Get serious about your computer play

We've heard this story before: The most important task you accomplish with your computer is work. The second most important is accessing and using the Internet. After that, there might be time for computer games.

Yeah, right. Now let's talk about reality. Playing games is what makes home computers fun, and now, more than ever, complex interactive games are going online. Instead of competing alone against your computer, you can interact and engage with real, human opponents from around the world—and Windows Me gives you a ticket to all the action.

Windows Me puts you in the action
Along with classic hearts and solitaire and the familiar assortment of games, in Windows Me you'll find Internet versions of backgammon, checkers, hearts, reversi, and spades. To find them:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click Games.
2. Click the game you'd like to play.
3. In the Zone.com dialog box, click Play to be matched with players around the world who match your skill level.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself. To communicate with your opponent:

1. Make sure you have selected "On" under Chat.
2. Use the dropdown menu to choose from a list of standard chat messages, such as "Hello," "Your turn," and "Nice move." These messages are automatically translated if your opponent is from another country or speaks a different language.

Windows Me Internet games are completely free, and they're a great way to sharpen your gaming skills.

The MSN Gaming Zone takes care of everything
The MSN Gaming Zone , one of the most popular interactive gaming destinations on the Internet, supports the Windows Me Internet games by providing the network that lets you meet other game players at the moment you feel like playing games. Just follow the procedure noted above, day or night, and you'll always find a competitor.

But that's not all. At the Gaming Zone you can also choose from multi-player CD-ROM games like Age of Empires, Rainbow Six, or Quake II, as well as more card and board games like bridge, cribbage, and chess. You’ll find:

• Thousands of people playing at all times of the day.
• An active community of gamers communicating through chats, tutorial sessions, and tournaments.
• Free matchmaking for popular CD-ROM games to help you find and compete against other players.
• Original, multiplayer games designed specifically for the Internet.

Play ball!
Click "Game Index" on the left side of the Gaming Zone home page, and you’ll find a menu of all the games in the Zone , sorted alphabetically. Each game page lists separate rooms for that game under various categories, such as for beginning or advanced players. Each room name has a number beside it showing how many people are currently in the room.

Next to each player's name in a game room is a latency indicator that shows how fast your current connection is to that player. When you join a game, look for players with a green latency indicator, which indicates low latency.

Once you start playing, you'll find an active community of players who will help you get started, learn the lingo, and maybe even share their gaming secrets. While you may be mortal enemies in combat, you're sure to make new friends.

Latency? Ping? Lag? What does it all mean?
Online gamers often discuss "latency," which is the time it takes for data to travel from one point on the Internet to another. You may hear gamers refer to latency as "ping" or "lag." Your "ping rate" is a measure of the time (in milliseconds) it takes for a signal to travel from your computer to your opponent's and back.

If you have a slow connection to the Internet, or if one of the Internet gateways or servers between you and your opponent is especially busy, you’ll experience high latency, and you may see delays or disruption in your game. In addition to choppy or jerky game play, you'll be helpless against the attacks of your opponent if he or she has lower latency than you. To avoid getting trounced, you can take steps to ensure a good online gaming experience and equal footing with your opponent when you go into battle.

Get ready to rumble
The most important step in achieving low latency is getting a fast connection to the Internet. A 56-Kbps modem will work well, or better yet, get broadband Internet access. Make sure that you have the most recent modem drivers available from your modem's manufacturer (visit the manufacturer's Web site for more information), and find a reliable Internet service provider.

Graphics-intensive games will work better if you optimize the performance of your computer. Defragment your hard disk regularly, and close any programs you don't need before you start a game, so there is nothing else draining power from your computer.