12:00 a.m. - Off to Slumberland

Play a slow screensaver on your widescreen TV. Another way to fall asleep faster is to watch a r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w screensaver. If possible, hook up your Mac to a widescreen display or TV in your bedroom, then go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screensaver, and click Flurry, then Options. Drag the Speed slider to Slow, click OK, and exit System Preferences.

> Screensavers - part of Mac OS X

Use the built-in Mac OS X screensavers set to a slow speed to help you fall asleep.

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1:00 a.m. - All Night Long

Let your Mac contribute to scientific discovery. You could shut 'er down for the night. Or you could let your Mac contribute its unused (by you) computing resources while you sleep. There are a considerable number of distributed computing projects going on all over the world. You've probably heard of SETI@home, for example, which is searching for signs of extraterrestrial life. But even if E.T. leaves you cold, there are a number of other worthwhile projects being forwarded by everyday citizens who "donate” their computing power. Click here for a complete list.

> SETI@home, folding@home - freeware

Distributed computing projects such as folding@home let your Mac contribute to scientific discovery.