Today when checking my CNN News Widget on my Mac I saw – Hunch’ Web site will make decisions for you -. It seemed interesting enough and figured it was some type of personalized search engine. It seems to be a combination of a search engine mixed with Pandora where it “learns” what you like over time. Personalized search is not new as many companies are working on it. But with this interface it has more of a social media site feel then a traditional search engine.

The site just launched on Monday and was created by one of the co-founders of Flickr. I can see design elements from Flickr here, very clean, lots of negative space, 2.0 style looking javascript etc. The site is very user friendly and follows the trend of less is more and user generated content being the focus.

I think this will be a good place to do some initial research for products or decisions weighing on your mind. Or simply a fun place to surf around if you are bored. From a marketing perspective companies can use this form of crowd sourcing as the ultimate market research to zero in on exactly what their customer base is looking for. It will be interesting to see how this site / company progress in the future and who buys them out.

So go read the CNN Article and then head over to Hunch to check it out.

In the latest issue of Print Magazine it calls on Graphic Designers to do their part to be more environmentally friendly and how as designers we can help get the message out to people. It mentions a website – Design Can Change – in which designers can pledge to do their part. The site has ideas on how designers can help the cause. Go check it out and read up on how you can help.

In the latest issue of Time Magazine – 51 Ways to Save the Environment – several of the ways listed are work and computer related. I figure it was worth mentioning along with some of my own ideas. Most of the ideas are not drastic and easy to implement. Even if you start small and only do a few things it can add up. So please read through the article and spread the word. Thank You.

> Time Magazine Ideas (Click the link for full article)

3. Change Your Lightbulbs
They cost 3-5 times more, but they use 25% electricity and last several years longer so you end up saving money and electricity. I have some in my office and at home.

13. Let Employees Work Close to Home
If you work with computers chances are you can work remotely some of the time. Ask the boss if you can work from home once a week or a few times a month. You would save on time, money and help cut carbon emissions. If you can’t do that try carpooling or taking public transportation.

16. Pay Your Bills Online
Not only is it move convenient and faster but it also helps save on paper and the cost associated with transporting it. Contact your accounts to set up online bill pay and make sure they stop sending paper copies as well.

29. Remove the tie
Most offices are freezing due to having the air conditioning cranked up so high. Ask the boss if you can have casual fridays and turn up the thermostat a few degrees and dress more comfortably.

30. Shut off your computer
If you shut your computer off when it’s not in use it could save up to $70 per year. Also your machine runs faster after its re-started versus being on for days on end.

32. Kill the Lights At Quitting Time
Assign someone in the office the task of making sure all the computers, faxes, machines and lights are turned off each day. Your boss will be impressed with the savings!

> I came up with some of my own ideas relating to this issue.

Sleep Is Good - Adjust the time on your computer to have your monitor shut off and go to sleep. There is no sense of having that big monitor on and drives running if you are out to lunch. Don’t forget to shut it completely off at the end of the day.

Use The Computer – Instead of cluttering up your desk with sticky notes and memos why not type everything into your computer. It’s easier to back up, mange and sort that way and makes your desk look cleaner. Instead of jotting notes or numbers down on paper simply type them into your computer and save the paper.

Recycle, Re-Use, Recycle Again – Buy and use recycled paper. When you are just printing test prints or something not important save that paper in a scrap pile. You can then use it to print again on the back side. This way you are getting the most out of each sheet of paper. When it is finally done recycle it again so the process continues.

Recycling Pays Off - Return empty print cartridges to your local office supply store. Many of them offer incentives such as a free ream of paper or X amount off your next purchase. So it saves you money and helps to keep more plastic out of the land fills.

Read all 51 ways to help save the environment.