Boger Gray asked:


What is a screensaver?

A screensaver is a pop up simple program within operating systems that appears whenever you leave the keyboard or mouse unattended for a couple of minutes. To find out whether it can start the screensaver or not, Windows sends a message to the foreground application. This command is asking the application, “Can I start the screensaver?” A non- Windows program will not understand the command, and therefore will not answer it. A CBT application will understand it, but will respond with a command that means “No, I’m providing training right now.” All other applications should respond positively to the command.

The screensavers were originally designed to protect the computer monitor from phosphor burn-in. The phosphors, used to make the pixels in the display, would glow at a constant rate for such a long period of time that they would actually discolor the glass surface of the CRT. This discoloration would then be visible as a faint image overlaying whatever else was displayed on the monitor.

Now you can use screensavers for: ? Entertainment - most people use screensavers for the fun of watching them. There are several screensaver categories like: natural environments (e.g. animated waterfalls, aquariums, fireplaces etc.), favorite actor/actress screensavers, cars screensavers etc. ? Advertisement - many companies have developed their own themed screensavers (e.g. a black background with the name of the company scrolling up and down) ? Security - this might be one of the most important uses .You can simply set a password so when your computer exits the screensaver will actually require a password to go back to its desktop. Many people use this option to prevent others from invading their privacy.

Screensaver Development

A screensaver is really just an executable file, with the extension changed from .exe to .scr. By putting a screensaver file into the Windows or System directory and giving it a .scr extension, Windows knows that it should treat this file as a screensaver and makes it available as an option in the Display properties window.

The bulk of the screen saver is written in C++ and uses OpenGL for rendering. It is shared between both Windows and Macintosh versions. The Windows version also is in C++ and talks directly to the Win32 API (no MSVC classes). The development environment is Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express, but a VC++ 6.0 project is also included. The Macintosh version is in a mix of C++ and ObjectiveC, and is built with Xcode. The screensaver interfaces indirectly with the operating system to cause the physical display screen to be overlayed with one or more graphic ’scenes’. The screensaver typically terminates after receiving a message from the operating system that the mouse has been moved or a key has been pressed.

The screensaver file can be programmed in several different ways. It can: ? Simply present a black screen ? Load and display a particular image or group of images ? Display a particular line of text ? Display an animation or series of animations ? Display information from another program or a Web site

To suit the user needs companies designed several types of screensavers based on: ? Shockwave Flash ? Image slide shows ? Play movies and music different formats (avi,mpg,asf/mp3,aac,midi,wav) ? 3D rendering objects ? Open GL support screensavers

Most screensavers offer some combination of these features. Except for the slideshow screensavers that display a sequence of images, screensavers generally move an image, piece of text or animation around the screen. The screensavers that have a custom interface, and do not use the Display properties window at all, are less common. Usually, these screensavers do not have the .scr extension. They require that you install them using a setup program in order to configure them properly.

There are several available software over the internet that lets you make your own screensavers based on Shockwave Flash, Image Slide Show (display your favorite photos) and Movie .The software offers you the possibility to let your imagination get loose and use all kind of multimedia support like Background music support, transition effect support, masking effect support, customizable screensaver Dialog box etc.

Installing and removing screensavers under Microsoft Windows

There are two types of screensavers: ? compressed self installing Screensaver setup files(.EXE) ? stand-alone screensaver file(.SCR)

The easiest way to install a screensaver under MS Windows platform is to download it from the internet and simply follow the install w izard’s further instructions. All you have to do during the wizard is to: read and agree the terms and conditions choose the install destination path and choose either if you want or not to create a shortcut icon on the menu folder. Another method is to copy the screensaver w ith his original ‘.scr’ extension on W indow s’s root directory c:windows.

To remove a screensaver from your computer simply erase it from c:windows folder where you have initially copied it or access ‘add/rem ove program s’ within Control Panel ,locate the screensaver from the installed program s list and hit the ‘add/rem ove button’.

Configuring your screensaver

1. Click Start, then click Settings and go to Control Panel. 2. When the Control Panel window opens, double-click on the Display icon. This brings up the Display Properties window. 3. Select the Screensaver tab, and select the screensaver you want to use from the drop-down menu. 4. Determine how many minutes you want the system to be idle before Windows launches the screensaver, and enter that amount of time in the box provided. 5. You can click on Preview to see what it will look like in full-screen use. If you want to change the settings, click Settings. Depending on the screensaver, this window can have one or more options that you can modify. 6. Once you have finished changing the settings, click OK. You can also use the screensaver for security by checking the “Password protected” box. Click OK again and your screensaver is set to go!

© 2006 Mastermen Pty Ltd

You are welcome to post this document on your own website provided it is unchanged and all acknowledgements are retained



LYNDA

Cdmohatta asked:


Valentines day comes once in a year. But that does not mean that lovers stop loving each other for the rest of the year. They continue loving each other with the same intensity. The only difference is that on Valentines Day the love is expressed in different ways and lover overflows more.

Valentine screensavers are designed to express this romantic love. All these screensavers have lovely text, and images. Every good valentine Screensaver can arouse passion in any one. That is the effect of visuals, text and music. If you wish to keep the passion of love at its peak during all the times, download few Valentines Screensavers on your desktop and watch them all through the year. For a lover, everyday is the Valentines Day.

a lover wants to feel the passion at all the times. A lover wants to feel the heart beating faster at the thought of his beloved at all the times. A lover wants to be with his/her darling at all the times. Love gives life to one who is in love. That is why I say, download few Valentine Screensavers on your desktop and watch them whenever you want to feel passionate.

Take care to download Valentine Screensavers from a good website so that you avoid any attachments of adware and spyware. Search for free downloads. Keep the selection to lower file sizes. Download screensavers with music and lovely text. The download should be simple and installation easy. Do not experiment with many websites. Once you know that a site is offering good free content, keep confined to that. Wish you a great love life.

Related link :-

1- Free Valentines Day Ecards

2- Valentines Day Wallpapers



CLAUDIO

Victor Mars asked:


Stock Image includes stock photography and stock footage, means images that can be licensed for specific uses. their uses are very popular with designers, graphic artists, art directors, advertising agencies, and marketing professionals, in magazine advertisements, websites, and marketing brochures. Instead of hiring a professional photographer to create an image. A collection of stock photography may also be called a photo archive, picture library, image bank or photo bank.

Since 1920’s, images could be filed at an agency that negotiates licensing fees on the photographer’s behalf in exchange for a percentage. With the advent of the digital photography, and so many people armed with cameras of high enough quality to shoot great photos, it is a good idea to make these photos available to each other, at a low price, while paying the photographers a commission for each photo sold. Today, the Internet wave pushes this business increasingly blossoming online, especially with the newer micro-stock models.

In this industry, a important feature is so-called “Royalty-free”. “Free” in this context means “free of royalties (paying each time you use an image)”. It does not mean the image is free to use without purchasing a license or that the image is in the public domain. Details:

1. Pay a one-time fee to use the image multiple times for multiple purposes (with limits).

2. No time limit on when the buyer can use an image.

3. No one can have exclusive rights of a Royalty-free image (the photographer can sell the image as many times as he or she wants).

4. A Royalty-free image usually has a limit to how many times the buyer can reproduce it. For example, a license might allow the buyer to print 10,000 brochures with the purchased image. The amount of copies made is called the print run. Above that print run the buyer is required to pay a fee per brochure. Those magazines with a large print run cannot use a basic Royalty-free license and therefore they either purchase images with an extended license or have in-house photographers.

There are two kinds of licenses, Basic and Extended.

With a Basic License, licensee may print or use the image for their personal use in any size provided that there is no subsequent sale or transfer to other persons. The images that users download under the Basic License may be used to make fine art prints, on web sites, in magazines, newspaper, products, software, newsletters, advertisements, flyers, packaging, marketing material, school assignments, presentations, and within films or videos, books or booklets, in either printed or electronic media, as long as the item in which the image appears does not contradict some restrictions. Note that the maximum number of copies for printed materials is limited, for example 10,000 copies. The images that users download with the Basic License also may be used as “editorial use” to illustrate truthful articles or broadcasts appearing in magazines, newspapers or any other editorial context, in either printed or electronic media.

But only With a Basic License, users may not use the images in products in which these images are dominant feature if the product is to be subsequently sold or distributed. Examples include posters, postcards, greeting cards, mugs, T-shirts, canvas, hats, mouse pads, magnets, art prints, paintings, or calendars, and screensavers, web templates, software, web page builders, gallery, or any system where the image file can be unincorporated from the software or system or be shared among, transferred to, or otherwise distributed to a number of users. It is also forbidden to make the image available on a website for download (as wallpapers for example). The use of images for these purposes under the Basic License is not permitted. In these cases, users should buy Extended Licenses.

The following licenses offer extended types of usage for Basic Licenses. These are additional licenses to the rights included within the Basic Licenses. Note that the other restrictions still apply.

1. Increase Max Copies: Extends our Basic Licenses to a maximum amount of printed copies, let us say up to 1,000,000 copies, etc.

2. Electronic Items for Resale: this license includes the right to use the images for web templates that are sold to more customers, screensavers, e-cards, PowerPoint presentations or as wallpapers on cell phones.

3. Physical Items for Resale: includes the right to use the photos for T-shirts, postcards, greeting cards, mugs, mouse pads, posters, calendars, framed artwork that is to be sold to other customers.

Note, buying the high-resolution image (purchasing the license) does not transfer the copyright.

Another important feature of web-based stock photography collections is that the images have been embedded with meta-data, therefore making the images searchable by using keywords. This feature helps users finding photos or footages very quickly over the Internet and make the cost lower and lower. Finally, more and more people can enjoy high quality digital images and videos, and the world becomes more and more beautiful.



ANGELIA

Dennis Eisenhower asked:


Of many gadgets that have become immensely popular these days, the cell phone stands being one among the topmost. This is one gadget that almost everyone in the world are going in for and are regularly being upgraded to the latest models that are hitting the markets. As buying trendiest of cell phones is becoming the order of the day, many people are going in for various options such as downloading wallpapers, screensavers and ringtones to personalize their phones and provide it an extra touch.

There are many different type of ringtones ranging from monophonic to polyphonic ringtones and real ringtones, MP3 ringtones, etc. While many ringtones are not compatible on every phone that is available, monophonic ringtones are usually compatible for all phones although not many prefer to have these tones on their phones.

Polyphonic ringtones are the most preferred type of ringtones that are often downloaded off the internet. This is so because these include about anywhere between 4 to 40 tones being played at once to provide a good effect to the ringtone.

So, are ringtones free for download or is it necessary to buy ringtones?

Although some ringtones are available for free, it is often required to buy ringtones to be able to download them and use them on your cell phone. But, why is it essential to buy ringtones?

Ringtones are downloaded from ringtone providers who have to pay royalty to recording companies to be able to use the original music that is being played in the ringtone. Many also need to pay the service providers for enabling these ringtones to be played by users of the particular network.

But there are some options where you need not buy ringtones but it is available for free. These generally contain ringtones from original music for which the copyright period is over and is free for use. Also, it is sometimes possible to find the latest music ringtones when some bands provide these ringtones as a promotion for their latest albums. Also, some websites generate revenue through advertisements that enable them to provide free ringtones that actually helps in improving web traffic.

But, opting for free ringtones or going in for cheap ringtones is not a good choice always. The internet is a hub for many unscrupulous elements that misuse copyright laws and bring out pirated versions of ringtones that is actually illegal to use. There are also sites where downloading free ringtones can invite trouble in the form of adware or spyware that can cause many difficulties and lots of frustration.

An option used by many to avoid the necessity to buy ringtones is to use a converter that helps in converting audio files to a format that is compatible for use on the cell phone. Some people even use the composer option on their cell phone to create their own ringtones. People also use methods like infrared transfer and Bluetooth transfer of various types of ringtones to enable them to get the latest options without having to buy ringtones.

Although it is advisable to buy ringtones instead of going in for free ringtones that are available, it is best you carefully research and see if it is safe to try the free options or cheap ringtones as there might be some malicious intent behind providing such an option to you.



LYN

Joseph Toth asked:


There are a great many screensavers out there for your computer. Do you know how to tell a good one from the rest? The good ones, being true screensavers do exactly what their name implies. On the other hand if you don’t use a good one, you probably just have a screen decoration using the name screensaver.

Many people don’t know there is a difference between screensavers, they see the name screensaver and trust the software for what it is supposed to do. In this article I will discuss these differences and how you can spot them in your screensaver software.

There are just as many free downloadable screensavers out there, as there are retail screensavers. Retail screensavers have some very good ones as well as some not so good ones. This also applies to the free downloadable screensavers, … there are good ones and not so good ones. Regardless if you download free screensavers or if you purchase them, you should know some things about identifying a good screensaver.

The first of some important things is watching for a screensaver where most of the picture remains still and in one position while it plays. A example of this would be a picture of a fairground but the only moving part of the entire picture is a marry-go-round. Everything else remains still and in one spot. This is a perfect example of a screensaver that can etch your computer screen. Another example is a monitor I saw at our local Goodwill store when I was looking for music CD’s last summer. As I walked the isles of the store being a little nosey, I saw a used computer monitor on the shelf for sale. The monitor wasn’t plugged in, and I saw the screen of this monitor was severely etched by a cheap screen saver. It was very clear which screensaver did it too. It was one of the Coca Cola screensavers that are out there. This one was the one with the bears sitting in the snow watching fireworks. The image of the bears sitting in the snow was etched into the lower half of the monitor’s screen. This is exactly what I’m talking about.

Secondly, any screensaver that has a still frame or border around the changing images and is consistent through the playing of the screensaver is another type of screensaver that can etch your computer screen. Damage like this can happen on computers that leave screensavers run for days on end, such as office or other business computers that leave screen savers play for entire weekends, over night and during holiday shut downs. One may ask, “how can you tell if a computer screen is etched, and what does it mean?”.

Identifying a etched computer screen is very easy. Simply turn off the power to the monitor, wait a moment for the monitor to settle after the power was shut off. Now look closely at the computer screen while the power is still off. If you can see the images or shadows of your computers images in the black screen, … this means your computer screen is etched and the monitor is permanently damaged. This is what screensavers are supposed to avoid. However if using a screensaver (example) that uses a frame or border around its images, it is likely after long term use that the frame or border of such a screen saver will etch into the screen. This means the shadow for the frame or border will be visible on the screen when the power is off. This also holds true for screensavers that use logo’s, names or clocks in the corner of the screensaver that don’t move and hold the same spot while the screensaver is playing.

This is why the ideal screensaver is one that blacks out the whole monitor leaving a dark screen with no pixels at all being lit-up, … just a black screen until you bump the mouse or keyboard. In fact, this black screen option is one of the choices for your screensaver if you have Windows XP, … go into the control panel then choose the display icon, then click on screensaver and go down to the screensaver called ‘blank’. Yes, this option works on systems running single and dual monitors.

Looking at the Windows XP screensavers is a good way to show a person a example of perfect screensavers. Super dark backgrounds and the ones that do show images, … the images don’t hold the same position throughout the playing of the screensaver. They constantly move around the black background avoiding the possibility of any etching.

After reading this article, one might ask “okay, I just noticed I have one of the less than favorable screensavers with stationary images, … should I replace it?”.

Actually that is up to you. You can replace it if you desire. You can also turn off your monitor or set up the monitor to shut off entirely if not used after a certain amount of time. I have my computer set up to show black screens after five minutes of no use, and after twenty minutes the computer shuts off both of my monitors until I bump the mouse or keyboard. Setting up your computer to shut off the monitors can be done through the control panel of your Windows operating system and going through the power options. This feature can easily extend the life of a monitor because it remembers to shut the monitor down even when you forget, … plus it saves a little electricity.

If you choose to replace the screensaver, … before spending money on another screensaver, try downloading some shareware or freeware screensavers first. Then if you are not satisfied or didn’t find something you like you can exercise the option to buy one. This way you tried your free resources before spending money.

Remember, … a good screensaver is one where the entire screen is constantly changing, nothing stays in one spot without moving.

Reporter Joseph Toth

Washington Micro Bank BBS



AMBROSE

Dmitry Pl asked:


It is a well known fact a few decades back computers used to have serious problems with monitors. When static images were left on them, monitors could easily burn them in permanently. To fight this problem, people came up with software programs that were set to change the images displayed on computer screensaver after a certain period of time, thus preventing monitors from burning. These programs were the first screensavers.

Today monitors are a lot more advanced, and displaying static images for many hours is no longer a problem. However, screensavers did not disappear; instead, they have developed and now have many new functions.

Today you may use screensavers to show your individuality and spirit, you may make your desktop unique and thus different from million of other desktops! Blooming gardens and birds’ songs, gentle murmur of a brook and leaves rustling, fascinating and unforgettable space travels and many more pictures from you dreams will color your every day at home or at the office. Screensavers will always improve your mood and raise your spirit, adding something interesting to your daily life.

If you are fond of taking pictures or have collected a great stock of nice images you can make a slideshow of them and place it as a screensaver on your desktop. You can find lots of programs and utilities in the Internet which will help you to create your own screensavers. There are also huge amounts of the websites which will give you a wide variety of screensavers for your desktop.

At present 3D animated screensavers present the greatest interest. They are multifarious and spectacular and sometimes people watch them as a short movie. Such screensavers will accompany you during the holidays or take you away from boring daily routines, to the dream islands and tropical paradises, or to the nice house with a roaring fireplace and cat watching it from the armchair. Just have a look at the 3D screensaver and you will see there almost a real world, with awesome nature or mysterious and breathtaking Universe, with soothing sea and warm sand or any other place where you would like to be at this moment!

When you find a screensaver of your dream and download it, you install it and change it to your taste by choosing different scenes, views, tunes, etc. It is should be mentioned though that not all of the screensavers have various settings and can be customized. As a rule, most slideshow screensavers or free screensavers have limited functionality. Still, even among those you are likely to find attractive and colorful sceneries.

Brighten up your desktop with a screensaver and get a world of your dreams!



CHRISTIAN

Alden Jerry asked:


Apart from games, ring tones and other software, screensavers are also getting a huge demand. This article focuses more on the changing trend and its impact.

Mobile phones are the optimum fashion statement for people all over the world. Users want their mobile handsets to be decorated with good looking pictures and wallpapers. Looking at the current trends in the industry, all the mobile manufacturers are putting in efforts to give the handsets a more beautiful look. There are a number of screensavers, wallpapers and themes available to the users in order to give the handset a better look.

Mobile screensaver is the most popular choice to give a new look to your mobile screen. It can be of any type, such as animations, text or any photo.

You can use some inspiring text or a funny scene or a still photo as the screensaver. The concept of screensavers is getting a huge popularity and has forced the manufacturers to feature it in their handsets. If you want to have some of the latest mobile screensavers, you can download it from the internet. There are many online specific portals and websites available on the internet that provides the latest mobile fun products. You can also find many schemes and offers there providing the option of free download. One just has to get registered on the site and the world of mobile entertainment is awaiting for you.

The mobile content market is growing at a rapid speed. Mobile makers are presenting new ideas and concepts in order to take advantage of this boom.

The screensavers not only add spice to the handset but also give an opportunity to get rid of the boring plain screens. Many times, it reflects the personality of the owner too. The kind of screensavers you are using for your handset represents your overall attitude to others. In fact, they also give you the power of customisation from which you can redefine your mobile device in a distinct and innovative way.

Screensavers for mobile can be found in many designs and varieties. The theme of heart, love messages and the natural scenes can inspire you to download and experience the power of the mobile fun. It should match the mood of the users at a particular time. Choosing the latest mobile screensaver depends on the taste, environment and style of the users. If it is a romantic day, he or she would choose a similar screensaver for that day. Similarly, you can use a broken heart for showing your sorrow for a bad day in your romantic life. In fact, you have many choices to express yourself through these on any particular moment. So now express your personality in words and set it as the screensaver on your mobile.

The latest mobile screensavers are providing a lot of choices to the mobile buffs to select entertaining items on different occasions. You can find the specific screensavers for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Friendship Day, etc. It makes you the delighted customers when you see these customized products.

With the rising popularity, the manufacturers are also bringing many innovative features in the handset. For example, the Sony Ericsson S500 handset offers changeable screensavers which automatically change in a pre determined way. So, you can find the beautiful scene of a sunrise in the morning, twinkling starts at night and lovely sunset in the evening changing automatically. The concepts of interactive screensavers are also getting popularity these days in which you can write the texts and read it with the help of it.

Hence, screensavers are the part and parcel of today’s mobile industry. It gives a more elegant look to the beautiful handsets that are coming these days. It also prevents your mobile device from any external threat of virus or hackers. Moreover, it gives a longer life to the battery of the mobile phone since the power consumption becomes very less when it is on the mobile screen. Overall, it is having many benefits when it is used and gives you an opportunity to explore new things on your mobile.



SOLEDAD

Raye Ng asked:


A screensaver is a computer program or application that replaces the image on a screen when the computer is not in use. Screensavers today are used for both entertainment and / or security reasons.

You can configure your screensaver with a password so that anyone who wishes to use your computer will need to have an authorize password before they are allowed to use it. In addition, you could use your screensavers during fairs and exhibitions for promotional purposes. With a specially designed screensaver you could capture the attention of browsers or shoppers at exhibitions and event based shows.

Today screensavers have been so advanced that it delivers high quality graphics such as 3D and / or real time images. Human factor research has shown that using real images are much faster than using rss feeds. This allows for information or warning devices of sever weather conditions, accidents or news etc.

Mostly a screensaver is use by the user for entertainment, aesthetic reasons when the computer is left alone while the user is away. Imagine sitting in your workstation taking a short break, sipping away your favorite beverage while trying to find for something to look at to ‘get away’ from work for awhile.

The screensaver saves the day. It really depends on your preference, for example, I would love to have a deep blue 3D real fish aquarium screensaver. I can see these 3D animated fishes swimming away, taking my mind off my work for awhile. It is as if having a fish tank or an aquarium in your office without the hassle of changing the water or feeding the fishes.

What about this? 3D animated water fountain equipped with the following sound of water. Providing tranquility and Zen feel at workplace. Well, if you like Alps and mountains there are even screensavers on them, so are birds, wildlife and many, many other themes you can think of. Best of all you could download them free. But I would definitely warn you to be careful where you download your screensavers and wallpapers from. Many now on the internet has spyware and adware included and may corrupt your computer or desktop.

I have setup a mini website that hosts free screensavers and wallpapers that are certified save for use by eTrust, a consumer authority on the net. Yes, the screensavers and wallpapers are free. You can choose from a range of static, animated, 2D, 3D and a variety of themes. Enjoy! http://screensavers.weebly.com



EDWINA

Cash asked:


Free, with No Spyware

FLETCHER

Zarqoo Zaimoo asked:


Ever since the computer became a common place item in every household all over the world, antivirus software has become a necessity. Of course with such increasing demands for it, many software making companies are taking advantage and developing more and more antivirus engines for use in any electronic device that might need it. Choosing one that is suited to your needs is not easy due to the fact that there are plenty of options and all claim to be the best. However, for those who are on a budget or are looking for something easy on the pockets, free antivirus software is their only option. Even then, the choices are quite numerous. Your best bet in finding the best free antivirus software is to read free antivirus software reviews. I know, I know, you’re thinking that these antivirus softwares must be no good when compared to the ones that you have to purchase. In a way, you are correct. However, many of these free antivirus softwares actually provide great protection.

Here’s some free antivirus software reviews for you, based on the comments of people who have tried it for themselves.

1. AOL Active Virus Shield (Kaspersky Antivirus)

- This is an antivirus which was based on the leading paid antivirus program, the Kaspersky Antivirus Ver.6. It offers the best detection rates and updates itself frequently just as one would expect from Kaspersky products.

2. Avira AntiVir Personal Edition

- Installation was painless and the user interface has been improved since the release of the last version. The options are displayed in a very organized way, making it easy for the user to try it all as well as to switch to the “expert mode”.

3. AVG Antivirus Free Edition

- Considered by many to be the most configurable of all the free antivirus softwares available in the internet. Though the variety of the choices might confuse first time users, it is still arguably the best when it comes to protection for your pc.

4. eTrust EZ Antivirus

- Although not completely free as it is only available for a 1 year trial from the Computer Associates site, it is still among the easiest to install as well as to maintain among all the antivirus softwares. The user interface is very easy to understand and it also provides the user with the necessary information and even links out to other resources in the event that it is necessary.

5. Avast 4 Home Edition

- This antivirus is among the most rich in terms of features when compared to other free antivirus software. It monitors many of the overlooked potential virus entry points such as through your mail and through instant messengers. It is also very configurable and would provide the user with many great features such as the antivirus screensaver which would run the virus scan while your screensaver is active.

So there you have it folks, five of the free antivirus software reviews that would help you in choosing free antivirus software that would meet all your standards as well as your computer’s needs. Remember, just because its free it doesn’t mean they are no good.



PRINCE