Hello all,
I also use them more for the break and entertainment value than anything. I have heard arguments for both sides (need or not), but I have several people that I trust (very into the computer field; either as a hobby or career) that have given me a VERY understandable argument in the 'for' category. I will tell you what I have been told and you make your own judgment on it.
Per them: On the older monitors (CRT, etc) it was needed so as not to burn out the monitor. Yet, we have all seen more recent monitors that have a pixel or section of pixels burnt out. So that would give a good argument that it might still be needed to help extend the life of your monitor. Granted; I have condensed that down from all the technical stuff they said too, but that is the jest of it.
On another note in this area: I am not sure how many of you remember a very popular screensaver suite that was available in the past (I believe it started in the Windows 95 time). It was called After Dark (and then there was After Dark Deluxe, and After Dark Suite) by Berkley. They were a series of fun screensavers that were more for the adult. E.I. toasters raining down, raining cows that exploded on impact, and (my fav) was called Bad Dog. Bad Dog was a dog that chewed up your icons and desktop, but when you hit a key it would come back with everything ok. I believe there was even a setting that made the dog occasionally come out and bark at you or do his business on your desk top. Anyways, I missed it so bad that I searched and bought an old copy hoping to find a way to make it work on a more current system. There are several articles that claim they have had success in getting it to work.
I happened recently on finding two sites that say they have updated versions that work. I have NOT had a chance to install and try them; so dont know if all of them are there still, but thought I would post them here for you if you want:
...deleted - malicious contend...
Best wishes and hope that they offer you all a laugh!
ibwebb