I have been wondering.. is there a point in using a screensaver?
Does it save energy or do people use it because it looks cool?
Thanks
Does it save energy or do people use it because it looks cool?
Thanks
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Point of screensaver?
- Thread starter MacRumoron
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As jamesW says, they were originally created to help preserve the image quality of CRTs. They do still have a use though – security. If you have to leave your computer unattended, just flick the screensaver on, and snooping undesirables can't get on it in unless they know your password.
Personally though, I just use them because they look cool
Personally though, I just use them because they look cool
They are also useful on LCDs. Image "memory" effects sometimes cause shadows to appear on an LCD that has been sitting still for long periods of time. This is not a permanent condition, but it does require turning off the monitor for a few hours to "reset" the crystals.
Older plasma displays are particularly vulnerable to burn-in of the permanent variety. Newer ones have gotten much better, but the risk is not completely gone. And of course there's the security aspect, as mentioned by Jaffa Cake, and the CRT protection already mentioned by JamesW.
Older plasma displays are particularly vulnerable to burn-in of the permanent variety. Newer ones have gotten much better, but the risk is not completely gone. And of course there's the security aspect, as mentioned by Jaffa Cake, and the CRT protection already mentioned by JamesW.
Aside from securty, it can be a good presentation tool.
I just used my PB to run an iPhoto slide show, then present a, and then by using a screen saver slide show (and a quick corner) go back to a simple slide show, all seamlessly with out using a an AV switcher or showing more than a moment of a mouse move. I could have used iTunes for the lead in and lead out music, instead I used my iPod. Some LCD projectors go to sleep (ours looses the keystone settings) if nothing active happens on the screen for a time, so for me the screen saver serves as a good tool.
I just used my PB to run an iPhoto slide show, then present a, and then by using a screen saver slide show (and a quick corner) go back to a simple slide show, all seamlessly with out using a an AV switcher or showing more than a moment of a mouse move. I could have used iTunes for the lead in and lead out music, instead I used my iPod. Some LCD projectors go to sleep (ours looses the keystone settings) if nothing active happens on the screen for a time, so for me the screen saver serves as a good tool.