On the left is the list of installed Screen Savers, the top are those available to all users, and the bottom ones installed just for the current user.

To select one, just click it, an example is shown to the right, many have Options that you can change and the test button to see if you like it.

I'd also recommend setting Hot Corners, placing your cursor in corners you decide will then either start the Screen Saver straight away, or disable the Screen Saver from starting.

Of the standard ones, Flury is probably the most pretty.


Installing Screen Savers:

When you download Screen Savers there are a few ways to install them. Some come with their own installers, most you just double click and they'll be installed. You can also drag and drop them to either one of two folders, depending on if you want the Screen Saver to be available to all users, or just one.

For all users you drag the Screen Saver to the top level Library folder>Screen Savers

For just an individual user, choose the user from the Users folder (or just click on Home if you wish to install for the current logged in user) and place in the Users>'User Name'>Library>Screen Savers.


Now for the fun bit; where to get some nice new Screen Savers?

Many can be downloaded from macupdate.com and also at Apple's download page. You could also just try searching for Mac Screen Savers.


Here's some you may enjoy:

A collection of 10 from Plasq, this lot should get you started.

Hotel Gadget is a surreal screen saver reminiscent of Magritte.

Matrix GL is the falling lines of code you've seen in The Matrix series of films, this one can be difficult to find so let me know if you have problems.

Flying Icons is a lovely saver that really shows off how gorgeous Icons really are in Mac OS X.

Another screen saver that shows off some of Mac OS X capabilities is Fenêtre volantes.

Hydromancy is a little like a lava lamp.

Plasma is similar but much more colourful.

Lotsawater is like leaving your Mac out in the rain.

Lotsasnow is well, a snow storm on your Mac.

There's quite a few Snow style savers, very Christmasy, have a search.

Rollercoaster, it's just that, lean to the left to the right and put your hands in the air.

Skyrocket is a 3D fireworks extravaganza, makes those old 2D ones seem tame. He also has Helios & Fieldlines which you could try.

Sleeping Screensaver is probably for those with more a sensible side to them.

SolarWinds, it feels like a retro flurry.

These two are quite unique, both reacting to sound picked up from your mic:

Sound Stream and Fire Storm 2.

I'll end with an old favourite, a remake of the classic Flying Toasters, Toaster Clone.



If you find any others that you think are cool, leave me a comment. ss

Tags: screen savers

Tags: macbook

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