Ok. Now... those bulbs say they last for 5 years or so. Do I still need to
change them after 6 months?

I think most people do. The reasoning being that even when the light still
looks bright to human eyes, the intensity falls off enough over time that it
should be replaced.

I have no idea if this applies to this kind of bulb, though. Maybe Wayne knows


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/