OT: Should computers stay on constantly?

[Thermodyne]

Glyn said:
More reasons to turn your computer off when not in use.

Security. It’s difficult to hack a machine that’s off. Especially if your internet connect is always on.

Electric Spikes. Lighting, brown outs, power outs..

Dust buildup on the fans and in side the case. The more you leave it on the sooner it will need a good cleaning.

If you have an always on broadband connection, you should also be running a hardware firewall. Any decent router comes with one. Routers with NAT firewalls are not decent routers.

Personally, I would suggest that you get a UPS. They don’t cost much and the will cure the spike/sag problem. Plus give you some spare power during outages. It’s nice to be able to use the cordless phone or charge the flash light during outages. If you have a couple of grand invested in a nice system, another buck fifty for a UPS is not that hard to justify.

Dust build up is a problem, systems move a lot of air. An always on system should either be in a clean environment or have a case with filtered intakes. The system that is in my living room (with the damn cats) needs the filter cleaned once a week.

If you have an always on broadband connection, you should also be running a hardware firewall. Any decent router comes with one. Routers with NAT firewalls are not decent routers.



A small point of personal experience: If you get new carpet, don’t put the computer on the floor when you move it back into the room. New carpet sheds more than cats do.

Edit: Gotta watch "select all" on a pda, there is a lot not showing on the display.