| In this article you will find some background | | | | don't be afraid. It isn't complicated at all. |
| information about screensavers and their history. | | | | First, as you already know, screensavers are |
| You will also learn how Windows screensavers | | | | launched automatically by the operating system. |
| differ from other programs and how you can use | | | | TIP: Be careful if you use CD-Burning devices |
| it to your own advantage. Also there are some | | | | regularly and your system is configured to launch |
| tips for users owning laptops, notebooks or | | | | screensaver after some period of inactivity. |
| CD-burning devices. | | | | Some screensavers produce very sophisticated |
| Have you ever asked yourself a question like | | | | effects but for the price of intensive CPU load. If |
| "What is a screensaver actually?" I did. And now I | | | | you leave your computer while CD-Burning |
| will gladly share the results of my investigation. As | | | | software is working, screensaver will be launched. |
| you can see easily, splitting the word | | | | This can sometimes lead to the CD-R/RW disks |
| "screensaver" into two words will give us the | | | | burned improperly. |
| phrase "screen saver". This isn't a rocket science | | | | During their installation process screensavers are |
| and it's clear that the phrase suggests our subject | | | | copied to the system directory (years ago users |
| somehow saving the screen. So the word | | | | had even to copy screensavers by themselves). |
| "screensaver" can be applied to some sort of | | | | Once they are there, Windows finds them and |
| good things that save the screen of our so much | | | | puts in the list of available screensavers. You can |
| beloved baby-computer. But what does it mean | | | | see this list in the Display Properties dialog. But |
| exactly? Who is going to harm our computer | | | | how does the system know that the program in |
| screen? Who could be such a bad person? The | | | | its system directory is a screensaver? The |
| answer lies in the exact definition of screensavers. | | | | answer is simple. Any screensaver program has a |
| If you are a meticulous person then you can | | | | name ending with ".SCR" extension, while a typical |
| search the Internet and come up with some of | | | | program has the ".EXE" extension at the end. This |
| the existing definitions. But don't hurry. I will list | | | | is the first difference. |
| some of the most often found. Here they are: | | | | Second, almost every screensaver has a bunch |
| - A moving picture or pattern that appears on | | | | of settings allowing you to change its appearance |
| your screen when you have not moved the | | | | in many ways. This isn't a much difference |
| mouse or pressed a key on the computer for a | | | | because many typical programs have options and |
| specified period of time. Screensavers prevent | | | | settings too. The difference lies in the way the |
| screen damage that is caused when the same | | | | user invokes configuration dialogs. Windows |
| areas of light and dark are displayed for long | | | | provides the only way to do it. It's the Display |
| periods of time. | | | | Properties dialog mentioned above. Other |
| - A program that "wakes up" after a certain | | | | programs usually have their own buttons or |
| amount of time has elapsed with no keyboard or | | | | menus to do that. Why are we talking about it? |
| mouse activity and blanks the screen or displays | | | | It's simple. The whole process means that the |
| various moving objects across the screen; these | | | | system has a way to communicate with |
| are used to prevent your screen from getting | | | | screensavers: to launch them, preview and |
| "burn in". | | | | configure on your demand while other typical |
| - An animated picture or graphic that can be | | | | programs don't have it. Usually they are simply |
| programmed through the Display control panel to | | | | launched and that's all. This is the second |
| come on the computer screen after so much | | | | difference. |
| inactivity time has elapsed. The main reason for a | | | | So what? How can we use it to our own |
| screensaver is to reduce wear and tear on the | | | | advantage? Imagine yourself downloading a new |
| CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) inside the monitor that | | | | screensaver, running it and finding it rather |
| can burn out or become etched if the same | | | | amazing. The screensaver can be so amazing and |
| window is left on for extended periods of time. | | | | entertaining, that you would like to show it running |
| The picture is getting clearer, isn't it? Let's make it | | | | on your screen to the friend of yours. But wait. |
| plain. The "burn in" or "damage" used in these | | | | How do you do that? What if your system is |
| definitions refer us to the time before 90-ies. At | | | | configured to launch the screensaver after 5 |
| that time many cathode ray tubes in TVs, | | | | minutes of inactivity only? Or after 10 minutes or |
| computer monitors or elsewhere were prone to | | | | even more? Will you wait for this eternity? You |
| be damaged if the same pattern (e.g., the | | | | can say that there is always a way to launch the |
| WordPerfect status line; the Pong score readout; | | | | screensaver from the Dialog Properties. But in |
| or a TV channel-number display) was shown at | | | | order to do that you should launch the dialog, find |
| the same position on the screen for very long | | | | the Screen Savers tab and click the Preview |
| periods of time. The phosphor on the screen | | | | button. Quite a lot of things to do. And if you are |
| would "fatigue" and that part of the screen would | | | | willing to demonstrate two or even more |
| seem grayed out, even when the CRT was off. | | | | screensavers the things get complicated even |
| TIP: Be careful when using a screensaver on a | | | | more. And what if the screensaver you've found |
| computer with an LCD screen (most laptops and | | | | looks best when the whole desktop wallpaper is |
| notebooks). A pixel on an LCD screen is on when | | | | seen on the screen? The Display Properties dialog |
| it's dark; therefore, blacking the screen as some | | | | will simply destroy this unique beauty you were |
| screensavers do would cause more damage. | | | | willing to share. |
| Eventually CRTs which were resistant to burn-in | | | | Now imagine that double-clicking an icon on your |
| (and which sometimes went into sleep mode | | | | desktop could do all this. Simple action, no |
| after a period of inactivity) were developed. But in | | | | unnecessary dialogs. Sure, some preparation steps |
| the meantime, solution was found: home video | | | | are needed. But they are done once. After that |
| game systems of the era (e.g., Atari 2600s) | | | | you can enjoy launching screensavers using icons |
| would, when not being played, change the screen | | | | as many times as you wish. Is it worth doing? |
| every few seconds, to avoid burn-in; and | | | | Try it, the result can be very effective. Once you |
| computer screensaver programs were developed. | | | | manage the process, you can proudly call yourself |
| The first screensavers were simple screen | | | | a "Professional Screensaver User". If you like the |
| blankers - they just set the screen to all black, | | | | idea then there's the way to achieve it: |
| but, in the best case of creeping featurism ever | | | | 1. Use Windows explorer to navigate to your |
| recorded, these tiny (often under 1K long) | | | | system directory. Usually it is C:\Windows or |
| programs grew without regard to efficiency or | | | | C:\Windows\System if you use Windows 95/98 |
| even basic usefulness. At first, small, innocuous | | | | Me. If you use Windows NT/2000/XP, then you |
| display hacks (generally on an almost-black | | | | should look in C:\WINNT or C:\WINNT\System32 |
| screen) were added. Later, more complex effects | | | | 2. Look through the list of programs there. It can |
| appeared, including animations (often with sound | | | | be quite large, but you can easily find the name |
| effects!) of arbitrary length and complexity. | | | | of the screensaver you are looking for. |
| And now we live in the world full of fun and | | | | Alternatively you can use the "Find Files or |
| entertaining screensavers. Many of them produce | | | | Folders" facility. |
| amazing and very attractive effects. You can find | | | | 3. Once you've found it, use the right mouse |
| a screensaver on any theme you like, download | | | | button to drag the file onto the desktop. After |
| it, install and enjoy. | | | | releasing the mouse select "Create Shortcut Here" |
| This means that a typical screensaver is a | | | | from the popup menu. The icon for the |
| program. And it really is. But isn't there something | | | | screensaver should appear on your desktop. |
| different? Is there something that distinguishes a | | | | Now you can launch the screensaver at any time. |
| program running as screensaver from other | | | | Simply double-click the created icon. Enjoy! I will be |
| typical programs? You're right, there is a bit of | | | | glad if you feel a bit more control over the |
| mystery. In order to demystify it we should | | | | system. |
| plunge deeper into screensaver mechanics. But | | | | |