Sometimes I'm using my computer where there is no network connection; in those areas, NetworkManager's icon spins ceaselessly, looking for a connection, and sucking my battery via my wireless adaptor (and screen). It shouldn't time out automatically, though, in case I come within range of an access point. It also shouldn't simply stop animating and keep looking, as that would still use power needlessly in case I knew I wouldn't be near an access point (I might be riding in a car or train or space shuttle, inside a bank vault, or at my parents house where they only have dialup). The best idea I've had would be to have a menu item labelled "Disable" or "Disable until I log out" or similar, so that if I plan on using the computer with no network connection, NetworkManager (not just the applet thingy) can bring down all the interfaces it's been monitoring and go to sleep. I should be able to toggle back to re-enable NetworkManager, though, and it should probably be toggled back automatically when I log out.
My feeling is that simply ending the icon animation is enough (just need to remove the visual distraction). Any power being used by the network adaptor is likely to be negligible compared to screen/hard drive/cpu.
Right click on the applet, and unselect "Wireless enabled". Does that work for you zack?
Sure does! Closing as RAWHIDE.