[NMLUG] Why so many Linux distros?

[Ed at Heron-ent.com (Ed Heron)]

From: Matthew Bowie
To: New Mexico Linux Users Group Mail List
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 12:18 PM

>As of yet, it wouldn't really be an advantage.  But if cleaner sources of 
>electric power generation (nuclear, solar, hydroelectric, wind etc...) ever 
>get prioritized, then the vehicles would be in place to take advantage of 
>it.

> ...

  Actually, that is one of the major points.  It is my understanding that 
pollution regulations get more restrictive every few years or so, whereas 
cars get more polluting due to wear and tear.

  Distribution of pollution generation is a complicated subject.  Some 
people think it is better to reduce the pollution generated in population 
centers.  LA could certainly benefit from a greater distribution of 
pollution generation.

  As well, the US has one of the largest coal reserves in the world, if not 
the largest.  We could argue national security as a reason to avoid foreign 
energy sources, but I don't want to go there.  Even if we don't use 'clean' 
energy sources.  There are arguments that hydro-electric power plants cause 
damage to the environment through destruction of habitat when an area is 
flooded.  Nuclear power plants create radioactive by-products.  Solar 
electric generation generates pollution when the solar panels are 
manufactured.  Regardless of the method of energy generation, there are 
consequences.  Wind electric generation plants are upsetting people, too, 
through destruction of habitat.

I'm excited about electricity generation through tidal forces. One 
informational website can be found at http://oceanenergycouncil.com.  There 
is a company building generators off the coast of England that is using wave 
energy to generate electricity.  They figure 240 sq miles of generators 
could power all of the UK.

  A friend of mine converted his Chevy S-10 to electricity a few years ago. 
He did it for the fun and challenge of it.  Back when gas was around 
$1.30/ga., he figured he was getting 75 mpg. He figured this by comparing 
the cost of a gallon of gas versus how much electricity he could get for the 
same amount.  Of course, there are other costs associated with converting 
your car to electricity, the largest being battery replacement every 3 to 5 
years, which can be $1000 to $1500.

  Admittably, converting one type of energy (chemical -gas & coal, solar, 
mechanical, gravitational) to another (electricity) then transmitting it, 
storing it and finally converting it to another type (mechanical) is hardly 
efficient.  A small engine converting chemical energy to mechanical energy 
is not very efficient either.  Don't forget that the chemical energy source 
is transported too and loses some of it's efficiency that way as well.

  I didn't really mean to ramble...  There isn't a simple solution to our 
pollution problem.  (Or at least we don't have one)