Your comment about screensavers struck me as very strange. For one thing, many of us use CRT monitors (most LCDs cannot produce the Adobe RGB gamut, much less the Pro Photo gamut). As already noted, screen saver's logon feature can keep an unattended computer secure. Besides that, many use a screensaver just for the hell of it.
I spent an hour late last night trying to figure out why my screensaver was not working. That the Spyder3 utility blocks operating system software is a bit surprising, if not disturbing. Datacolor could have added release notes warning that screensavers would be blocked (release notes are usually included for new drivers and applications.) If Datacolor was unaware of the issue, one has to wonder at how well the software is being tested.
--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CDTobie@... wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 12/12/08 4:43:28 AM, wimvanleeuwen@... writes:
>
>
> > After update to Spider3Elite V 3.0.6 my screensaver does not work anymore.
> > ___
> True, and we have other reports of that from Windows users. Screensavers
> don't actually "save" anything (in terms of energy, or screen life) with LCDs, so
> there is some question why one would use them, but we are looking into this.
>
>
> > I have had no troubles with the preceeding versions.
> > ___
> Thats because they did not have as robust a set of Utility functions as the
> newer version. We are attempting to force Windows to use the calibration LUTs
> in all circumstances, which requires frequent checks on our part, which are
> being seen as activity, and stopping the screensaver from triggering.
>
> > Simple "exiting" the Spider3Utility in the systemtray restores normal
> > behaviour.
> > ___
> Right, as the activity is then ceased. But so are any checks that your color
> mangement is functioning properly...
>
> > I have temporarily switched off the spider3utility with "msconfig",
> > but there remain some questions.
> >
> > 1. am I the only one with this kind of problems?
> > ___
> No, we've had similar reports from other Windows users...
> >
> > 2. what does the spider3utility exactly do for me(i don't use
> > ambientlight monitoring).
> > ___
> Most importantly it attempts to keep your video corrections (an important
> part of your color calibration) in place... but it also covers certification and
> calibration reminder issues, and other housekeeping.
>
> > (system is XP with all updates/patches, last update this morning).
> > thanks in advance for your answer(s).
> > ___
> Not sure if this qualifies as an answer, but at least it sheds some light on
> the situation...
>
> C. David Tobie
> WW Product Technology Manager
> Digital Imaging & Home Theater
> Datacolor Inc.
> CDTobie@...
> www.datacolor.com/spyder3
>