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10 Million computers to

shutdownday.org — Shutdown Day is back with a bang! More than 1.6 million people worldwide participated in Shutdown Day last year ... and this year there's a crazy global Flash Mob too! A massive global experiment to spread awareness about the pitfalls of excessive use and abuse of computers and Internet.

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  • beskurrd, on 04/16/2008, -13/+11I'll be playing paintball so it shouldn't be too bad.
  • Pillage, on 04/16/2008, -3/+53I signed up for this, I got the E-mails, I pledged I would do it, But when the time came I just couldn't do it. Maybe this year....
    • lbeaty1981, on 04/16/2008, -1/+9I signed up last year, then proceeded to forget about it when the day actually came. Maybe I'll do better this year....
    • wallryan, on 04/16/2008, -1/+3yeah the exact same thing happened with me...i just didn't want "shutdown"...what would i do all day?
    • wellyuk, on 04/16/2008, -2/+5I signed up for it and pledged I wouldn't do it. It's not that I can't do it - I have done in the past, but I don't quite understand the point. If it was "turn off your computer to cut down on energy use", then I would understand that and would probably participate but to shut down my computer "because I bet you can't" seems nonsensical.
    • Tenoq, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1Wellyuk has a point - why do it? "Just 'cause?" doesn't seem like a good enough reason to me. If it was like Earth Hour, then maybe. If the weather is good I can make it - but if I have to stay inside there's little else to do in our house without a PC. Music, TV, games - all computer-based. D'oh.
      • PegasusSince83, on 04/17/2008, -0/+0With me, whether the weather is good or not, it is not a good idea for me to be away from the house for a long period during the daylight hours because the UV in the sun and fluorescent lights makes me very sick when exposed to them for too long (usually, less than an hour can make me sick). So, I will be staying home - when I stay home, all of my activities other than housework are computer-based with my computer setup to record TV shows that I like to make sure that I can schedule them to watch when I am certain not to fall asleep.
  • kgasso, on 04/16/2008, -4/+40Uhmm, yeah... being on call and working in network operations, I don't think I'll be participating. The idea is nice, however. :)
    • NoCt1, on 04/16/2008, -7/+1Um.. I am in infosec and also am on call.. doesnt mean you cant at least try.. Maybe things will go smoothly where you are at.. I however will just hope that nothing goes wrong and i can leave my computers off..//
    • petebert, on 04/16/2008, -3/+2ummm, yeah like totally!
    • dillweed33, on 04/16/2008, -1/+4Wow, you're important.
    • thebigbradwolf, on 04/16/2008, -3/+0your boat, I am in it. Programmer by day...Programmer by night.

      sidethought: I wonder if an NES counts as a computer
    • marktastic, on 04/16/2008, -1/+3Ummmmmmmmmmmm yeah, kgasso we're letting go of some people so in order to pick up some slack, I'm going to have you come in on Saturday and then again on Sunday.
    • jordn, on 04/16/2008, -3/+1i hope many people participate. I'll just sit at home and benefit from all the extra bandwidth!
  • Jenadae, on 04/16/2008, -3/+12It's kind of hard to participate when i work on a computer 12-16 hrs a day but if it fits in with my schedule I'll be more then happy to push the button.
    • 1randomguyO8, on 04/16/2008, -3/+3Have a sick day and watch DVD's lol
    • doshindude, on 04/16/2008, -1/+4in today's world, a "holiday" like this (similar to Earth Hour) is incredibly unrealistic and dumb. It doesn't do anything.
      • Carlix, on 04/16/2008, -1/+1It's a personal goal rather than a holiday dumbass...
  • jonquille, on 04/16/2008, -9/+7This is gonna be fun, I plan on going sailing that day!
    • hagrun, on 04/16/2008, -2/+2Lucky you! I might have to copy that idea =)
    • plytheman, on 04/16/2008, -2/+2If it was warm enough up here for the local sailing club to be open I'd do the same...
  • thebigamehunter, on 04/16/2008, -2/+9I'm going to have to put child safety protectors over my outlets
  • Anonymous3, on 04/16/2008, -23/+9...revolt against humanity to fight for the future of the Earth?
    when? WHEN? WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN? DAMN IT WOMAN TELL ME!
    SELL YOUR STOCKS! BUY UP GOLD!
    WORLD WAR 3 HAS BEGUN AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
    (jumps out window)

    He was a resolute man, a hasty man. His only failings were his inability to read descriptions or stories and no willingness to stop his imagination from thinking the worst of incomplete headlines.
    • NoCt1, on 04/16/2008, -7/+4what in the *****. Yo.. Can you hook up someone with what you are smoking?
  • dbystrov, on 04/16/2008, -9/+52Anonymous3 :)
    I am gonna spend that time with my son.
    • stevene, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1there's a reply button just below his post. if you posted there, we could consolidate the buried comments.
  • adrizgolovich, on 04/16/2008, -6/+0gogo shutdown it
  • jhaydon, on 04/16/2008, -1/+3A Saturday! (At least here in Australia). This will be tough but hopefully worth it!
    • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1May 3rd is a Saturday everywhere in their respective time zone..
      its not like our May 3rd is a Tuesday this year in North America..
      • Tenoq, on 04/17/2008, -0/+2You'll have to forgive him, he was only recently shipped out on the convict ships from England. He hasn't had time to adjust to Skippy and his mind is a little addled.
    • kevyn, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1surely its easier on a Saturday.... its the weekend...you are allowed to leave your house
  • MarkHunneyman, on 04/16/2008, -19/+3Sorry, but no can do. I'm addicted to my MacBook Air and ain't nothing going to break me away from it.
    • NoCt1, on 04/16/2008, -8/+4your weak.
    • 1randomguyO8, on 04/16/2008, -3/+2Ill break you away from it;)
    • PueSi, on 04/16/2008, -0/+7When the battery dies you will have to send it back.
    • supermanred, on 04/16/2008, -1/+1If you are running on battery power, I guess it's okay.
      Why not get one of those solar powered laptop backpacks? Charge your laptop with the sun, then you are okay and exempt.
      • Voxxov, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Yes, and you can look like a complete tool while you're at it.
        • MarkHunneyman, on 04/16/2008, -0/+0I already look like a complete tool. A backpack won't make a ***** bit of difference.
  • LOVEANDEQUALITY, on 04/16/2008, -7/+2neat!
  • surKaz, on 04/16/2008, -6/+1A Saturday!.. We'll be taking part in some ceremonies (graduation!) I'll be volunteering to help put it on.... so, probably will be able to keep my computer shutdown for one day... Please...FSM, after I let that noodle live.. You owe me.
    • 1randomguyO8, on 04/16/2008, -2/+2Great what else would you be doing?. What roads would you be drivingon? im really interested..really..
      • surKaz, on 04/16/2008, -3/+3I hate you......From every iber of my being..
        BTW.. I'll be driving on the road....next to your place..
        Ok, Even I admit..that sucked..
  • tont0r, on 04/16/2008, -2/+18Last time there was a 'black out' of this size, 9 months later, a lot more babies were born.
  • neo926, on 04/16/2008, -1/+16But...how will I be able to look at porn?
    • TekTrixter, on 04/16/2008, -0/+3Print it out ahead of time, or buy a magazine.
    • jrtcs, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Check in the unmarked box under you dad's bed.
      • smrekar, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1or ask your creepy uncle who sleeps on the couch.
        • wellyuk, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Hey! I'm that creepy uncle who sleeps on the couch, you insensitive clod.
    • kevyn, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1DVD Flick --> burn avi to dvd
  • MrESaulved, on 04/16/2008, -3/+63My PC uses the equivalent energy of a couple of light bulbs and provides me with much more in terms of energy savings: online banking, online purchases, forms of instant communications that would otherwise require me (or my physical proxy such as a check) to travel to a destination for the same purposes.

    You would do more for your pocketbook and our environment by either using rechargeable batteries in a device that does not already use them or driving one less time per week (or month!).
    • NJank, on 04/16/2008, -1/+7"by either using rechargeable batteries"

      let's not forget about properly disposing of those batteries!
    • TehChix0r, on 04/16/2008, -4/+6I think you missed the point. It's not about saving energy or money, it's about recognizing how much computers affect our everyday lives. From the FAQ:

      Shutdown Day was founded with the sole purpose of spreading awareness about the pitfalls and dangers that lie in the excessive use of television, computers, and computing equipment like game boxes, cell phones, music players, online social websites, etc. Our main purpose is to get people to think about how their lives have changed with the increasing use of the computer, and whether or not any good things are being lost because of this.
  • MerryMortician, on 04/16/2008, -1/+44i may be able to fit a reboot in somewhere.
    • Dokument, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1at least install some updates to make it more usefull
  • Icklehamsta, on 04/16/2008, -3/+6We should really learn to shut them down more often that that.
    • darknailblue, on 04/16/2008, -0/+2Well if your computer or computers are servers that wouldn't be a good idea at all. What we should really shut down are stupid things like the TV and Alarm clock. Most TV sucks - read digg and expand your mind a little and install and alarm clock program on your PC. Let me tell you - there is no better way to wake up then having your PC SCREAM at you at 6:45am
  • Mahoney07, on 04/16/2008, -6/+34Stupid
    • dggeek, on 04/16/2008, -4/+11I agree. Trying new things is scary and completely unnecessary. And I'll fall behind on my Night Elf Mohawk.
    • ileftfark, on 04/16/2008, -0/+4I tend to agree, although probably not for the same reason as you. These "Lets-all-do-this-for-a-day" things don't really encourage any real change in a person's behavior, and give people a false sense of accomplishment. Instead of doing a no-computer-for-one-day deal, why not have people shave 5 minutes off their internet-browsing leisure time a day, or encourage everyone to have the most power-conscious settings applied on their computers? Those are changes that will last, and combined, can make a difference. This is kinda weak.

      I'll see the rest of you here that day, I'm sure :)
      • wellyuk, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1My thoughts exactly. ANYONE could turn their home computer off for a day or even a weekend, but I'd wager it would be a little more difficult if you're required to go to work and use a computer. And no, that's not the point of this exercise. How about a "No screwdrivers day"? Or a "No oxygen tanks day"? These are all tools that people need to do their jobs. But for turning off your computer at home, anyone could do it without a problem.
        • PegasusSince83, on 04/17/2008, -0/+0Not so, the computer is my main form of communication because talking is extremely painful for me - when you combine that pain with a very pronounced stutter, it becomes pretty much impossible to communicate vocally so I have to communicate in written format if I want to communicate in a way that is intelligible. To communicate in writing, it is very important for me to use a computer because it is impossible for me to use a pen or pencil for more than about a minute at a time - not that anyone, including me, can read my handwriting.
    • darkened, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Agreed, so not happening with me.
  • krillion, on 04/16/2008, -6/+4ooo nooo to much interweb... this is the stupidest thing ever, I don't wanna cope without my pc... not that i'm addicted mind you... I first got on this internet thing with my Atari 1024ST through a "slip" connection.. haven't found a reason to get off it yet.. I guess i am trying to say is.... i will be no part of this global shutdown damn-it! :)
  • argus, on 04/16/2008, -1/+13Sailing, driving in your car, using the microwave, they all use computers. So if you think you are going to be able to go without, lots of luck. Computers surround us. Besides a day with out digg? Are you mad!
    • ubuwalker31, on 04/16/2008, -1/+2Great point. If you want to go totally luddite for the day, you should go camping for the weekend...but don't cheat by using your GPS, or carry a cell phone, or wear a watch...ugh.
      • surKaz, on 04/16/2008, -1/+2why don't you just hibernate or sleep all day....
      • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1I never go anywhere without my portable sundial.
    • astrotrain, on 04/16/2008, -0/+2argus hit the nail on the head... pretty much everything has a computer in one form or another in it. Even the coffee pot on your counter. What? You'll go to WaWa or that kind of place for coffee?.... guess what they use computers to time the brewing process of their coffee.

      Everything down to your digital watch (which according to the Guide, is a "neat idea"), but never the less a computer.

      Good luck finding a computer on that day that you would not be using or rely on to help you through the day.
  • Tripper44, on 04/16/2008, -1/+10Yay for zombie computers, all these crappy 1 day things will never make a difference, get over it ppl :P
  • BurnedCorneas, on 04/16/2008, -1/+92Man I hope a lot of people join in. It'll make the Internet faster for those of us that don't.
    • goochie, on 04/16/2008, -0/+8Spread the news! I long for faster internet!
    • spiritditch, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Except I won't be able to get my Kara group together.

      LFG!!! LFG. lfg?
  • nickcozy, on 04/16/2008, -7/+8This is lame.Buried.
  • slantyeyed, on 04/16/2008, -0/+6it's a SATURDAY, so what's the point? it won't change anything. most people will be off from work / school anyways.
  • Shadowgamers, on 04/16/2008, -0/+7Does this mean there'll be less people to play with on TF2 for a day? :[
    • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+4no, because no one really does these things, they just say they do. They have absolutely no way of verifying the numbers.
  • idavidcrockett, on 04/16/2008, -0/+17Could you pick a date when us college kids do not have to study for finals?
    • Disjunto, on 04/16/2008, -3/+2you know these things called books? they have information for studying :)
      • celticchrys, on 04/16/2008, -0/+5Been a while since you were in college, has it? A lot of final projects these days _require_ using one software package or another.
      • idavidcrockett, on 04/16/2008, -1/+2have you heard of a syllabus? It tells us which books to study from, and it is posted on a POS website called blackboard.
  • spyd3rweb, on 04/16/2008, -1/+10I got about 7 here I'm going to turn on just for spite.
  • dagr8tim, on 04/16/2008, -5/+1My GF & I signed up. After she had me locked in, she added no blackberry to the formula. Not even emails.

    Somehow I'm getting screwed on the deal, and not in the good way. :-(
    • NJank, on 04/16/2008, -0/+8someone needs to take a basic course in negotiations.
    • loomis6335, on 04/16/2008, -0/+15Don't worry. No computer, no cell phone. What the hell else is there to do. You're getting laid.
      • PaperMonkey, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Or, you know, catching up on his honey-do list. Have fun with your day of menial labour...
        • MorbenDK, on 04/16/2008, -0/+3Oh PaperMonkey, I wish you weren't so right.
  • Gorgamel, on 04/16/2008, -0/+12Person submitting the title must have severe ADD.
    • Goombellaofgoom, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Or they shut their computer down halfway through.
  • Jus7in, on 04/16/2008, -0/+6I cannot.
  • o0joshua0o, on 04/16/2008, -1/+7I would like to participate, if it wasn't stupid and pointless
  • raydeen, on 04/16/2008, -2/+1Huh. The Sonic Wall here is blocking it and listing it as "Adult/Mature Content". Guess my IT dept. superiors think it's blasphemy! :D
  • archlich, on 04/16/2008, -0/+18I'm going to burn leaves, buy plastic grocery bags, and ride around in an SUV in my spare time!

    But seriously, one day of not using the computer is stupid. If you really want to make an impact, turn off lights as you leave the room, carpool, insulate your house. There's so much energy wasted heating and cooling the outdoors http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/reps/enduse/er01_us_ta ... Using a computer uses half the energy of watching a dvd!

  • PueSi, on 04/16/2008, -2/+2If you want to save energy without changing your habits, change your PSU for a more efficient one (80 plus certified), it pays itself with the savings.
    The Coolermaster Real Power Pro line are really nice and silent.
  • ArachnidDude, on 04/16/2008, -1/+7I hate these stupid day rituals invented by control freaks. Get a life.
  • prompel, on 04/16/2008, -1/+4All my computers crunch for World Community Grid. I never shut them down.
  • lenach, on 04/16/2008, -0/+2Not something I am likely to do...or even remember.
  • thingnumber2, on 04/16/2008, -1/+3I'm not sure what the purpose of "shutdown day" is, since there are many other, more environment saving, and less inconvenient things we could all go without for 24 hours.
    • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Try reading the site.. I know its digg and all... and you're afraid of reading more than can fit in a summary, but its a valuable skill that will elevate you above "Would you like fries with that?"
  • gak001, on 04/16/2008, -2/+1I did that last Saturday - I was in Philadelphia all weekend, so I shut down my computer. So actually, I went more like 48 hours without using my computer.
    Yes, I can.
  • wetdirtmud, on 04/16/2008, -1/+4Why don't we just have a national "No Crack for Crackheads" day?
  • DellDrEvil, on 04/16/2008, -2/+2its easy to shut down for a day, if your systems don't actually do anything but provide entertainment. Add in the millions of servers that drive the mechanisms of industry and economy... the shutdown is a great marketing bit for the environmentalists, but does it do anything beyond the self aggrandizing "I did my bit for the environment rawr!" bit? Not really.

  • LeePeyton, on 04/16/2008, -1/+1IT'S SATURDAY!!!!!
    oh, and i don't care i love my PCs.

    Have a nice day and good luck, or something.
  • scyon, on 04/16/2008, -1/+7Computers can be shutdown? Inconceivable!
    • archlich, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1You keep saying that word; I do not think it means what you think it means.
  • petebert, on 04/16/2008, -1/+7I hope my download speeds will be faster on shutdown day
  • CodeCobalt, on 04/16/2008, -1/+2Umm how about we just turn off our computers when we're not using them...? No way in hell would I participate in some day just to turn off my computer. I turn mine off whenever I go out, go to sleep w/e. Unless i'm downloading its off. That adds up to much more than a day... so I win.
    • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Except its not about energy savings.. RTFA FTW
      • supermanred, on 04/16/2008, -1/+2Yeah RTFA... but CodeCobalt is actually doing something REAL not symbolic. He turns his computer off. I bet you a lot of the people who turn their computer off for a token green day leave them on 24/7 the rest of the year.
        • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1The point of this is to do something else while its off. Its not really about shutting off the computer.
      • CodeCobalt, on 04/17/2008, -0/+1But see, I go out and do stuff, without a computer all the time. I go camping, vacation, play sports. I mean I love my computer and granted never leave go anywhere without my phone...

        Crap, people could do sooo much to save electricity, and do crap. how about whenever its nice out you unplug everything and go outside for a day. Thank god for laptops, still uses power but I can unplug everything else while I get some fresh air and save some $$$
  • nexus37, on 04/16/2008, -0/+3Thank goodness I turned my computer on and connected to the internet so I could disconnect from the internet and shut my computer down.
  • blitzkriegpunk, on 04/16/2008, -1/+3What the hell is this "flash mob" phrase I keep seeing everywhere. This is the 3rd time I've seen it used in an article in the past few days. New ***** buzzphrase? Jesus.
    • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -1/+2How about old phrase.. thanks for coming out. This isn't really a flash mob though. Flash mobs are spontaneous not planned days in advance.
      • wellyuk, on 04/16/2008, -2/+1How can a flash mob occur spontaneously if it's not been planned? How would anyone know that the flash mob is going to happen or what the action is? The flash mob is the action, not the organisation.
        • crossmr, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1a single individual might plan a flashmob, but the point of a flashmob is that the vast majority of participants have no idea when it will happen, or what is going on.
    • Goombellaofgoom, on 04/16/2008, -0/+2A flash mob is "... a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse."
      For more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob
    • CarzorStelatis, on 04/16/2008, -0/+1Think the groups of protestors appearing along the revised Olympic Torch route in San Francisco. A flash mob is a group of people organised for some purpose (could be political, or just to hang out, or a publicity stunt) at the time the gathering takes place, using SMS, Twitter etc.
  • regeya, on 04/16/2008, -0/+2Like others, it'd be hard for me to 100% participate, but as with most days, my Linux box will be shut down all day instead of boosting its uptime. Hmm...uptime... or cleaner air and lower power bill...hmm...this is a toughie...
  • habenneas, on 04/16/2008, -2/+2Fast text mirror: http://www.lynxcache.org/usr/1/Shutdown_Day.php
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