Do We Still Need Screensavers In This Day and Age?

[livius drusus]

I've seen plenty of ancient CRT monitors lying around with old desktops burned onto the screen (mainly server/mainframe heads in their second decade of loyal service). People used to point to them as an extreme example of what can happen if you neglect to save your screen, but I'm wondering if in this day and age of LCD monitors screensavers are still something we need to prevent image burns.

In fact, I'm wondering if even CRT monitors are likely to be scarred now. Between the many and varied programs which run and better monitor technology, is this really still a problem we need screensavers to solve?

[LadyShea]

Every monitor I have simply turns off at some point, so no, I don't think screensavers are really important anymore.

[Dingfod]

I don't think LCD monitors can get "burned in" like the old CRTs. I've got the power saver settings set instead of a screensaver, the monitor just goes on standby. As soon as I move the mouse, it comes up in the blink of any eye. Gotta love those LCDs.

[Crumb]

We may not need them, but who can live without them? (Warn doesn't count. I mean, can you really call that living? ;))

[Dingfod]

(Warn doesn't count. I mean, can you really call that living? ;))Good point.

[Crumb]

Damnit Warn, that's not fair. You are supposed to fight back!

:gore:

[Dingfod]

STFU!

[Crumb]

That's a little better, Wario.

[livius drusus]

I don't actually let my laptop LCD turn off. Finally having gotten around to changing the monitor shutdown setting on my new laptop was actually what prompted this thread. I don't like suspend functions of any kind on account of my very low tolerance for delayed gratification, so I turn them off asap, including the monitor sleep mode.

Even so, I'm not still not scared.

[viscousmemories]

I don't think screensavers are necessary with an LCD monitor, but I have a password set on mine (old habit that comes from living with sketchy people) so I use one.

[Ymir's blood]

I've no idea if they are still useful, but know they were on the old CRTs. There was a security monitor in a lab I used to work at that showed the view from four cameras. The camera numbers and dividing lines were visible even when the set was turned off.

My screen saver is one I've had since not long after getting online. It appears to be the Windows 'Flying through space' saver but the stars are actually grim reapers.

:die: <-since I just saw Rolands' use of it.

[ceptimus]

I think even the newer CRT monitors don't really need screen savers. There might be a slight amount of burn after many years of displaying a static image, but it's nowhere near as bad as with monitors of 20 years back.

Worse, is the fact that many so called "screen savers" have large areas of static image. They are just as likely to burn a pattern on the screen as leaving the default display in place.

Face it, screen savers ought to be renamed:

Entertainment episodes.
Boredom breakers.
Pointless programs.

Feel free to alliterate away.

[John Carter]

Radar screens also suffer from burn in. They all eventually have a "hole" in the center from the sweep.

For the typical home user, I don't think screensavers were ever all that necessary.

[livius drusus]

Thank you, cep and John. I suspected it was all a big look at the swirly thing scam. In fact, subliminal screensaver messages are probably how Windows managed to become a monopoly. :noid:

[Legs]

Well my screensaver is from SETI and is scanning for intelligent life in the universe... a valuable service :yup:

[livius drusus]

That sounds really cool, Legs. Linky?

[Crumb]

SETI@home (http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/)

[livius drusus]

Downloading even as we speak. :thankee:

[Crumb]

:cheerful:

[Legs]

Thanks Crumb, nice to know you got my back :)

[Crumb]

Your welcome legs. :heybabeh:

[Dingfod]

Yes, your legs are welcome, Legs.[/pedant]

[Crumb]

I liked you better with the HHGTTG av, worn.

[Godless Dave]

I think even the newer CRT monitors don't really need screen savers.

Yep, they've been saying that for at least the last 6 or 8 years. Not exactly a secret.

[livius drusus]

Okay so I'm an idiot. Either that I've never once seen any "they" say that. I guess I haven't been reading the right marketing material.

[Godless Dave]

You're not an idiot, just not reading the tech news.

[livius drusus]

Oh well, yeah, that's a fair cop. Unless it catches my eye on Google News, I probably haven't read it.

[JoeP]

I don't actually let my laptop LCD turn off. Finally having gotten around to changing the monitor shutdown setting on my new laptop was actually what prompted this thread. I don't like suspend functions of any kind on account of my very low tolerance for delayed gratification, so I turn them off asap, including the monitor sleep mode.

Even so, I'm not still not scared.
You could have surprised me. :noway: :not: :nono: :nojustno: :qno:

:back on topic:
Screensavers are nowadays an art form, or occasionally something to impress your friends, or even (rarely) to convey information. I achieve the latter two with Sun Clock (http://www.mapmaker.com/sunclock.asp)*. Screenshot attached

* - hey, there's a new version!

[Corona688]

One notable exception to the rule would be plasma screens of any sort. They really do need screensavers or screen blanking, they'll burn in quickly.

[Crumb]

Very cool Jop. :super: Downloading it now. I am a big screensaver fan. :)

[JoeP]

Lemme know if it works fine for you. I got a few errors with the new version (6) to start with, but maybe I just needed to reboot.