Technology Articles by Experts

Don’t scoff at the games kids play on computers. More and more adults are discovering that on-line games help keep their minds sharp and allow them to socialize via the Internet with people all over the world.

 

On-line games are by no means all fast-action electronic versions of what you once might have played at penny arcades. The Internet also gives you access to dozens of traditional games, including bridge, canasta, mah jong, hearts, dominoes, chess and backgammon.

 

Hundreds of Web sites let you play these and other games against a computer or real competitors.

 

 

If you have any doubt that computer games are good for the brain, your skepticism might be allayed by the experience of James Rosser, Jr., MD. He’s the director of the Advanced Medical Technology Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City—and he asked his staff of surgeons to periodically play video games.

 

Dr. Rosser recently reported that surgeons who played games three hours a week performed their medical tasks faster and more accurately than those who didn’t. Rosser’s findings aren’t unique. Experiments at my own company, CyberLearning Technology, show that people who regularly play video games have an easier time learning new tasks.

 

For older people, on-line games have another benefit. They can introduce you to activities that you’ll enjoy with younger members of your family.

 

 

To best play games on-line, you need a computer with at least 128 megabytes of memory (preferably 256) and at least a 17-inch screen. A high-speed Internet connection isn’t necessary, although it’s helpful for some games.

 

In on-line games, the board or playing field is displayed on screen, often with stunning graphics and dramatic sound effects. Moves are made by manipulating the mouse or other types of controllers, such as joysticks or gamepads.

 

Depending on the game, winning usually requires a combination of coordination, memory and occasionally teamwork. Luck plays a role, too.

 

For an overview of available on-line games, visit one of the major sites, called portals, that have links to hundreds of games. Some of the biggest game portals are http://games.yahoo.com/games/front…http://games.aol.com…and http://zone.msn.com. To find other game sites, enter “on-line games” into Google or another search engine.

 

At least one portal, www.aboutseniors.com.au/ComputerGames.html, has links to games traditionally popular with seniors, including bingo, solitaire, cribbage and canasta.

 

Before you can play, you may have to register by submitting your E-mail address and choosing a password. Most sites are free, and those that charge usually have fees of less than $100 a year.

 

Caution: Don’t register unless a site states that it won’t share your E-mail address. Also, some on-line games require you to download software that enables you to play the game on your computer. Before you do, make sure your computer has a security program that screens downloads for viruses and other unwanted bits of computer code.

 

Game sites usually allow you to play with people you know, who must also register, or with anonymous opponents chosen by the site on the basis of the skill level that you select.

 

Though your identity won’t be revealed when you play, many sites have chat rooms where players can exchange messages about game strategy and other topics. In chat rooms, players usually have the option of posting their real names and contact information.

 

 

•Backgammon. “It’s Your Turn” at www.itsyourturn.com has classic backgammon as well as several variations that you and a friend can sign up for and play for free. As in all backgammon games, winning requires you to remember complex numerical combinations and to vary your strategy as your opponent moves.

 

•Battleships. “Battleships-General Quarters II” at www.battleships.f-active.com has been a free site for young people and it’s now attracting a multigenerational crowd. Each of two players is in command of a fleet of five ships, and the object is to “destroy” the opponent’s fleet before the opponent destroys yours. The game is tricky, requiring physical coordination to work the computer’s mouse as well as the ability to make quick decisions about the most likely location of the enemy.

 

•Bridge. “OKbridge” at www.okbridge.com has been sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League. It is the oldest and largest on-line bridge club, with members from 100 countries. Cost: $99 a year after a free seven-day trial. Unlike most other games, bridge is played with a partner, a feature that can hone your skill at communications and patience.

 

•Chess. “Free Internet Chess Server” at www.freechess.org allows you to play—free of charge—against its computer or a real person.

 

•Crossword puzzles. “Best Crosswords” at www.bestcrosswords.com has seven new puzzles a day. Solvers have the option of submitting their results so they can track their improvement and also compete against others. When competition results are posted, players are known only by their screen names. Like most other word puzzles, crosswords build vocabulary and remind you of words you may have forgotten.

 

•Dominoes. “GameDesire” at www.gamedesire.com has a classic domino game with 28 “bones,” or pieces. Play is free.

 

•Mah jong. “GameHouse” at www.gamehouse.com/onlinegames lets Internet users play a variety of solitaire mah jong games for free.

 

•Zuma. “Flash-Games” at www.flashgame.net/game/1649/zuma.html features Zuma, which has a reputation as one of the most addictive games in the “action puzzle” genre. To win this solitaire game, you must make your way through a visually perplexing temple in the mythical city of Zuma. It’s not easy. You must use the mouse to fire magical orbs without letting them reach the golden skull in the middle of the temple. The game requires coordination and the ability to resist being distracted by the accompanying music (unless you turn off the sound).

 

The majority of portals let you download many types of games that you can play on your computer without actually being connected to the Internet. While some downloads are free, others require payment of a fee—usually under $25.