Earth Hour 2011 is nearly upon us and it’s time to decide if you are going to participate. It’s pretty easy to shut off the lights and power down your electronics for a single hour. Geeks have never done anything halfway, though, and this should be no exception. There are several other ways you can show your support for this fantastic event, as well as many ways you can make some serious life changes.

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has lent his voice to Earth Hour’s global ‘lights out’ action calling on citizens of the world to use the moment to make a commitment to one ongoing environmental act: “Switch off your lights and switch on to the meaning of Earth Hour. Join this global call by the people, for the planet.”

How can you take part other than turning off the lights in your home? Why not consider turning the lights off on Twitter? By signing in with your account and choosing your time zone, you’ll be ready to join what could potentially become millions of others in showing solidarity across the popular micro-blogging platform. Once signed in, the application will automatically send out a Tweet to show your support. Then, when Earth Hour hits in your time zone, your avatar will change to a darkened one automagically.

Please note: your avatar will NOT change back! You can either manually change it yourself or click here to put the old one back in its place.

How can you go beyond the hour in your own life? There’s more to it than simply shutting off lights, folks. You can find many ideas on Beyond the Hour, including:

• Cutting down the use of plastics.
• Rollerblading, biking or walking to work instead of driving.
• Switching bulbs to more energy-efficient ones.
• Recycle products whenever possible.

… and the list continues. You can even add your own pledge and suggestions to help others.

You may not think that it’s such a “big deal” to work on saving this Earth, but I’m pretty sure your kids and grandkids will thank you for it.

Earth Hour 2011 Geek Style

I think I am in the wrong line of business. I knew already that Facebook’s Farmville was a huge hit. Every time I log into the site, I see people harvesting their crops and begging me to fertilize them. I’ve also seen people cooking up delicious things in their restaurants on Cafe World. I’ve heard (and read) that you can use real money to advance yourself in these games. I had no idea, though, just how huge of a market this is until now.

The people behind World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, struck gold this week – literally. In the past, they have occasionally offered limited-edition virtual pets for sale in their online store. Pay Blizz some real money, and you can have yourself a seriously cool pet on the toon of your choosing. This week, the geniuses introduced a new Celestial Steed, which allows you to “travel in style astride wings of pure elemental stardust.” I’ll admit that the steed is pretty cool looking. But I can’t see paying twenty-five real dollars for it if I was already paying fifteen every month just for the privilege of playing the game.

Apparently, one heck of a lot of people disagree with me, though. Blizz is reporting that in the first four hours that the mount was available they made an astonishing two MILLION dollars just off of that pet alone. That is over eight-thousand smackers per minute.

The mount doesn’t give a player any advantages in the game over other subscribers. It simply looks cool. Who knew that you could make a fortune in moments through a virtual game? I need to put my brain to work to come up with one of my own.

Photo courtesy of MMO Champion and Blizzard Entertainment.

• Have you thought about living your life with LeapFish?
• Is the General Electric CEO a traitor?
• Zeus is more powerful than ever.
• Will the new HP Slate rival the iPad?
• Can you even pronounce the name of the volcano that erupted in Iceland?
• Today’s disastrous McAfee update has left some XP users fuming.
• Scammers have baited more than 40,000 Facebook users by tempting them with an IKEA gift card.
• What did you do to celebrate Earth Day?
• Have you been having a positive Windows 7 experience?
• We have not forgotten Windows 7 users!
• Mozilla is showing off their upcoming themes. Sadly, they all look familiar.
• Are you in need of a Windows 7 guide full of tips and tweaks?
• What ad-blocking software do you use for Safari?
• What is the next threat to national security?
• Have you ever been a part of a “fanboy” discussion gone wrong?
• Is our money getting a makeover?

You don’t have to play WoW or even join Facebook in order to see what’s new in our software center.

Blizzard Cashes in on Virtual Game Spending

There’s this thing called “Earth Hour,” and it’s happening today at 8:30pm – you can “Vote Earth” by switching off your lights for one hour. That would be… Earth Hour. So, I asked my Twitter followers:

chrispirillo: Are you participating in “Earth Hour” – and if so, how?

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:14:54 +0000 2009

jerzegurl: not participating. It's foolishness. I save on energy year round.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:15:59 +0000 2009

HelpMeRick: Nope…weekend time requires way too much work on my computers since I spend the week working on everyone elses.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:10 +0000 2009

MarkArchibald: I'm participating with a few people then getting some beers dt after

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:32 +0000 2009

majestikbtrfly: I am spending Earth Hour meditating for the first time ever.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:36 +0000 2009

imrui: For one hour, we will not use electricity in our house. I was hoping all people in our neighborhood will do the same.. :]

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:46 +0000 2009

Raaawry: im recycling condoms

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:47 +0000 2009

christophertran: by turning off everything. :P

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:56 +0000 2009

JeffreyTheGee: i will be shutting off my lights in my room

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:11 +0000 2009

sizzler_chetan: My Apartment main switch would be shut off by me for Earth Hour. It consumes a lot of energy! So would help the world.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:16 +0000 2009

PG485: yes. Shutting off most/all electonics.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:23 +0000 2009

rockstarima: Yep! Going to Busch Staduim in STL with my six year old and a few friends. Might even turn off the iPhone!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:23 +0000 2009

Kennethturner: yes im unplugging my server my modem, router, and any other computer in my house

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:39 +0000 2009

chrisjacobson: shutting off the computer for 1 hr… don't think I'll survive

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:44 +0000 2009

Mr_Fastbucks: By turning on every light and appliance on using a dozen or two “clappers”

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:49 +0000 2009

vlang: WHEN IS EARTH HOUR

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:50 +0000 2009

brandon_wirtz: yes, by pointing out that it is a feel good waste of time, and that it is just a way for peopel to feel eco-morally superior

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:18:14 +0000 2009

Zuse: Earth will need a tad more than an hour to make a come back.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:18:32 +0000 2009

barrysaunders: yep. editing earth hour footage for 24 hours as it comes in to the Australian office.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:14 +0000 2009

XaveGregz: Well, yeah. We're doing it by default, turning the lights off for one hour.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:18 +0000 2009

jerzegurl: We lived for 9 days w/o electricity in Dec.that covers my part for the rest of my life. :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:21 +0000 2009

cbrowne25: Yes, I'll turn off all the lights in my private jet when I'm fly to florida for the day.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:48 +0000 2009

phuzion: Yes, I'm releasing 2.5 metric tons of CFCs at once and consuming 3.6 gigawatts of electricity.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:02 +0000 2009

Mendelson9: turning off power and going to read by the fire. You should turn off the live feed for an hour to support the earth. :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:08 +0000 2009

b0ssman01: playing a boardgame with the family under candle lights.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:27 +0000 2009

djdez92: I'm participating by turning on all my lights and appliances and taking an hour long hot shower. =)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:56 +0000 2009

stephenfung: Charging all the UPS' and batteries so that I can be off the grid for an hour :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:21:10 +0000 2009

dbhaffey: by turning ON every light, computer & electronic device. if it has a plug, it's going on… LOL ;) Well maybe in my head!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:21:28 +0000 2009

webdrifter: lights are off with 2 exceptions; porch light on motion detector and the phantom loads. Better solution paint the roof white.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:22:23 +0000 2009

SemperAlwayz: Yes I am n2 @earthhourUS starts here n 8 hrs. We will be celebrating the end of a life here on earth by candle light & music

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:22:31 +0000 2009

eIIe: will be participating in Earth Hour by learning a new cold-food recipe, then turning everything off and cooking by candlelight

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:04 +0000 2009

slava_g: By keeping the lights on :P

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:04 +0000 2009

Kittyburgers: Forget turning off the lights! http://awurl.com/QI3n66gWf

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:06 +0000 2009

8s: re how participating in “Earth Hour”: Unplugging in my apt., evening @ friends' who will unplug, @ a deck in Kirkland, WA!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:40 +0000 2009

jesusvaldez: I'm unplugging the entire house…

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:06 +0000 2009

arthurdent3: I am turning all my lights on because the whole thing is a joke. I'll laugh if I am the only one in my area w/lights on

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:16 +0000 2009

nealcampbell: I'm participating in Earth Hour by turning on ALL my lights. I'm NOT participating in idiocracy by turning lights off!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:48 +0000 2009

tkells: turning off lights and talking to my kids in the dark.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:53 +0000 2009

courtenaybird: shutting off my lights when they tell me to. pretty easy.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:31:47 +0000 2009

itsnex: I sure am :D

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:33:11 +0000 2009

liocalset: Hi Chris, I'm planning to turn off all electronics, light some candles and play cards with relatives. What are U doing?

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:34:29 +0000 2009

ScottyF311: I'll stay on Earth at LEAST for that hour before returning to my home planet.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:36:11 +0000 2009

blog4yourlife: going to prepare a picnic dinner ahead of time and dine by candle light after turning off my main breaker.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:41:20 +0000 2009

dejoe_dide3d: Ya.. i m participating.. Growing new plants and i am turning off my Electricity for the EARTH HOUR :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:41:33 +0000 2009

ouasii: By telling others, writing to governments, putting up posters, and turning off everything that uses electricity for one hour.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:42:04 +0000 2009

geekshacker: yes, I am go to be part of it. http://twitpic.com/2irhi

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:44:26 +0000 2009

BlackWolf_: I bought a 150watt floodlight for every socket in the house. And plan to leave them all on for an hour.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:44:32 +0000 2009

albertwu: #earthhour is about energy conservation…. probably should turn off my computers.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:44:56 +0000 2009

AmritGrewal: I switched to Dark theme in my Tweetie iPhone app

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 05:59:15 +0000 2009

morgan_johnson: I am! My dorm is encouraging everyone to turn their lights off and go roast s'mores outside instead of hanging around inside.

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:02:18 +0000 2009

nthmost: Earth? A whole hour? Are you nuts? Can't tell you how many times my car's been broken into in that neighborhood.

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:02:21 +0000 2009

kpslover007: When Earth hour comes, I will shut all my lights off like I did last time and also turn off any unwanted appliances!

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:12:14 +0000 2009

UncleJohn97420: Heck no, using less energy isnt the answer, its the dang energy companies that need to use cleaner methods of producing it.

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:26:47 +0000 2009

edwin_rodriguez: all the lights are gonna go out..

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:35:02 +0000 2009

lonnie247: Sitting in the dark.

about 45 minutes ago

Sat Mar 28 06:59:57 +0000 2009

How to Think Green

More Earth Day Green Tips from Ideal Bite. This one is for all of you living somewhere where Spring has really begun. Here in Seattle we finally got some Spring weather last weekend (70 degrees and sunny), but now they’re calling for snow this weekend!

Looking to save an extra buck at the gas pump? Be cool AND smart.

If you feel a little warm in your car this spring, roll your windows down while driving around town, but kick on the AC if you are going more than 45 mph. We all know that air conditioners drag down our vehicle’s fuel efficiency. But once over 45 mph, your car windows provide wind resistance and actually decrease your engine’s efficiencies at higher speeds.

The Benefits

• Save money. Being smart about your cooling system can save 10-20% on fuel consumption, and with today’s gas prices, who isn’t looking for a break?
• For extra savings, use the recirculation feature in your ventilation system when the AC is on – it cools the already cool air in your car down, lowering the temps faster.
• Reduce nasty emissions that are harming the environment and decreasing our air quality.
• Keep your hairdo. We used to arrive at places looking like we were trying to recreate the 80s (before it was a retro move). Feel free to roll them up now when going faster, and keep your ‘do.

Personally Speaking

Like most of you, we’re both kind of missing the days when we worried about fuel prices in the $2 range.

Wanna Try?

Well, just roll down your windows around town. Some additional tips for saving fuel as prices keep climbing:

• Keep all 4 windows down to reduce wind drag. With the back windows open, air can escape from the car easily.
• Use cruise control whenever possible to keep the car at a steady speed and avoid haphazard starts and stops.
• Remove extra weight from your trunk – which sort of wrecks our tendency to use the car to store stuff we are planning to take to Goodwill.
• For more tips on increasing your gas mileage, visit Green Car Club.

Ideal Bite offers light green living tips for real people who lead busy lives and want to make small changes that add up to big results. (In other words it’s for all of us who don’t have the time or the energy to reduce their carbon footprint to zero.) Their Daily Tips cover everything from energy saving gadgets to eco-pet products to saving money at the gas pump. In addition to their general Daily Tips newsletter, they also offer newsletters for eco-living in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

Earth Day Green Tips – Saving Money at the Gas Pump

Earth Day is only eight days away, so we contacted our friends at Ideal Bite to see if they had some tips to share. For those of you who aren’t familiar with them, Ideal Bite offers light green living tips for real people who lead busy lives and want to make small changes that add up to big results. (In other words it’s for all of us who don’t have the time or the energy to reduce their carbon footprint to zero.) Their Daily Tips cover everything from energy saving gadgets to eco-pet products to saving money at the gas pump. In addition to their general Daily Tips newsletter, they also offer newsletters for eco-living in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

Here’s one of my favorite Ideal Bite tips from a couple of months ago – Energy Saving Gadgets. The Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player sounds especially sweet. Anyone out there have one yet?

What’s underneath your trench coat?

Besides your birthday suit. Answer: gizmos that put Inspector Gadget to shame. Here are our energy-saving, waste-reducing green gadget picks. Now go-go gadget eco-tip!

The Benefits

• Getting a clue about sustainability. Geeks (including girl geeks) love being on the cutting edge – and green technology that combines recycled and sustainable materials with usefulness is the newest wave of gadgetry.
• Wowsers! These contraptions won over the gizmo-nerds on the Bite team.

Personally Speaking

Brett, who bikes to work on his tricked-out Surly Karate Monkey (even through the MT snow), mounted a HYmini on his bike and uses it to charge his cell phone.