Slashdot Mirror
Ask Slashdot: Really Short Time Wasters?
rueger writes "At various times during the day I need a quick break from serious work. Browsing the 'net is not a good choice because it invariably winds up consuming an hour on places like Slashdot, so right now that means my break is a game of Solitaire. Loads in seconds, takes maybe a minute to play, then back to stuff that matters.
I'm wondering what other goodies could fill that role — maybe games, maybe something that actually leads to knowledge, skills, or a measurable output? Think of it as an on-screen micro-hobby. Any Ideas?"
Get up and take a short walk outside - rest your eyes, get the blood flowing and some vitamin D absorption if it's a sunny day. Your body will thank you in the long term.
Did you ever wake up in the morning, with a Zombie Woof behind your eyes? -- FZ
If it is me - and this guy sounds just like me - he needs to take that time and do anything but be on a computer. Take 5 minutes for longer breaks to grab a coffee or make a phone call you have been putting off. Or if you need a short break, sort out your desk or stare out the window for 30 seconds.
Your wrists will thank you - if you are an information worker, you are at risk of being seriously debilitated in mere years if you don't take steps now.
If this takes you more than a few minutes you need to go back to REGEXP 101 :P
http://www.coinheist.com/rubik/a_regular_crossword/grid.pdf
http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/02/13/2346253/can-you-do-the-regular-expression-crossword
You know what's sad? Why should you have to go to a break or conference room for a window? I don't know if it's 100% true, but co-workers I met in Germany state that when they build out cube farms/offices there, each person has to be able to see out a window. Natural light and all etc. Instead of huge walls walling off a support section, they had plexi/glass up so you had natural light and a view outside.
I once had a window cube; somedays I do wish I had that back.
Karnal
If you like puzzles, specially hard ones with some nice math and logic try Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzles. I'm currently addicted to sign post, but I can recommend net, light up, and loopy. Depending on the difficulty level, you can spend any kind of time doing them. The puzzles are awesome since you can pick pretty much any difficulty and enter your own parameters. For net I prefer a 25x25 grid, but for signpost I'm currently working on a 7x7.
They're available in android in a really good port. But stay away from the IOS version, you have to pay and it's garbage.
Besides being an enjoyable time-waster, you'll eventually get good at playing the harmonica and chicks dig musicians.
Anyone can blow "Oh, Susanna" on day one but in a few months, you can play real blues harp. Watch your friends' faces when you pull a harp out of your pocket and wail on the opening bars of "Juke" by Little Walter or "Whammer Jammer". There are scores of quick two-minute lessons on YouTube to get you started. It's relaxing and there's evidence that it improves lung function.
A Hohner Special 20 in the key of A (useful when you play with a guitar player) will set you back less than $40.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Build a filter on stackoverflow.com (or equivalent) focusing on the technologies you like/know-something-about and watch the new/unanswered queue. Answer one. Usually doesn't take that long, good questions put you in a different mindset, and you're helping someone out.
[Insert euphemism for masturbation here]
I assumed that's what the previous poster meant by "World of Goo".