savers

Screen Saver Construction Set is not for novices. By allowing users to control every conceivable aspect of the screensaver they create, some will love this program and others will be frustrated.

The program's interface is so clean and sparse that a trip to the Help file is inevitable. With only a few command icons along the top, users must learn how to dig into these to extract the expansive and overwhelming number of options within. Novice users may have a difficult time managing all the options. The first step to creating a screensaver is to understand that images, text, … Read more

2Flyer Screensaver Builder Pro is an easy way to create custom screensavers. Its intuitive interface and straightforward options will have you making your own screensavers in no time.

2Flyer allows you to create screensavers using photos, Flash, video, and even Web pages. It really couldn't be easier, either: just import the media you want to use from your computer into the program, adjust the settings to your liking, and you're done. Screensavers using images or Web pages can include music, as well. We were able to create a screensaver in minutes with no visit to the built-in Help … Read more

EarthView offers a look at the globe in real time. With simple controls and a crystal-clear satellite view, this is a fun addition to any desktop or screensaver.

EarthView's interface is a user-friendly affair that allows you to customize your view of the globe. Controls are unmistakable and fun to tinker with. In addition, there is a Help file for anyone still feeling confused about this basic program. Viewing Earth is not difficult, but choosing which view may be a little more work. The program's controls provide simple access to the entire globe. Clicking a few buttons will … Read more

MBSS Starfields is a stunning program featuring beautiful swirls of colors at your command. However, that command may require a mathematics degree to master. Regardless, it quickly pretties up a display.

The program's interface is regrettably complicated, but does not really need to be dealt with too deeply. The actual screensaver has default settings that should be good enough for most users. Digging deeper to make adjustments, though, is a confusing tangle of geometric and mathematical terminology that will have a limited appeal. The Help file actually does a better job of explaining the scientific principals this program works … Read more

MBSS Gravity Wells uses space-aged thinking to create a screensaver. While it looks gorgeous, there are some complicated elements that may scare off some users.

The program's interface is two-fold. Anyone happy with the default settings will simply enjoy the images on the screen. However, attempting to adjust the settings will discover a world of gravitational and geometric jargon that will confuse. Fortunately, experimenting won't hurt a thing. However, the Help file doesn't provide much insight. The images Gravity Wells produces are fascinating geometric shapes that utilize the entire color wheel. Users interested in changing the patterns … Read more

The 3D Fish School Screensaver is an attractive way for users to transform their computer screens into burbling aquariums. The simple interface and realistic graphics make this program a pleasure to use, but the limitations of the trial version are a somewhat significant drawback.

The trial version of the software allows users to choose between one freshwater and one saltwater scene; the full version includes additional options. Users can customize such features as the number and types of fish, amount of bubbles, background, and lighting. The screensaver features both bubble and wave sounds, each of which can be turned off … Read more

With more and more people watching movies on their wide-screen Macs and Apple TV, it's no secret the computer is starting to move in on traditional DVD, Blu-ray, and other video player territory. If you have a laptop and the right cords, you can even plug your computer into your big-screen TV and enjoy all the glory of the new standalone Hulu for Mac. But while your Mac is great for watching movies, your Mac's sleep feature to save energy has a nasty way of making your screen go dark right in the middle of the show. To … Read more

ChemicalBurn is a free, attractive screensaver that simulates a data transportation network with a colorful, fast-moving array of "self-organizing" nodes and packages. You don't need any special knowledge to enjoy this screensaver's ever-changing, high-tech display, but networking enthusiasts will appreciate the simulation's veracity (as packages attempt to find the fastest way to their destination) and they'll love tinkering with detailed settings, including control over traffic and distance weighting (for example, as linear, square, log, and exponential functions). ChemicalBurn's calculations can be CPU-intensive--proportional to the cube of the number of nodes selected--so casual users … Read more

There is one nook (cranny?) in my kitchen that I've always thought about putting a small kitchen island. The additional work space would surely be welcomed. Problem is, the other things that live there would have to be moved, and I'm not entirely sure if I would actually like a kitchen island in that spot. So, I hesitate and the spot stays as is. I don't want to make the commitment to a new piece of furniture that can only fit into one particular space; if it turns out I don't like it, then I'm … Read more