Show HN: ANSI-Saver – A macOS Screensaver

github.com

82 points by lardissone 8 hours ago


Hi, I've been working on something I've been thinking for long time but since I had no experience with macOS screen savers I always posponed. Now thanks to Claude I was able to create a screensaver that scroll ANSI files while your computer is idle.

It allow to use local ANS files or packs directly from 16colo.rs.

Repo: https://github.com/lardissone/ansi-saver

stnvh - an hour ago

This is absolutely brilliant. I've been toying with the codebase and thought this would work really well similar to the 'Macintosh' style animated screensaver present in macOS's more recent updates.

https://youtu.be/gSss24I_y3M

Still a bit rough around the edges. I am currently adding per-character animation so the grid enters like a "wave"

ynac - 6 hours ago

You're inspiring me to attempt a rescue of my last BBS (MajorBBS system) from 1991-1993. It had some great ANSI room and section screens. It was run from a single 1GB(!!) drive that cost us $1000. We had email, a couple stores (one of the first online book stores) and store-n-forward mail systems, maybe finger and telnet(?). Unfortunately, a neighbor got stoned, had a cigarette in bed and burned up his house and ours. Nobody hurt, but the BBS wasn't backed up offsite.

primaryobjects - 5 hours ago

This would be great with an option to draw each ANSI line by line with pixels drawn left to right. The same way it was experienced over dialup.

The options could be baud rates: 56k, 14.4, 2400

retlehs - 6 hours ago

This is really great work, I’m installing this immediately once I’m back on my machine

My terminal loads ANSI each time it opens, but requires downloading artpacks first: https://github.com/retlehs/ansimotd

I also like how your README suggests specific packs to grab

b800h - 2 hours ago

This is brilliant - thanks!

There are so many packs on that site to choose from, it would be great to get some pointers on which ones to install.

lardissone - 6 hours ago

Added a demo video and an explaining post on my own site: https://leandroardissone.com/posts/ansi-saver

gwbas1c - 40 minutes ago

Anyone else having trouble getting this to work?

I tried building myself, and the build ended with a certificate error. (I get it, distributing software always hits unexpected snags.)

Then I installed from zip and when I use preview (in the screen saver options,) I just get a blank screen. There's a message at the top of the screen, but most of it is truncated from the notch from the camera.

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Edit: I tried adding sources, but they don't seem to download. Not sure why. Sigh.

binaryturtle - 7 hours ago

Those are some intense system requirements.

user3939382 - 7 hours ago

As someone with a flying toasters tie, I can’t wait to try this.

superultra - 6 hours ago

Tahoe only? Yikes!

- 5 hours ago
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