Screen savers were invented back in the days of monochrome CRT monitors to prevent phosphor burn-in, and they served their purpose well.
Nowadays, however, almost everyone uses LCD computer monitors, which are impervious to burn-in. And though burn-in remains an issue for older CRT monitors, most of us don't give it a thought.
So why are screen savers still as popular as ever? It could be because they help protect your privacy in a busy office environment, or perhaps because they let you inject a little flair into your workspace.
Leave your desk for a while, and co-workers might be tempted to peek at your screen while you're gone. Running a screen saver will at least discourage walk-by peepers--and running a program like Don't Touch My Computer, in which a virtual guard dog barks at anyone who touches your keyboard, will really do the trick.
Screen savers also let us express who we are. Just like family photos and funky paperweights sitting on a hand-made walnut desk, screen savers on a 24-inch LCD let us make our mark on the world--or at least on the office. For example, you could show your quirky side with the fabulous Book of Time 3D, which displays a photorealistic parchment book with an antique clock face printed on every page; each time a page flips, the correct time displays. Trs chic!
Maybe you want to let co-workers know that you're intellectual or artistic. LinguaSaver, teaches you French, German, Italian, or Spanish in your idle moments. And the mesmerizing Da Vinci Encoded makes characters rearrange themselves on screen into an electronic version of the Mona Lisa.
But let's not forget that screen savers are fun. And we all need a little fun in our life, especially when we've been working long hours in front of a computer screen. Just try to be grumpy when you've got 3D Good Ole Summer Time and you're listening to a string quartet play as giant daisies and a goofy cartoon sun float about your computer screen.
For reviews of these and many other screen savers, read on. You're sure to find something that suits your style.
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Practical
Don't Touch My Computer, Episode 2
This whimsical screen saver is designed to discourage casual intruders: On your screen a cartoon character walks into an office, carrying a little dog. He sets the dog down and hangs up a "Watchdog on Duty" sign, and then exits the frame. The dog sits there, chases its tail, and scratches--until someone touches your keyboard or mouse. Then it starts barking and jumping at the screen. Don't Touch My Computer is free, but the developer's logo appears at the bottom right of the screen with a link to online offerings.
Webcam Screen Saver
This unique screen saver flips through live Webcam images. The default list includes New York's Times Square, a U.S. weather map, Las Vegas's MGM Grand, and many more. You can edit the list as you please, and read tips on finding Webcam URLs. The developer says that the screen saver can be used to send companywide text bulletins to employees. The program is free for a 7-day trial period, and costs $20 to keep.
LinguaSaver
Give yourself a mental workout and test your high-school Spanish (or French, German, or Italian) with LinguaSaver. This screen saver displays phrases in any two languages, with a slight pause between the first and the second languages so that you can practice your own translations. This free version includes about 100 basic words and phrases that use past, present, and future tenses. For $20 you can upgrade to the full version of LinguaSaver, which has about 9000 phrases, plus more-advanced vocabulary and grammar lessons.
Tao Screen Saver
Run this unassuming little screen saver, and peaceful images of Chinese art, architecture, gardens, and bamboo forests appear, accompanied by philosophical statements such as "The softest thing can overcome the hardest./Formless, it can enter where there are no gaps or space." There's no background music, but that's just as well...this freebie would be an excellent nerve-calmer for high-stress office environments, where music wouldn't be appreciated.
Book of Time 3D
This screen saver displays a photorealistic leather-bound book with parchment pages floating on your desktop. An old-fashioned clock face appears on each page. As the pages flip, accompanied by page-turning sound effects, the clock hands advance to the correct time. There are no nag screens in this demo version--the clock simply stops running after 5 minutes. You can register for $15 to keep the clock running.
Artistic
Advanced Warp Screensaver
This screen saver makes your computer desktop look as if it's undergoing some strange transformation--melting, suddenly blurring and receding, or being obscured by a storm front. You can set it to respond to mouse movement, so that you can create your own patterns with swirling clouds or colors. This trial version doesn't expire, but registering for $15 removes the nag screen and gets you additional effects, technical support, and a free upgrade to future versions.
AuraScope
Smoothly rendered, 3D kaleidoscopic images silently morph from one pattern to the next, generating flowerlike pictures, mandalas, and images that look like they could be from outer space. This trial version doesn't expire, but it includes nag screens and text messages that explain how you can tweak the screen saver. Registering for $13 removes those distractions.