If you use the XScreenSaver version that’s shipped with Ubuntu 14.10 you wil get a message that the installed version is very old and that you can build the newer version from source.
Instead of building it from source i did some searching on the net and i found the latest stable version that you can use to upgrade to a newer version. If you already have XScreenSaver on Ubuntu 14.10 you can skip the installation part…
To install XScreenSaver and the BSOD package open a terminal window (press Ctrl+Alt+T) and copy+paste the following line:
sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra xscreensaver-screensaver-bsod -y
After installing the packages you need to remove the GNOME screen saver packages. To remove them copy+paste the following line in your terminal window:
sudo apt-get remove gnome-screensaver -y
When gnome-screensaver is removed you can start xscreensaver, to start XScreenSaver press the SuperKey and type: xscreensaver. If you get no search result you need to restart your computer.
When XScreenSaver is started you will be asked if you want to start the XScreenSaver daemon. To start XScreenSaver click on the OK button. Now all there is to do is to select the screen saver you like and change the time settings. When done changing the settings you can close XScreenSaver.
To start XScreenSaver at startup you need to create a startup rule. To open the startup applications preferences window press the SuperKey and type: startup applications. To add the rule follow these steps:
Click on the Add button
Enter a name for the rule
Enter the following command in the command field:
xscreensaver -nosplash
Fill in a comment (optional)
Click on the Add button
Close the window
That’s all you have to do to install XScreenSaver.
To upgrade XScreenSaver download the debian installer for your system:
When downloaded open the file and upgrade XScreenSaver using the Ubuntu Software Center. After the installation close the Ubuntu Software Center and reboot your system.