bad news from zappa ...

Discussion of anything and everything relating to chess playing software and machines.

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Spock

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Spock »

Ryan Benitez wrote: Ever notice this is not the forum that Anthony posts at any more? Did anyone stop to think about why? Could it be that with all Anthony has given to the computer chess community he gets a lot of criticism around here? That and this place looking like a fan club for a few engines sure would make this feel like an unfriendly place for a skilled programmer like him.
He doesn't post at Rybka forum either now I don't think, he was very harshly criticized there. This is still the best forum around - look at the huge volume of posts in the programming section. No other forum can even come close. So this is a VERY friendly place for programmers. Certain other forums have set themselves up as an alternative to this one, although they won't admit it as such. They're fooling themselves if they think they can ever approach this one in almost all areas. Despite the protestations about how democracy works here, at least moderators ARE elected, rather than certain others were disaffected members simply set up another forum and promptly appointed themselves, as a dictatorship. CCC rules !

I have the highest respect for Anthony and his decision. He realises that he can't succeed unless he works on Zappa full time, and he can't do that, so it is best not to at all
Nid Hogge

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Nid Hogge »

Ryan Benitez wrote: Ever notice this is not the forum that Anthony posts at any more? Did anyone stop to think about why? Could it be that with all Anthony has given to the computer chess community he gets a lot of criticism around here? That and this place looking like a fan club for a few engines sure would make this feel like an unfriendly place for a skilled programmer like him.
I must say I didn't see him post much at other places as well. Sure, he posts here in there, but 99% it's after a new release(Mexico, Zanzibar etc..) or after an official match(>Rybka). Other than that I really didn't see him post much anywhere. He always said Computer Chess is a hobby. I think it's much more likely he does not post much anywhere since he is a very busy man. last I heard we has working on his PhD.

Also the first retirement messege he posted here. the second I'm not sure.

As for members leaving CCC.. I don't need to remind you what went on here just a few months ago. You know how many members left. Hell I almost left myself when it all happend. I'm sure this is why CCC lost some most of it's 'honor' or whatever they wanna call it. I know you know that. That's why youv'e seen other message boards getting more popular and founding members leave. I can't blame them, Really I can't. It had nothing to do computer chess and it was plain ugly. But I didn't post ONE message on this subject when it happend.

I also think this is still the primary and best place for programmers to gather around and exchange ideas. check the other forums and see how popular theyre programming sections are. TBH I don't think most programmers care or read much of the other usual stuff.

Now once again I want to make sure I didn't mean to criticize anthony or anyone else (not you either) in any sense. I like his program and surely he's a very interesting man. Maybe I should soften my tone next time.. But in any case.. I'm sure it's not the last wev'e heard from him .. Computer Chess related or not.
Spock

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Spock »

I posted a message here a couple of months ago to say that I was leaving for a while. Then I realised, there is nowhere else to go, so I've stuck around and aim to make the best of it. I joined here a few years ago (3 or 4, I can't remember) and I simply don't see the "big changes" that people mention. Apart from new forum software, it's still pretty much the same. OK there was that ugly incident, but that is behind us now. When I do no longer post here, it will be because I've no longer got the time to spend. Of course there are a lot of posts on certain topics; that is because people are passionate and interested in them. Nothing wrong with that. People have the right to go to whatever forum they like, but I do regret the fragmentation that has occurred. Better to have everything in one place, but I guess that's impossible....
Dann Corbit
Posts: 12803
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:57 pm
Location: Redmond, WA USA

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Dann Corbit »

Powell wrote:Harvey Williamson (Hiracs Forum) wrote:

I have learned that we will not see a new version of Zappa. Anthony has decided to hang up his keyboard for good. The source code is locked away in a safe. In the past when he stopped working on Zappa he allowed Erdo to enter tournaments on his behalf. He has stated that Zappa will not play in any more of the major tournaments where the authors permission is needed to play.

This is sad for Computer Chess but maybe Anthony will change his mind?!

I was told this 2 days ago but now the information can be made public.

To quote Anthony:

Quote:
After some spectacular failures in the past months, the Zappa project is 100% finished. This includes both tournaments and future releases. Only one copy of the Zappa source code exists in the observable universe today, and that is safely squirreled away in a safe deposit box in the barbarous, provincial depths of rural Iowa, so I couldn't work on it even if I wanted to.


He even thanks me in the credits on his website Smile https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/acozzie2/www/zappa/
_________________
If his heart is not in it or he is just plain tired of it, I see no reason why he should continue.

There are plenty of excellent chess program authors to fill the same role. It's really a golden age of computer chess.
ArmyBridge

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by ArmyBridge »

[/quote]
There are plenty of excellent chess program authors to fill the same role. It's really a golden age of computer chess.[/quote]
Oh yes, they are, but I think that the most we miss (at least we, the Zappa fans) is the unique Zappa style to play chess. Maybe Antony will return in the future, chess is very adictive :wink: I hope... :roll:
playjunior
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:53 am

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by playjunior »

To tell the truth, I would believe Zappa project is stopped if Anthony released the source code (as a true academician).
Let's keep hope ;)
User avatar
Rolf
Posts: 6081
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:14 pm
Location: Munster, Nuremberg, Princeton

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Rolf »

Nid Hogge wrote:
Ryan Benitez wrote: Ever notice this is not the forum that Anthony posts at any more? Did anyone stop to think about why? Could it be that with all Anthony has given to the computer chess community he gets a lot of criticism around here? That and this place looking like a fan club for a few engines sure would make this feel like an unfriendly place for a skilled programmer like him.
I must say I didn't see him post much at other places as well. Sure, he posts here in there, but 99% it's after a new release(Mexico, Zanzibar etc..) or after an official match(>Rybka). Other than that I really didn't see him post much anywhere. He always said Computer Chess is a hobby. I think it's much more likely he does not post much anywhere since he is a very busy man. last I heard we has working on his PhD.

Also the first retirement messege he posted here. the second I'm not sure.

As for members leaving CCC.. I don't need to remind you what went on here just a few months ago. You know how many members left. Hell I almost left myself when it all happend. I'm sure this is why CCC lost some most of it's 'honor' or whatever they wanna call it. I know you know that. That's why youv'e seen other message boards getting more popular and founding members leave. I can't blame them, Really I can't. It had nothing to do computer chess and it was plain ugly. But I didn't post ONE message on this subject when it happend.

I also think this is still the primary and best place for programmers to gather around and exchange ideas. check the other forums and see how popular theyre programming sections are. TBH I don't think most programmers care or read much of the other usual stuff.

Now once again I want to make sure I didn't mean to criticize anthony or anyone else (not you either) in any sense. I like his program and surely he's a very interesting man. Maybe I should soften my tone next time.. But in any case.. I'm sure it's not the last wev'e heard from him .. Computer Chess related or not.
You are ignoring the most famous message from Cozzie when he commented on the Strelka/Rybka stuff in the Rybkaforum to be exact. For me his departure is connected with software politics. Or even justice issues. Who knows?
-Popper and Lakatos are good but I'm stuck on Leibowitz
Uri
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:34 pm

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Uri »

There is an engine called Zappa X. Is this a newer or earlier version of Zappa?
Vinvin
Posts: 5303
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:40 am
Full name: Vincent Lejeune

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Vinvin »

It's a newer version, latest version I know.
Uri
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:34 pm

Re: bad news from zappa ...

Post by Uri »

So is it the same as Zappa Mexico II or is it even newer?