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The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-655 => Topic started by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 10:48:08 AM

Title: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 10:48:08 AM
I used a voltage meter to see if I really save any power using the new 1.21 "green" firmware. The amount of power saved, using my calculations (in respect to how much power per kwh im charged, not everyone else) and I save about $2 a year.

D-link is simply using "Green" Marketing just to sell units.

I've e-mailed them and they don't reply when i've requested documentation proving their grossly exaggerated claims. Especially when they are still manufactured in China - the source of world polution and global warming.

In Canada, making exaggerated green claims is illegal. I have already made a complaint to Canada's Competition Bureau.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: davevt31 on March 11, 2009, 11:16:26 AM
Where in the firmware release notes does it state that it is "Green" ?
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 12:17:29 PM
Where in the firmware release notes does it state that it is "Green" ?

http://dlink.ca/corporate/environment/dlink-green-ethernet/

A d-link rep who came to my work told me 1.21 added features that:

1) with short cables, it will reduce power sent out

2) any empty ports won't receive power.

while it does save a little bit of power, its not enough to qualify for the title "green". Green products have to be green through their entire life. this means they have to be built green, have green friendly packaging and also come with scientific evidence to back up their claims (either on the package, or being able to request it). You can't just enable a few power saving features and call your product "green". At least in Canada.

In the United States you can get away with false advertising. Which is why D-link isn't thinking.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: EddieZ on March 11, 2009, 12:29:01 PM
Don't you know that almost 90% of all 'Green' claims are marketing? Just like the '0% fat' slogans.
And if you save $2 in the 'Green' mode, why shouldn't it be called 'Green'? Can't imagine a 15W device to save 50W...And since there are about 100 different criteria on what's 'green'...take your pick. And when you include the manufacturing process, the only thing that qualifies as 'green' would be bull-do .  ;)

But seriously, 'Green' also has to do with the materials (lead ect) that are used on the PCB and avoiding wasted currents etc (like the Dlink rep told you about which is handled by the firmware). No false claims here, just an example on differing criteria for 'Green'' products.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 12:38:25 PM
Don't you know that almost 90% of all 'Green' claims are marketing? Just like the '0% fat' slogans.
And if you save $2 in the 'Green' mode, why shouldn't it be called 'Green'? Can't imagine a 15W device to save 50W...And since there are about 100 different criteria on what's 'green'...take your pick. And when you include the manufacturing process, the only thing that qualifies as 'green' would be bull-do .  ;)

But seriously, 'Green' also has to do with the materials (lead ect) that are used on the PCB and avoiding wasted currents etc (like the Dlink rep told you about which is handled by the firmware). No false claims here, just an example on differing criteria for 'Green'' products.


In Canada that is illegal and falls under the competition act.

http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=c4c31eba-90b8-4c11-a28b-dd06c4e34466 (http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=c4c31eba-90b8-4c11-a28b-dd06c4e34466)
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Reinvented on March 11, 2009, 12:53:03 PM
LOL...I think someone just wants a free router. 
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 01:03:05 PM
LOL...I think someone just wants a free router. 

I already got my free router from a D-Link rep at my store. I replaced it after it tried selling security software (SecureSpot with 1.21 Firmware).
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: davevt31 on March 11, 2009, 01:06:04 PM
There's nothing there about the firmware stating that its "green".  They are saying that A3 and A4 models have "green" features.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 01:23:22 PM
There's nothing there about the firmware stating that its "green".  They are saying that A3 and A4 models have "green" features.

I have an A3 hardware model. The feature didn't come with it out of the box. If you have A3 or higher the firmware enables such features.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: EddieZ on March 11, 2009, 02:23:21 PM
In Canada that is illegal and falls under the competition act.

http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=c4c31eba-90b8-4c11-a28b-dd06c4e34466 (http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=c4c31eba-90b8-4c11-a28b-dd06c4e34466)

I don't know Canadian law, but a claim can only be false when it the claim is either not thrue and/or the term "green" is defined in legislation and the term used does not comply. And I guess the fact that Dlink is not a Canada based firm also helps.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Ender2070 on March 11, 2009, 02:31:21 PM
I don't know Canadian law, but a claim can only be false when it the claim is either not thrue and/or the term "green" is defined in legislation and the term used does not comply. And I guess the fact that Dlink is not a Canada based firm also helps.

You do business in Canada, you have to follow it's laws. The Canadian government received numerous complaints about companys selling green products that are misleading. It decided to take action and enforce it under the Competition Act.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Fatman on March 11, 2009, 03:16:09 PM
Now I don't want to be answering to any lawyers or courts for saying this to I am going to preface this.

Everything I say in every post are my own thoughts and do not represent my employer in any way.

If you consider this situation so egregious then please continue to pursue your complaint to the Canadian Competition Bureau, all that posting here can serve to do is start a useless debate.  The people you need to reach do not read this forum.  If this is a legal mater, pursue it through normal legal means.

That said posing a news article about how the CCB is cracking down on green claims, especially one that makes it clear that despite the compliant the marketing needs to be more specific the agency hasn't been is only going to serve to muddle your case.

Also like any green claim I might add that savings are based on product usage, One test in one environment is hardly conclusive.  in fact I know that the US Product site has links to a site providing more information on D-Link's green programs.  A site that is very much like the site your article was praising Ikea for.

http://www.dlinkgreen.com

I might also add that your comments about China are (unlike D-Link's claims) distinctly untrue and distinctly amoral.  To claim any country is

the source of world polution and global warming.
is in bad taste at the very least.  I think this statement would be considered libellous in court.  Good news though, I doubt China will pursue the issue.  I think a much better argument could be better made against the US than China.  We had more time to industrialise and had no modern (comparatively green) technologies to ease the burden.  Not that there are not environmental concerns involving China, just that the scope of your statement was broad enough I couldn't avoid feeding this troll.  I think your issue comes less from an issue of Canadian law and more from personal prejudice.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: lotacus on March 11, 2009, 04:31:20 PM
banish the troll and lock the thread. this is supposed to be a support forum no?
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: Fatman on March 11, 2009, 04:37:54 PM
banish the troll and lock the thread. this is supposed to be a support forum no?

I don't have that ability, this is Lycan's bailiwick.

However since they still allow me to post I figured I would have some fun before Lycan caught on and took care of that.
Title: Re: 1.21 Firmware Falsely Claims Green Savings
Post by: arod on March 11, 2009, 04:41:37 PM
Locking Thread.

 I support Ru_Fi-Oh's decesion to lock this thread. This is a support forum and here to help people with their technical issues.

If you have a legal issue with one of our products, please address the normal channels within your area. Posting another thread like this will not be tolerated.
 -Lycan.