After Dark

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After Dark
Basic data

developer Berkeley Systems
Current  version After Dark X 1.01b / Windows: 4.0.4
(July 28, 2005)
operating system Mac OS Classic , macOS , Windows
programming language Assembly language
category Screen saver
License Proprietary
German speaking Yes
http://en.infinisys.co.jp/product/adx/

After Dark was the world's first commercial and at the same time the most successful series of screensavers , originally developed by Berkeley Systems, Inc. in 1989 for Apple Macintosh computers. There are now versions for Windows systems as well as numerous imitation products. After Dark is one of the most famous and influential screen savers. Cult status, the module achieved Flying Toasters ( "Flying Toaster ") exists which includes a mobile game. Other games appeared under the name After Dark Games ; in addition, the book Art of Darkness by Erfert Fenton was inspired by the program. The open module technology allowed other manufacturers to integrate their own screen savers.

The software is distributed by Sierra Attractions , in Germany by Vivendi Games Germany. The Mac OS X version was licensed to the Japanese company Infinisys.

Versions

  • 1989 : After Dark Classic (Mac OS)
  • 1991 : More After Dark: 25 additional modules partly for 256-color mode, virus scanner, and the game Lunatic Fringe
  • Before Dark
  • 1992 : After Dark 2.0: 30 modules + 5 multi-mode modules
  • 1993 : Star Trek - The Screen Saver
  • 1993: The Disney Collection Screen Saver
  • 1993: The Simpsons Screen Saver (PC and MacOS)
  • 1993: Marvel Comics Screen Posters
  • 1993: Totally Twisted - After Dark Screen Saver: 13 unusual modules with password protection (e.g. flying toilets)
  • 1994 : Star Trek: The Next Generation Screen Saver
  • 1994: After Dark 3.0: Slide show, 28 modules and 3 multi-mode modules
  • 1995 : After Dark 3.2: Apple Monitor Energy Saver Code
  • 1999 : After Dark 4.0: 20 modules (3D), music (from Windows 95, Mac OS 7.1)
  • 2000 : After Dark Deluxe: over 85 modules
  • After Dark 10th Anniversary Edition
  • After Dark Midnight Collection: 14 modules
  • 2003 : After Dark X (Mac OS X)
  • 2013 : Flying Toasters Screensaver (Mac OS X)

File extensions

  • * .AD - after dark file ( DLL )
  • * .ADM - After Dark Multi-Module
  • * .ADR - After Dark Randomizer (random mode)

Known modules

  • Flying Toasters - Flying chrome toasters and slices of toast
  • Starry Night - star field over skyscrapers
  • Warp - rotating star field
  • Fish - aquarium
  • Mowing Man - lawn mower man
  • Mandelbrot fractals

Influences

Individual elements, especially the flying toasters, were broadcast in various media, such as in television series such as The Simpsons , Futurama , Rugrats and Beverly Hills 90210 .

Litigation

Two legal cases came to light in connection with the flying toasters: In 1993 the manufacturer sued the Canadian company Delrina , which had used this protected module (and later changed it). In 1994, Berkeley Systems was accused by the band Jefferson Airplane of having taken this over from the album cover Thirty Seconds Over Winterland . However, this lawsuit was dismissed as the cover was not protected.

Web links