Dear Loli, Now that GNE is down, what do I do to keep myself from going out of my mind? Signed, anonymous.
Well, inspy, there are many things one can do to fill the days that were once dominated by the mundane yet addicting pastimes that comprised so much of GNE. For example, to replicate the endless clicking of making paper and genomes, you can play Space Invaders, or just install free AOL software and put your computer's security on low. The pop-ups will supply many hours of mindless clicking.
To simulate passing notes, compose an e-mail, then send to a randomly selected name from the yahoo member directory search. It is pretty close to what it was like trying to pass a note while using Netscape.
A way to duplicate chat is to conspire with another GNEr to start another subject in a Metafilter comment. The rants and the flaming over the cross talk will bring back memories. It can be very realistic, since so many Mefis are GNErs.
Nostalgic for scrolling back through chat to find out what you missed while afk? Play "find the chicken squeezing reference" in this quote list from the cartoon Duckman.
I find keeping in touch with other players to be the most rewarding way to keep your sanity. Read their weblogs(you can look them up in their player profiles), send e-mail, and use IM. Check out Yahoo Euchre and Literati - lots of GNErs there too. Lastly, don't forget the wonderful official GNE fanzine Ludus Perpetuus, and its player community weblog paperlane. We will be right here providing the latest game news, art, and entertainment.
You can send your questions to Loli via advice@paperlane.net