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Consumers who are looking for the best deal on their cable TV service and want to feel they are making a greener choice in the process will be pleased to learn that a voluntary agreement has been put in place to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 5 million metric tons per year.

The deal, which involves the cable and consumer electronics industries, as well as the Department of Energy and energy efficiency groups, creates voluntary energy efficiency standards for set-top boxes.

The agreement includes set-top boxes from cable, satellite, and telephone companies. It runs until 2017, and requires the industry to make model-specific set-top box energy use information available to the public.

An annual independent audit must be conducted to make sure the boxes are working at the levels that are outlined in the agreement. The Energy Department will have the authority to test the set-top boxes under the Energy Star verification program.

New set-top box standards will save electricity

The new standards will boost the energy efficiency of set-top boxes by between 10 and 45 percent by 2017. According to the Energy Department, the set-top box efficiency standards will save enough electricity over the course of a year to power 700,000 homes.

This work outs to more than $1 billion in savings per year, and could grow with the increase in popularity of whole-home devices and higher demand for DVRs and HD set-tops over time.

Managing energy consumption is a priority for consumers

Americans are not likely to give up their cable TV or their electronic gadgets anytime soon, which means that managing their consumption will become more of a priority in the months and years to come. The cable industry has an interest in providing a positive experience for consumers so they will continue to subscribe to its services.

With more households having to keep a close eye on their budget, the news that they can will be able to see real savings while continuing to keep their cable service will no doubt be very welcome.

The energy-saving set-top boxes will appeal to consumers who are inspired more by the idea of keeping costs down than saving the environment. For subscribers who want to make a greener choice about their entertainment, the energy-saving boxes should appeal to them as well.

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It’s a new year, and with it comes New Year’s Resolutions to be healthy and fit. While that might seem a tad cliche, this year you can achieve your goals with a little help from technology.

But there are so many fitness tools available online these days that it can be hard to separate the good from the bad. Don’t worry, though. Tere are plenty of great choices available if you know where to look. Here are four of the best health-related programs and apps:

1. Fitbit

This little device has big benefits. Wear it on your hip and it helps track all sorts of bio-metrics: how many steps you take each day, the calories you’ve burned, and your weight. It also tracks your sleep — perfect for people with a variety of sleep-related ailments.

One of the main reasons the Fitbit is so popular is because the website lets users connect with each other. You can compare your progress to your friends and family, or even just other Fitbit users. It’s a great way to find motivation and support.

2. Map My Run

Just as the name implies, this program keeps track of your jogging routes around town. There are more than 70 million routes to choose from or you can create your own.

It’s easy to track your progress on your computer or the associated app. You can also compare your progress with other users. You can even organize runs in your community. If being fleet of foot is your preferred method of staying fit, this is the tool for you.

3. Zombies, Run!

Some people need motivation when running, and what’s more motivating than being chased by zombies? Zombies, Run! is an app for both Android and iDevices that incorporates jogging in real life with a game where you’re running around fighting for survival in the zombie apocalypse.

The game part features a story, resource management and the ability to create your own soundtrack. The fitness part includes a log, statistics and the ability to share your progress on social media. If you like zombies, or are just looking for a fun way to spice up your workout routine, Zombies, Run! will get your moving.

4. My Fitness Pal

One of the most popular weight-loss programs around, My Fitness Pal helps you shed pounds the healthy way. It’s a giant nutritional database and calorie counter. You can easily track what you eat, as well as learn how to make healthy, nutritional choices each day. Best of all, it’s free.

The site provides no gimmicks or dieting fads. It simply helps you eliminate the junk from your diet. But it’s not all negative — the site also helps you add healthy food, including nutritional supplements such as whey protein. You’ll develop healthful habits in no time.

A good diet. Plenty of exercise. How to be fit isn’t exactly a secret, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, either. Fortunately, these apps and programs are here to help you get informed, stay motivated and achieve real results. So this new year, don’t just make a resolution. Make a commitment to use technology to make a real change.

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• Tips for Turning Your Phone Into a Savvy Weight-Loss Tool
• FitBit update brings better tracking of activity and calories
• Comparison: health & fitness apps for your smartphone

Next week, I am giving a presentation to a combined meeting comprised of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters and the local chapter of the American Association of University Women.

The topic for the presentation is technology’s role in the future of education. This is very exciting because, as a college instructor and a parent who homeschools, I am passionate about this topic.

I will be posting my notes under the lecture notes tab at the top of the page.