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EXERCISE FOR YOUR BRAIN
+ GOOD THERAPY
This is a terrific combination of something very enjoyable and something that is very good for you. Not only that; you are participating in a world-wide happening, and it is almost free!!
So, what am I talking about? A collection of solitaire games?
-Yes, but it is much more. While you have the time of your life, you are exercising your brain cells. If you have limited mobility and plenty of time on your hands, this is great therapy BUT if you are busy person, look out: This stuff is extremely addictive!
You are not alone - people all over the world play PGS and you can compare your scores with them and compare notes about your favorite games with them!
Welcome to the world of PRETTY GOOD SOLITAIRE. Its creator, Thomas Warfield from Springfield, Illinois, started in 1995 with a version of the program, containing 5 games. The latest version (fall of 2005) has 640 games!
Who needs 640 different games? Well, you may not find too many players who play all of those games, but many will probably find 10 - 20 personal favorites which they keep coming back to. Among the 640 games are games of all categories you can think of and there are games covering the whole spectrum from very easy games to games which are extremely difficult to win.
But - they are all part of the same program and with the same type of functions and options. That’s an important factor for those who are a little afraid of computers, and who may feel intimidated by this flood of games: You learn the program very easily, and then move from one game to the next, feeling very much ’at home’ with all the functions.
What are some of the functions?
Without boring you with too many details, I must mention that all games have ‘undo’ functions which allow you to go back move-by-move all the way to the beginning of the game. They also have a replay function which means that you can start over with the same deal, if you get stuck.
You need to quit a game before finishing it? No problem. There is a game saving function which allows you to start again exactly where you left off, no matter what your computer had been doing in the meantime.
The program contains one deck, two deck, and three deck games, and the sizes of the cards change automatically to make room on the screen. If you like, you can change the design on the backs of the cards, and the color of the screen backgrounds. There are many more functions, but this will give you an idea of what an outstanding program this is.
So, it must cost an arm and a leg??
No, this has to be one of the best entertainment deals around! You can download the program for $24! It is actually sold as ‘shareware’ which means that you can download a trial version for free and use it for a month before you decide to register or to stop using it.
Just think about it. PRETTY GOOD SOLITAIRE gives you quality entertainment for thousands of hours for the price of a few movie tickets!
So, where can you find this golden nugget? Here is the address, just click on it:
www.goodsol.com
BUT WAIT - THERE IS MORE!
I mentioned ‘statistics’. Yes, there is statistics associated with all the games you played, even for multiple players. This allows you to track your success - or lack thereof - with each game.
This is all well, but you can also upload your stats to a gigantic scoreboard at the GOODSOL web site. As soon as someone has played a game 50 times, the statistics are eligible for that scoreboard. Now, you can see how well you have done e.g. with Penguin, compared to all the other players in the world. In the world?? Believe it or not, PRETTY GOOD SOLITAIRE is played in more than 130 countries!
It is fascinating to study those lists of players and scores, knowing that you are part of a global happening. You find your own scores perhaps next to someone from a your own state or a state near you, but you may just as well see your scores next to someone from India or France!
This is a major leisure occupation for a growing number of people around the world. It can be enjoyed by anyone in the world, regardless of age, ethnic backgrounds, etc. It is fun, it is good exercise for the brain, it is inexpensive, it is wherever you are; you don’t have to leave home to participate. I can only find one disadvantage: It is highly addictive, and just may take time away from important things, like cleaning house and watching stupid TV programs.
You would only think that it were ‘cool’ if there was a way for all those members of the worldwide societies of Free-Cellers, Spiders, etc. to communicate with each other...
WHAT??? THERE IS?
Yes, in 2003 GOODSOL started a Discussion Forum where players can discuss the games, tell each other about favorite games, tips for winning, and other things.
The communication lines to Thomas Warfield are always open, and players suggest features and games to be included in future versions of the program.
It is really a pleasure to be associated with such a positive business. I may sound as a sales person for GOODSOL, but I have no such relationship. I just feel that in a world so full of violence, stupidity, and hypocrisy it is refreshing with a sound, intelligent business that spreads joy to people around the world.
Oops, I haven’t even mentioned that there is also a Pretty Good MahJongg, and Action-Soliaire where you play against the clock but I stay with the ’original’ program!
NOT JUST FUN AND GAMES -
LET’S GET SERIOUS FOR A MINUTE:
There is a potentially serious benefit to all this. One of the advantages of PRETTY GOOD SOLITAIRE is that you can enjoy it wherever you are, as long as there is a computer within reach.
Think about all the people in homes, nursing homes, and hospitals, who have limited mobility. Think about seniors with plenty of available time, but often limited monetary resources.
Here is a tool for enormous enjoyment, and through the worldwide statistics and discussion forums, an opportunity to see a new window to the world open. It may add quality to their lives by finding a new interest and focus.
For those who already have a computer, this is almost free, but you would like to see batteries of computers being set up at senior centers, nursing homes, etc. People and organizations who are in the position to replace old computers with newer, more powerful computers could really do a lot of good by donating their old ‘clunkers’ to such places.
If this web page happens to be read by someone involved with the categories of people I just mentioned, I would encourage that person to consider how to make PGS part of your bag of tricks to improve the quality of life for those people. If you like, send me an e-mail; I may be able to give you some ideas and suggestions.
PRETTY GOOD SOLITAIRE runs with all versions of Windows from 95 and forward, so it doesn’t require the latest in hardware.
I never miss an opportunity to tell game-minded people about PRETTY GOOD SOLITAIRE.
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