Edison

Anyone who wants to save a little money while helping conserve energy and protect the environment will want to check out this free monitoring application.

Verdiem Edison has a simple, easy-to-understand display with tabbed functions. This free program, which requires e-mail registration before use, rides the latest "green" craze, as it touts the capability to save money by scheduling times to hibernate and shut down your computer. While these basic functions already are enabled by default in Windows, Verdiem Edison adds two different time settings; work time and nonwork time. While working, users may not want to power down hard drives or suspend the computer, so users can initially set up their work schedule, then create rules for the two settings. Power-saving functions include the capability to turn off the display, power down hard drives, and suspend the computer. The program also displays estimated money, energy, and CO2 savings based on your custom preferences.

Although its basic functions already exist in Windows, this easy-to-use application can be mastered by any level user who wants to be, and save, a little green.