The hibernate function

[pclearner]

Is it advisable to use the hibernate function to turn off the computer all the time? During hibernate, the computer is actually at the stand by mode is it? Therefore, which way to turning off computer is more aporpriate??

[glc]

Turn it completely off unless you are working on something and want to leave it open. Then you can use hibernate to resume where you left off. Hibernate is not standby - it saves the contents of ram to the hard drive and shuts completely off.

[Statica]

Physically, there isn't much difference between hibernate and shutdown .. the PC is completely powered down. The only difference is that the system state is saved on a file on your drive. When the system is powered up, the file is restored back to the RAM and you get back your computer looking exactly as before. While it saves a bit of time on reboots, it does not give the "fresh slate" that a cold boot-up will give you.
If you're using a laptop that you work on intermittently or you need a quick power down or power up (say, when you get on the bus) a standby or hibernate is quite effective