In a recent post, Technology enhances leisure time , I shared my experience of technology changing our approach, success and enjoyment of solving crossword puzzles. I shared this particular example because it is a good example (in my mind) of how technology can have a positive impact on something that is seemingly unrelated.

After dialoguing with a number of people after the post, I was surprised at the reaction and I thought I would share an update. I was anticipating comments about moving the puzzle solving away from the ‘pure’ form. The theme of the reactions boiled down to one common thread:  Scrabble – I did not mention Scrabble in my post.

I love playing Scrabble and Scrabble like games (Lexulous, Wordscaper etc.) and they are absolutely right. Technology has changed the way people can be involved in a multitude of online recreational activities. I do not get a chance to enjoy a face to face game of Scrabble often enough, but I can play online every day – and I do!  

The technology provides a way to enjoy daily interaction with friends whether they live next door, another city or country,  or are travelers on the go for that matter. Plus, the technology expands the options and opportunities of communication.

I can:

• play multiple games at once
• multitask while playing
• send notes back and forth within the games
• play independent of other people’s schedules (asynchronous)
• play in real time with options to chat on and/or have a video conversation (MSN, skype etc.)
• play any where I have an internet connection
• play via a mobile device

Playing word games with family and friends is a high light in each day that I treasure and technology enabled this possibility. Lucky me! Now, I am willing to bet that one of my friends played a Scrabble move while I was typing this post. I better go check 🙂

~ Mark