-
After Dark for Windows
In March of 1991, Berkeley Systems released the After Dark for Windows 1.0 screen saver program and the $49.95 package soon became as common on the PC as it was on the Mac. After Dark for Windows came with 35 screen savers, including the wildly popular Flying Toasters.
I recently came across a copy and installed it in a virtual Windows 3.1 system and began reliving those fun times.
I’ve compiled this gallery to show each of the screen savers along with their associated configuration options so that we can all look back at them and reminisce. Enjoy!
If you want to learn more about more about After Dark, be sure to check out The After Dark Interviews on LowEndMac.com, where you’ll find interviews with three of the men behind the After Dark screen saver project.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Aquatic Realm
In Aquatic Realm, your screen becomes an underwater porthole as fish and other sea creatures swim back and forth across the seabed.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Can of Worms
In Can of Worms, worms squirm and twist all over the screen while munching away at the desktop.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Clocks
In Clocks, different types of clocks float across the screen displaying the time. This composite image shows all three of the main clocks.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
In Down the Drain, your desktop appears to liquefy and then spirals down a drain.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Fade Away
In Fade Away, your desktop just fades away.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Flying Toasters
In Flying Toasters, the screen goes black and then the now infamous flying toasters glide across the screen interspersed with pieces of toast. You even get to choose how you like your toast.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
GeoBounce
In GeoBounce, a geometric shape of your choice spins and bounces across the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Globe
In Globe, a planet spins and floats across the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
GraphStat
In GraphStat, random scientific looking graphs appear on the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Gravity
In Gravity, different colored balls bounce all over the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Hard Rain
In Hard Rain, rain drops hit the screen and create colorful circular splats all over the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Lasers
In Lasers, you get a front row seat as a laser light show creates bright patterns on the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Logo
In Logo, images float across the screen. By default, the After Dark logo is used, but you can use any image you want.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Magic
In Magic, constantly shifting patterns appear on the screen and dazzle you with their intricacy.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Messages
In Messages, a text message floats across the screen. You can choose from several whacky messages provided or type your own.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Mondrian
In Mondrian, the screen turns into a piece of Mondrian style art.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Mountains
In Mountains, 3-D mountains from a planet of your choosing appear on the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Nocturnes
In Nocturnes, the screen goes black and then the eyes of various nocturnal creatures appear on the screen and watch you.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Punch Out
In Punch Out, the desktop is attacked by a hole puncher—the annoying clicking sound is optional.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Puzzle
In Puzzle, the desktop becomes a sliding puzzle and the pieces begin shuffling all over the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Rain Storm
In Rain Storm, a storm appears on the screen complete with wind and lightning.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Rose
In Rose, interesting patterns appear on the screen and slowly grow larger while rotating ever so slightly.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Satori
In Satori, colorful tie-dye-like patterns slowly emerge and swirl on the desktop.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Shapes
In Shapes, solid color geometric shapes simply fill the screen. Kind of boring now, but hey this was from 1991.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Slide show
In Slide Show, you see a simple slide show of images of your choice. Here, you see some dinosaurs… get it?
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Spheres
In Spheres, a host of colorful spheres are rendered on the screen creating the illusion of dimensionality. Back then, this one was one of my favorites.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Spiral Gyro
In Spiral Gyro, interesting patterns are drawn on the screen just like those created with the old Spyrograph toy.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Spotlight
In Spotlight, the screen goes black and a spotlight appears and illuminates parts of the desktop.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Stained Glass
In Stained Glass, random patterns appear on the screen. They actually look more like quilts or a kaleidoscope than stained glass, but very neat, nonetheless.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Starry Night
In Starry Night, a city skyline appears under a star filled sky with occasional flashes of lightning. The lights in the buildings go on and off and red beacon lights flash at the tops of some of the tallest buildings.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
String Theory
In String Theory, complex Moire-like patterns swirl across the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Vertigo
In Vertigo, colorful spirals and squares gradually grow on the screen and provide the dizzying optical illusion of depth as they move.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Warp
In Warp, you see a Star Trek effect, where colorful stars suddenly swirl past as the warp drive engages.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Wrap Around
In Wrap Around, you see another set of Moire patterns swirl across the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
-
Zot
In Zot, bolts of lightning appear on the screen.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
After Dark for Windows
In March of 1991, Berkeley Systems released the After Dark for Windows 1.0 screen saver program and the $49.95 package soon became as common on the PC as it was on the Mac. After Dark for Windows came with 35 screen savers, including the wildly popular Flying Toasters.
I recently came across a copy and installed it in a virtual Windows 3.1 system and began reliving those fun times.
I’ve compiled this gallery to show each of the screen savers along with their associated configuration options so that we can all look back at them and reminisce. Enjoy!
If you want to learn more about more about After Dark, be sure to check out The After Dark Interviews on LowEndMac.com, where you’ll find interviews with three of the men behind the After Dark screen saver project.
Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
Related Topics:
Software Enterprise Software Developer Open Source Software Mobility CloudAbout Greg Shultz
Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.
Full Bio
Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.