JOHN CONWAY'S GAME OF LIFE

With a bit of luck (and Internet Explorer 3) you will see an Active X version of the famous 'Game of Life' below. You need the final release version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 to properly display this page. Make sure you configure IE to use the MEDIUM safety level (Menu: View / Options / Security / Safety Level).

So . . . . what's it all about then ?????
This so called game (it isn't one) is a very simple simulation of an algorithm with the following rules:

Existing life cell:

• Each cell with less than 2 neighbors dies out of 'loneliness'.
• Each cell with more than 3 neighbors is overcrowded and dies.
• Each cell with 2 or 3 neighbors is happy and survives.

Empty uninhabited cell:

• A new cell is born for each dead cell with exactly 3 neighbors.

I'm scared, how can I control it ???
Controlling it isn't very difficult, keeping away from it is what's the hard part. Believe it or not, but I have spent several hours looking at the magical figures, generation after generation, life after life.

• Use the left mousebutton to toggle the state of a cell.
  This is best done when the 'game' has not yet started. It can also be used as a lifesaver in a locked or unevolving situation.
• Use the START button to start the game.
• Use the STOP button to stop or pause the game.
• Use the LEFT or RIGHT button to increase or decrease the speed of the game in steps of 10 milliseconds.
• Use the ABOUT button to get a little more info.

You can also check out a Java version of this program or return to my HomePage.