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Subject: Re: Big Corporation Killing Chessmaster.

Author: Fernando Villegas

Date: 09:35:50 10/12/99

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On October 12, 1999 at 12:19:07, Christopher R. Dorr wrote:

>The simple fact is that CM7K (and 8K and 9k ad infinitum) is targeted at the
>average computer owner who wants a game of chess now and then. This customer has
>*no* need for a stronger engine (CM4K could and still can whump 99.999% of the
>general public),


Hi:
You are right, but let me add this: even us, the so called "professional"
amateurs, are already busted by current engines, so we do not need, either, more
power in them, but more tutorials of better quality aimed to middle class
player, people like me far above common folk in playing strenght, but far less
strong that real professional chess player. That is the niche is lacking. And
that is not covered by CM neither by Rebel or Schreder or any other. I have
emailed about this to Ed with detailed ideas about that and he said to me -I
hope not only because of his kindness- that my ideas were powerful, but
difficult to implement. Well, difficult or not, the path of future goes by that
way. We do not need more strenght -but if they give us, OK- but a better
trainning device, not so much, like today, based in our use of existent
features, but a more compelling one, like to have a master looking at our games
over our shoulders.
Fernando


 an opening book editor (the general public doesn't need one),
>RS-232 autoplayer support, or any of the things we as afficianados look for.
>
>It's a simple equation. It would cost more to develop these features than it
>would benefit them to do so. An extra 100 or 1000 or 5000 units would not offset
>the cost of developing these, and these are the numbers being affected by the
>changes you suggest. If I owned a mass-market program, and looked at these
>numbers, I wouldn't do it either.
>
>Cm7K is for the masses. Fritz 6 and Rebel and Genius are targeted towards us.
>There is *no* chance that a CMxK will ever compete feature for feature with
>these programs (in terms of professional features), just as there is no chance
>that these will compete feature for feature with CMxK in terms of gimmicks,
>tutorials, interface frills, etc. Completely different audiences, so completely
>different programs. And all the email to Mattel in the world won't change it.
>Unfortunately.
>
>Chris



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