Free Green Computers For Schools On Earth Day

Userful Corporation, a provider of multiseat Linux virtual desktops, announced its “Green Your School” giveaway in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Userful is giving away 10 Userful Multiplierâ„¢ licenses (hardware not included) to the first school in every country of the world to contact the company and sign up to claim them. (New customer only.) The goal of the program is to help schools improve student-to-computer ratios and reduce their eco footprints at the same time.

Qualifying schools will have the opportunity to try an evaluation version of the as yet unreleased Userful Multiplier V.3.8. In 2009, Userful’s software that turns one PC into 10 saved over 200,000 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of taking more than 35,000 cars off the road or planting 50,000 acres of trees!

Desktop computers sit idle while we check our e-mail, surf the Web, or type a document. Userful’s shared resource computing software leverages this excess computing power to create an environmentally efficient alternative to traditional desktop computing. Up to 10 users can work independently on a single computer at the same time, each with their own monitor, keyboard, mouse, and applications.

“Our customers in education have made it clear that to achieve higher computer access to student ratios in the classroom, schools need more affordable computing solutions that are easy to manage and use,” said Bev Gallagher, VP Strategic Partnerships at Userful. “Through our Green Your School giveaway, schools will be able to deploy extremely low-cost computers that are just that – easy to manage and use, with the added benefit of lowering their environmental footprint at the same time.”

More than 30,000 schools around the world have already deployed over half a million seats of Userful Multiplier, and are experiencing firsthand the benefits this affordable solution can provide. With lower initial hardware costs, and savings in ongoing electricity and maintenance costs, schools can expand access to more students for the same budget or have money left over to spend on other classroom technology.

Using open source software, teachers can establish a flexible computing experience tailored to the needs of the class. Students can work on individual projects while finding, using, and sharing information effectively, thus enhancing their productivity and learning experience. All this can be done in the classroom as well as a lab since Userful Multiplier was designed for nontechnical professionals to set up and manage.

Userful’s shared resource computing has additional earth friendly benefits. Electronic waste is an increasing problem globally, due to the quick obsolescence of electronics. This is compounded by the fact that computer waste is high in many toxic materials such as heavy metals and flame retardant plastics, which easily leach into ground water and bio-accumulate. Using Userful solutions can reduce electronic waste by up to 80%, further decreasing its environmental footprint.

Education institutions are invited to contact Userful for their free licenses at +1.403.289.2177 Ext. 795, or e-mail info@userful.com. Userful Multiplier licenses must be activated by September 1, 2010.


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