We all know that Google has some secrets up its dark long sleeves; some are known others not so much. Things like the Barrel Roll, Gravity, Changing the alternative language, Zerg, and Underwater. Even so, some people don’t even realize that Google has a sense of humor and a deep craving for having fun. They want to convert the world to embrace their view on life which is basically just to have some good ole fun!
Why does the work day have to be filled with all serious stuff – take a 10 minute or maybe even an hour break to just turn off your serious brain and be a kid again .. at the old PC..
Here are six ways that Google want you to have fun and not get caught doing it!
WARNING: This is rated from the least distracting to the most distracting!
DISCLAIMER: Do not blame me or The Noobist for you getting in trouble messing with these things on Google – you clicked the links not us!
6. Google Sky: We’ve all used Google Maps to see places we know and many places we do not. Where does that short dirt road go? Did the Google car go down there? Don’t deny it; we’ve all done it. However, have you ever zoomed around in Google Sky? Try checking out some cosmic destinations; be in awe of all those cosmic colors and let your imagination get beamed up into a whole new world.
5. Pac Man: If you grew up in the 1980s you know who Pac Man is and how to play the game. Google wants the younger generation to know Pac Man and his ghosts too. Unlike many, Pac Man does not run from his ghosts (well most of the time he does).. but sometimes, he gets the power to defeat them (at least for awhile) and Google wants you to try being Pac Man; at least for one level.
4. Terminal: If you didn’t grow up in the 1990s you will never know Bulliten Board Systems or short -BBSes. I know them well; it’s the pre cursor of the Internet. Computers spoke to one another rather than today’s massive servers. These places were in someone’s home and had whatever they wanted such as Multi User Dungeons, bit games, chat rooms, and forums. Google decided that like Pac Man, the younger generation should learn about BBSes and what better way through Google.
3. Google Guitar: A handful of years ago, when Google first started changing their logos on their homepage, at one point the logo was a guitar that you could actually play and then after awhile, it went away. Well Google didn’t discontinue it, they just placed it on the shelf so whenever we wanted to dust it off and play the guitar, we could – thank goodness. It’s a great little musical interface and I definitely recommend having a go on it.
2. Atari Breakout: Yet another good game of breaking blocks – but old school style. Although it’s just breaking blocks, you can actually share your score with friends and compare – let them know that you rock and you schooled them on the subject matter.
1. First and never forgotten – Building with Legos. Yes that’s right. Google has brought you digital Lego bricks to play with. This is called Build with Chrome. Check out people’s builds from all over the world to get inspired and then decide what you’re going to build and share. Change the colors of the blocks, rotate them and the screen and build away. This number one spot was taken by the Lego building application because this is the one that will get you in trouble with the b-o-s-s (and no, I’m not talking about Bruce Springsteen!). I got quite lost in it but hey, I love Lego!
So there you have it, six ways to lose track of time and your supervisor but even if you get in trouble for not working; it was so worth it!
Thank you Google, you’ve made my work day into an eight hour break!