|
|
|
internet fun
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
Disney is now offering their online multi-player game for kids, Toontown, for free (formerly there was a monthly charge). Here is their announcemnt:
"Check Out the New Toontown Online!
"Disney’s Toontown Online, the first multiplayer online game designed just for kids and families, has a brand new way to play! Now you can jump into the most exciting game in the Tooniverse with a Free Account!
"Create an account and you’ll be able to play in one of the Toontown neighborhoods -- when you want, for as long as you want! Check out some of these exciting Free Account features:
- Create up to two (2) Toon characters
- Explore Toontown Central and take on ToonTasks
- Earn gags and defeat evil robot Cogs
- Play Trolley games or go fishing to earn jellybeans
- Race go karts on Goofy Speedway
- Adopt your own pet Doodle
"Create your account and start playing Toontown today!"
Here are some great, free and fun casual games. Each only takes a moment to learn, but careful... they can be addictive!
Boomshine - Click once, and see how far your popping dots will spread.
Flow - You are a single-celled organism -- you know, the typical thing -- who must eat or be eaten... Okay, wait, that is totally not your typical game... Feel the flow!
Crazy Ladybugs - Bump without getting bumped off.
Rotate - Rotate the mismatching squares, and see if you've solved the puzzle.
Stick Remover - Umm, remove sticks.
And of course, FreeCasualGames.com. Some games are for sale, so here is a list of absolutely free games.
Club Penguin - Kind of like Disney's wonderful Virtual Magic Kingdom, but with penguins, instead.
Bang Howdy- Kind of like Disney's wonderful Virtual Magic Kingdom, but with cowboys, instead.
Webkinz- Kind of like Neopets, but with Ganz toys/characters, instead.
Only got a minute or two free to spend online? Here's some great sites that are updated (at least) daily:
Boing Boing - The world's most popular blog offers "A Directory of Wonderful Things," with brief summary-style articles on a wealth of topics.
Worth1000 Picture of the Day - Photoshopping image context, often juxtaposing the real and the surreal.
Woot! - One product a day, at a price that's almost criminal. Some deals are fantastic, while with some products, there is no question why they've been clearanced. The main attraction, though, is the always-hilarious product descriptions. Or, if you want to obsessive-compulsively check every deal-a-day web site in the known universe, see them all here on Deal-of-Day Tracker.
Astronomy Picture of the Day - If you like geeking out, be sure to check out the stunning deep space and aeronautical photos (and easy-to-understand descriptions) of celestial phenomena. And by "stunning," I mean amazing, must-see-to-believe photos. And, if you have more than one minute, be sure to visit the APOD archive.
Daily Painters Art Gallery - Paintings for sale by not-so-tortured artists. There are some really good painters out there.
Braindrops from the Franklin Institute - Brief, interesting factoids.
Most Popular Yahoo! News - News stories from the world's preeminent news sources, ranked in terms of popularity among readers. This is where the important -- and bizarre -- news stories of the day are found. (Beware the photos though; while the news can be disturbing, the photos are sometimes doubly so. Sorry.)
Mental Floss magazine offers The Most Important Question of the Day and a
a Quiz of the Day.
IMDB Hit List - At the glorious fount of all that is movie-dom, check out their outstanding updated movie links and more on their homepage.
FatWallet: Free Deals - Unusally, this "freebies" forum is populated mostly by men. Expect extra geeking-out and tough-guy posing -- yet with a (thankfully) no-whining-allowed perspective. Find more Fatwallet forums here. Or, if you like a more "girly" perspective, try the MyCoupons.com forums.
Apple Quicktime Movie Trailers - See trailers for a billion or so upcoming films in pristine, Quicktime-alated glory.
The Week - Okay, this site -- from what is regarded by many media experts as the finest magazine in the world -- isn't really updated daily, yet offers to-the-point news reviews of media coverage on important topics.
Now that CentraCom is upgrading their broadband Internet up 500% -- to a screaming 5 Megabits per second! - what will you do with all that extra speed...? How about watch some free, online video?
Not sure what your Internet speed is? Just go to CentraSpeed.com. If your download speeds are much less than 5,000 kilobits per second (kbps), maybe it's time to compare upgrade (and save money) by going with our local broadband Internet provider, CentraCom!
Got a little one at home, who wants to help on the computer? Or push buttons just like mom & dad? Here are some great web sites which each offer many activities and games just for little ones.
Cartoon Network's Tickle U television programs for toddlers may be a little hard to find on their schedule, but their web site is available 24/7, and has several activites for the littlest ones -- push any key, and the games move forward. Plus, they have Gerald McBoing Boing, which kids of all ages are sure to enjoy!
Playhouse Disney offers games and activities based around their morning preschool programming, including the new Mickey Mouse educational programs.
Nick Jr. does the same, but with some extra pizzaz -- check out the online radio station that Junior can dance along to anytime. Plus, they have the delightfully cute Wonderpets!
PBS Kids offers links to different web sites for all their programs, old and new, from Sesame Street to Teletubbies to the new Curious George show.
School-age kids will enjoy playing (and learning) with AOL's offerings of many free learning games and activities Study Buddy Learning Games.
There are invitations to either a paid, online "homework helper" service or to (for a fee) fuller versions of the games, but what is freely available is still great, edu-taining fun.
So you like the idea of Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom, but are looking for something a little more grown-up? Note that these virtual worlds are not chaperoned like Disney's VMK, so parents will want to keep up with what's going on if their kids are online here.
MTV's Virtual Laguna Beach is based on a reality TV show based in Laguna Beach, California. The layout is similar to the real place, with lots of places to hang out and chat, make-out, get the latest SoCal fashions, compete, or just cruise around town.
Virtual Laguna Beach was produced in part by the folks at There.com, which offers its own virtual community -- "an everyday hangout where you can have fun with your friends and meet new ones -- all in a lush 3D environment that's yours to build and explore."
The largest virtual world in the, uh, real world is Second Life, where "residents of one of the Internet's most populous virtual worlds shop, attend class — even run businesses." Over 300,000 users, as many female as male, with an average age of 32. Second Life is similar to The Sims, yet has no objective -- other than to just live life well, however you like. Second Life uses "Linden Dollars," -- bought with real money -- and mirrors the real world in many ways, with businesses making and selling virtual products, night clubs charging for entry, and real estate being bought and sold. Definitely for grown-ups. At least 3,000 Second Life residents make over $20,000 a year on their virtual businesses, with a few making hundreds of thousands of real dollars each year -- especially realtors. Who knew? Here is an interesting September 2006 article in Popular Science about the Second Life virtual world.
-->
Avast! This har web site be a grand port for ye casual gaming pleasure! Arr, 15 puzzles abound at every point o' the compass, and ye can create your own piratey self to travel within a virtual world. And if you be willin' -- parley or cross swords with scurvy mates and wenches from across the seven seas. Come aboard Puzzle Pirates by clicking har!
Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates is monitored by staff to keep gameplay fun for all ages, somewhat similar to the excellent care Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom takes with its players. Parents can read more about the game here.
Here is a somewhat-carefully-selected selection of casual games for times you have selected to game casually...
 
At Cute Overload, "we scour the Web for only the finest in Cute Imagery. Imagery that is Worth Your Internet Browsing Time. We offer an overwhelming amount of cuteness to fill your daily visual allowance. Drink it in!"
So basically, Cute Overload has lots of cute photos of cute animals. Lots and lots of cute animals. Lots and lots of strangely compelling, overwhelmingly cute animals. The photos at left pretty much sum it up.
Be sure to check out the CuteTracker game, a which-animal-is-cuter voting contest. Fun! Sweet! And, oh-so-very cute!
If you don't get emotional diabetes from looking at Cute Overload for more than a few minutes, check out the Orisinal games below. That should just about do it.
Okay, what can we say about Samorost? It's, well, an amazing space, puzzle, weird, experience thingy. Kind of. For all ages.
You see, there are these real-life items turned into surreal space ships, and uuuum, you help this little guy rescue his dog from aliens.
No instructions anywhere. See the photo at left? You move your cursor around and look for things to click. Okay, maybe it can't be explained very well, but Samorost is truly remarkable internet fun!
Here is the original Samorost. And here is the sequel, Samorost 2.
Strictly Sudoku
The sudoku grid consists of eighty-one squares in a nine by nine grid. To solve the sudoku, each square in the grid must contain a number between one and nine, with the following conditions:
- Each row of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once.
- Each column of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once.
- Each of the nine 3 by 3 boxes of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once.
More from Disney! Try running your own small business at Hot Shot Business!
This sim lets you learn the business skills that will take you to the top in the real world -- by running your own skateboard or candy factory, landscaping business, pet spa or comic book store.
Here's some great free games from Candystand.com!
- Waterpark Pinball - Get your flippers wet in this test of pinball skill. 1-2 player.
- Mini Motocross - Race through the backyard around obstacles that never looked so big!
- Mah Jongg - Get puzzled over this ancient Chinese game.
- 3D Snowboarding - Challenge the mountain to see if you have what it takes!
- Mini Golf Classic - Tee off on the front 9, back 9, or all 18.
- Air Hockey - See how far you can advance in the World Cup Tournament of Air Hockey!
- 90's Trivia - If you know that seaQuest DSV doesn't have any typos, why don't you 'sea' how much you REALLY know with our 90s challenge!
- Klondike Solitaire - Play your cards right and you just might get lucky and win at this solitaire classic!
Or you can download one of their full-screen games:
- Bowling - Full-screen game play with enhanced 3D graphics, trophy room which stores high series, high game, perfect game, and more!
- Candy Drops Deluxe - Full-screen game play with enhanced graphics, soundtracks, and more!
- Golf - Full-screen game play with enhanced 3D graphics, clubhouse which stores course records, personal stats and more!
 
They're free, they're cute, they're fun, and they put the "world" in virual worlds. Online, multi-player communities are the
rage -- and some rage, indeed, based around fighting and fight-or-die competition. Here are two that are just for fun, and suitable for all ages.
You've seen them in the stores, now find out where the fuss all began. Neopets has been around for some years, offering a cross between Pokémon and Tamagotchi. After signing up (free) and choosing what your first (cute!) Neopet will be, then customizing their appearance, you're off -- to wherever you'd like to go...
And boy can you go... You, along with millions of others, can play over 160 games, trade, bid, chat, or just walk around a huge virtual environment. By completing activities, each player gains Neopoints, which may be used to "buy" things within the Neopets world. And, don't forget to take good care of your neopet! If you'd like some help getting started, here is a site with Neopets codes, strategies, reviews, and more. Oddly enough, "fulfilling" is a word often used in reviews of this alternate universe.
Much more recently, a new, free multi-player, virtual world opened based on a real-life virtual world you may have visited before -- Disneyland! Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom allows a little person of your own design to walk -- or ride the monorail, or sail in a pirates of the caribbean ship -- around a world similar to the Happiest Place on Earth. Instead of rides, though, the attractions are games where you play for points to get souvenirs to decorate your own special room. The VMK is still in serious development, although it will undoubtedly continue to grow for years to come. Here's Disney's official description:
"Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom is a free online multiplayer game that lets you experience the awesome magic of Disney Theme Parks from home. Live inside of Disney's virtual world to create your own experiences, control your online Character and interact with Players from around the globe!"
Customize your players look or design your own room, play multiplayer games (you usually play on your own, with scores compared with others), take photos on the Jungle Cruise, or of Hidden Mickeys throughout the park, schedule dates at the park or room with friends, meet new friends, or just explore a familiar-yet-excitingly-different environment. Sound fun? Sign up today! Although designed for teens and 'tweens, it's incredibly fun for the whole family. Meet up with friend in your room, or join with others to, say, compete in the fireworks game at Cinderella's Castle.
One note: VMK is highly chaperoned (only running when the moderators are working), to the point where many words are ruled ineligible for character names, or chatting with others. (For example, place names are not allowed, so no one can say where they actually are.) This is great because it means you can feel safe anywhere with anyone. For example, if you get lost or confused, just enter a question and as your little chat bubble floats up, soon others nearby will offer helps and advice. The problems can be that it can be frustrating, especially for younger children, to express themselves (or even find a name for their online character) that is recognized from the acceptable words list. Hang in there, its worth it! (There's much more information, including values statements, in the Parents areas of the web site.)
Have a great time exploring these new worlds!
- HomestarRunner.com - Great animated fun!
Everybody! Everybody! Here are some parts of their big fun site to check out:
Check out these delightfully cute, little games from Ferry Halim at Orisinal.com. Mr. Halim is from Indonesia, where orisinal means original.
Here's some of our favorites:
- The Way Home - Help the little squirrel grab the food on the window ledges -- don't fall!
- A Daily Cup of Tea - Help the two mice work together to grab the sugar cubes... without a bouncing ball hitting them!
- Chicken Wings (are Not for Flying) - Save the stubborn little chicks, who keep trying to fly. Throw an umbrella up in air for them to catch on their way down.
- It Takes Two - There's food flying by! Can your puppy and kitten jump on the see-saw to grab some before the food (or your time) flies away?
- What Comes Around - This racoon lives on his "own planet." Even though he's annoyed by those pesky gophers, he's still on top of the world. Drop walnuts on them to make them drop off.
- Snow-Bowling - Ever wish bowling was an outdoor sport? Here's a little wintertime mischief, rolling snowballs at ice skaters as they pass by.
- Cats - It's like herding cats!
- The Pond - These ducklings are hungry, but they can't seem to find the acorns that keep falling into the water. Pat the water to scoot the acorns into the ducklings' paths!
Popcap Games produces some of the most popular games on the Internet! Most are puzzle type games, and offer as-much-time-as-you-want options. If you're worried about playing games where you'll end up dying every few seconds, these are the games for you... Just click where it says "Click to Play!" for a popup window to open with the game. Minimizing pauses the games.
- Bejeweled 2 - A sequel, pictured at right. Drag jewels to make horizontal or vertical lines of 3 or more. Warning: highly addictive!
- Bookworm - What Scrabble wishes it was! Click letters in sequence to spell words -- the longer the better. Too many short words gives you new burning tiles; don't let them reach the bottom or the game's over! (Psst: This is an educational game.)
- Dynomite! - Shoot dinosaur eggs so three or more of the same color touch and boom!. Don't let the eggs reach the bottom or you'll get stomped!
- NingPo MahJong - A ancient puzzle game, updated. Match pairs of tiles until they're all gone. The tiles must have nothing on top of them, and have a free side. Sound easy? There's a reason this game's been played for centuries!
- Zuma - Just your basic, mesoamerican-shoot-balls-from-the-frog-idol-to-make-rows-of-three-or-you're-history sort of game. You know, the usual. A favorite of Richfield Mall staff.
- Chronicles of Narnia - Official Site.
- Narnia Web - Popular fan site.
- StarWars.com - Official site.
- TheForce.net - Premier Star Wars fan site.
- Cartoon Network's Clone Wars Planetary Forces.
- Star Wars Kids: offers lots of exciting games and activities:
- Force Flight - Fly your favorite Star Wars vehicle through four different worlds. Watch out for obstacles!
- Garbage Masher - Use your Star Wars knowledge to save the heroes in the Death Star's garbage masher. Which belongs with which?
- Music Match - Listen to music from key scenes in the Star Wars films, and select the right scene.
- Carbon Connection - Enter the carbon freezing chamber in another matching game.
- Star Wars Trivia - The official trivia game!
- Shot-Online allows you to golf on beautiful golf courses (with realistic game physics), develop a character, and compete with other players from around the world. Sound fun? The first time you logon, a tutorial will begin, but here's a direct link to the beginner's guide, just in case. Make those birdies tweet today!
- X3 Adventure - Go off-roading in a BMW SUV, and do some snowboarding, kayaking, and mountain biking!
- Feeding Frenzy - How about some salt water sport fishing? How about with you as the fish? Move your mouse over fish smaller than you for a snack ... but watch out for any fish bigger than you! Click on "Play Express" to play free, now.
EveryVideoGame.com allows you to play hundreds of classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sega, Gameboy, and arcade games online... free! Most are in a pretty small windows (part of what makes the site legal), but they do download quite quickly. To play these, you need to have java installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
internet
About.com
How Stuff Works
Internet Archive
The Library of Congress
Merriam-Webster Online
Nolo
Snopes
The Straight Dope
Urban Dictionary
Wikipedia
Beliefnet
Boing Boing
Epicurious
Food Network
Nickelodeon Online
Bloomberg.com
Internal Revenue Service
The Motley Fool
allmusic
The Internet Movie Database
Netflix
Pitchfork
Television Without Pity
CNN.com
Digg
Fark.com
Gawker
Guardian Unlimited
NPR
NYTimes
The Onion
Slate
The Smoking Gun
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Fact Check
The Huffington Post
opensecrets.org
USA.gov
Arts & Letters Daily
McSweeney's Internet Tendency
Podcast Alley
Project Gutenberg
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NASA
National Geographic Online
ScienceDaily
Space.com
WebMD
Google
Technorati
Amazon
The Consumerist
Craigslist
Dynamism.com
eBay
Google Product Search (formerly Froogle)
Priceline
ThinkGeek
TripAdvisor
Facebook
LinkedIn
MySpace
ESPN
Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Devx
The Register
SourceForge.net
W3 Schools
AVS Forum
DistroWatch.com
ExtremeTech
Instructables
Lifehacker
ProcessLibrary.com
Version Tracker
1up.com
IGN.com
Kotaku
Akihabara News
Ars Technica
Engadget
Slashdot
TechCrunch
CNET
Digital Photography Review
PCMag.com
DSLreports.com
GetNetWise
Gibson Research Corp.
Internet Storm Center
Security Focus
Flickr
Google Docs & Spreadsheets
Google Labs
Google Maps
Last.fm
Live Search Maps
Pandora
Yahoo! Mail (beta)
YouTube
Intermountain Computer