Two dozen biotechs have announced layoffs in the last two months, while others are closing down nonessential programs in a desperate bid to survive.

FORBES: Biotech Blues

It might be dangerous to pin a company's hopes on a decidedly nonessential product.

FORBES: Consumer Durables

Air Partner suggests, when a country starts to heat up, the quiet removal of nonessential personnel to hotels with good communications at a safe haven just over the border.

FORBES: Flight To Safety

China can limit cyberspace utilization in a crisis by disconnecting nonessential users.

FORBES: Connect

The new plan also would also be in effect for the Christmas travel season, and White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the Federal Aviation Administration was imposing a holiday moratorium on nonessential maintenance projects, allowing all FAA personnel and equipment to be focused on keeping flights on time.

NPR: Bush Announces Plans to Ease Air Travel Delays

Gov. Lincoln Chafee declared a state of emergency, and nonessential state workers were sent home Friday afternoon.

WSJ: A state-by-state look at the Northeast blizzard

The legislature is determined to cut property taxes next year, and a bipartisan legislative commission has recommended it consider a sales tax on (unspecified) "nonessential services" to help pay for the cut.

FORBES: Who says massages aren't essential?

Essentially, the only major change added in by Sprint and Kyocera is Eco Mode, a power management system on the Torque that blocks background data connections for nonessential apps.

ENGADGET