As I write this, it’s Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the web unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind. This year it is the environment. How does Vista relate to the environment? It uses resources, and by reducing the resources it uses, you can help reduce it’s effect on the environment. So here’s a tip on how to reduce Vista’s thirst for power.

1. Click on the Start menu and in the Search box type Power. You should see Power Options appear as an available Program, click it or press Enter if it is already selected.
   
2. In the Power Options window, click the Power Saver plan.
   
3. That’s it! By choosing the Power Saver plan, you’ve set your monitor to turn off after 20 minutes of no use, and to put the computer to sleep after 1 hour of no use.
4. If you’d like to go further and save even more power, in the Power Options window, click on Change Plan Settings and you can set more aggressive times for those two components.
   
5. Want to go still further? While in the Plan Settings window, click on Change advanced power settings and you have control over many other power related settings as well.
   

Remember, every little bit helps. Want to make a bigger difference? Pass this on to a friend!