[comp.terminals] Screen saver benefits

jgp@moscom.UUCP (02/25/87)

On terminals with a screen saver function (ie. screen goes blank after N
minutes of inactivity) how much is being "saved"?  Is it just to prevent
the characters from burning into the phosphors or are large parts of the
display circuitry turning themselves off (and presumable lengthening
their lives)?  Does just turning the brightness all the way down provide
the same savings (modulo human fallibility)?

Since this probably varies from brand to brand, I'm primarily interested
in Wyse 50's and 60's.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this.
-- 
Jim Prescott	rochester!moscom!jgp

ken@rochester.UUCP (02/25/87)

It is mainly to save the phosphor from being burnt out. You should look
at an ATM screen sometime. I cannot think of any other part of the
display circuitry that benefits since unlike mechanical parts,
electronic parts running *within design limits* don't "wear out" faster.

	Ken