Aero burns too much power

Microsoft ballyhooed Vista’s Aero as a premium desktop experience. And I guess a legitimate ballyhoo if eye candy can be considered a premium desktop experience.

Unfortunately however, for many laptop users the problem with Aero has been the extraordinary demand it places on their system’s resources. Unbridled Aero can reduce a laptop’s battery life by 50%.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you may be aware you can regulate Vista’s power saving options by clicking on the Power icon in the Toolbar Notification Area. But I suggest to insure you do not
forget to adjust your power settings you consider the following.

Open your Control Panel, right click on the Power Options icon and click Create Shortcut. When you return to your Desktop place the Power Options shortcut in a prominent location. A visual reminder to adjust your power settings.

The Power Saver setting may result in a slower performance, but at least you’ll be assured the movie you’re watching will not end prematurely.

My recommended software program this week is Post-it Digital Notes brought to you by the folks at 3M.

Of all the digital sticky note programs available, in my opinion Post-it Digital Notes is second to none.

Post-it Digital Notes has all the features you might expect from a sticky note program. You can
make and organize lists, plan projects, sort your notes by category, personalize messages with photos and set alarms to remind you of appointments or key dates on both memoboards and on your Desktop.

But the three features I believe you’ll find most unique are:
1. You can format a Post-it note as you would format a word processing document to include font types, size, color and appearance (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough) as well as adjust the size of the note, add a photo and move a note between your Desktop and a memoboard.
2. If you have information on a note you want available to refer to while working on another document, the note can be set to "always be on top" of whatever document you’re working on.
3. My favorite. The ability to click a Post-it icon on Internet Explore’s menu bar and have a note appear with the hyperlink to the Web site you’re viewing. Available to copy and paste information from the Web site and/or add your own notes about the site.

Google Post-it digital notes. There’s a 30 trial version. Or purchase it for $19.95.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.