Timeline
August 20, 2005 5:46 PM   Subscribe

Timeline. I found this strangely riveting even though it is just a simple clock [flash].
posted by srboisvert (37 comments total)
 
Cooool.
posted by bitpart at 6:08 PM on August 20, 2005


Anybody know how to run Flash as the desktop on OS X?
posted by bitpart at 6:08 PM on August 20, 2005


*Everything* subtly moves! Way cool.
posted by ashbury at 6:17 PM on August 20, 2005


bitpart, you might try webdesktop
posted by jimray at 6:21 PM on August 20, 2005


Answering my own question: SaveHollywood can run Flash files (and movie files) as a screensaver, and Backlight can run a screensaver as a desktop background.
posted by bitpart at 6:21 PM on August 20, 2005


I just gave that a shot. Apparently, for both our solutions, it doesn't play in the background as smoothly as it does when in the foreground. I think the upcoming version of Flash player will remedy that.
posted by bitpart at 6:26 PM on August 20, 2005


it's like watching your life pass before your eyes.
posted by brandz at 6:45 PM on August 20, 2005


AJScreensaver is on the *same* site as this clock, so why jump through hoops to do what is already done? It has the exact same timeline screensaver and others.
posted by riffola at 6:45 PM on August 20, 2005


This was my desktop until it got depressing.
posted by 517 at 7:20 PM on August 20, 2005


Very cool. This one still blows me away after all these years, but that one is pretty darn cool as well.
posted by psmealey at 7:24 PM on August 20, 2005


that's the most depressing thing I've seen all day... damn cool tho. Just wish there was a "reverse" or "pause" button.
posted by Edible Energy at 7:28 PM on August 20, 2005


This is apparently the original version of this timeline clock. With a Y2K problem, or just badly scripted.
posted by kika at 7:37 PM on August 20, 2005


self link clock (Shockwave)
posted by kika at 7:40 PM on August 20, 2005


riffola: Hot damn!
posted by bitpart at 7:41 PM on August 20, 2005


Windows only? Oh, hope belied!
posted by bitpart at 7:43 PM on August 20, 2005


Hypnotic.
posted by WolfDaddy at 7:51 PM on August 20, 2005


I don't know, it's cool all right but, since it is rendered on a computer screen it comes down to increments of pixels, and you aren't ever really going to see one of the "big" ones increment, right? It is like showing you a picture of a dog, then saying, "in ten years I'm going to switch this with a picture of a cat! wooOOooo"

I guess that fact that it won't move is in itself could be pretty terrifying, a clock with a big enough scope that you could stare at it your whole life and never see it move. Although I thought what most people were thinking about was the time slipping away aspect.

(It made me feel like i was gonna be alive for quite a long time tho, I know I never saw a month budge, and I can't say for sure about the days either).
posted by SomeOneElse at 7:53 PM on August 20, 2005


Okay. So where can I find a real one to hang on my wall?
posted by Eamon at 8:21 PM on August 20, 2005


There was one that was entered in the 5k contest once, it was very similar, but dhtml and only 5k. I ca't find it.
posted by tomplus2 at 8:50 PM on August 20, 2005


Very cool. And the design definitely pushes that "time slipping away" and "you're just here for a moment" ideas.
posted by dreamsign at 9:22 PM on August 20, 2005


It's beautiful!
posted by Felicity Rilke at 9:59 PM on August 20, 2005


I could waste much too much time staring deeply and intently at this thing. Especially in these wee hours of the night.
posted by scallion at 10:12 PM on August 20, 2005


I have this as my active desktop right now. It's really cool, and the color changes spice it up nicely as you watch your life pass by.
posted by lychee at 12:26 AM on August 21, 2005


sr boisvert: I wouldn't necessarily agree that it's riveting per se -- I can definitely tear myself away after seeing a minute roll over -- but I do find it striking and profound. It seems strange because it is so stark and simple and at the same time illustrates something as mysterious and deep as the passage of time. It's very elegant.
posted by gohlkus at 12:33 AM on August 21, 2005


I like it. Soothing, in a slightly depressing way -- but not necessarily bad.
posted by davidmsc at 2:35 AM on August 21, 2005


clock of the long now
posted by crunchland at 3:08 AM on August 21, 2005


Love this clock, srboisvert! Here are a few other cool ones:

- Awesome - Time
- A dot for every second in the day
- Typo'clock
posted by madamjujujive at 3:19 AM on August 21, 2005


madamjujujive, thank you so much for that truly awesome "Time" clock -- the others have been impressive, but that is gorgeous and mesmerizing. An instant bookmark.
posted by languagehat at 5:57 AM on August 21, 2005


You're all nuts.
posted by RustyBrooks at 10:40 AM on August 21, 2005


Wow! Before this I had not realized that, as time moves along, not only do the seconds change, but so do the minutes and then hours and then days and then months and even whole years! I have a theory that this principle extends to decades, centuries and perhaps even millenia.
posted by spock at 10:56 AM on August 21, 2005


I can't believe I just watched that thing for 5 minutes...
posted by pwally at 12:13 PM on August 21, 2005


jimray: thanks for the webdesktop link. Cool little program. I think I might be in love with it.

And yes, I am amazed at how amazed I am by a simple little clock flash program.
posted by neek at 1:20 PM on August 21, 2005


Also, metric clocks.
(make sure you click 'continue')
posted by nyterrant at 9:41 PM on August 21, 2005


- A dot for every second in the day

Wow. So much time to waste!
posted by Citizen Premier at 12:19 AM on August 22, 2005


thanks, spock -- Your comment made me laugh out loud.

I just can't believe 17,902 users passed on "spock".

Metafilter: You're all nuts.
posted by gohlkus at 7:28 PM on August 22, 2005


Can someone add the "flash" tag? I was looking for this that way and couldn't find it.
posted by intermod at 9:24 AM on August 23, 2005


Aaaaaargh! Again. This time I only wasted 10 minutes looking for this. By way of google, I wound up on ask.mefi looking through the tags there. Also add the screensaver tag?
posted by intermod at 11:53 AM on September 14, 2005


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