According to iWeb, the host will be providing infrastructure to ensure the event runs smoothly. Shutdown Day, a non-profit organization operating out of Montreal, Quebec, intends for participants to leave their computers shut off for all of this Saturday, May 3.

"The idea behind Shutdown Day," says the event's website, "is to find out how many people can go without a computer for one whole day, and what will happen if we all participate."

The group says it "aims to spread awareness about the pitfalls and dangers that lie in the extended and unnecessary use of, and exposure to computers and computing equipment like game boxes, television, cell phones, music players, online social websites, etc." The group also works with other organizations to promote sustainable development, particularly in the area of social behavior related to the effects of modern technology.

The sort of amusingly paradoxical aspect of iWeb's relationship with Shutdown Day, of course, is that iWeb's job is precisely the opposite: to not shut down its computers, in particular the ones hosting the information website for the event.

But the company seems well aware of the contradiction, and willing to do what it can for the interesting cause, regardless of the puzzling contrast. In its announcement, iWeb even included some tongue-in-cheek quotes.

"The only solution we found so everyone could shut down their computer is to keep our servers up and running," said Cyrille Mertes, CTO of iWeb.