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Subject: Re: Chessmaster for palm

Author: Mike Byrne

Date: 14:56:31 11/27/02

Go up one level in this thread


On November 27, 2002 at 16:42:03, James Constance wrote:

>Where's the message that listed some of the shortcomings of the initial release?
> The program seems pretty good to me.

The recent upgrade fix some of the problems with analysis function

The issues are:

1. No Pgn support.  Without PGN support - there is no easy way to get your game
onto your PC for more in-depth analysis.  A major shortcoming IMO.
2. Does not remember the game position if you switch to another app and
comeback.  I was told this would be fix in the next upgrade.  A major annoyance
feature.
3. Has an annoying nag screen to "save settings" when switching to another app.
I was told this would be removed in the next upgrade. In additon, it will
automatically remember settings.
4.  The default personality has pondering on.  For a palm, I don't think this
proper - because with pondering on and on battery - you will not get much more
than 2 hour usage.  The default should be pondering off.  With pondering off,
you can easily get 6 hours playing chess with your Palm.  Since it doesn't
remember settings - you are always fidding with the commands and spending less
time playing.
5.  Re-read the last sentence in Point 4.  You spend a lot more time fidding
with the controls in Chessmaster than in Tiger or Genius - are you buying it to
play chess or you buying it to fiddle with the commands?  If it is the former
Tiger and Genius win hands down.
6.  I do get fatal error messages when in the tournament mode.  A fatal error
message in tournament mode is FATAL tp your tournament.  You lose the whole
tournament and your back to square one and fiddling with the commands again.
NOT FUN!
7.  Overall - a very frustrating program to play with is my assessment.
Although it does have entertainmaint potential if they can make  it  run
smoother, more stable and more user friendly.  It's not there yet.

#1 Tiger
#2 Genius


Mike



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