The Green Data Center
Green data centers are becoming a must. They are part of our life and as data computing needs are increasing large corporations like Google, Facebook, Microsoft and IBM are consolidating and build new green data centers that are able to run partly on renewable green energy sources like solar, wind and hydrothermal.
It is a fact that the energy needed to run the ever expanding data centers increases exponentially and all the computing giants are either designing or redesigning their data centers to be energy efficient, environmentally friendly and run on hybrid sources of energy. Hybrid implies that they use renewable green energy like solar and wind when available and use conventional energy sources like electricity from the grid when there is no sun or wind.
There are many actions that can be taken so as to transform the Data center into a Green data center. Some of these actions are:
- Energy Efficiency: Evaluate the energy needs and design the data center in such a way so as to conserve energy, be energy efficient and maximize the utilization of energy within the data center building. The use of a building management system is a must to achieve optimization and efficiency of all building resources.
- Efficient cooling system: You need to ensure that you take full advantage of the hot air sources in the building and manage the hot and cold air corridors in the data center rooms so as to achieve maximization of cooling. Hot air from the data center can be used to warm the surrounding buildings and facilities such as community swimming pools and thus reduce the overall carbon effect.
- Virtualization and automation: Virtualization of storage and servers is a must so as to reduce the need of physical hardware thus reducing the need for power and thus reducing the need of electricity. Virtualization can take place for both data storage and servers as well. Automation and job scheduling enables the balanced use of electricity.
- Natural lighting: A data center usually operates 7×24 and most frequently it is build half below the earth and half above the earth with the data center equipment being below the earth. Lighting is both a source of heat and an electricity consumption site. Use of natural light like skylights or hybrid solar lighting reduces the electricity consumption and heat dissipation
- Use of renewable green energy sources: All the new data centers of the large multinational companies, mentioned earlier, are build to operate on hybrid mode for the consumption of electricity. They are designed to operate on renewable green energy sources and when the demand of electricity is greater than the supply from renewable green energy sources then electricity from the grid is used. The most suitable renewable green energy is the solar energy since it is available at all places. Solar energy is converted to Direct current, DC, electricity using Photovoltaic, PV, cells, then using an inverter it is converted to Alternate Current, AC, electricity that is used to run the servers, storage, lighting and other electrical devices in the data center. The conversion from DC to AC results to the waste of energy and it is for this reason that IBM and other server manufacturers are now producing devices that will run on DC electricity. Another suitable renewable green energy source is wind, where with the help of wind turbines electricity is produced and delivered to the data center. Hydrothermal energy is a third possible renewable energy source but this is limited to specific areas, like Iceland, that are fortunate to have such sources
In order to achieve the maximum efficiency in the data center and be able to use the renewable green energy sources efficiently and effectively there is a certain methodology to be used. It is a three phase methodology that enables the sustainability of a green data center. The three phases are: Assessment, Planning and design and finally Implementation with continuous Green improvement.
Finally it has to be stated that the financing of a Green Data center is something that should be considered from the beginning and the location of the data center is something that is usually affected by the incentives given by the various states in the USA or countries elsewhere.
Green data centers are part of our life and the IT managers of every company should have as a target to transform their data centers into Green data centers and use as much renewable green energy as possible thus reducing the carbon dioxide effects in our environment.
You can find more about the use of renewable green energy in Green IT data centers at www.renewablegreenenergypower.com
Read MoreFinding And Buying 90% Junk Silver Coins For Sale – Why You Might Want to Consider Investing In These Silver Coins
Americans are attracted to anything “retro” whether it’s rare junk silver coins, cars, movies, or old fashioned diners. I can remember buying a hamburger, fries, and a Coke with a Washington quarter dollar at Lucky 7 Drive In back in the 1960′s. If the place were still around, business would be thriving and reservations would probably be taken.
Google search for anything that you like and add the word “retro” to the search and I can almost guarantee you that you will be pleasantly surprised at the results. Many retro products for sale such as silver coins, stamps, Ford Mustang emblems, etc., are the real thing that someone had stashed away in a storage closet or attic.
I have a thing for old American silver coins not only because I think they have a certain retro coolness factor, but also because they contain 90% pure silver. My aunt Jane used to give me a dollars worth of Washington quarters every time that she came to visit our family. Most of them were the 90% silver quarters. If I kept them until her next visit, she would give me $2 in coins. It’s too bad that I later spent them on Snickers candy bars and other junk! On special occasions, she would bring us real silver dollars. Those silver dollars are worth nearly $30 today.
There Is Plenty Of Junk Silver For Sale Today At Bargain Prices
Junk silver is still a bargain. If you take in the effect of inflation, junk silver is selling for the same price that it sold for when it was first minted. I need to clarify that this is for circulated junk silver coins. Shiny un-circulated silver and gold coins command a premium that is well over the face value and silver value of the coins.
Before 1965, the United States minted dimes, quarter dollars, half dollars, and silver dollars from a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. The melt value quickly exceeded the face value after the composition changed. The coins were quickly disappeared from circulation as wise people and government officials procured as much of the old coins as possible. Over the years only a scant amount of the 90% silver coins were melted, leaving a plentiful supply as a vehicle for silver investment.
Junk silver has gained popularity over the past few years because the price of silver has jumped form $6 an ounce to nearly $50 an ounce. While it’s not selling at $50 an ounce today, the higher price that it commands has created an interest in this precious metal. Unlike gold which is extremely expensive per ounce, junk silver coins can be purchased for pocket change.
For example, the smallest denomination of junk silver coins are the 90% silver Roosevelt and Mercury dimes which contain .07 ounce of silver are worth the spot price of silver times the weight of silver. When silver is selling at $30 an ounce, a junk silver dime is worth approximately $2.15.
All 90% junk silver coins have a standard weight that corresponds to their face value. To determine the weight of silver in 90% silver coins, multiply the face value by 715 and divide that number by 1000. For example, if you have a 90% junk silver dollar, use the following equation to calculate the weight of the silver: 1×715/1000=.715 oz.
Another favorable characteristic of junk silver coins are the denominations that they are available in. Junk silver coins for sale are available in $.10, $.25, $.50, and $1 denominations. They are universally accepted in just about every country in remote village in the world because of United States government stamp. Many people like to collect rare US silver coins. non-circulated coins are not considered junk silver because they are in superb condition. Junk silver coins on the other hand are characteristically well-worn and circulated.
Junk silver coins for sale are commonly sold in $1000 face value bags, $500 face value bags, and $100 face value bags. Just a few short years ago it was easy to purchase $1000 face value bags because silver selling dirt cheap. That same bag as of the time of this writing is selling for about $25,000. $100 face value bags selling in the $2500 which makes them more attractive for small investors and hobbyists. Personally, I like to buy small bags in dim es, quarters, half dollars, and $1 coins.
People buy more 90% silver bags than 40% silver bags you are paying for the price of silver plus the face value of the coin. I have not bought any 40% silver bags, yet I come across more 40% silver coins at my bank than the 90% silver coins. A $1000 face value bag of silver weights approximately 54-55 pounds and contains 715 troy ounces of silver!
If you are looking for great companies that sell junk silver coins, you may want to go to your local coin shop and buy a small amount to get a feel for this type of financial investment. Online companies like GoldSilver (dot) com, Apmex, Golden Eagle coin, as well as other reputable dealers have a great selection as well as superior service. I have dealt with all them.
Read MoreNew Car Launches: Top Worst the Last 30 Years
New car launches make automakers bite their nails. It is these critical launches and the marketing leading up to them that make or break a new car. Manufactures have tried every strategy imaginable to help their new car launches become a success, yet some of them still fail miserably. Do you remember these infamous flops?
Chrysler TC by Maserati (1989-91)
For those of you who remember to Chrysler TC, congratulations because it is one of the worst new car flops in recent decades. Then president LEE Iacocca partnered with Italian luxury carmaker Maserati for this oddly badged, high priced, pseudo luxury convertible. Don’t remember it? That is because there were fewer than 7,000 made and it beared a striking resemblance to the commonplace LeBaron.
Lincoln Blackwood (2001-02)
Ruggedness. Work. Off-roading. These are all words that come to mind when you think of a truck.—and then there is the Lincoln Blackwood. this is one of the new car launches that bit the big one for Lincoln and helped reaffirm their useless rebadging scheme of the early 200s. Only coming in one color (black), having no additional options, and boasting an incredibly high price tag, less than 4,000 of these gussied up and rebranded Ford F-150 were produced.
Chevrolet SSR (2003-06)
Look in the sky, it’s a convertible, it’s a truck, it’s a car—its all three? The only thing you could be talking about is one of the worst new car launches in the last decade—the Chevrolet SSR. Part truck, part convertible, and part hotrod, this vehicle had some potential. It had instantly recognizable styling and was riding the retro trend of the day made popular by such models as the Ford Thunderbird. Alass, the Chevrolet SSR failed to connect with buyers—probably due to its extremely high price (over $40,000).
Cadillac Catera (1997-2001)
A mid-sized Cadillac—interesting idea. The idea was solid enough, but GMs poor execution and build quality of this luxury branded Opel Omega killed its chance. Too add insult to injury with this, new car launches typically rely on sound marketing campaigns, but the Catera did not have that luxury. In a bizarre marketing campaign featuring Cindy Crawford, this was renounced as the “caddy that zigs”—what ever that is supposed to mean.
Thankfully, future new car launches seem to be looking bright. Ford Dealerships in Oklahoma have been seeing positive results with Ford’s latest crop of cars including the redesigned Focus, Fusion, and introduction of the Fiesta. Chrysler, Oklahoma driver’s third favorite manufacturer, has had successful new car launches with their renamed and redesigned cars helping to elevate their status among other car brands.
Time will only tell if brands like Toyota can successfully pull off major new car launches with the introduction of sub-brands and new product lines. They have proven they are able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, so anything is possible.
There are bound to be new car launches than fail miserably in the future. They say hindsight is 20-20, but it seems with new car launches, that may not be the case.
Read MoreNegotiation and Sales Advice: How To Successfully Sell Gold
If you were to ask somebody what they thought of the cash for gold industry, chances are they wouldn’t have anything good to say about it. Unfortunately many jewelers and companies get a bad reputation for trying to profit from other’s unwanted jewelry. If you would like the sales process to go as easily as possible, you need to study some negotiation strategies. Getting the most money for the gold is very important, especially if you are selling it due to financial hardship. Here are some tips you can keep in mind the next time you go out to sell your gold.
Determine the amount you would like to get before you start. After you’ve completed proper research on the piece of gold or jewelry, make sure you think of an amount or dollar value that you’d like to receive for it. Even though you may be happy to sell it quickly for some fast cash, it’s still important that you have an amount in mind. This will help to take the stress off trying to decide whether or not you will sell when you get to the business. This is great because you can then consider the entire process a success when you get what you were looking for, and simply walk away if they do not offer enough money.
Try online cash for gold organizations. Don’t forget about the online cash for gold businesses. There are a number of excellent companies that deal primarily online that let you get a lot of cash for your old gold or jewelry. Unfortunately, there are a lot more hoops to jump through whenever using online cash for gold businesses, including needing to ship your jewelry and not being able to negotiate with them. The price they offer you is the price you get. Quite often should you reject the offer, you will need to pay shipping and handling to get your jewelry back.
Keep these web based businesses in mind even if you don’t intend on using them. Merely bringing them up as an alternative when you are negotiating with the locals will help. It is possible they may increase the offer if they believe you might go online to sell your jewelry.
Don’t get excited over the sight of money. Obviously, this business is a big cash business. This means that most of these companies have massive amounts of cash on them. Be ready for this, since it can be tempting to simply accept a lesser amount than you want because they have the cash in hand ready to pay. One other thing note is just how they will quote you. Often times, they will only give estimates or price ranges, for instance between 250 and 350. It is vital that you get a firm offer and exact price. By doing this, should you decide to shop around, you can always come back and accept it later.
It is really stressful being forced to sell your old gold or jewelry and it is never easy to be in a situation in which you have to have the money immediately. That said,, you can get much more money for your old jewelry than you might think when you follow the above steps. Make sure you are comfortable selling at the price you agree upon before committing to anything. As soon as you accept a sale, it is final. Always leave yourself an out if you’re unsure if you want to follow through – you can likely go back and sell it later.
Read MoreFresh College Graduates Unemployment Rate And Its Effect On The Economy
Fresh College Graduates Unemployment Rate And Its Effect On The Economy
With larger economic problems plaguing both the United States and Europe, a growing problem that has gone unnoticed is the difficulties that college graduates are having finding jobs. Many different factors are contributing to their difficulty such as baby boomers not being able to retire, the automation of entry level job task, and just a sluggish economy in general. The youth unemployment rate now sits at 18.1 percent and the future economic outlook doesn’t look very good at all. If this trend continues it could have a serious negative consequence on the economy.
The Long Term Consequences Of A High Youth Unemployment Rate
At first glance this issue looks small compared to all the other economic problems that the economy is trying to fix, but it is a problem that will need to be resolved sooner then later. Many new college graduates are becoming frustrated with the lack of employment opportunities and are foregoing the job hunt to settle in low skill and low wage jobs. This is a problem as most of them have thousands of dollars of student loans that need to be paid back. Having low paying jobs will not allow them to pay them back and will put the students in financial difficulty. Many students that cannot find a job look to continuing education as a way to defer that problem. Many are spending money on tests like the Charted Market Technician and CFA, then later dropping out of the course. They will take out even more student loans in hopes that getting a law degree or business degree will raise their probability of obtaining a job.
The Effect On The Economy and The Equities Market
As baby boomers begin to retire the effects will begin to be felt throughout the economy. New hires will not be skilled enough or prepared enough to handle the tasks that are thrown at them. Jobs that require college graduates having 5-10 years of experience will now be filled by college graduates who are fresh out of college. While previous generation of college graduates are still working low wage jobs the consumer spending will decrease and it will create a downward pressure on the economy. The investment and equities markets will then take a hit as baby boomers liquidate their positions but due to the low income of the past generation of college grads they will not be able to replenish at the levels that are needed.
Ways To Fix The Youth Unemployment Rate
While there are many short term fixes this problem, such as stimulus packages and incentives for new companies to higher younger workers. This doesn’t really fix the long term problem of decreasing the unemployment rate. Once the economy begins to start moving again look for more companies to once again start higher youth workers. There have been many different pieces of legislation that will reward companies to hire in the United States and stay away from outsourcing. This should allow for more the younger generation to begin working in the corporate world even if the salary is less then they hoped.
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Welcome to my business and marketing blog. I write about ideas and products and other things to help keep your business healthy. As an entrepreneur it can be hard to find the info you need to succeed. I hope this blog helps you with that.