Author: Mark R. Anderson
Date: 19:41:40 12/03/04
Go up one level in this thread
On December 03, 2004 at 22:30:48, Albert Silver wrote: >On December 03, 2004 at 22:01:16, Mark R. Anderson wrote: > >>On December 03, 2004 at 18:21:14, Albert Silver wrote: >> >>>The best copy protection I've seen would have to be for the professional >>>backgammon program, Snowie 4. It is a *very* expensive program ($380) and used >>>by almost every pro there is, so you can imagine that the demand for piracy >>>would be huge. But as far as I know, the piracy must be at a strict minimum, >>>since I've only heard of a handful of failed attempts. I'm a legal owner of it, >>>and can only say that there are 2 codes, plus a 3rd that is created especially >>>for the copy, and it must be activated via the internet or stop working within >>>21 days. It may sound very similar to many such protection schemes, but as I >>>said, I've been to quite a number of tourney halls and have yet to see even one >>>pirated copy. >>> >> >>Albert, >> >>About Snowie 4 ... I own a registered copy of Snowie 4 Student (the middle >>version, $100, equal in all respects, but won't do rollouts). I was a bit >>hesitant to upgrade to the Pro version because of the price ($300 for an >>upgrade), but I wanted to do rollouts, so I was going to "take the plunge." >>*Then*, I ran across GNU Backgammon for Windows, which is a fully-featured >>package ... at least an equal player to Snowie (this has been tested by myself >>and others ... also, Nack Ballard, #1 in the world, agrees with this), it >>performs rollouts, it has a better and easier to use interface, it's easier to >>analyze matches, games or sessions, it does many types of rollouts, it has a >>much nicer to use and ergonomic GUI, it has a more attractive boards, more >>features, etc. The price? $0. That's right ... zero. So, I say, $380 for >>Snowie Pro? They've got to be kidding ... no thanks. >> >>If you don't believe me, the popular "sparring partner" of the pros on one of >>the backgammon servers is "GG Raccoon." This is GNU Backgammon 0.14 set on ply >>0 (plies 1, 2, 3, and 4 are available and stronger, and rollouts are available >>too). GNU on Ply 0 is equivalent to Snowie on Ply 1 (a difference in the way >>they "count" plies). GNU on ply 0 is rated very highly and is a favored >>partner. Try GNU on ply 1 or 2 with an extended match against yourself and you >>will see that it's a toughie. Also, when analyzing matches, games or sessions, >>it's a harder "grader" than Snowie. Give it a try! Also, try playing it in >>matches against Snowie 4 using "Dueller" software, and you will soon be using >>GNU also. Of course, like me, no doubt you'll still want to keep Snowie. It's >>a formidable partner and good "teacher" and I have respect for it also. It's >>good to have a second opinion sometimes, like we here have with our chess >>engines. >> >>Oh, by the way, don't confuse GNU Backgammon with GNU chess. GNU chess is a >>weak program (yes, we need those too, to play against), but GNU Backgammon is >>strictly world-class and will *bury* you in a long match (as will Snowie). >> >>Mark Anderson > >I know a little something about GNU Backgammon: > >http://www.bkgm.com/gnu/AllAboutGNU.html > > Albert Albert, Well, am I blushing! Of course you do! I just *knew* your name was familiar from elsewhere, but couldn't place it (see what happens when you turn 50?). Well, my hat's off to GNU Backgammon. Love it! It rocks! Personally, I think the interface is not only vastly superior to Snowie, but that's it's a slightly better player than Snowie 4 (giving Snowie it's due as being #2), and it's simply a joy to use. I rarely use Snowie anymore, and only then when I want a second opinion on a position or suggested move (which is rare ... GNU does a good job. Rollouts show that GNU is not usually wrong on Ply 1 or 2). The article you wrote on GNU Backgammon is 1st rate. Thanks ... good job! Why anyone would shell out $380 for Snowie Pro when GNU is free is beyond me, but some people are just dying to be separated from their money. By the way, did you have a hand in writing the GNU BG program? Again, <blush>, sorry I didn't realized who I was talking to. As Homer Simpson would say ... D'Oh! Mark
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