Interop: Capitalizing On Web 2.0 With Wikis, Social NetworkingInterop: Capitalizing On Web 2.0 With Wikis, Social Networking

As Interop's focus turned to energy and efficiency during the annual conference at the Javits Center in New York City Tuesday, Energy Boot Camp added a wiki on "Ways to Save the Earth."

While Interop's primary focus in terms of energy is on how to reduce consumption by IT systems, the wiki offers a wider range of ideas on how to contribute to sustainability.

The page includes tips on how to reduce carbon footprints from IT and links to other sites with tips for eco-marketing, as well as those with tips for promoting sustainability within an organization.

Taking into account the time and energy it takes to shut down and power a PC back up, the Interop wikis recommend turning off laptops and desktops if they will be inactive for about 15 minutes.

The Ways to Save the Earth wiki covers power management settings, turning off screen-savers, and saving energy on printing.

In addition to using better paper and printing fewer pages, the Ways to Save the Earth wiki recounts another paper-saving solution generated by elementary school students in Massachusetts. They pointed out that narrowing margins can save resources, including oil and fresh water used to produce paper.

The wikis are one of two new Web 2.0 features added to Interop New York. InteropConnect, a social networking site for attendees, debuted in Las Vegas earlier this year. For the first time in New York Interop attendees can access InteropConnect to create profiles; discuss exhibits, workshops, and sessions; arrange meetings; and exchange e-mail messages.