Xscreensaver is a very old screensaver solution that was first written in 1991. And it is still going in 2023. It comes with a huge array of screensavers and is a perfect complement to any Linux desktop.
Xscreensaver is well worth installing, it is way better than the default MATE screensaver selection and has a few OpenGL screensavers such as GL Matrix. Apple 2 is another very good screensaver, this emulates the look of an old Apple II running on a very old CRT screen, with the delayed fade of the text and all. It may also be run as a VT100 terminal emulator, this is amazing.
Run the Apple 2 screensaver like this to use it as a terminal.
(base) ┌─jason-Lenovo-H50-55@jason⬎ └─◉ 5.1-~/Documents-08:00-⚫ ◉--[$] ☕ /usr/libexec/xscreensaver/apple2 -text -fast -program bash |
Very simple.
To run the Phosphor screensaver as a terminal, run it like this.
(base) ┌─jason-Lenovo-H50-55@jason⬎ └─◉ 5.1-~/Documents-08:10-⚫ ◉--[$] ☕ /usr/libexec/xscreensaver/phosphor -delay 4 -ticks 3 -program bash -scale 4 |
This looks great in operation.
Install Xscreensaver very easily, this will install the BSOD screensavers and extra ones as well.
(base) ┌─jason-Lenovo-H50-55@jason⬎ └─◉ 5.1-~/Documents-08:15-⚫ ◉--[$] ☕ sudo apt install xscreensaver-data xscreensaver-screensaver-bsod xscreensaver-gl-extra |
If you install the xscreensaver-gl and xscreensaver-gl-extra packages, this installs a lot of OpenGL screensavers. There is even a COVID-19 screensaver.