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Subject: Re: Do hideous DOS-based progs bother anyone else?

Author: Len Eisner

Date: 17:47:12 11/24/98

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On November 24, 1998 at 00:35:54, Mig wrote:

>While trying out different programs to get an overview for an article on
>computer chess for a newspaper I found several popular programs are still using
>DOS and still look as ugly as they did 15 years ago.
>
>In particular I was appalled by Rebel 10, one of the top programs out there by
>general consent. After using ChessBase 7.0 and relatives for so long I couldn't
>believe my eyes. The board and pieces in Rebel 10 look worse than some of the
>klugy Java boards used for on-line viewing! (Maybe the guy's settings were
>wrong? He didn't think so.)
>
>I'm no fan of fancy 3-D boards or medieval pieces, etc., but really, I'm sure
>they could do better than that. Unless the program in question is dramatically
>stronger than the competition to compensate (it's not) I can't imagine using
>something that ugly regularly. (Not that I would anyway due to the lack of
>multi-tasking.)
>
>How big of a factor is this considered to be in the marketplace? Beauty is only
>skin deep, but there should be a minimum!
>
>Mig

I agree with you.  I will never buy another DOS-based program again (chess or
other).  I have several DOS chess programs that I no longer use because of the
trouble they cause (lock ups, eye strain, etc.).  It's really sad.  For example,
Tascbase is a great program, but I just can't look at that small, low resolution
board any more.

Once you become accustomed to the high resolution 2D board of Fritz or Genius,
you just can't go back.

Len



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