in. Think about your purchases, and consider the developments that each will cause. Stay tuned, pay close attention to the chain of events that every product you buy follows. Be aware of where the garbage you generate goes, how much space will it use, how often you will really use what you plan buy and so on.

Once more, try to see that what you buy doesn't become garbage at all - be generous. That attitude of intelligent saving on everything you bring home (like in your computer) will change the entire planet.