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Show HN: ANSI-Saver – A macOS Screensaver

This Show HN introduces ANSI-Saver, a macOS screensaver that resurrects the vibrant ANSI art of the BBS era, streaming classic graphics from the 16colo.rs archive. It appeals to nostalgic developers and retrocomputing enthusiasts, offering an authentic visual experience with modern macOS integration. The project highlights how clever software can beautifully bridge decades of digital history.

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Comments
#4
Highest Rank
8h
on Front Page
First Seen
Mar 7, 3:00 PM
Last Seen
Mar 7, 10:00 PM
Rank Over Time
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The Lowdown

AnsiSaver is a new macOS screensaver designed to transport users back to the early days of personal computing, specifically the vibrant bulletin board system (BBS) era. It achieves this by displaying scrolling ANSI art, faithfully rendered and streamed directly from the vast 16colo.rs archive or from local files.

  • AnsiSaver downloads and caches ANSI art packs from 16colo.rs, a significant online archive. * It supports various art file formats including .ANS, .ICE, .ASC, .BIN, .XB, .PCB, and .ADF. * Authentic rendering is achieved using the libansilove library, employing CP437 fonts for a true-to-era visual experience. * The screensaver offers features like smooth 60fps scrolling, "continuous scroll mode" for an endless stream of art, and crossfade transitions between pieces. * Users can configure scroll speed, render scale (up to 4x for Retina displays), and choose to display filenames as separators. * Installation requires Apple Silicon and macOS Tahoe (26.0) or later, with straightforward steps for direct download or building from source. * Configuration options allow users to specify 16colo.rs pack URLs or local folders for their art sources. * The system works by rendering art files one-by-one to PNGs via libansilove and then displaying them with Core Animation, optimizing memory usage. AnsiSaver offers a delightful and authentic trip down memory lane for anyone who remembers the pixelated charm of BBS art, meticulously crafted into a modern macOS utility.