Monday, July 7, 2008

Virtualization helps minimize the e-waste

I don't know how about you, but I feel very uncomfortable after reading this: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics.

Do we really have to create and consume so much in such a short time?

I bought my digital SLR, Nikon D70, only 3 years ago when it was state of the art. Today it's considered an old piece of junk. Since then Nikon has released D70s, D40, D40x, D60, D80, D200, D300, D3, D700, and that's only from the "prosumer" line!

Do we really need all the high definition recorders, players, TVs, flat computer monitors, laptops? Do we really have to see every pimple on Mel Gibson's face to really enjoy our life?

And then the question is whether we can take the virtualization to the next level, just like you have your virtual computer at G.ho.st, and stop worrying about backing up, upgrading, swapping gear, recycling and so on. Can we virtualize more aspects of our lives? What else can be replaced with a "thin" and "dumb" virtual "client"?