Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 19:13:42 09/14/98
Go up one level in this thread
On September 14, 1998 at 20:43:48, Will Singleton wrote: >All, > >I have noticed that more Crafty accounts are popping up on ICC. >Seems I remember reading awhile back that ICC would no longer give >out free Crafty accounts, and I assumed it was due to a perceived >glut. So I checked, and they are still giving them out, if the >account will play only wild, or standard, or < 2200. If paid, you >can set up the account any way you like. > >A couple of points: > >Crafty is very strong, and people naturally want to play it, modify >it, configure it, and run it on various platforms against a variety >of opponents. And so, this results in a proliferation of Crafty >accounts. What are some of the effects of this? the most noticable affect is that "crafty" used to play a hundred games a day. Now it sometimes plays 10 or less, because there are so many crafty's on ICC. That I hate to see, because the games other crafty's play don't really help me in making improvements since I don't get the log files... > >The obvious benefit is that people have the opportunity to play a >terrific game of chess, at any time. And I suppose it may slightly >benefit ICC, if unrestricted Crafty accounts must now be paid. > >But the Craftys now dominate the server's computer accounts. This >necessarily has the effect of lessening the opportunity of other >programs to find strong human opponents. It follows then that those >programs have less opportunity to improve, both in rating (which is a >function of the available player pool) and in real strength. this is a real problem, of course.. > >Obviously it's beneficial for the members of ICC to be able to play a >Crafty anytime they choose. But at what point does this become >counter-productive? Are there some people put off by the fact that >all these seemingly distinct computer accounts are really the same >program? Doesn't this lessen the inherent value of the server? >Beyond the oversupply argument, there is a quality or ambience of >"artificial variety" on ICC. Some might say the server is "littered" >with Craftys. I don't think this oversupply benefits ICC or Crafty. > >In addition, as a programmer I am concerned that the casual player >will not differentiate between accounts by program, but rather by >name or rating. He may not know that of five seeks, four are Crafty. >All players will not actually take the time to look at the finger >notes, for whatever reason. So my program and others are not easily >differentiated from the Craftys. (*See list below.) > >I'm sure ICC and Mr. Sleator will run their business any way they >choose; they have certainly been successful, and I applaud them for >their fine service. I especially note that lag seems to have been >vanquished as a significant problem, and the server is almost never >down. > >But, a small suggestion if I might: just *label* the Craftys. Make >it Fitter(CR), or Thoth(CR), or Whatever(CR). I think it's a small >change, and it's appropriate for people viewing the "seek" board to >be able to differentiate between Crafty accounts and other computer >accounts. It would enable a more accurate, and honest, >representation of the state of the server. > >-------------------------------------------------------------- >*Craftys (partial list, 30) > >Account Name Blitz Rating > >Crafty (15.20) 2868 >Fitter 3086 >Arasan4 2648 >YucoII 2848 >KillerGrob 2823 >MrsLovett 2784 >Thoth 2784 >DrAlekhine 2773 >Lynnett 2841 >Perplexity 2748 >Counterplay 2743 >PII233Crafty 2606 >Stupidity 2379 >Flambe 2420 >Epita 2517 >Netsurfer 2733 (bullet only) >K6-Krafty 2642 >ComputerMan 2731 >Moron 2843 >BananaBot 2859 >Singacrafty 2748 >Heatstroke 2664 >Moonshot 2749 >Weakcomp 2485 >Data 2641 >Wildthing 2022 (wild) >Watts 2314 (standard) >Summit 1805 (bullet) >xfiles 2796 >eniac 1678 >--------------------------------------------------------------
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