Open Space Meeting Report: Is ICT a help or a hindrance?

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NB. This discussion was not about the TT towns website as such - it was about TT as a social tool for the TT movement and power down

We aren't going back to the dark ages as long as we have good communications
- ICT and the internet provide a good communication tool
Computers and the internet are a good way to share information
- People expect to find information on the web
- Can be:
  - pull technology - you get it when you ask/search for it
  - or push technology - e.g. mailing lists
- much cheaper than conventional mail, phone, printed material!
- fast - easy to keep up to date
- can be impersonal
- but can be used for community input - bulletin boards, discussion groups etc.
- as well as straight info, can give advice, case studies, use to share experiences
- must be sensitive about privacy issues and personal data security
Information on the web is not always easily accessible
- it can be confusing especially if the wrong level for the reader
  - know your audience
- and it is not always reliable
- and it can be hard to find
  - good search engines are invaluable - but many people do not know how to use them well - training needed?
  - people don't like to talk about computer tips in case of sounding geeky
- not everyone has broadband at home (though many do especially in Cambridge)
  - use W3C guidelines
Computer applications can be invaluable for optimising processes to improve efficiency and minimise waste
- real time control programs
- detailed modelling of systems can help
- e.g. power plants
- e.g. applications to model your home heating energy consumption?
Computers use power
- Modern computers have many features to reduce power consumption
- LCD better than CRT
  - my Mac Mini is only 20W and another 20W for the display but only when it is needed
  - but gaming machines consume huge amounts - need to buy an appropriate device for the job
- computers have emboddied energy too
  - how long should you keep your old computer going?
- can save energy if switch computer off when not needed
- server farms use huge amounts of energy but there are ways to reduce this
  - e.g. push for server farms to be wired with DC so as to save on transformers
  - use excess heat as source for community heating