One feature you many not know about Windows is you can easily change how the power button operates. By default it, obviously, turns off the computer but this can be changed so that it puts the computer into standby, hibernate or does nothing.

To make this change:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Select the Power Options.
3. In Vista, click the “Change How the Power Button Operates” option on the left. In 2000/XP go to the Advanced tab.
4. Select the appropriate mode.
5. Apply your changes.

I’ve set my computers to hibernate whenever I press the button as it turns the machine off yet saves the system state before doing so. This way I can pick right back up where I left off.