While the bamboo laptop and the mouse with a quick sleep button are certainly ways of making your computer setup a bit greener, I was very interested to see that D-Link has created a new green network switch.  I hadn’t thought of making that part of my computer system green!  The D-Link Green DGS-2208 Network Switch features eight different ports so you can hard-wire eight computers to your internet connection.

This cool gigabit switch detects which of your ports are active (which have a computer that’s on and working) and then only powers those active ports.  The switch can also send more or less power to ports depending on how much cable is between the switch and the computer (or other device like a networked printer).  The switch can determine the cable length automatically, so you don’t even have to measure that.  In contrast to this, a normal network switch powers all ports at once and uses the same energy for all ports no matter the cable length.

D-Link’s examples of various computer setups and use show that their switch can save up to around 40 percent of energy that would otherwise be used by a network switch.  That’s a pretty good amount, especially for offices when computers are powered down for more than twelve hours a day.  The green network switch is available in five and eight port models, and they’re no more expensive than other network switches: the five port is $32.49, while the eight port is $46.99.  I really love the idea of this, but there’s just one thing missing: it doesn’t do wireless internet.

I’m always uncertain what to do with old shoes.  If they’re in good condition, I always give them away to a goodwill charity, but sometimes, they’re just not fit to be worn any longer.  However, it seems like a waste to throw them away.  Well, now I have the option of buying the Earthkeepers 2.0, a boot created by Timberland that can actually be recycled.

Timberland is a shoe company that mainly produces work boots.  While I don’t buy their products regularly, I’m very intrigued by the Earthkeepers 2.0.  These boots can actually be disassembled and then, instead of thrown away, recycled.  The boots are made with Green Rubber outsoles, a special type of outsole that Timberland has actually patented.  They’re made from 42 percent recycled rubber from tires, and they feature removable hardware and other things that make them easy to disassemble when they’re worn out.  You can actually recycle or reuse 80 percent of the boots!  That’s pretty impressive.

The parts that can’t be recycled can be sent back to Timberland where, if in good condition, they can be refurbished and used in a new pair of Earthkeepers.  These parts include the leather uppers, the outsoles, and the polyester lining.  All can be recycled or revamped and used again.

Looking to pick up a pair of Earthkeepers 2.0?  I know I am.  They’ll be available for purchase in the fall.

I know I’m not the only one who can’t get up and go without a cup of coffee…or two or three, some mornings.  Coffee pots don’t really take up that much power if you just use them in the morning, but how many of us leave them on all day, especially at the office?  Well, while it’s not a standard coffee pot, there is now a way we can save a bit of power and make our own espressos at home, something that is really cool.

This electricity-free Presso espresso machine offered online needs absolutely no power.  Instead, the device needs only your muscles and a bit of hot water to do the trick.

How does it work?  First, you get some fresh water and some coffee grounds made for espresso machines (beans made for standard pots may be too large or too small).  Fill the cylinder up with hot water.  Then start squeezing the arms down until the espresso is out.  Tap down the grounds, fill it up with hot water, raise up the handles again, and let it sit for about 30 seconds.  Then push down the handles again and hold them.  After all the water has been trained out, you’ve got your espresso.  That’s all there is to it.

The Presso is available worldwide through Presso’s website.  It’s $140 plus shipping.

I have very fond memories of playing with bubbles as a kid.  I’d go out with many of my friends and we’d all buy big bottles of bubbles.  Then we’d go to the park and blow them at each other and all around.  It was a lot of fun, but it also took a good number of kids to make a huge number of bubbles.

Today, I came across a neat little gadget that does all the hard bubble blowing work for you.  The solar powered bubble tower makes thousands and thousands of bubbles, and it doesn’t cost anything.  The device is kind of like a tripod (well, it actually has four legs)—just unfold the legs and stand it up in the yard.  Its battery is then powered up by solar panels, so you don’t have to run any extension cords out to it.  Once it’s all charged up, it can start making many little bubbles at once or create clusters of bubbles that resemble giant clouds.

The tower is pretty tall, which means two great things.  First, the solar panel is up high enough that it’s always going to get some great sunlight.  Since it’s high up, it means the bubbles won’t just fall straight down.  Instead, the wind will blow them all around, creating a storm of bubbles.

The bubble tower is perfect for any kind of outdoor party, whether it’s for a birthday, an after-school event, or just for the fun of it.  The bubble tower can even be charged up and then used at night, although bright lights are definitely recommended so you don’t run into the tower.

You can get it from here.

While the technology isn’t quite here yet, Nokia’s research center located at Cambridge has recently announced that they’re working on a way for cell phones to actually pull energy out of the air.  No, it’s not magic, although it does seem like it.  These cell phones will actually pick up the ambient radio and television waves that are bouncing all around us.  These waves don’t really do much of anything at the moment, but if Nokia has its way, they’ll power our phones.

The Nokia phone will be able to pick up more than just radio and television waves.  If all goes according to play, it will be able to use wave frequencies generated by microwaves, wireless networks, GPS devices, and more.  The concept is that two circuits will be able to receive these waves and then convert them into an electrical current.  Don’t worry—these phones won’t suck away your wireless internet or cause your GPS to fail.  They’ll simply make use of the wasted power these waves represent.  Most of these waves are absorbed or just scattered about.

There’s no word yet on just how much power this cell phone will be able to pull from the air, but Nokia is hoping it will be enough to at least charge up the phone in standby mode.  Most likely, the first models won’t be able to provide enough charge to keep the phone going while in use, so you’ll still need your charger.  I’m hoping Nokia comes through with this—imagine it being used on iPods, GPS systems, and more.  We might never need a charger again!

Computers use a lot of power, especially if they’re on all the time.  While several power saving methods can help shut down the computer or put it to sleep while not in use, I know my computer still draws a lot of energy.  But I haven’t found many ways of making it more energy efficient without turning it on and off all the time.  However, it looks like the Eco Mouse will make it a bit easier to save some computer power.

The Eco Mouse works just like a standard mouse, but it features the eco button.  With just a touch, this eco button puts the computer into standby mode.  This mode uses as little energy as possible, although your computer is still technically on.  If you know you’re going to be away from your computer for more than a few minutes, hit the button and save some energy.  Then press it again to active the computer.

In addition to the eco button, the Eco Mouse also features software that will tell you how much energy you’ve saved by using the device.  This amount is somewhat of an estimate since not all computers use the same amount of power, but it is interesting to see.

While I think something like this is a good idea, I’m afraid I’d always be accidentally hitting the eco button and sending my computer into standby mode.  The button is located right below the scroll wheel, so it’s pretty easy to press by accident.  You can, however, purchase a separate Eco Button that does the same thing without being attached to your mouse.  The mouse itself costs $29, while the Eco Button is available for $28.

I’ll admit, I don’t particularly like camping.  One of the things that always disturbs me when I set up my tent at a camp-site is the fact that I know I’ll have to make use of those communal showers at some point.  These showers always seem dirty to me, and I always wonder what kind of germs and other things are living in them.  Do they ever clean those places?  I don’t know…sometimes it doesn’t seem like it!

However, the Eco Friendly Pocket Shower may be a nice alternative.  It’s designed for those who need to shower when out in the middle of nowhere.  I’m not sure how much privacy this cool item provides, but it does certainly get you clean.  The shower folds into a pouch that is 45 mm by 80 mm by 140 mm, and it only weights 120g.  However, when you unfold it, it can hold ten liters of water.  You hang it from a tree branch or tent, fill it up with water, let it heat up for a few hours, and then shower away.

If you fill up the entire pouch, you will have enough water for about a seven minute shower.  That’s not very long, but it’s enough for a quick rinse.  The pocket shower also has a nozzle that lets you adjust the flow of water so you can have as much water pressure as you like.  When you’re finished, just fold it up and move on.  The entire device costs only $24.

Furniture can be made out of a lot of different materials, but paper?  Doesn’t that sound pretty crazy?  Well, the paper furniture made by Way Basics can actually stand up to a good amount of use and abuse, and when you’re done with it, you simply recycle it!

How does it work?  Well, the products are made from zBoards.  Basically, zBoards are more or less like very sturdy cardboard.  They’re made from almost 100 percent post consumer recycled paper, although they do need about a percent of paper veneer.  In appearance, zBoards look like particleboard, but they’re much lighter.  They can actually hold up to 50 pounds, too, and if you add in support dividers, that number doubles.  Isn’t that incredibly amazing?

What’s even more, the furniture made from zBoards can last for years.  It’s strong enough to handle just about anything you can think of putting on it, even heavy books.  The shelving is held together with non-toxic glue, too, so you don’t have to worry about any smells or chemicals.

In addition to being made from recycled paper and the fact that you can recycle the shelves when you’re done with them, the zBoards have another great advantage: you can actually make anything out of them.  Since you get a selection of boards and the adhesive when you purchase any zBoards item, you can either follow the instructions or make your own shelving.  Be warned, though, that the glue may be non-toxic, but that doesn’t mean it’s weak.  You may not be able to undo a gluing mistake, and there’s also the chance of super gluing your fingers together!

One thing to note is that the edges of some of the zBoards look a bit rough, so if you’re looking for really nice shelving solutions, they may not be what you want.  Be sure to check out all angles of the product before you buy it.

Cyber-Rain is one of the neatest things I’ve heard about in awhile.  It’s like having an automated sprinkler system that’s intelligent.  Most sprinkler systems give you the option of setting a timer that turns them on and off at whatever time you want your yard watered.  It’s great and hands-free: you set it and you don’t have to worry about it ever again.  But what if your sprinklers turn on while it’s raining?  That’s a pretty big waste of water, don’t you think?

That’s where Cyber-Rain is different.  This system actually connects to your computer and pulls weather information directly from the internet.  Chance of storms tomorrow?  Cyber-Rain will turn off the sprinklers.  Going to have a dry spell for a week or two?  it will up the amount of water a bit to compensate!  On cold or very humid days, it will adjust the watering schedule so that nothing gets too much or too little water.  How amazing is that?

It’s estimated that Cyber-Rain can save up to 70 percent of the water used on landscape watering.  That’s a huge number, and it can translate into some pretty big savings on the watering bill.  The program also tracks your water usage so you can see exactly how much your yard and plants drink in a month.  This is probably a good thing because the Cyber-Rain system costs upwards of $400.  Sometimes, going green is cheap…sometimes, it’s not.

I love looking for new computer equipment, especially really neat, ecologically friendly devices.  Back some time ago, I mentioned that Asus had created a laptop that used a bamboo case.  Well, if you have one of these awesome bamboo computers, then you need one of these USB drives made by Hacoa Wood Products Design Co.

Hacoa’s device, called the Monaca, features a casing made out of wood instead of plastic.  Like the Asus notebook computer, the wood used in the Monaca is made from fast-growing trees.  The name actually comes from the look of the Monaca—it resembles the Monaca cookie, a traditional wafer cookie made in Japan.

Just because it’s made out of wood, though, doesn’t mean that the Monaca is lacking in technology.  The drive holds one gigabyte of information, which is a good amount.  You’ll find three different versions of Monaca: maple, rosewood, and teak.  All three are elegant and stylish.

While the USB drive looks cool, I do think it’s a bit expensive.  The average cost is around $100 or about 60 pounds.  For that, you can find a four GB or larger USB drive, so while the Monaca looks neat and saves on plastic, it’s on the pricy side.