They last a lot longer and use less energy than their incandescent counterparts.
That is all well and good but you need to dispose of them as though they were hazardous waste BECAUSE THEY ARE -- LOADED WITH MERCURY AND DANGEROUS IF ONE BREAKS!!!!
I'll use the incandescents until they pry them from cold dead hands.
But the light bulb controversy is just a distraction, a diversionary tactic to get you off the real energy horror of "Cap & Trade" and the Marxist take-over of our health care system.
Write your elected representatives and let them know you DON'T SUPPORT any of this and throw in the light bulbs for good measure.
God help us.