A CURATED COLLECTION OF SCREENSAVERS FOR MAC OS X
Some of us still use screensavers...
Ever since seeing the original After Dark Starry Night (also known as Starry Skyline) on a Mac SE, I've been a fan of screensavers. While today screensavers serve no practical use, they continue to entertain and inspire me.
As a fan, I have built up a collection of screensavers over the years (along with developing several of my own), and thought it would be worth keeping a list of some of my favorites.
Note that, like any form of entertainment (and yes, I consider screensavers as such), people will have varying tastes in what they consider "good" or "bad". For myself, I prefer screensavers that have a compelling aesthetic and demonstrate some level of interesting, procedural complexity -- either in algorithm, or complex content. A slideshow screensaver does not qualify, in my book, as an interesting screensaver, even if it is a slideshow of some amazing pictures of Machu Picchu.
What follows is a list of some of my favorite Mac screensavers, in no particular order. All screensavers have been verified on my Mac OS X 10.9 system (and most should run as far back as 10.6). All of these screensavers are either free or shareware. Some even have source code freely available. Also, as I normally use a multiple monitor setup, I've verified that all of these work across multiple monitors.
Got a screensaver I should add to the list? Email me at dsyu at hotmail.
As a fan, I have built up a collection of screensavers over the years (along with developing several of my own), and thought it would be worth keeping a list of some of my favorites.
Note that, like any form of entertainment (and yes, I consider screensavers as such), people will have varying tastes in what they consider "good" or "bad". For myself, I prefer screensavers that have a compelling aesthetic and demonstrate some level of interesting, procedural complexity -- either in algorithm, or complex content. A slideshow screensaver does not qualify, in my book, as an interesting screensaver, even if it is a slideshow of some amazing pictures of Machu Picchu.
What follows is a list of some of my favorite Mac screensavers, in no particular order. All screensavers have been verified on my Mac OS X 10.9 system (and most should run as far back as 10.6). All of these screensavers are either free or shareware. Some even have source code freely available. Also, as I normally use a multiple monitor setup, I've verified that all of these work across multiple monitors.
Got a screensaver I should add to the list? Email me at dsyu at hotmail.
ANGBAND
http://ridiculousfish.com/angband/
A screensaver that plays Angband for you. Angband is a Rogue-like game (if you don't know what that means, well, the website goes into more detail). I recommend using text "graphics" in the options for maximum geek cred. Note that this screensaver is actually running the game and a bot program that plays the game on top of this, so it can get amusingly CPU intensive.
http://ridiculousfish.com/angband/
A screensaver that plays Angband for you. Angband is a Rogue-like game (if you don't know what that means, well, the website goes into more detail). I recommend using text "graphics" in the options for maximum geek cred. Note that this screensaver is actually running the game and a bot program that plays the game on top of this, so it can get amusingly CPU intensive.
CAVENDISH
http://benjaminblonder.org/cavendish/saver/
A nice 3D N-body simulator masquerading as a screensaver. Perfect when you want to see some soothing gravitational visualizations, but are tired of watching tried-and-true solar system videos.
http://benjaminblonder.org/cavendish/saver/
A nice 3D N-body simulator masquerading as a screensaver. Perfect when you want to see some soothing gravitational visualizations, but are tired of watching tried-and-true solar system videos.
CHEMICAL BURN
http://www.mikeash.com/software/chemicalburn/
Watch a random network self-optimize in real time. The author, Michael Ash, also has a nifty Game of Life screensaver that uses the GPU.
http://www.mikeash.com/software/chemicalburn/
Watch a random network self-optimize in real time. The author, Michael Ash, also has a nifty Game of Life screensaver that uses the GPU.
DEFCON
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/freebies
If you needed a green vector globe of the Earth, to get you in the mood for some global thermonuclear war, this should fit the bill nicely.
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/freebies
If you needed a green vector globe of the Earth, to get you in the mood for some global thermonuclear war, this should fit the bill nicely.
ELECTROPAINT OSX
http://crimsonmagic.net
This is an all-time favorite of mine, which is a recreation of a classic screensaver from SGI's IRIX OS. SGI is gone now, but this wonderfully mesmerizing screensaver lives on. There's also another port of Electropaint available in the XScreensaver
collection (done by Andrew Plotkin) but for whatever reason I like this version better -- the animation is closer to the SGI version I remember.
http://crimsonmagic.net
This is an all-time favorite of mine, which is a recreation of a classic screensaver from SGI's IRIX OS. SGI is gone now, but this wonderfully mesmerizing screensaver lives on. There's also another port of Electropaint available in the XScreensaver
collection (done by Andrew Plotkin) but for whatever reason I like this version better -- the animation is closer to the SGI version I remember.
EPHEMERAL
http://www.muryan.com/ephemeral/index.html
Another fractal screensaver, but this one uses your GPU (via OpenCL) and the effect is pretty neat.
http://www.muryan.com/ephemeral/index.html
Another fractal screensaver, but this one uses your GPU (via OpenCL) and the effect is pretty neat.
FALLING STUFF
http://derefnull.blogspot.com/search/label/falling%20stuff
A nice simple example of 2D physics. Random circles and rectangles fall from the top of your screen, down through more, larger, random circles and rectangles.
http://derefnull.blogspot.com/search/label/falling%20stuff
A nice simple example of 2D physics. Random circles and rectangles fall from the top of your screen, down through more, larger, random circles and rectangles.
FILIGREE
https://www.screensaversplanet.com/screensavers/filigree-282/
The glow effect is particularly nice in this one.
https://www.screensaversplanet.com/screensavers/filigree-282/
The glow effect is particularly nice in this one.
FIREFLIES
http://s.sudre.free.fr/Software/Fireflies.html
Colorful flocks of fireflies perform aerial acrobatics across your screen.
http://s.sudre.free.fr/Software/Fireflies.html
Colorful flocks of fireflies perform aerial acrobatics across your screen.
HOTEL GADGET
http://www.zugakousaku.com/index.php?ref=information-note-latest-0-en
There are a bunch of fantastic Quartz Composer based screensavers on Mamoru Kano's website, but this one is easily my favorite. It has a wonderful surreal, "high-art" quality to it. This is the screensaver I would expect to see at a modern art museum.
http://www.zugakousaku.com/index.php?ref=information-note-latest-0-en
There are a bunch of fantastic Quartz Composer based screensavers on Mamoru Kano's website, but this one is easily my favorite. It has a wonderful surreal, "high-art" quality to it. This is the screensaver I would expect to see at a modern art museum.
LATTICE
http://s.sudre.free.fr/Software/Lattice.html
Terry Welsh originally wrote a bunch of really nice OpenGL screensavers for Windows, and this is one of my favorites. Try the "Tasty" mode for laughs. These were ported to Mac OS X thanks to the kind efforts of Stéphane Sudre (who has several other screensavers, ports of Terry's and others, on his page that you should try as well). If you're interested in getting the original Windows versions, try here: www.reallyslick.com/screensavers.html
http://s.sudre.free.fr/Software/Lattice.html
Terry Welsh originally wrote a bunch of really nice OpenGL screensavers for Windows, and this is one of my favorites. Try the "Tasty" mode for laughs. These were ported to Mac OS X thanks to the kind efforts of Stéphane Sudre (who has several other screensavers, ports of Terry's and others, on his page that you should try as well). If you're interested in getting the original Windows versions, try here: www.reallyslick.com/screensavers.html
LOTSAWATER
http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/lotsablankers/
Easily the best "my desktop is filled with water" screensaver I've ever seen. All the rest of Dag Ågren's works (LotsaSnow, LotsaGlass) are also great.
http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/lotsablankers/
Easily the best "my desktop is filled with water" screensaver I've ever seen. All the rest of Dag Ågren's works (LotsaSnow, LotsaGlass) are also great.
MICROCOSM
https://github.com/nickzman/microcosm/commits/master
Vaguely disconcerting organic blobs reform and march across your screen. I can only find the source code link, but I've posted a zipfile of the built screensaver here: bit.ly/2sBeXf0
https://github.com/nickzman/microcosm/commits/master
Vaguely disconcerting organic blobs reform and march across your screen. I can only find the source code link, but I've posted a zipfile of the built screensaver here: bit.ly/2sBeXf0
OFFSHOOTS
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5mqfzzfini1sqgz/Offshoots.saver.zip?dl=0
A procedural branch drawing screensaver that fills your screen with randomly generated vines and leaves. Bring your garden shears.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5mqfzzfini1sqgz/Offshoots.saver.zip?dl=0
A procedural branch drawing screensaver that fills your screen with randomly generated vines and leaves. Bring your garden shears.
PIXELCITY
http://emage-software.com/index.html
A superb procedurally generated 3D city, complete with faux traffic. This is a port of a Windows screensaver available here: http://code.google.com/p/pixelcity/ Keep in mind this one will probably make your CPU and GPU work overtime.
http://emage-software.com/index.html
A superb procedurally generated 3D city, complete with faux traffic. This is a port of a Windows screensaver available here: http://code.google.com/p/pixelcity/ Keep in mind this one will probably make your CPU and GPU work overtime.
SWIRL
http://s.sudre.free.fr/Software/Swirl.html
Hypnotic swirls of color. Reminds me of the Satori module for After Dark, which itself has been ported to Mac OS X here: http://www.sticksoftware.com/software/Satori.html
http://s.sudre.free.fr/Software/Swirl.html
Hypnotic swirls of color. Reminds me of the Satori module for After Dark, which itself has been ported to Mac OS X here: http://www.sticksoftware.com/software/Satori.html
XSCREENSAVER
http://www.jwz.org/xscreensaver/
Many people will need go no farther to satisfy their screensaver needs than this fantastic and ever-growing collection. Jamie Zawinski ported these to Mac OS X and many people, Jamie included, have contributed modules. I particularly like "Apple2", "Eruption", "Interference", "Juggler3D", "Sonar", and "Substrate", but they're all good, and more are being added constantly.
http://www.jwz.org/xscreensaver/
Many people will need go no farther to satisfy their screensaver needs than this fantastic and ever-growing collection. Jamie Zawinski ported these to Mac OS X and many people, Jamie included, have contributed modules. I particularly like "Apple2", "Eruption", "Interference", "Juggler3D", "Sonar", and "Substrate", but they're all good, and more are being added constantly.
A FEW OF MY OWN
A shameless plug for a few of my own screensavers, none quite as great as the rest on this list.
LewittCubes: Modern art inspired
FluidDynamics: Wispy fluids, with credit to Jos Stam
Starry Night: Re-creation of an After Dark classic, with credit to Evan Green
(Updated codesigned version for 10.14 and above available here).
StarCluster: An unstable ball of stars, with credit to James Bowman
TextSpline: Animated rollercoasters of text
A shameless plug for a few of my own screensavers, none quite as great as the rest on this list.
LewittCubes: Modern art inspired
FluidDynamics: Wispy fluids, with credit to Jos Stam
Starry Night: Re-creation of an After Dark classic, with credit to Evan Green
(Updated codesigned version for 10.14 and above available here).
StarCluster: An unstable ball of stars, with credit to James Bowman
TextSpline: Animated rollercoasters of text