They break down proteins to generate energy, and do not produce much heat. They also produce some very smelly byproducts that can make a compost pile stink like rotten eggs or sour milk. These smells often attract scavengers. Compost that contains meat can attract mice, skunks, buzzards, and even bears.
The power conditioner provides protection against surges in power just as a surge protector does, but a power conditioner also maintains a continuous voltage fed to the computer during temporary voltage reductions, such as a brownout.
A water conditioner is a general term for a piece of equipment that changes the water in your home in some way. A water conditioner might filter, remove chlorine or improve taste of the water. A water softener is a specific type of water conditioner that reduces water hardness one grain per gallon or less.