| The Internet provides a vast variety of | | | | gaming websites. Other gaming websites can be |
| entertainment. Its options are nearly endless and is | | | | found by searching for "flash games" or "free online |
| expanding and improving daily. With the development | | | | games" on a search engine like Google. |
| of broadband services, the gaming and entertainment | | | | The games may take much longer to load on dial-up |
| world online has revolutionized from its early | | | | than they would on broadband connections, but once |
| beginnings only a short decade ago. Many people, | | | | they do, you can play for hours without experiencing |
| unfortunately, do not have access to broadband and | | | | any problems because of having a slow connection. |
| many real-time online games require higher speeds | | | | In fact, you can even disconnect from the Internet |
| than dial-up can provide. | | | | after the game has loaded, and continue playing the |
| One type of popular online games today are role | | | | game from the cached webpage. This means that |
| playing games, or RPG's. This means that each player | | | | you don't have to tie up your phone line in order to |
| is playing the part of a character in a virtual world. | | | | play for extended periods of time. |
| Many times, the game sequences in real time, and | | | | Here are a few other tricks and tips: |
| dozens or even hundreds of people can also play the | | | | Save your favorite games to your bookmarks or |
| same game from all over the world, and the events | | | | favorites list so you can access them quickly. |
| of the game are happening at the same time for | | | | Load a new game on a separate window while you |
| everyone. Dial-up and other slow connections often | | | | play another game. This way, you don't have to sit |
| cannot display passing events in real time because of | | | | and wait for the new game to load. It can load in the |
| latency, the delay experienced because of long | | | | background while you are playing on another window. |
| loading times. RPG's can be played on dial-up if it is | | | | There are hundreds of gaming websites, and some |
| not in real time, or if the graphics are simple and easy | | | | are better quality or load games more quickly than |
| enough for dial-up to load. An example of this is | | | | others. If you find a game you like, but the game |
| There are many fun and engaging games that can be | | | | window is very small or takes too long to load, run a |
| played on a dial-up connection, many of which are | | | | search query for that game's name to find other |
| very popular for dial-up and broadband users alike. | | | | websites that have that game. Chances are, you'll |
| The key to finding a dial-up compatible game is to | | | | find a website that plays the game better than the |
| look for flash games. Flash games are games that | | | | other one. |
| are loaded by adobe flash player and are run from | | | | Minimize a game window rather than closing it. This |
| the website itself. This means that once the game is | | | | way, if you have other work to do or need to leave |
| loaded, it runs completely without using your Internet | | | | the computer for some time, you can set your |
| connection. Usually, flash games do not require you | | | | computer to "Stand by" and come back later. You |
| to leave the webpage you are on when it loads. The | | | | can then open the window you have minimized and |
| means you can play the games offline! The following | | | | your game will still be there. You won't have to start |
| are some websites that offer free online flash games | | | | over or wait for it to load again. |
| that work great with dial-up Internet connections: | | | | Don't let having dial-up get you down, there's still so |
| * * * * * These are only a few of the hundreds of | | | | much fun to be had! |