Screen savers are amazing: As they have declined in usefulness, they have soared in popularity.
More than a decade ago, a screen saver was a lifesaver, preventing “screen burn-in,” which could ruin the first generation of computer monitors. However, advances in technology have eliminated the problem, and today monitors can be left on for extended periods without ill effects. Nowadays you’re as likely to encounter screen burn-in as you are the Loch Ness monster.
Still, old fears die hard, perhaps in part because software companies don’t publicize the death of screen burn-in. To their credit, though, they no longer list screen burn-in as a reason for owning a screen saver. Instead, the software is billed as a way of reducing stress and boredom, as well as offering the user a chance to personalize his or her computer system.
Here’s a roundup of some of the more interesting and offbeat screen saver CD-ROMs available.
Dilbert: Not Just a Calendar (Cedco; Windows; $30) offers not only a screen saver, but also a calendar, a to-do list and an address book. But the best fun is the “Time Wasting Device” that you can click on for tips on how to annoy your co-workers and how to look productive when you’re just goofing off. Moreover, the slide show of classic Dilbert cartoons is just the ticket to proclaim your cynical view of corporate culture. A Mac version is due in November. Rating: (star)(star)(star)(star) (out of 4)
The Serene Saver (ETC; Windows; $40) is the perfect choice for the hip New Ager. Featuring “soothing windchime music” and 50 peaceful scenes, this is a kinder, gentler screen saver. There’s even a nifty feature that lets you make your computer work like a grandfather clock, chiming every quarter hour. (star)(star)(star)
Star Trek Voyager and Star Trek Deep Space Nine (Sound Source; Windows; $30) both offer 120 video and still-image screen savers, 80 audio clips, 25 wallpaper images and 20 jigsaw puzzles from their respective series. Hard-core Trekkies can change their Windows sound events to memorable clips culled from the TV shows. (star)(star)(star)
I Love Lucy (Sound Source; Windows; $30) offers 80 still images with sound and 40 video clips from the classic TV show, as well as home movie footage of Lucy and Desi. (star)(star)
The World Wildlife Fund Calendar (Cedco; Windows; $30) is my current screen saver of choice. The program offers the usual assortment of utilities (calendar, address book, to-do list), but I love it just for the 50 stunning animal photos by award-winning photographer Art Wolfe. In addition, Cedco gives the WWF 5 percent of all sales. (star)(star)(star)(star)
Ski Area (Cylogic; IBM, Mac; $20) offers more than 70 trail maps from U.S. and Canadian ski resorts, as well as an Internet connection with daily weather and snow reports from each location. (star)(star)
T2 (Sound Source; Windows; $30) offers sound and video from the “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” movie. I must admit I was perplexed why anyone would want a screen saver from a movie a decade old, until I realized that fans could use it to customize their computers so that each session ends with Arnold Schwarzenegger saying either “I’ll be back” or “Hasta la vista, baby.” (star)(star)
