Computers use a lot of power. You can make your own computer as energy efficient as possible using these simple software tools. Windows XP and Vista (as well as Mac OSX and open source alternatives not covered here) include power management software. The programs we look at here go much further and allow you to fine-tune your computer's power management strategy. You'll save money on your energy bills and, more importantly, you'll be working toward minimizing your computer's impact on Mother Earth.

We're all trying to do our part to minimize our collective footprint on the Earth. These green-friendly web sites help in tracking your carbon footprint, energy usage and overall impact on the earth. Whether you're an individual trying to figure out how much energy you're using or you represent a multi-national company, here are some simple tips that can help us all to chip in.

These green extensions help you to do your part in saving energy and resources while surfing the web with Firefox. Add any or all of these Firefox extensions to track your energy use, invert black text on white pages as displaying black requires less energy on CRT monitors and even save paper when printing web pages.

In honor of Earth Week, Stacy Reed continues the Green Computing series with a look at some of her favorite green-themed blogs. These blogs offer everything from insight into minimizing our respective environmental impact to delicious organic recipes and everything in between.

You may not be quite ready to install solar panels and wind turbine power generators on your roof, but at least you can get your personal devices and pocket-sized gadgets off the grid. In this last episode in our Earth Week 2009 series, Stacy Reed looks at solar chargers, energy usage monitors and more.