The ScreenSaver Icon
Location in the BeOS:
/beos/preferences/ScreenSaver

[F/X: Icon World intro theme music]

[F/X: Applause]

[Fade up houselights to reveal weathered but fashionable host Trent Bafflegaff sitting with this week's guest]

TRENT: Welcome to Icon World, where Icons come alive. Here with me this week is ... hey, wake up! We're on the air!

ScreenSaver: I'm wide awake Trent.

TRENT: Oh sorry, those "Z"s above your head confused me.

ScreenSaver: Heh heh, that gets them every time.

TRENT: Anyway, we're here with Blanket who ...

ScreenSaver: Excuse me, that's "ScreenSaver".

TRENT: What?

ScreenSaver: I've legally changed my name to ScreenSaver.

TRENT: When did this happen?

ScreenSaver: When I gave up my third-party status and became an official part of the BeOS, starting with the Genki release.

TRENT: So you now reside in the Preferences folder.

ScreenSaver: That's correct.

TRENT: Yet I notice you still wear a blanket over your head.

ScreenSaver: My agent says I should keep it - that it's part of "my look."

TRENT: Whatever your name is, let's talk about your job: saving screens by preventing phosphor burn-in. You see, when a monitor presents an image...

ScreenSaver: Actually Trent, I don't do much of that anymore. Unlike older monitors, today's monitors are highly resistant to phosphor burn-in. "Saver" is sort of an honorary title these days.

TRENT: But I had this great little lesson prepared!

ScreenSaver: I'm sorry to hear that.

TRENT: Argh! So what do you do then?

ScreenSaver: Well, like most ScreenSavers, you can set me to run after a set number of minutes or based on mouse position. Plus, there are many modules available, so you can customize me to your liking.

TRENT: So you're just eye-candy?

ScreenSaver: Useful eye-candy, if you please.

TRENT: How so?

ScreenSaver: Well, not only do I hide possibly sensitive work (or games) from casually prying eyes, but you can add a password lock if you like and guard against habitually prying fingers.

TRENT: So then I have to remember another password?

ScreenSaver: You may use your existing network password if you choose.

TRENT: Whew, what a relief. My brain is already full!

ScreenSaver: Yes, I can see that.

TRENT: Thanks! I think...

ScreenSaver: Thank you as well. This has been quite entertaining.

TRENT: See you next time on Icon World. And if you want to know about phosphor burn-in, I have a great lesson prepared! Oops, we're out of time for today.

[F/X: Icon World exit theme music]

[Fade lights]

[Roll credits]