JOHN CONWAY'S GAME OF LIFE

With a bit of luck (and Internet Explorer 3) you will see an ActiveX 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.