Solitaire (Windows)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Solitaire | |
|---|---|
 Solitaire in Windows Vista |
|
| Developer(s) | Oberon Games (Windows Vista version) Microsoft (older versions) |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Version | 6.0.6001 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date | February 4, 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Klondike |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E |
| Input methods | Mouse |
Solitaire is a computer card game that is included in most versions of Microsoft Windows. It is a version of Klondike. According to a Microsoft employee, it is the most used application in Windows.[1]
[edit] History
Microsoft has included the game as part of the Windows operating system since Windows 3.0, starting from 1990.[1] The game was developed in 1989 by then intern Wes Cherry[2], who famously received no royalties from his work. The card deck itself was designed by Macintosh pioneer Susan Kare.
Microsoft intended Windows Solitaire "to soothe people intimidated by the operating system", and at a time where many users were still unfamiliar with graphical user interfaces, it proved useful in familiarizing them with the use of a mouse, such as the drag-and-drop technique required for moving cards.[1]
Productivity in business lost by employees playing Solitaire has become a common concern since it became standard on Microsoft Windows.[3]
[edit] Features
Since Windows 3.0, Solitaire includes the ability to change the appearance of the design on the back of the cards, and the user is able switch between Vegas scoring and Standard scoring, or disable scoring entirely. The user can also choose whether one or three cards are drawn from the deck at a time, as well as time the game for additional points if the game is won. The dealing of cards between games does not go by any particular order but is entirely random.
In Windows XP and later versions of solitaire, the ability to right click to automatically move available cards to the four foundations in the upper right-hand corner in a similar manner as freecell. Another 'function' in versions earlier than Windows Vista is an instant win cheat by pressing Alt+Shift+2 to automatically finish the game wherever you are, this was removed in the Windows Vista version[4].
The Windows Vista version of the game saves statistics on the number and percentage of games won, and allows users to save incomplete games and choose cards with different face styles.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Josh Levin: Solitaire-y Confinement: Why we can't stop playing a computerized card game. - Slate.com, May 16, 2008
- ^ Interview with Wes Cherry - B3TA.com 2008
- ^ Do Computers Really Save Money? - TIME
- ^ http://itsvista.com/2007/01/itsvista-tip-30-how-to-cheat-at-solitaire-in-vista/
