# Weird Windows 3-D pipes screensaver thing (ATTENTION COMPUTER GEEKS!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 27, 2000, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155 "2000-01-27T03:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/1 "2000-01-27T03:43:00Z")
My PC at work is pretty much a stripped down model with only the basics I need (ie. no games). I use the Windows 3-D pipes screensaver whenever I’m not using the thing for work. I have it set on maximum resolution, fastest speed, and mixed joint types. Today I just happened to glance at the screen while it was in action and noticed that one of the pipes appeared to end in the shape of a tea pot (complete with spout and a lid w/handle)!!! Watching for several more minutes, this image did not re-appear. So, am I imagining what I saw or did Billy and the boys throw this in as a gag? ---
**Author:** ![Utinni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Utinni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Utinni)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/2 "2000-01-27T04:04:00Z")
I’m just gonna guess you were lucky and witnessed another Random Act of Weirdness. Although it might be a sign from the great 3D pipe civilization, warning us of the coming tea pot invasion… * * * “War doesn’t determine who’s right. War determines who’s left.” ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/3 "2000-01-27T04:26:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Trumpy303: > \*\*Today I just happened to glance at the screen while it was in action and noticed that one of the pipes appeared to end in the shape of a tea pot (complete with spout and a lid w/handle)!!! > > Watching for several more minutes, this image did not re-appear. So, am I imagining what I saw or did Billy and the boys throw this in as a gag?\*\* Yep, I’ve had that happen too. Just once. Thank you for proving I’m not insane… * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/4 "2000-01-27T04:44:00Z")
Hasn’t happened to me yet, but I haven’t had time to sit and stare at my screen saver lately. * * * The trouble with Sir Launcelot is by the time he comes riding up, you’ve already married King Arthur. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/5 "2000-01-27T05:18:00Z")
Nothing odd about a pipe with a tea at the end 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/6 "2000-01-27T06:10:00Z")
Could it be that you have Windows NT? I believe that’s where it happens, exclusively. * * * **-PIGEONMAN-** Returns! [The Legend Of PigeonMan](http://www.hotkey.net.au/~guanolad/pigeonman/) - **By Popular Demand!** Enjoy, enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/7 "2000-01-27T07:28:00Z")
Um…I’ve gotten it on Win 98. * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/8 "2000-01-27T09:22:00Z")
Clever, GuanoLad. ## Windows And Tea, makes perfect sense 😉 We can always count on the Commonwealth to resolve tea matters. **Coldfire** * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/9 "2000-01-27T10:46:00Z")
Clever Guano unclever Tengu. ::Hides head in shame:: I really _should_ have gotten that joke. * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/10 "2000-01-27T10:48:00Z")
## And I bet the fact that a friggin’ _Dutchman_ had to explain it to you did not help either, huh? **Coldfire** * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/11 "2000-01-27T11:02:00Z")
Nah. The fact a Dutchman got it doesn’t bother me. The fact that a _RUSH FAN_ did, on the other hand… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/12 "2000-01-27T11:16:00Z")
Why, I oughta… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/13 "2000-01-27T11:35:00Z")
Wow, I must be a genius, because there wasn’t any joke. Seriously, I heard it was only on Windows NT. Clearly I was incorrectly informed. But you aren’t going mad. Though I wonder if it’s a Y2K thing? * * * **-PIGEONMAN-** Returns! [The Legend Of PigeonMan](http://www.hotkey.net.au/~guanolad/pigeonman/) - **By Popular Demand!** Enjoy, enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/14 "2000-01-27T11:37:00Z")
Wait a minute now. You’re telling me I pointed out a joke that wasn’t even there in the first place? ## Man, am I funny or what 😉 **Coldfire** * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/15 "2000-01-27T12:53:00Z")
Well, I feel much less stupid now, I must say… Still wish I’d seen the joke… * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![Flypsyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Flypsyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flypsyde)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/16 "2000-01-27T15:56:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Man, am I funny or what You really want answer to that? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/17 "2000-01-27T16:00:00Z")
Teapots are no new thing. I remember seeing them about 4-5 years ago. You guys just don’t stare at your screen saver enough. ---
**Author:** ![StrTrkr777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@StrTrkr777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StrTrkr777)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/18 "2000-01-27T17:13:00Z")
I am too busy using my computer to sit and watch a screen saver. What do you guys do anyway? Jeffery ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2000, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/19 "2000-01-28T00:51:00Z")
Try using the 3-D text screen saver and type in the word volcano. It will flash the names of active (not all of them) volcanos. * * * If I was discussing Lucy Lawless but I wrote Lucy Topless, would that be a Freudian typo? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2000, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155/20 "2000-01-28T01:02:00Z")
Whew! Thanks for confirming my not-craziness. BTW, I use Windows 95 at home and work. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-windows-3-d-pipes-screensaver-thing-attention-computer-geeks/13155.md?page=2)