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Screen savers

July 10, 2002 › Sandy McMurray | comment

What does your computer do when you walk away for a few minutes?

Most PCs automatically show a "screen saver" -- moving pictures that remind you the computer is still active. The first screen savers were designed to prevent "burn-in" -- the permanent etching of an image onto the screen. (You can still see this at some bank machines where the Welcome / Insert Your Card message is visible, ghost-like, after you begin your transaction.) If you search the Web, you'll find dozens of screen savers you can download and install yourself.

My favourite screen saver is the Serene Screen Aquarium -- an amazing simulation of real fish in an aquarium. The free version comes with just one fish and some bubbles; for about $35 (US$22) you can fill the tank with virtual fish.

SereneScreen Aquarium is available for Windows and Mac OS X.

July 10, 2002 › Sandy McMurray | comment on this item