After Dark 2.0

After Dark 2.0 is the screensaver from Berkeley Systems that defined the look of the early-1990s Macintosh desktop. The 2.0 release expanded the original control panel with new modules and configuration options, and is the version most often associated with its iconic Flying Toasters.

What it is

A control panel and screen saver utility that activates animated modules after a period of inactivity, protecting CRT monitors and providing entertainment between tasks.

Notable modules

Ships with a library of memorable modules including Flying Toasters, Fish, Warp, and many others, with parameters tunable from a unified configuration UI.

Era and reception

Originally released in 1990, with 2.0 updates rolling through 1993. After Dark is widely credited with starting the consumer screensaver craze of the 90s on both Mac and Windows.

Compatibility

Targets 68k Macintosh systems and runs across System 6 and the System 7 line. Multiple 2.0x point releases addressed compatibility with later Mac hardware and OS revisions.

Publisher

Developed and published by Berkeley Systems, who later extended the franchise with themed editions such as Star Trek and Disney module collections.