To many, screensavers are no joke. You might not be at the computer, but you should never let your precious machine idle itself with a plain black screen. And because, sadly, Flying Toasters don't come standard with newer models, you are going to have to find something else to fill your screen while you make yourself a turkey sandwich.

Luckily for you, the Interweb (and I) have got your back. I've scoured the 1s and 0s of the web for the coolest FREE screensavers that will have your friends going "WOW" while you're in the kitchen getting them a drink. Then when you get back they'll be like "OMG, where did you get that amazing screensaver?!?!?!?!"

A total excuse to leave your computer idling at all times.

  • First up, Joe Mackenzie's HAL Project, which is an homage to the first creepy computer -- 2001: A Space Odyssey's HAL 9000. For sci-fi lovers and computer nerds alike! (For Macs & PCs)




  • Simon Hey's Word Clock tells time by illuminating the words that make up the day, month, year, hour, minute & second. (Gorgeous and available for both Mac & PC).



  • How can I say this without sounding like a creep? Slorker calls his SurveillanceSaver, "a haunting live soap opera" and it's pretty addicting. Showing live images of over 400 network surveillance cameras across the globe, you'll never know what you'll catch... (Available for Mac & PC)







  • I haven't quite delved into the world of The Endless Forest, but this is one of the first interactive screensavers I've seen on the webs! According to the site, The Endless Forest "is a multiplayer online game and social screensaver, a virtual place where you can play with your friends. When your computer goes to sleep you appear as a deer in this magical place. There are no goals to achieve or rules to follow. Just run through the forest and see what happens." It is also currently downloading to my computer! (For PCs only)



  • Twingly's screensaver lets you visualize global blog activity in real time -- when you're screen idles, the Twingly globe will start streaming blog activities from across the globe! (Just for PCs)



  • I couldn't choose just one screensaver to feature from 9031's collection. On the left is briblo, an self-constructing Lego creation and on the right is fliqlo, an old school flip clock for the desktop. Both are perfect screensavers (especially fliqlo, if you don't have a clock handy). 9031 also has amazing fonts, wallpapers, and cursors -- check them out! (All are for Mac & PC)






  • Aaron Brewer's Rainy Day is one of those neat screensavers that don't just shut off your screen, but work with it, so you still can see what's going on with your desktop while something lovely happens if you're idled. Clouds will form by your toolbar and soon it'll start to rain! (For Macs only)


  • Another one for Helvetica lovers: four graceful numbers drop ever so slowly into water, counting the time. DropClock is for Macs & PCs! Lucky you!

DROP CLOCK


  • The screenshot doesn't do Soundstream justice because the motion on the screen depends on the sounds that surround you. This screensaver takes its cues from your mic and is sort of an iTunes visualizer for your noise, very cool. It's also just for Macs.