Q: My wife signs on to her e-mail account in the morning and leaves it up and running while she goes about her day. Sometimes I go to the computer to check my e-mail and find that my wife is still signed on. Is there a downside to this practice? We have DSL service now but I'm thinking of switching to high-speed cable. Will that affect your answer? -- John Gann
A: Leaving an e-mail program running during the entire time a computer is on is a common practice. Most of us keep our computers connected to the Internet the entire time the computer is on whether or not the e-mail program is active. So what your wife is doing doesn't increase the odds of downloading a computer virus.
To be clear about things, the chances of being hacked do slightly increase based on the length of time a computer is online. But since most people keep their computers online while turned on, even when an e-mail program isn't active, your wife's habits don't seem harmful.
Q: You mentioned in one of your recent articles that it is sometimes better to replace computers that are four or five years old rather than to repair them. Wouldn't it be smarter to make the decision on replacing a computer based on how many hours it is used, rather than how old it is? I only use my computer about an hour a day. Shouldn't I expect mine to last a lot longer than those used six to eight hours a day? -- Bob Thompson
A: The reason most people talk about years, instead of hours, used is because the usual reason for replacing a computer is that it has become semi-obsolete over time. Over the years, technology moves ahead and a computer can get so hopelessly outdated that replacing it makes more sense than trying to update it. It's a bit counter-intuitive, I know, since we are so accustomed to owning mechanical devices that literally do wear out with use. But most computers get outdated long before they break down based on age.
Q: My wife keeps telling me that we should replace our old tube-type computer monitors with a new flat panel monitor. I've been putting her off since our monitors work just fine. Am I wrong? -- Jim Duncan
A: There's no right or wrong here. If the monitor suits you, there's no need to replace it. But an LCD screen is better in many ways. Most offer a wide viewing area that makes it easier to have several programs open at the same time. And these monitors take up less space and use less electricity.
Have a question? Please send questions to Bill Husted at tecbud@bellsouth.net. Although he reads every e-mail, not all are answered. E-mails are selected for publication based on the likelihood the answers will be of general interest.
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