Web Chat: Video games bountiful on the Web

The future of computing will be full of surprises that industry engineers have not even considered yet. But one thing will not change: The public's appetite for video games.

And it's fitting. Computers had there beginnings in tandem with video game development. Programmers could teach a computer how to react to certain commands and, over time, games became more sophisticated.

Now some of the most progressive ideas to come along in computing have come from the video game industry.

Check out the sites that are leading the pack.

games.coolconnect.com/mahjong: Mahjong can best be described as Chinese dominoes.

It's a fun game, usually played with four opponents, where the participants strategically remove tiles from a stack. The goal is to remove matching pairs while opening up other pairs. Though seemingly simple in concept, strategy becomes key, especially when competing with four people.

The mahjong Web site is designed to simulate the experience of playing the game with opponents sitting across a table. Registered players are always online and available for games. While the user picks and chooses tiles, he or she can chat with the other players and attempt to psych them out.

www.shockwave.com: This site offers a plethora of the latest Web entertainment offerings.

In addition to shows, music and greeting messages, there are several Web-based video games. Once at the site, click on "foosball" or "tank wars." This connects the user to a site with simple downloadable software that works with the Java script features of a modern Netscape or Microsoft browser (This should also include America Online).

Arrow keys and simple directions make this a fun alternative to "Mine Sweeper" or "Solitaire."

www.activegamer.com: Isn't it amazing that some kids are paying $50 a pop for video games?

Active Gamer is probably as good as many of the latest video game consoles that attach to the TV, and much more economical.

Popular games are easily downloadable, but might require specialized software to run. In that case, find out what type of software is needed and find where it is on the Internet, click to download away. Like most software these days, programs that plug into the major Web browsers or work in tandem with system software are free. Do not pay for this software!

Active Gamer also offers ways to get ahead of difficult parts of video games and tips on how to win. Every video gamer reaches a point that is difficult to pass and this site can be a big help.

www.simslots.com: Tired of losing all that cash on the nickel slots at our local gaming halls? Simslots has the answer.

A simple download brings slot machine gambling to personal computers. The benefit? No money lost.

Choose from several different types of machines from antiques to the modern computerized variety. Play by clicking the lever. It may not have the intensity of really winning a $5,000 jackpot, but even the best odds do not pay 100 percent, so everybody's losing money in the long run (unless you believe in luck).

www.linkopedia.com/fun/gameroom.html: This site is simply a great big grab box (or toy chest) for all the fun games we like to play.

Free bingo, trivia, checkers, backgammon and others are out there, waiting to be played alone or with friends. Simply click on the site and, within minutes, the games are easily playable. Games with graphics this simple are fast to download and fast to run on a modern computer platform.

www.gamezone.com: Video gamers looking for some of the inside information on the games they love to play will like this site. It explains what game companies have to offer now and in the near future. Reviews of games may help players decide how to spend their money.

Also interact with other players via the message board.