I beg to differ.
I think there are advantages to NOT haveing a computer area behind closed doors
1. you can be on the computer and still join in other things, conversations, half an eye on the TV etc
2. you can keep an eye on what your kids are doing on the computer- one of the things I read many times about kids and internet safety is NOT to let them be behind closed doors, have the computer in a family room or open space area.
Haveing said that we are not 'serious' computer or study users, it is only for personal use, not work purposes, and we do not have little kids (but we used to - just use the "lock" function)
We also prefer the computer area to be part of the rest of the house. One downside is keeping it tidy.
Our computer room opens off the corridor into a long narrow room. Whoever is in the room can feel part of the rest of the goings-on in the house. I'm not a fan of being shut away from everyone when I am on the computer.
Unless you work from home like us - good to have it seperate from the rest of the house.