Don wrote:I would like to see the situation resolved regardless of what happens. Since it's clear that Houdini is a close derivative work of the Ippo family, there is no modern representative of the Fruit family of programs that is going to be allowed in tournaments, at least the important tournaments.kinderchocolate wrote:Hi,
I don't think Houdini is illegal and anybody who is complaining that it's illegal is an idiot.
The legality of Houdini is not the issue, it would still be in violation of ICGA rules to take Ivanhoe and enter it as if it were your own.
So I don't like it when a top program cannot compete - as I have my own aspirations of being the top program and surpassing Houdini. I would feel like Karpov must have felt when Bobby Fischer refused to play. However I agree and respect the ICGA ruling - it's absolutely correct. Programs should not be allowed or disallowed based on their strength.
The solution around this is to allow one program to represent the Fruit family and that program could be Houdini. But Houdart would have to be wiling to share authorship and credit - which he is too proud to do.
It's quite ironic to me that the programmers behind the Ippo programs have this anti-capitalistic philosophy and were driven to do what they did in part because of this - and what has happened instead is that they have in turn been raped and plundered in the name of capitalism. They now have a single person who has taken their hard work and profited from it. Somehow I don't think this is what they had in mind ....
First, what can you do? Take Robert to the court? You can't hurt his sales by whinging here. You have to make something better than Houdini. Second, only the copyright holder of a GPL license can complain, this is stated clearly. Do you know exactly who published GPL Robblitto and does he care? If he doesn't, why should you?
It amazes me that your general knowledge of Russians is somewhere a couple miles south of nada. How much time have you actually spent in Russia? It is obvious you have no clue of the driving force behind the creation of the Ippo family. Who was plundered and what? Where?
This is going to sound unfair and sarcastic- but it is really a serious question, and a fair one, as I also read your psychological breakdown of Robert as well as your instructions (detailed) for identifying and dealing with con men. And thank you for the lesson on dealing with charities- lot of good info there. And thanks also for your breakdown showing us how hard it is to track charitable donations. Include with that your shrewd analysis of how a Russian's mind ticks, and well.... oh, the question:
Is there any subject that you are not an expert on?
At any rate, you mentioned the wish for Komodo (wise to go for a Japanese name- Boris or Vladimir isn't a good fit for you) to rise to the top. And it very well may. You partnered up with the right guy. At any rate, I wish you well in your attempt. Capitalism at work.
I have always liked to test an engine on 1cpu and 32-bit. And that is all I tested for CCRL. (maybe they will have sympathy for me and tell you I was the best they ever saw) That strips off all the bells and whistles, the 64-bit, the quads, the 8-cores, etc., etc. Then it is just the engine and me. It can't rely on outside help- so it better be damn well programmed. Another reason I like that choice is because my dual blew, and I cannot afford a quad. You can decide for yourself my main motive for the hardware- but the point is I thought I would get your interest for a second. Don't just humor me- I worked really hard here, and all for you. As you will see from this link I leave you- you are only about 76 elo from the top, with Stockfish, Rybka, Critter and Houdini ahead of you- but they are all bunched quite close- with enough games where I don't think the "+ or - error factor" will help much.
Personally, I think your two main worries would be whether or not Vas decides to multi-task with Cluster, and also develops Rybka 5. Tho he may not- as he is sick of people also STEALING from him.
But I said 2 worries, I think. Did I? Ah-right. Excuse my mind- it comes and goes. The 2nd worry would be what happens when Robbolito, IvanHoe and DeepSaros23j or DeepSaros23jT pose you a problem once they get enough games under their belt to make the list. At any rate, good luck to you and Larry - wish you 2 the best. Below is your link. It is quite interesting- tho as I said, or think I said (feel free to correct me on that) that it is the single cpu- 32bit list. Peruse as your time allows
http://computerchess.org.uk/ccrl/4040.l ... ing+list&p
gts