Re: OT: green vehicles (was: Power management)
On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 11:58 PM, Bill McGonigleb...@bfccomputing.com wrote: On 07/25/2009 08:44 AM, Alan Johnson wrote: But again, if I'm buying new? Yes, Prius, Prius, Prius. Isn't the nickel mining an environmental and thermodynamic disaster? Even taking that into account, http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm lists the Prius as the second most green vehicle. The number one is a Civic that runs on natural gas. Surely, as you suggest, it is the batteries that keep it from the top spot. That said, there are still 4 hybrids in the top 12, and those numbers are all based on EPA efficiency standards which are slanted against hybrids. Smart driving improves on any EPA number by a couple of points, but you can easily get north of 60Mpg out of a Prius. Of course, Lithium ION is a different story. Worse or better in extraction? I'm not sure, better in every other way that i know of. Both are highly recyclable, so that helps. Ceramic batteries are even better and just around the corner. Ultra capacitors are expect to be similar but lighter, but are not so close to market ready. Get the Corolla and put up a wind tower or buy solar panels with the difference! VT gets 5% of grid power from fossil fuel, so it is easy for me to focus first on transportation and home heating. NH is more like 20-25%, so that's a much tougher call. For now, my dream is to build a tiny one-seater car with electric bike parts and my neighbor's welding skills. If I could get 40Mph, and 20mi/charge, it would be the perfect car for my commute. The state regulations may be too onerous - how does VT fare? Many states will require hydraulic brakes, windshield defrosters, airbags, etc. Not sure on the specifics in VT, but I guess I'll have to keep it to 3 wheels so I can call it a moto cycle and make it REALLY dangerous. =) How about Made in China?: http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/localid=6238661 I like it! But for me, enclose those sides so I can drive it in the rain without special cloths (and get better mileage north of 45Mph) and put some batteries in it instead of a nasty little ICE. I wonder what the particulate emissions are like on that thing. I'm thinking lawnmower. ew. Sure does not help much on noise pollution either. I understand it's hard to get parts though - a stateside dealer network is probably required (good opportunity?) If it were electric, it would be easier to repair on your own. But for $3K? Heck, buy 2! ;-p ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Gaming SIG: Nexuiz on August 7th
Just to confuse people, we're actually sending out this announcement early. :) Don't get too confused though - this announcement is for *next* Friday (Aug 7), not this coming Friday (Jul 31). The next GNHLUG Gaming SIG get-together/LAN party will be on August 7th and will feature the first person shooter, Nexuiz. Decisions on whether to play as teams or free for all will be made that night. Information on Nexuiz: http://www.alientrap.org/nexuiz/ We'll likely be using 2.4.x since that's what the latest versions of the major distributions seem to be shipping. When: August 7th, starting around 6:00 and going until we feel like leaving (often after 11:00). Where: Dynamic Network Services, Inc (aka DynDNS) 1230 Elm Street 5th Floor (ring the doorbell) Manchester, NH What: LAN Party, playing Nexuiz We'll probably order food from somewhere too Who: Geeks and non-geeks, newbies and experts alike -- Cole Tuininga Lead Developer co...@code-energy.com ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: OT: green vehicles
Alan Johnson wrote: For now, my dream is to build a tiny one-seater car with electric bike parts and my neighbor's welding skills. If I could get 40Mph, and 20mi/charge, it would be the perfect car for my commute. I'm still holding out for an MDI Air Car: http://www.mdi.lu/ Their Air Pod looks nifty. Brian -- --- | br...@datasquire.net Proprietor: http://www.JustWorksNH.com | | Computers and Web Sites that JUST WORK | | Work: +1 (603) 484-1461Home: +1 (603) 484-1469| --- ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: OT: green vehicles (was: Power management)
On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 11:28 AM, Alan Johnsona...@datdec.com wrote: On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 11:58 PM, Bill McGonigleb...@bfccomputing.com wrote: On 07/25/2009 08:44 AM, Alan Johnson wrote: But again, if I'm buying new? Yes, Prius, Prius, Prius. Isn't the nickel mining an environmental and thermodynamic disaster? Even taking that into account, http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm lists the Prius as the second most green vehicle. If you really want to go green, get a motorcycle or scooter... for decades they've been cheaper and better for the environment. My mid-grade cruiser get's about 60 mpg and can be fixed in my drive-way. It's lighter than any hybrid car, is far far cheaper to manufacture, is lighter and has less foot-print on the road leading to exponentially less damage to concrete and asphalt surfaces (thus less need to re-pave), and considering people spend more time solo in any car it just makes sense. Okay, so it's not a good winter-choice, but hey! we're talking about the environment here!!! ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
