Happy House
Virtual Hamster Page

Please do not bother these people or us with installation problems. Once before we were asked to remove this link because you hounded them for installation assistance. Now (12 Mar. 1999) we have been permitted to link again.

"It's a fact! No matter how powerful your computer is, in terms of actual intelligence it's not as 'smart' as the lowliest mammalian life form. In the case of hamsters it's a tight race. That's one reason this virtual pet seems so uncannily vital. Another reason is the exceptional skill and sensitivity of its designer, Mrs. Yoshida.

"Ms. Yoshida developed Happy House out of personal tragedy. Her beloved Ruby cast off, and she had no one to spend long hours in front of the computer with. The care and detail that went into making Happy House gives meaning to why we keep warm beasts about us. Many will find this little program inescapably comforting.

Happy Hamster Download Page

What Happy House Does

"In the words of lifelong hamster lover Mrs. Yoshida, 'people who like hamsters will know what to expect'. In other words, Happy House doesn't do much. When you start it, your screen will darken and a basket will appear. Click on the basket latch and the cover will open, revealing your newest friend. You may name it what you wish, but please give a thought to Ruby.

"You feed your hamster by clicking on the food dish. That'll get its attention. Beyond that it's pretty much on its own. It will walk around, stuff its cheeks with food, unload the food, eat, sleep, groom itself and sleep. You can get its attention at any time with your pointer (but true to breed it will quickly lose interest in you). At present its physical functions are restricted to those above, but we are told that in future versions it may relieve itself. An exercise wheel is also in the works.

"When you are ready to take Happy House off your desktop, click on the upper portion of the basket and it will close.

"In our hearts we know that this is what hamsters want us to do with our computers."

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