Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: Big Corporation Killing Chessmaster.

Author: KarinsDad

Date: 15:42:23 10/12/99

Go up one level in this thread


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), 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

Chris,

I agree with your entire post with the exception that I prefer the word
Fortunately as opposed to Unfortunately in the last sentence. It is good that CM
fills the nitch it does.

I am surprised that people still want CM to be a direct feature competitor to
Rebel/Hiracs/Fritz when it is obvious that they have a different market.

And it is even more surprising that people get annoyed when their pet feature
ideas are not implemented in a product, as if their $30 entities them to make
product decisions.

KarinsDad :)



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.