What are your Top Beefs that you Hate about Computer Chess?

[AdminX]

Okay, so I am a little Annoyed today. Now I know Chess programmers try to do the best they can and we the consumers are a tough group to please. So this can be thought of as a sound off thread for both Endusers and Developers alike.

Here is my top beef from a enduser point of view:

Commercial Chess Programs / Engines that don't fix bugs in a timely fashion. (Chessmaster GME and Rybka 3 (Persistent Hash Bug) come to mind here.)

So what your biggest beef?

PS: Note I said Commercial Chess Programs, not Freeware Chess Programs. When I pay for a program that has serious bugs or does not function as advertised, I expect a patch or bug fix in a timely fashion.

[pavel]

The world will end as we know it the day there is a software (as complex as a chess program) that is completely bug free.

Every new version of softwares are not entirely ripe with features, but a combination of "bug fixes" (which turns out to be a feature) and 'actual new features/functions".

[Dirt]

Annoying copy protection. The first chess program I bought with copy protection was ChessMaster 3500, where you had to keep the CD in the drive to play. It was also the last chess program I bought.

[Nimzovik]

Pavel said it succintly. However I for one would like to see more of a capbility to play closed positions, fortresses etc. Long wait there As for the copy protection issue --YAH!! I lost the ability to play some of my early (only 3 installs) programs due to hard drive reformatting /crashes etc.

[adams161]

copy protection the number one reason i dont spend more on chess software. Now i might not be a huge spender but the times i think of buying i say you dont want that it will be a hassle. My old chessbase products from like 98-2002 all seem to require 'refueling' or loading the cd. I hate this. I cot a copy of a later fritz, forget which one, as a gift from playchess actually when i wrote them i was working on maknig my chess program work wtih the chessbase software, i logged on and becaome a playchess member, and it was cool. Well often once a year i reformat my computers hard drive to 'clean it' well the playchess/fritz program didnt like this. It said this program may not be authentic. forget all the details of how it restricted me but stuff like that makes me spend much less on chess software than i probably would otherwise. Again as i said i dont know that i'd buy a ton of stuff but everything i think of buying ( oh and i had this issue with chessmaster the cd insert thing ) i get that feeling of no dont want that hassle.

Mike

[Sean Evans]

My biggest beef is the Internet Chess Clubs, each one has good points about it, but none of them are putting enough development into bringing all these great ideas into one ICC I can join! Each one is good and crap at the same time!

Sean

[Nimzovik]

YAH!!!!!!! And what aout those cheaters!!!!!!!!! Not to mention the Laggers in bullet!! And whose bright idea was it to begin the word chess with a "c" anyway!!! I really want to know!!!!

[Kirk]

Doubling the price for SMP, when most computers are just that these days. It is a leftover from the old days.

I remember Shredder 6 and 7 had SMP for free

[Steve B]

The Mid 1990's ..when the dreaded PC Chess Engine over took dedicated computers in term of strength thereby ending the advance of these great beauties crafted from the finest of wood:



Luddite Regards
Steve

[AdminX]

The Mid 1990's ..when the dreaded PC Chess Engine over took dedicated computers in term of strength thereby ending the advance of these great beauties crafted from the finest of wood:



Luddite Regards
Steve

Yes, the wood system were very nice, and I was to poor to afford one at that time. My oldest was the Fidelity Chess Challenger 9, my dad had a few older than that however. Hell Steve, I was lucky to afford a wooden Jerger Chess Clock. To bad I sold it years ago, today I wish I still had it.