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Ten ways Linux can turn you green

Jack Wallen Tech Republic

Published: 17 Apr 2009 14:26 BST

...these desktops will require fewer resources, do not be tricked into using less RAM. Less RAM means more disk-swapping, and more disk-swapping consumes more energy.

7. Custom-compiled kernels
If you have the skills to be able to undertake kernel compilation, you can roll your own kernel to fit your hardware perfectly. With a good kernel compilation, you can take out services and features you do not need and add in services you want, such as the tickless kernel.

Naturally, many Linux users have never compiled a kernel. But if you have not, you should look into it. It is a real treat to have compiled your own kernel on your system.

8. KPowersave, ACPI and other power-saving tools
Some laptops will suspend and hibernate out of the box with Linux. But for others, this issue can be a real head-scratcher. Having a laptop that will not suspend or hibernate is nothing more than a waste of power and battery life.

Fortunately, tools are available to help you solve these problems, such as KPowersave. Such tools provide a simple view of the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) that will help you understand why your laptop will not suspend or hibernate.

9. Migration from Windows Server
Red Hat Linux has beaten Windows Server 2008 in 13 out of 16 power-consumption tests. These benchmarks included: a set of quiescent tests without power savings applied, of which Red Hat won three out of four; in quiescent tests with power savings applied, Red Hat won four out of four; in active tests without power saving applied, Red Hat won three out of four; and in active tests with power savings applied, Red Hat won three out of four.

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Comment: Ten reasons why Linux will oust Windows

If you are looking for the most power-saving, greenest computing, why would you not migrate to Linux? With the ability to tune your machine to specific needs, either by installing software or compiling your kernel, you can eke out every drop of power.

With Windows, however, you take what you get and hope Microsoft has tuned the kernel to save as much energy as possible. If not, your best option is to find efficient hardware on which to run the operating system.

10. Run only the processes you need
This point should be a no-brainer. There are always background processes you do not need, with Bluetooth always one of the main culprits.

To find out which services are running, issue the chkconfig --list command, which will list every running service on your machine. You can dig through this listing to find all the services you do not need. For instance, if you are running a desktop machine and you see laptop-mode listed, you can kill that service. And there might well be plenty of other unnecessary services.

Greener still?
I hope that after reading this, you will find that green computing is much easier with Linux than it is with Windows. What do you think? Have you gone green? If so, have you gone green with Linux? Or have you managed to green up your PCs with Windows? Let us know.

Credit: 10 ways to go green with Linux from TechRepublic.com