Seeing the light

Re “The hidden power of ‘sleep’ mode,” Opinion, Oct. 9

When I turn off the house lights at night, I look admiringly at my charging station packed full of iPods, cellphones and Bluetooths. The glowing lights make me feel like a pilot on a cross-country night flight, or a starship commander taking a final glance at the bridge before retiring to his quarters. Knowing that my army of gadgets is breathing in new life or waiting diligently for my next command is heady stuff. What does a 10% drain on nonrenewable resources matter when I can gloat at my little fiefdom of glowing lights that empower me to make my next needless purchase?

Rob Ross

Burbank

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I am frightened by Warren Swil’s alarmist revelations about the power consumed by things around me that appear to be “off” but are merely “sleeping.” I’ve gone around my house unplugging all my electric clocks and other things that use a few watts of power to be ready when I need them. I don’t mind having to reprogram my TV and VCR tuners each time I plug them back in. The real problem is knowing what time it is. Because AT&T; has discontinued the “time lady” service, I have no quick and convenient way to know the exact time. Oh well, I guess no one will mind if I’m a little late. After all, look at all the power I’m saving (fewer than 30 watts, according to my calculations). Maybe I’ll resume use of the digital clock, whose soft green glow also served as a night light. Then I won’t crack my head on the door jam again. I wonder how I’ll set it?

Roy W. Rising

Valley Village