(IDG) -- If you're like me, you'd much rather be at the beach, in the mountains, or even in the backyard barbecuing than sitting here in front of your computer. While I can't give you the day off, I can help lighten the load by providing a little humor and entertainment to make work more bearable. Enjoy these desktop pranks, entertaining embellishments, and otherwise fun things to do at your desktop while you finish that -- ugh! -- 200-page proposal.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE

IDG.net home page

PC World home page

FileWorld find free software fast

Make your PC work harder with these tips

Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net

IDG.net's desktop PC page
IDG.net's portable PC page

IDG.net's Windows software page

IDG.net's personal news page

Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you

Search IDG.net in 12 languages

News Radio

PC World News Radio

Computerworld Minute audio news for managers

1. Neko:

Watch a cute white kitty as it runs all over your desktop chasing your mouse pointer.

2. Win Errors:

Create fake error messages in Windows 95--from illegal-operation messages to the infamous blue screen of death. You can fully customize this program by changing the icons and creating your own messages.

3. Ize:

A pair of realistic eyes watches your every move by following the mouse pointer. You can choose eye color--even opt for the bloodshot look--and control the eyes' winks and blinks.

4. Happy Fred:

Add a little humor to your daily routine. Fred walks around your desktop falling down, flying across the screen, and engaging in dozens of other silly activities while you work.

5. Kilroy:

Lurking in that system tray could be something to bring a little cheer or to annoy the dickens out of you. Kilroy sits in the taskbar and randomly pops up to wake you up.

6. Heart Attack:

This joke program pretends to delete every file on your system. Sure to give any stressed-out office worker an imitation heart attack--proceed with caution!

7. Wobble:

This screen saver makes your screen shake so much, it will look like it's made of jelly. You can vary the shake from a slight shudder to a near earthquake. You can also control how the screen colors change.

8. Telepath:

Your friends may have a hard time figuring out how the computer can "telepathically" communicate with you. A great trick that also teaches simple binary math.

9. Screamer:

Set up a screen saver and joke program, and password-protect your programs.

10. Bad Day:

This prank will turn the Windows screen upside down. Just press Esc to return the screen to normal.