Computer and technology myths have always been an issue to users and the plainly curious alike. Innovation has failed to stop all sorts of myths from evolving and gaining the attention of many as true and dangerous facts. But the busting has begun--here's what really is true and what might not be true:

Cell phones in airplanes-busted!

Using a cell phone during a flight is said to bust the controls in the cockpit. This is wrong, according to experienced, veteran pilots.

Though passengers are requested to turn off cell phones, this is done for the sake of safety itself. Cell phones, can cause interference in the avionic systems.

When the Civil Aviation Authority-the FAA counterpart of the United Kingdom-conducted tests using signals from a simulated phone in a secured chamber (though not particularly in an airplane), they discovered a series of problems. In certain cases, the compass stopped functioning, instruments showed errors, and manifestations of interferences on audio communications.

Though the FAA findings are inconclusive, they are just trying to be cautious. Apparently, the flags with 'who knows' warnings are still up. In other words, the practice of asking people to switch off their mobile gizmos is just a measure just to remain on the safe side. Besides, it has already been busted by the Mythbusters. That is, if anyone has been watching some science-oriented series lately.

Magnets and data disks-disks un-degaussed

Myths on magnets fizzling disk data have also fizzled out. That may be true when it comes to floppy disks, but not to modern storage disks of today, CompactFlash memory cards included.

Anything that can zap data from your flash disk is enough to kill you. Magnets do not do anything on flash disks. The only spectacular magnetization that you might witness would only occur if you have a cute little key chain attached to it.

Similarly, hard disks are also immune to magnets. The only thing that can wipe out data stored in a hard drive comes from the huge degaussers in laboratories that government agencies use.

Haiku error messages

Instead of using an almost incomprehensible message to deliver error reports, Window's Japanese version was said to use haiku messages, which are even more calming. True? No.

These error haiku messages actually came from an online website known as Salon which organized a contest way back in 1998 and let participants make up their own error messages in haiku. In that competition, the site received 200-plus entries.

So whether some user has suicidal tendencies never be gullible enough to listen to them. After all, everything was just a game. Especially if they see this: Everything is gone; Your life's work has been destroyed. Squeeze trigger (yes/no)?