According to its website, Zonbox is the first environmentally-responsible computer minus high hassle and price. And according to me, they’re dead on. Weighing in a smidge over two pounds, the tiny PC consumes four times fewer chemicals and fossil fuels during manufacturing than standard desktops, and also complies with the European RoHS Directive, which restricts hazardous substances often found in electronics. (Lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium are a few that may be lurking in your current computer.)
In addition to its efficient build, Zonbu’s Zonbox comes in earth-friendly packaging, and when you’re done using Zonbu, consumers can simply ship it on back to the company. They’ll take it back for free, and foot the bill for dismantling and recycling all the components. On top of all that, Zonbu’s ultra-low power—about one third of the energy used by a standard light bulb—combined with a carbon-offset program through the company), make it a zero-emission, zero-guilt buy.
Best of all, the tiny tower retails for an equally tiny price: $99 (with a two-year subscription plan) or $249 with a month-to-month plan. What type of plans are we talking?
Well, Zonbu offers three plans to supplement Zonbox usage in addition to the free 4GB of space that comes with your desktop unit. The available service plans not only bump storage considerably, they offer unlimited internet support and some, remote file access and free overnight hardware replacement.
So what exactly can you expect to get on your Zonbox? I clicked on the whisper-quiet machine and found applications like Firefox web browser, office basics like full e-mail and a calendar program, word processor, spreadsheet program, an all-encompassing instant messenger that works with AOL, MSN, Yahoo and more.
Also on deck is a photo organizer, media player, music library, image workshop, web page editor and games galore. (Sudoku? Check. Solitaire? Naturally.) And hook-ups are golden. You can connect almost any digital camera, MP3 or printer to this baby. Pretty much, you’ll find everything you use on your standard PC squeezed into Zonbox too.
In a new era of electronic gadgets and web wizardry, it seems that Zonbu is just the thing to usher us quietly into the next generation of minute machinery.
For more info on, visit www.zonbu.com .
Here’s a new green destination for architects, designers, students and anyone looking to learn about smarter, sustainable design practices — the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Ave @ 32nd Street. This design showcase and resource center was launched last month, and features products that have been made using sustainable practices, as well as a green design library and research computers.
Spearheaded by Cottages & Gardens Publications and Verdant, the Green Room’s 10 different exhibits will change on a monthly basis. In the spotlight right now are Gaggenau, Brett Smith Woodworks, Cavern (wall coverings), J Roaman, Paul Loebach, Teragren, Green Depot, Eboniste, and Oeuf and Uhuru (as featured previously on AltCon).
Related: Oeuf Mini Library for Kids (2.7.07)
Uhuru design + build + interiors (4.10.07)
Bamboo style and comfort are exemplified in this casually chic top that can be worn both in the boudoir or lounging around one’s pad.
Available in several colors and with matching pants.
the wrap top and the pants go for £24.95 each @ the very nice U.K. site spirit of nature
Teach kids about ecosystems, food chains, astronomy, and circuits with Ampersand Press games and rubber stamps.
Take, for example, Onto the Desert, which comes with an illustrated deck of cards, a habitat poster, fact sheets, and instructions for seven different games – for 2-6 players, ages 8+, price $15.95.
Or try Oh Wilderness, a trivia game for children and adults with both simple and challenging questions, ($10.95).
Find other trivia and food chain games and more @ www.ampersandpress.com
We thought we’d add to the growing pile of articles on going green for Halloween – though our tips may have veered out of the mainstream a bit...
- Enliven your annual Hallowgreen bash and cast off the demon spirit of the Bush administration by conducting your own exorcism of G.W. and his pals while wearing this Al Gore mask.
- Avoid the enviro-guilt usually associated with burning witches and practioners of Wicken by buying the proper Carbon Offsets well in advance. Use this carbon offset calculator for pricing.
- If, while trick or treating, you happen upon a dead body, here are some tips for dealing with this ghoulish happenstance.
- Light-up your Hallowgreen Pagan Festival with this Flesh Arm Solar Light.
- Grow giant pumpkins of your own from the remains of this year’s jack-o-lantern. Compost Feeding Your Pumpkin
- Create a real appreciation for a ‘green Halloween’ in those fiendish kids clawing at your door by giving them each a nice assortment of organic veggies in a bio-degradable baggie. Hmmm…good!
- Every year you fill your lovely neighbors trees with toilet paper. This year, do it green with 100% recycled toilet tissue from Seventh Generation.
- Kick the creepiness factor up a few notches…If you feel a terminal illness coming on, or Tabby, your cat, just went to that great litter box in the sky, contact Cryonics.org to cryopreserve you or your loved one for eternity, or future revitalization. The highlight of any Hallowgreen festivity!
- Break-down and get the rugrats some organic college farm candy or sugar-free Boo! Keyballs.
Related: also on altCon
Happy Hallowgreen II: Scare Yourself Green this Halloween (10.21.08)
Vegan Queen’s uber eco friendly, high quality, stylish and tasteful bags have just danced onto the scene. Who is this Vegan Queen? And why am I hearing strains of an Abba tune in my head right now?
The attributes of creator, Evelina’s line read like a handbook on how to be an Eco Girl Scout: cruelty-free, eco friendly, recyclable, non-toxic, organic, sustainable, and made in the USA.
Alas, these eco luxe things come at a price — ie $795 for the Eco IT bag (above, left). (Above right is the Eco City bag.) Get ready to really splurge or ask daddy to start pouring the sugar. As hip and stunning as they look, I’d rather pay a lot less for an eco friendly bag, and spend the balance on an eco charity.
You can check out her luxurious line of chic and “socially responsible bags” @ veganqueen.com
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