PEOPLE are freaking out over the real reason screensavers exist and it has sent the internet into meltdown.
It turns out they have a far more serious screen-saving role than computer users previously thought.
Screensavers have covered idle computer screens for decades and the most well-known have become etched in the minds of millions.
The famed DVD logo that bounces across the screen and gets closer to hitting the corner each time was so mesmerising that people would often sit and stare at it.
It was even turned into a much-used meme.
And yet, the true reason they exist is no laughing matter.
read more on tech
GOING, GOOG!
Google will start deleting millions of photos, files and emails in just 4 days
RED ALERT
Millions of laptop owners warned popular models can be ‘hacked’
The original function of a screensaver was to protect a monitor from damage that could occur when a single picture was left on for an extended time.
It keeps moving so that it doesn't stay too long and scar the screen with a visual pattern due to "phosphor exhaustion".
Over time, this can lead to discolouration or blemishes on the screen.
The revelation sparked shock and awe online.
Most read in Tech
MARITIME MONSTER
New ‘rogue wave AI’ reveals when next ‘maritime monsters’ will strike
STRANGE
Eerie trio of alien-like ‘humanoid figures with giant heads’ found painted in cave
TIME WILL TELL
World’s biggest clock being built by Bezos in mountain will outlast humans
MEGA MACHINE
World’s biggest aircraft unveiled as 400ft airship twice size of a Boeing 747
One X/Twitter user to write: "just realized that the dvd logo/'no signal' is constantly moving around on my tv to prevent the image from burning onto my screen.
"THAT'S WHY THEY CALL THEM SCREENSAVERS," they yelled at the world.
A user responded: "You didn't know this?? literal common knowledge"
However, other baffled internet users rushed to say that they also had no idea.
"I'm 24 and didn't even make this connection. Boomer Twitter needs to chill," one commented.
Another added: "Wait I’m 26 and I just found this out wtf".
A third wrote: "AND THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE SUCH A RANDOM PATH ITS TO NOT BURN IN THE PATH".
Meanwhile, the long-running claim that screensavers make devices slower has been debunked by tech whizzes.
According to the experts behind Lenovo, the reality is actually the opposite.
"If your computer is running slowly then having an active screen saver could help improve performance by reducing power usage for certain parts such as video cards or CPUs.
"This means they don't have to work as hard trying to keep everything running at full speed when nothing needs doing.
"Ultimately, they don't directly increase speeds, but they certainly won't slow them down either so it's worth looking into setting one up if yours hasn't already got one installed."
It comes as a "hidden" symbol on Google's browser is baffling Brits and their ignorance could cost them thousands of pounds.
Tech experts have issued a warning about a padlock icon on Google Chrome which many people fail to spot or else don't understand.
You might assume the icon indicates the website you're looking at it safe and trustworthy or else free or viruses or suspicious links.
Yet it actually only means the data being sent from your computer is encrypted, dating back to the early days of the internet when this could be rare.
This means the data being shared can't be intercepted by a third party, the Mail reported.
Source: Read Full Article