Mstll - I wouldn't ask the question if I could give an example. In class D amp it will destroy amp - just look at any Icepower datasheet.
Separate computer is good idea if you can afford it. Computer infected by virus might play destructive file without you knowing it. They did it to overheat Pentium and I suspect it will be done for audio. Chances are small but repair cost is high.
As for viruses being serious issue from the beginning (being treated seriously) - you must be kidding? People didn't want to use antivirus programs (initially free) and many don't use it still. Firewall was unheard of concept (until 1988) and not present in Windows 3.1/95/98. First IBMs went on sale around 1981 but first Norton anivirus, as well as firewall appeared around 1992 because of damages that viruses did and not before (remember Lehigh or Jerusalem viruses affecting .com files or Brain virus affecting boot sector?). Networks might be different story but it took big losses to make people believe. Whole networks went down because of viruses before people got serious about it. I think that people got serious in 1999 when Melissa virus created "epidemic".
Separate computer is good idea if you can afford it. Computer infected by virus might play destructive file without you knowing it. They did it to overheat Pentium and I suspect it will be done for audio. Chances are small but repair cost is high.
As for viruses being serious issue from the beginning (being treated seriously) - you must be kidding? People didn't want to use antivirus programs (initially free) and many don't use it still. Firewall was unheard of concept (until 1988) and not present in Windows 3.1/95/98. First IBMs went on sale around 1981 but first Norton anivirus, as well as firewall appeared around 1992 because of damages that viruses did and not before (remember Lehigh or Jerusalem viruses affecting .com files or Brain virus affecting boot sector?). Networks might be different story but it took big losses to make people believe. Whole networks went down because of viruses before people got serious about it. I think that people got serious in 1999 when Melissa virus created "epidemic".