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Subject: Re: Alpha/Beta adjustments via the hashtable or why Fritz 7 has messy PV's

Author: Gordon Rattray

Date: 21:58:25 12/02/01

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Gian-Carlo,

I understand the point that you are making.  Thanks for taking the time to
explain it.

However, the problem is that end-users don't always know what the design
decisions were.  They cannot be blamed for assuming that analysis lines can be
relied upon like in previous versions, i.e. with a gradual decline in
thoroughness as the line deepens - no sudden and shallow blunders.

My issue with this is that the programmer is trying to do too much.  Based on
your explanation, they want to gain their "10%" performance increase *without*
taking away the ability to display analysis lines.  So, they just decide to show
the lines anyway and therefore "hide" the necessary compromise.  Where is it
documented?  It isn't.  They don't want to highlight that the ability to display
valuable analysis has been impacted in order to gain performance.

The online help states that the engine window shows "the best continuation Fritz
has found so far".  So maybe the "bug" is in the documentation (regarded as part
of the software).  Don't blame users for reading the documentation and having
expectations based upon it.  Your posting isn't included in the online help,
unfortunately. ;-)

By all means, make design decisions.  But if the downside of a decision is "kept
quiet", yes, people are entitled to think that it is a bug.

Gordon







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