Benefits

• Originally, screensavers were used to prevent monitors from becoming “burned in.” This burning in is caused by damage that is done to a part of the computer known as the cathode ray tube, which becomes damaged when the screen is left on a single image for a long period. Screensavers can also be used to save energy by reducing the number of processes that are run by the computer.
  
  

Artistic Elements

• Screensavers usually have some form of animation. This animation can range from a full-blown video to a picture simply moving around the screen. Screensavers might be chosen for sentimental value, for aesthetic purposes or for some other reason, since almost any animation can be used as a screensaver. However, screensavers that are too complex can put a lot of strain on the computer, possibly slowing it down. This can be especially problematic for computers on servers, since one computer with a screensaver can slow down the entire server.
  
  

Getting Screensavers

• Screensavers can often be downloaded from websites that specialize in creating unique screensavers. Some of these are free, while others cost money. Many computers now have screens that simply turn off the monitor as a default.
  
  

Customization

• Screensavers can often be personalized. Some of the older screensavers allowed computer owners to have family photos or scrolling text with information to serve as the screensaver. Images, PowerPoint, Picasa and Flickr can all be used to make customized screensavers. Those who know how to use flash programs can also make very sophisticated animation screensavers.
  
  

Warning

• The need for screensavers has declined since the development of CRT monitors, which do not become damaged when focused on a single image for a long period. This is beneficial, since screensavers were not always helpful to begin with given that screens could still be burned in areas that did not have a lot of changes in animation.