Well, I'm not ready to report on Toy Fair. But, here's a little blurb about online jigsaw puzzles.There's a certain magic about a jigsaw puzzle. It's something about turning the pieces over and over in your hand, looking for matching patterns, the edge pieces, and the snap when you put it in the right spot.
So why do people like online jigsaw puzzles? I'm not criticizing...well, I actually am, sort of. Because I don't get it. I've done a couple and luckily they had mercifully few pieces. They don't have that snap (or maybe I just had my computer's volume off). They don't have that magic. You don't have to rotate them, turn them over to the front...nothing. Why not just have the computer solve it for you, too?! In fact, they'll do that as well.
Still, as I say all this, I notice that there are groups on Yahoo and Google devoted just to these very activities. There are web sites featuring online puzzles of varying sophistication. You can make your own jigsaws with digital pictures of your kids or pets or the even cuter kids or pets of others. They'll have a puzzle of the day, let you email puzzles to friends, there's a Facebook application, on and on. I mean, I guess people really like them. National Geographic has a pretty good one on their website. It's pretty cool and the pictures are great of course. Would I go back again and again? Well, no probably not.
I shouldn't complain - I suppose that anything raising awareness and interest in jigsaw puzzles is a good thing, especially for me. I wonder though if technology has gone too far. I mean, what's next, replacing printed newsletters with pithy online journals written by self-declared experts? Let's hope not.
4 comments:
I am a jig saw fan, and IF I didn't have cats who like to knock pieces to the floor when I walk away from the table; IF I had time every day to work them; IF I douls work them at night withour having eyesight problems, I'd always have one set up. So, I do work the online puzzles. They are not much of a challenge, and they are not as satisfying, but they do have a snap sound (I think your sound was off), and it passes the time.
Kemond@aol.com
I agree, I prefer actual jigsaw puzzles to virtual ones, but there are certain practical advantages, like not losing puzzle pieces. And the ones on National Geo (where I work) have a great snap if you turn up your volume. And they have tons of beautiful ones to choose from.
If you're into jigsaw puzzles check out this website Jigsaw Puzzles
Hutlethewly
Bwog
Post a Comment