Microsoft Solitaire

__NOTOC__Infobox VG
width =
title = Solitaire


caption = Solitaire in Windows Vista
picture format =
developer = Oberon Games (Windows Vista version)
Microsoft (older versions)
publisher = Microsoft
distributor =
designer =
license = Proprietary software
series =
engine =
version = 6.0.6001
released = vgrelease|NA=February 4, 2008
genre = Klondike
modes = Single-player
ratings = vgratigns|ESRB=Everyone
platforms = Microsoft Windows
media =
requirements =
input = Mouse, Keyboard, Xbox 360 Controller

"Solitaire" is a computer card game that is included in most versions of Microsoft Windows. It is a version of Klondike. According to a Microsoft employee, it is the most used application in Windows.Josh Levin: [http://www.slate.com/id/2191295/pagenum/all/ Solitaire-y Confinement: Why we can't stop playing a computerized card game] . - Slate.com, May 16, 2008]

History

Microsoft has included the game as part of the Windows operating system since Windows 3.0, starting from 1990. The game was developed in 1989 by then intern Wes Cherry [ [http://b3ta.com/interview/solitaire/ Interview with Wes Cherry - B3TA.com 2008] ] , who famously received no royalties from his work. The card deck itself was designed by Macintosh pioneer Susan Kare.

Microsoft intended Windows Solitaire "to soothe people intimidated by the operating system", and at a time where many users were still unfamiliar with graphical user interfaces, it proved useful in familiarizing them with the use of a mouse, such as the drag-and-drop technique required for moving cards.

Productivity in business lost by employees playing "Solitaire" has become a common concern since it became standard on Microsoft Windows. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989274-4,00.html Do Computers Really Save Money? - TIME ] ] In 2006, a New York City worker was fired after Mayor Michael Bloomberg saw the "Solitaire" game on the man's office computer. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/10/nyregion/10solitaire.html Solitaire Costs Man His City Job After Bloomberg Sees Computer - New York Times] ]

Features

Since Windows 3.0, "Solitaire" includes the ability to change the appearance of the design on the back of the cards, and the user is able switch between Vegas scoring and Standard scoring, or disable scoring entirely. The user can also choose whether one or three cards are drawn from the deck at a time, as well as time the game for additional points if the game is won. The dealing of cards between games does not go by any particular order but is entirely random.

In Windows XP and later versions of solitaire, the ability to right click to automatically move available cards to the four foundations in the upper right-hand corner in a similar manner as freecell. Another 'function' in versions earlier than Windows Vista is an instant win cheat by pressing Alt+Shift+2 to automatically finish the game wherever you are. [ [http://itsvista.com/2007/01/itsvista-tip-30-how-to-cheat-at-solitaire-in-vista/ ITsVISTA Tip 30: How to Cheat at Solitaire in Vista | ITsVISTA ] ]

The Windows Vista version of the game saves statistics on the number and percentage of games won, and allows users to save incomplete games and choose cards with different face styles.

References

External links

*moby game|id=/microsoft-solitaire|name="Solitaire"