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This is the final post in a four-part series. Part 1 of this series listed the five actions we recommend that you take to reduce the power use of your computer. Part 2 and Part 3 explained in more detail how you could easily complete four cost-saving actions. This post explains the fifth and final action in this campaign — how you can multiply the positive impact you have had on the environment by getting others involved.

Softchoice found that 93% of PCs are still running Windows XP, which did not default to having power management turned on.

In Can Windows 7 make PCs Green? Todd Bishop writes, "With hundreds of millions of PCs draining batteries and tapping into power outlets around the world, even a small tweak in Microsoft Windows can influence global energy consumption."

With numbers like these, it is imperative that we convince as many people as possible to reduce their IT power use.

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Whether you're a regular TechSoup user or haven't heard of us til now, we've got a free webinar coming up that will likely show you something new about how you can get more out of the variety of (free) services we offer to nonprofits and libraries.

Learn How TechSoup Can Help Your Organization

Join TechSoup.org content creators, community leaders, and customer service support on November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Pacific for a tour of how your organization can use all that TechSoup has to offer to improve your technology and help reach your mission. TechSoup, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working toward a time when every nonprofit and social benefit organization will have the technology resources and knowledge they need to operate at their full potential.

We'll walk you through the process of registering and requesting donated and discounted products from more than 35 donor partners like Microsoft and Adobe. We'll also take you on a virtual tour of other resources in TechSoup's tech arsenal including;

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TechRepublic, an IT resource of the publisher ZDNet, has a good summary of the security features of Windows 7 which are especially pertinent to system administrators.

While some features like BitLocker, a drive and volume encryption mechanism, and DirectAccess, a VPN-like remote access implementation, are available in the Enterprise edition only, Windows 7 generally adds more security measures than Vista in a less obtrusive manner. Although operating system security is no substitute for vigilance and user training, it's an important componet and defense against present and emerging threats.

TechSoup is a nonprofit that partners with corporations to distribute software and hardware donations to nonprofits and libraries. You may already know about our donation programs that can save nonprofits and libraries approximately 90% on Microsoft products and Symantec's Norton Antivirus donations but did you know we offer a typing program, discount on Flickr, and more? Attend this free webinar at 11 a.m. Pacific on Wednesday, October 28 and learn about TechSoup for Libraries and how we can help you offer more to your patrons and staff while saving money.

In case you've missed all the hub-bub in the mainstream media, all the tech junkies blogging their reviews of it, and the cutesy commercials touting the greatness of Windows 7, today is the day Microsoft's new operating system officially launched.

If your organization is an eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public library listed in the IMLS database, you may be eligible to request donated Windows 7 Enterprise or or Professional versions through TechSoup or to upgrade at no additional cost from your XP or Vista operating systems if you still have valid software assurance.

Check out the details of Microsoft's donation program and see a variety of reviews, articles, and resources to help you decide whether it's time to upgrade and whether Win 7 is the system you'd want to use. If you've already requested a Microsoft donation through TechSoup this year, you may be able to receive a special extra donation in order to request Windows 7 between now and January 31, 2010.

If you have questions about whether or not it's time for you to upgrade, how to request a donation, or want to share your opinions and thoughts on Windows 7, feel free to join the active discussion in our Software Forum.

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As a follow-up to our earlier post on The Wall Street Journal's recent review of Windows 7, we'd also like to offer the following links to other relevant and interesting articles and reviews. You might be want to check them out if you're weighing whether or not to switch when it becomes available on October 22:

The Wall Street Journal's influential tech blogger Walt Mossberg just posted his latest and most comprehensive review of Windows 7, two weeks before its official release on October 22. A lot of his observations are based in comparison to Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS' Snow Leopard (which is somewhat a moot point because you can't install Snow Leopard on any computer other than an Apple computer).

After testing Windows 7 on 11 computers, "ranging from tiny netbooks to standard laptops to a couple of big desktops," he concludes that Windows 7 ran swiftly and had faster boot-up and shutdown times compared to Vista. He argues that the visual enhancements such as previews, navigation, and taskbar enhancements even beat those of the Mac OS, which traditionally is known for a more user-friendly interface.

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TechSoup Global has been rapidly expanding over the course of the past few years, with new nonprofit partners launched in 32 countries around the world (and many others on the way!)

Our partner in New Zealand participated in a party hosted by Microsoft New Zealand to celebrate their first anniversary of being part of the TechSoup Global Network. Microsoft helped support their launch and product donation program throughout organizations across New Zealand. You can read more about the event here. They created a great video that features some of the charities and social benefit organizations which have benefited from the donation program (and support) so far. Check out the clip from YouTube below the fold.

TechSoup has been a long-time advocate for refurbished PCs. They're low-cost, they work well for most purposes, and there's a brilliant environmental case for electronics reuse. We offer a whole host of them to nonprofits and libraries through the Refurbished Computer Initiative (to which we just added 16 new products!) and have found it to be a really successful offering for our users.

One major area of controversy about reburbished computers is the question on whether or not the used PC market can last given the diminishing prices of new equipment. Kevin Lo wrote about new, lower-cost netbooks a while back on this blog, posing the question of whether they're ready for the spotlight in nonprofits or not. I think the jury is still out, particularly since many can't run enterprise-class programs and networks, but they may be a good solution for smaller nonprofits.

Jim Lynch, regular blogger and our director of computer recycling and reuse decided to see what research is out there on the subject of whether or not the used computer market is going away any time soon, and has come up with some interesting results in his new article, Is the Used Computer Market Going Away?

"The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit." - Moliere

Some of my favorite calls that come in to TechSoup's customer service start with something like "I've read the program information and restrictions about the products on your website but since this is my first time placing a request I'd like to make sure I'm doing everything right!" I know the feeling. There's a lot of information to understand and absorb, and decisions to be made when requesting donated and discounted products through TechSoup.

I have experienced working in a number of unique and cutting-edge environments and with "unique and cutting-edge" there is always a bit of a learning curve and TechSoup is no exception.

Sure, you can go to a retail store and buy whatever you want whenever if you have the money and you can usually return it if the boss says "No. Not THAT one. That OTHER one." But of course you are paying full retail price for these products. At TechSoup, nonprofits and public libraries have an opportunity to request products through specific discount and donation programs — so you should really know what you want as well as the ins and outs of the partner program BEFORE you submit a request.

Today I'd like to highlight the layout of our Partner and Product pages — both of which have a lot of helpful information for nonprofits and libraries who may be requesting donations through TechSoup.