Move Over, Ansel Adams
A Review of National Parks Saver
Rich Cunningham
A screen saver is a screen saver is a screen saver...right? There are many, many different types of them available these days. Everything from cartoon characters to Hubbell Telescope pictures to Fill_in_the_Picture_of_your_choice software is available. The original concept of the screen saver was to prevent burn in on static computer display screens. In the early days of CRT displays, if the monitor display didn't change or update on a regular basis, the screen would start to show "burn-in". This is very obvious to detect: turn off the monitor, and what was displayed on the screen would still be discernable on the face of it. This was caused (using layman's terms) by the phosphor on the inside of the CRT wearing out. Screen savers eliminated or reduced this by giving a constantly changing display. With the improved technology in monitor design, screen savers are not totally necessary, but are nice to have. To me, it is much better to have a nice beach scene or mountain range to look at, rather than a dull display of numbers.
To me, calling a screen saver a screen saver is an out of date term. I think something like visual screen enhancer, or on-screen art, or digital display diorama is more fitting, especially with the subject matter that is available in stores these days. The program we will look at today is one of the better ones I have seen cross my desk in a long time, and I hope, when I am done, that you will share the same opinion.
The name of the program is called National Parks Saver, and is one of three titles available from ScreenLogic. The subject is the National Parks of our country, ranging from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone to Mount Rainier. Each picture is done as a full color outdoor picture that will fill the entire screen with a breath-taking view. I have seen pictures of these subjects before ( I mean, who hasn't seen pictures of the Grand Canyon?), but not as impressive as these. The images, which total 30, can be individually selected to be part of the screen saver. You can use 3 or 4 or 15 or 23 or any number to customize the program to your taste.
Installation is fairly simple. There is an install program that loads the program onto your hard drive and expands the files. The setup menu is then run. Here is where the customization takes place. Individual pictures can be selected, and the amount of time they will remain on the screen. Each picture has a title, and that can be chosen to appear as well. One feature I like is the ability to have the title fade after a period of time. For example, if you select images to change every 60 seconds, you can have the title appear at first, and then fade after 10 or 15 seconds. That would leave the picture by itself for the remaining 45 seconds. There are also a variety of visual effects that can be applied as the image change. Wipes, fades, and dissolves are among those effects that can be selected in sequence or randomly.
One of ScreenLogic's design features was made with computer monitors and end-users in mind. The images were selected with an eye towards grandeur and splendor, yet with a touch of serenity. It is hoped that this combination will help ease burnout, both of the machine and the user. It is also done with an eye to preserving the National Parks system as well. For every program that is sold, ScreenLogic donates a portion of that sale to help save our National Parks. So it indeed a true National Parks Saver, in more ways than one.
There are two other titles available from ScreenLogic. One is Wildlife Saver, which features the same type of images that are shown in National Parks, but focus on reptiles, birds, and endangered species, both above and below the water. A portion of the purchase price here is also donated to save the Wildlife of the world. The other, and newest, collection is called A Collection of Images from the Photographs of ANSEL ADAMS, The Screensaver. It features stunning black & white photographs from the legendary photographer. It gives a user the chance to experience the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and other landscapes as only the premier landscape photographer of all time could envision it. I haven't had a chance to see either of these titles, but am sure that both live up to the standard set by National Parks Saver.
So if you are looking for a gift for someone, or maybe even yourself, then this would be an ideal one. They are available direct from ScreenLogic in one of two ways: over the Internet at their website (http://www.digitalwow.com/screenlogic), and over the phone, toll free, at 1-800-LOGIC-55. Each cost $19.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling. For that price they are a great bargain and value.
MultiMedia Cafe Scorecard
| Product: |
National Parks Saver |
| Company: |
ScreenLogic
|
| Cost: |
$19.95 |
System Requirements:
IBM:
Windows 3.X / 95, 386DX or higher, 4MB RAM (8MB for Windows 95),
4MB free hard drive space (6MB for Windows 95), VGA or higher resolution monitor,
256-color video card.
Macintosh: Not Available.
Breakdown:
Entertainment Value 3.5
Educational Value 3.5
Concept 4
Depth 5
Interface 3
Overall Score:
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