Expert: Bobbert - 11/13/2008

Question
which is the better way to open an application—using the Programs menu or using a shortcut on the desktop of your computer? Why?

Do you think “not shutting down” can harm your computer hardware, the installed software, or your data on the computer? Why or why not?  

Answer
These both seem to be irrelevant questions, either method of calling an exe will do the same thing, its just a different view for the user depending on which route you want to take through the UI. In other words, its going to reference the same data, there is no difference.

As far as powering the system down, there is no real reason to power down constantly, there is also no real reason to leave the system online constantly, no benefit is derived either way, excepting that if the system is allowed 24/7 operation you may schedule maintinence tasks during down-time, which is otherwise inaccessable were the system powered off. However hardware damage should never be a problem, with a properly built machine, if the system is left active 24/7.

-bob