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Do the power management settings in Windows XP waste energy? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency thinks so, although many readers disagree. Do you have power management enabled on your computer? Let us know.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer recently called Windows Vista a "work in progress." Should Vista have been released if it really is a work in progress? Tell us what you think about this and other subjects that Ballmer addressed.

Which updated Web browser is your favorite? Advocates for Opera, Firefox, IE, Seamonkey and more gathered to state the case for their favorite browser. Join the discussion.

Our most recommended stories this week cover EarthLink, PayPal and... William Shatner? To vote for your own favorites, click one of the thumbs-up icons on an article's page.

We end with product reviews from users like you. Have you gotten any new high-tech goodies recently? Let us and your fellow PC World readers know what you think of them. Go to PCW Shop & Compare to search for your gear and add a review.

Note: To use our interactive features, such as adding comments to discussions, voting in the weekly poll, and contributing your own product reviews, you must be signed in to the PC World Web site. (Not registered? You can sign up online.) However, you can view the discussion threads and poll results without being signed in.

Is Windows XP Environmentally Incorrect?

Number 3124 says: I am so sick of hearing about this "Environmentally Correct" bull c*#@! They just gave me another reason to stick with XP. The EPA has relentlessly pushed its pseudo-science and now everyone believes it like it's real science.

Piyushsingh says: Ha ha, another reason why Vista is better than XP.

Evildave says: It's Microsoft's buggy implementation of power management that's to blame. If you have to support 1000 computers, and Microsoft's crappy OS keeps them from shutting down reliably, or starting back up again if power management is enabled, just what do you expect the IT team to do? Walk around and shut 1000 computers off by hand every evening before they leave work?

RNR19952 says: 50 cars vs 1000 PCs? How about the EPA build some freaking roads, maybe some clean-burning buses, and we will eliminate pollution that way.

Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

Ballmer: Vista Is 'a Work in Progress'

pcdos says: I would have liked to hear issues like security, a lean and fast OS (max of two: home and business), no Registry, and a move toward consumer rights addressed instead of the focus on the needs of Big Business, DRM, and spyware. Go back to sleep Ballmer.

Binary says: This is an OS that seriously needs to be rethought. Like Steve Ballmer said, Vista is already bigger than XP, and we need to make sure it doesn't get any bigger. But yet, Microsoft is trying to come to a compromise with their own programs. Many users who have tried both Vista and XP would opt for XP. As mentioned earlier, Microsoft and Steve Ballmer both stated that there is still room for improvement on Vista, but if they are aiming to keep it no larger than it already is, there is no room for improvement.

TheBigOldDog says: Instead of focusing all of their efforts on taking care of the "golden Goose" that is their OS business, Microsoft spent its time trying to be something else: Google. Instead of making sure Vista exceeded customer expectations they launched a hostile takeover of Yahoo. Instead of listening to their beta testers and their own insiders who we know warned about Vista's massive shortcoming they decided instead to simply use their monopoly to shove it down people's throats while they focused on selling advertising.

Candyceweber says: Shame on Ballmer and the rest of them for even considering putting this garbage on the market. I don't tolerate "fast and sloppy" in the classroom and I shouldn't have to tolerate it from them. Here's a novel idea--put a finished product on the market, one that even they can be proud of. Foreign concept!

Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

Updated Web Browsers: Which One Works Best?

pcworldbtg says: I prefer Seamonkey for three reasons: integrated browser, e-mail, and editor.

Darkmonk says: Firefox is superior. It can do anything with add-ons. I hate it when you talk about features; with add-ons, Firefox can Have them all, and a million better ones too. I think you need to get used to the bookmarks icon in Firefox; I love it, now. Under the hood, Firefox is better, as well.

Seanbickford says: I'm also glad that Opera was mentioned, but disappointed that it wasn't included in the comparison. Really, truly, in my opinion, there is no reason to use anything else besides Opera. It's not perfect, but it's the best option. It must be disheartening to Opera developers to see Firefox steal all their ideas and get credit for them.

Slider9499 says: As a user that simply needs a browser to surf the Net, listen to some tunes, and watch and download an occasional video, is there any real reason that I would need to switch from IE? Going on the premise that if it ain't broke don't fix it, I really do not have any problems with IE.

Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

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