Time Killer Apps

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First, something that I've always noticed about technology is that they told us early on that we can save so much time when we integrate computers into our lives; however, every technological advance seems to suck up so much of our time.

When I take my wife shopping, I find myself setting out in front of stores smoking my pipe and maybe conversing with people, usually other men taking their wives shopping also. But, from time to time, I will find myself alone and fiddling with my phone for something to occupy my mind while smoking.

I used to have an APP of a really good chess game. It was one that you could work your way up in skill and complexity till you are finally playing a simulation of one of the great master's games. But, then one day it broke, and was stuck playing the same master game over and over. Ha ha, so I got to where I was playing against a stuck program that made the same moves no matter what my opening moves were. Now, I knew that the game was stuck, and I knew that beating a master Sicilian defence that was stuck in rote moves does not make me a great chess player. I am mediocre at best. But, at one time I had worked my way up to this level. But, it was a great time killer and a superficial feed to my ego, ha ha. So, I could kill 30 minutes beating this master game over and over. Then one day a few weeks ago, the iPhone removed the broken APP from my phone. I was sort of sad. About ten years of beating Bobby Fischer had ended, ha ha. I had gotten to where I could beat it in six moves. I know, I know, I realize that I wasn't really beating it, but it was a good time killer.


Now, I have downloaded a solitaire game, and can fire through rounds of solitaire in a minute a a game.

Does anyone else have a time killing APP that they use? Tell me about how you pass the minutes when you are stuck waiting on someone or just smoking your pipe. I know, most probably just come to this site. I do too, obviously. But, sometimes there are lulls in the posts or responses to posts are slow. Not always, but sometimes... like any great forum. But, do you have a fall back APP to kill time?
 

yanoJL

Lifer
Oct 21, 2022
1,403
3,998
Pismo Beach, California
Chess Tactics Pro. I use this one as a time killer. Rather than playing complete chess games, you're given chess "problems" where you find the checkmate in 2,3 or 4 moves depending on the difficulty level.

And the New York Times crossword app. This one requires payment. In addition to the full crossword puzzles, there are also daily mini puzzles that only take a minute or so to solve.
 
Jan 30, 2020
2,329
7,690
New Jersey
First, something that I've always noticed about technology is that they told us early on that we can save so much time when we integrate computers into our lives; however, every technological advance seems to suck up so much of our time.
Ain't that the truth.

Instagram takes up way more of my attention than I ever wanted it to and I'm not even that bad with it, but bad enough to where I know it takes up more of my time than I'd like it to.

That and here is where my attention usually goes. Fortunately, I never got pulled into any type of mobile gaming.
 
Jan 30, 2020
2,329
7,690
New Jersey
I really should start just carrying a sketchbook with me again to kill time. Like smoking a pipe, sketchbooks are also great conversation starters. People ask wanting to see if I am sketching the parking lot or waiting room, ha ha. And, then they are surprised to see me sketching out jewelry or tamper designs.
That seems like a significantly more useful time killer.
 
Dec 11, 2021
1,683
8,737
Fort Collins, CO
I have a chess game also. I don’t play it too much. I have a hard time playing on a screen vs. a real board. I don’t always see things coming and end up making dumb moves and getting frustrated. I also play free cell solitaire quite a bit. It’s been months since I lost a game, so kinda getting bored with that also. Mostly just hang out here and I’ll pop on to a couple of Facebook pipe groups here and there.