Why use screensaver?

[NervousNovice2]

How does it save your screen? Or does it? I heard if you keep showing the same desktop with the monitor turns on, then it's bad, so they use screensaver.

Can anyone explain why screensaver is useful?

I use LCD monitor.

 

[imported_BikeDude]

Originally posted by: NervousNovice2
How does it save your screen? Or does it? I heard if you keep showing the same desktop with the monitor turns on, then it's bad, so they use screensaver.

The static image will eventually burn itself into the phosphor coating on the CRT. Locate an old security cam monitor and chances are good you won't even have to power it up to see the ghostly image of whatever it used to surveil.

As for LCDs -- I dunno. I'm sure leaving a LCD on 24x7 isn't a brilliant idea, but I doubt you'll get the ghosting effect that was common on older CRTs.

 

[corkyg]

LCDs have a life - that of the backlight bulb. So, turning the display off when not being used makes sense. A burned in image is not a problem - so, with LCDs, screensavers are more for amusement and art. The best SS for an LCD is off.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: corkyg
LCDs have a life - that of the backlight bulb. So, turning the display off when not being used makes sense. A burned in image is not a problem - so, with LCDs, screensavers are more for amusement and art. The best SS for an LCD is off.

Agreed. Plasma's like CRT's also have a burn in issue, ideally you want to 'excercise' all of the screen at the same rate (if you must have an image). As Corky said, turning off the display is the best ss...

 

[IamElectro]

LCD start to go dim after a while. WE have 90 Dell 1901 in one of our labs and I had to replace one a few months back and it stuck out like a sore thumb among the other LCD's much brighter. We leave all equipment on 24/7.

 

[lxskllr]

I've read some reports of lcds burning in. It's kind of rare, and many times reversible, but not always. My lcd is set to power down at 10 minutes.