Show HN: I recreated a flying toasters screensaver for XScreensaver

https://github.com/torunar/flying-toasters-xscreensaver

by torunar • 3 years ago

80 21 3 years ago

"After Dark" by Berkeley Systems was a collection of screensavers for Macintosh and Windows from early 90s; "Flying Toasters" is probably the most famous and loved among them.

Using my very limited knowledge of C and X11 programming, I recreated it as a XScreensaver module for Linux. Hope you find it useful or at least amusing!

GTP• 3 years ago

Wasn't there already a screensaver with flying toasters? Or I remember wrong?

davewongillies• 3 years ago

There is: https://www.jwz.org/xscreensaver/screenshots/

The existing Xscreensaver flying toasters is a sort of clone or reimagining whereas this new one looks like its exactly the same as the old After Dark Flying Toasters.

bch• 3 years ago

NB: jwz does not appreciate direct-linking from HN - cut/paste this link or be prepared for a nsfw middle finger.

pavon• 3 years ago

The original screen saver is still covered by copyright for at least 61 more years, and Berkeley Systems previously sued the makers of an Opus and Bill parody screensaver. So it is understandable that xscreensaver doesn't have a faithful replica of the original.

networked• 3 years ago

Working link: https://url.rw/?https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jwz.org%2Fxscreensaver%2Fs....

evilotto• 3 years ago

Or in CSS: https://www.bryanbraun.com/after-dark-css/all/flying-toaster...

1MachineElf• 3 years ago

A great compliment for Hot Dog Linux: https://hotdoglinux.com/

aantix• 3 years ago

Is there a Mac equivalent?

lockhouse• 3 years ago

It’s still available for purchase here and works on modern Macs.

https://en.infinisys.co.jp/product/afterdarkclassicset/index...

user3939382• 3 years ago

I’ve been using this one for years including on latest macOS, works great.

wkat4242• 3 years ago

I prefer xfishtank on a root window <3. Surprisingly there was never a screensaver version of it.

prometheus76• 3 years ago

Asciiquarium is the one I use and I love it. Runs in a Linux terminal window.

slicktux• 3 years ago

Anyone ever play the after dark games..? Also by Berkeley Systems…

Algol• 3 years ago

Roger dodger!

qbasic_forever• 3 years ago

Very cool!

m463• 3 years ago

I miss the other screensavers.

There was an aquarium where the mafia would dump someone with cement shoes.

There was apartment buildings where you could see people in the windows.

I thought it was after dark sick and twisted screensaver?

EDIT: It was After Dark Totally Twisted screen savers

Toxic swamp - an aquarium with dead/mutant fish swimming

Flying Toilets - like flying toasters, but...

Voyeur - apartment building with silhouettes in the window

and many more

https://youtu.be/ZsKYXftB68M

An edition called After Dark Totally Twisted includes the more macabre modules, namely Bungee Roulette, Chameleon, Coming Soon!, Flying Toilets, FrankenScreen, Message Mayhem, Mike's So-called Life, Mime Hunt, Mowin' Boris, Phlegm Boy, Shock Clocks, Toxic Swamp, and Voyeur.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_Dark_(software)

blibble• 3 years ago

the after dark modules are just dlls

should be possible to get them to work with wine with a little wrapper

rcarmo• 3 years ago

Needs a "toast level" setting, like the original - but great job!

qwerty456127• 3 years ago

Nice! Please create a clone of classic textmode (just looking like that, obviously) starfield screensaver from the Norton Commander next :-)

Show HN: I recreated a flying toasters screensaver for XScreensaver

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