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Subject: Re: Crafty - an amateur program?

Author: Dan Homan

Date: 13:04:57 02/09/99

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On February 09, 1999 at 01:26:36, Jouni Uski wrote:

>I found it quite amusing, when Crafty is classified as an amateur program.
>Bob is professor in computer sciences and has been working over 30 years
>with computer chess. Yes I know, that he hasn't made any money from it. May be
>is better to say say that, Crafty is professional program, but free!

There are a number of different axis on which the amateur-professional
distinction could be drawn:

Professional:  Makes $$$ from current or past programs
Amateur: Doesn't make $$$ from current or past programs

Professional:  Is very skilled/experienced at chess programming
Amateur: Is less skilled/experienced at chess programming

Professional:  Considers themselves a professional
Amateur: Considers chess programming to be "only" a hobby

None of these distinctions are really suitable for tournament prize
allocation because there will always be someone who is treated
unfairly.

I think the 3rd axis is the only one that really matters and that
is simply a self-definition.  Beyond that, categories should be based
on the program itself:

Mature/Young/Weak/Strong/Commerical/Academic/Freeware/Shareware

etc....

 - Dan



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