Version 4 is here! We’ve brought Searther a bit further into the 21st century once again with this update. Complete with a brand new look and the same awesomeness that you can expect from the previous versions. Though there might not be the exact same features (like hidden secrets…. yet), the information and search feature that you’ve grown to love are both here. Searther is loaded with information about the environment, new technologies and ways in which our readers (this means you) can make a difference in their daily lives.
To ensure that you get the best possible search results, we operate using Google Custom Search – allowing us to use the vast resources of Google, while catering our site to suit the needs of our readers and our planet.
What about Blackle?
Well, the concept of a dark screen saving energy has been expunged by many people already. First of all, it only works when using CRT monitors – remember those big boxes which took up half the desk (if not, check these bad boys out)? Flat screen monitors work much differently and their energy usage is not affected by the colour they emit. However, in our search to bring you interesting articles and facts, the Searther Team learned that LCD monitors contain very toxic chemicals. Second, even when using CRT monitors the amount of energy saved is incredibly minimal.
But, we still want to make a difference – a big difference – and we continue to come up with new ways to do so.
- Part of all revenue created by the site this year, will go to two causes, which our readers chose as the most important to them: Planting Trees to Offset Carbon Emissions & Adopting Acres of Rainforest in Costa Rica.
- This revenue is created in various ways throughout the site – donations through PayPal, ads throughout the site and our affiliate links which are coming shortly. You may also want to sponsor Searther for a month, by purchasing sponsor space on the main page to display your product or company advertisement.
- With every article and tip we provide you, we hope we give you something to consider as well as ideas on how to decrease your environmental footprint.
- Every site and business starts small – and we are proud to say that our base of loyal readers is growing every day. More and more people are spreading the word and sharing the information on our site and our latest update represents this incredible growth.
What if I just want to search?
With the 4th update of Searther, comes a complex content management system that has been implemented for the first time. This time around we’re using WordPress as our content management system (along with some other super cool custom stuff). We’ve also added some great looking graphics that make the site a bit easier on the eyes. Because of these awesome things, Searther might take a bit longer to load when you’re browsing through articles (not by much, but there is a slight difference). Don’t worry though! We’ve still managed to keep the home page very tiny in size so that it loads quite quickly. So if all you want to do is search, no problem, the homepage is designed specifically for that reason. Quick loading times and great information are two very important factors when setting up your browsers home page (wink wink), looking good doesn’t hurt either.
‘Green-washing’
We are not out to sell you on ‘green’ products or issues. We do, however, believe that the planet might be in need of our help (since it is, essentially, us that messed it up) and we would like to do our part to restore it. If you have any issues, questions, ideas or opinions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are your search engine and we are here to listen to you. You can be a part of Searther every day by participating in our polls, rating articles and (all this good stuff is still coming) submitting your comments to let everyone know just what you think! Become a Searther groupie: tell your friends about our site and make small, but consistent changes in your life for the betterment of the planet! Remember, it’s your planet, you decide on what happens next!
We hope you stick around!
The Searther Team
Published on June 11th, 2008 (the day Searther was born), and was last updated on June 16th, 2011.
