The purpose of a screen saver is to reduce the chances that your monitor will “burn-in” when you leave it on for long periods of time.
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What is a Screen Saver?
A screen saver is a small program that runs when your computer goes into inactivity or when you play games or watch videos.
There are several types of screensavers, including flowers, fish tanks, space scenes, etc. The most common screensaver is the one that is factory installed with your operating system. It activates after 10 minutes of inactivity. If you start playing games or videos within this time frame, it will usually reset back to 10 minutes.
What is the Purpose of Screen Savers?
Prevent monitor’s burn-in
The term “burning in” refers to the gradual damage done to an image when it’s left static on a TV or computer monitor. It can be caused by leaving images (like a desktop background) up too long without any change and can lead to permanent discoloration and ghosting effects.
If you have been using your computer for hours at a stretch, but want to take a break from staring at the screen, set your screensaver so that it activates after 10 minutes of inactivity or if you start playing videos or games within that time frame. This way, even if you leave your computer on overnight, you can protect your monitor from damage.
Make computer look nice
Tired of staring at the same screen every day? While many people use the default screensaver that comes with their OS (operating system), there are also third-party apps, like Screen Saver Toolkit, which give users more options for customization.
With this app, you can set up different types of effects which will start at random times or when an action is taken by either the mouse or keyboard. You can change how long it takes to complete each effect and choose whether certain types of activity will stop it early or not at all.
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to think about changing your screen saver settings frequently then this lets you relax without worrying about the condition of your monitor.
Conclusion
While it’s not necessary, some people like to use screen savers with their computers. One reason is they look nice; another is that if they don’t use them, then they can get tired of staring at the same desktop all day.
Before you pick one just because it looks cool, though, consider what its effects will be on your computer and what you need to do to avoid glares or reflections off the screen which might impede your ability to see well.
If this sounds like something you would want for your workplace, home office, or otherwise regular computer setup, take a little time to find out more about how they work and why so many people still turn to screensavers today.
