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Subject: For Christophe Theron

Author: Chris Duggan

Date: 12:04:13 11/02/99


Over the last few days, I've read the posts that have flown back and forwards
between you and Bob.  I had no particular 'side' in the debate before; as I
presume is the case with most people, but some of the posts you have made are
beginning to change my mind.

The title of one of your posts was, 'A Crippled TIGER is still much better than
a full strength CRAFTY'  On reflection, don't you consider that was just a
little arrogant?

You later wrote...

>"Now take some guy that collects all the known working algorithms,puts them all
>together in a program named Crafty, and makes the sources public.
>Well, that's a nice idea. Thanks a lot. It is a fine pedagogic tool."

and...

>"Remember, your program is at least 100 elo points behind ours. Each of us has
>done at least 10 times more creative work than you have. You have spent 30 years
>on this and you are still well behind."

If i had done as much work on Computer Chess as Bob has, i would be _extremely_
offended by these last posts.  Are you implying that he's never made anything
wothwhile??  You have done _10_ times as much work as Bob?  Sounds to me like
your being a little arrogant again...

When people criticised the tone of you 'crippled TIGER...' post, you replied...

>What I find funny is that some people feel the need to tell me my post was a
>little bit provocative, but these people did not open their mouth on your
>          "if you are implying this you are full of snot".

This is a good point.  There is a subtle difference between your comments and
Bob's.  Bob writes _'if'_.  He doesn't say:  Amir, you are full of snot, he
says, when provoked, '_if_ you are accussing me of lying, you are full of snot.
Neither does he belittle Amir or yourself, as you do in two of the abpve quotes.

As I see it, and i stand to be corrected, Amir implied that Bob had
intentionally programmed unsporting behaviour into Crafty, in the attempt to
gain ICC rating points.
This annoyed Bob.  I don't believe there are many people that it wouldnt incense
if the slur was addressed to them personally.

In another post, you say that Bob posts in a patronising way.
Surely saying...

your program is at least 100 elo points behind ours. Each of us has
done at least 10 times more creative work than you have. You have spent 30 years
>on this and you are still well behind."

is patronising to Bob??

I don't know how and if you will reply to these points.  If i'm wrong about
them, please correct me.  I'm sure that you did not intend to create the
impression that you did with me.  Its probably just my problem with reading
them.
It seems that when arguments like this start, the bad sides of everyone are
brought out.  Bitterness provokes bitterness, and mis-interpretation makes this
even worse.

This isn't a personal attack, i just thought you might want make your views
clear, if what i have written here isn't the correct interpretation.






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