[Elgin Clock]

I agree with alll the above posts. It's only a good thing when you have your computer already locked up.

Also, most people don't safely remove USB type devices as well.

I don't think removing something like a USB printer, or a USB powered toy-like device (fan, christmas tree, cup warmer) is going to kill anything, but that USB connected jump drive, or portable hard drive could in fact be corrupted in the same way if you don't use the "safely remove hardware" icon in your task bar.

Although, my experiences with a USB external HD is one of sheer luck it seems sometimes.
Sometimes it says it's cool to remove the first time I click that, and other times it yells at me and says it's not cool to remove hardware even though every window is closed that I had open that was referencing that drive.

In that case, I hit the button to shut it off if no lights are on the external hard drive itself, and have been so far (knock on wood) good to go the next time I have started it up.