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Subject: Re: A different spin on computer programs on the chess servers

Author: KarinsDad

Date: 13:35:04 03/26/99

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On March 26, 1999 at 16:00:44, Bruce Moreland wrote:

>Some people don't want to play computers because they have a computer at home
>and would play it if they wanted to play a computer.
>
>Some would like to socialize with an opponent, but wouldn't like to socialize
>with an operator, and the act of playing the game is what I'm referring to, not
>necessarily the chatting after or even during.
>
>Some don't want to play because they don't like the combination of attributes
>that comprise computer strength.  If you play a human you can play speculatively
>and bluff.  You can't do this as easily against a computer.
>
>The computer won't adapt to you at a high level as well as a human will, and a
>computer won't do blunt and direct things that perhaps you could learn from,
>instead it will play from move to move.
>
>I used to play against computers a lot, and the quality of the experience was
>very different from play against a human.
>
>I think it is perfectly fine for people to expect to know whether their opponent
>is a computer or a human.
>
>Regardless, this is the rule, it will never be changed no matter what we say
>here, and a great many people have very sincere opinions that the rule be
>enforced.
>
>bruce

Bruce,

What if (and this is just speculation) someone wrote a program where it was
extremely difficult to tell if it was human or if it was a program? The program
could be configured to play at 1600 or 2600 and it could do such an superb job
that nobody could tell the difference.

With the exception of your socializing comment (which might be handled by a
knowledgeable operator and good analysis features of the program), such a
program would not be contrained to the limitations that you effectively
mentioned on today's current programs (which are very true today). It may not be
commercially available, so you couldn't play it at home, it would have different
attributes than current programs, and it's ability to adapt would be extremely
human-like.

Granted, today this is just speculation. But what if?

Should such a program be segregated? Do people have a right to know that they
are playing it? If so, why? Would there be any harm in people NOT knowing
exactly who their opponent was in such a case (like they do not know based on
the handles today)?

BTW, from a pragmatic point of view, I agree with all of the points that you
made. I'm trying to explore a little the realm of "what if".

KarinsDad :)



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