Why are authors charging EXTRA for Deep versions?

[Spock]

Have you ever considered the possibility that implementing SMP is rather hard?

Yes - and to do it well, it is very hard indeed - look at the scaling problems some engines have, and if you're looking beyond 4 cores then even harder still

[Uri Blass]

You see a (standard) version for $49 and then you are offered a Deep ver for $99. Single CPU computers are just about fazed out. Most people have a dual/Quad setup so why are they charging more? I say it comes down to greed. I know this subject was hammered before but now it's even more of a pertinent question.

I doubt if most people have a dual/quad.

I only have single processor machine(A3000 that I bought in 2004) and I am not sure if I am going to replace it in the next year.

I know also friends who do not use more than single processor machine.
The hardware that people buy today is usually at least 2 processors but I guess that most people did not buy new hardware in the last 2 years.

99$ is also not a lot of money and people usually pay clearly more than 99$ for buying their hardware.

Uri

[Uri Blass]

Have you ever considered the possibility that implementing SMP is rather hard?

Developing a program from scratch is hard , SMP is a feature that is standard for today's multi-core CPU's. Just like the standard was for single CPU's in it's day. Again, why the extra boost in price. Just a reason to raise the price. Why would people buy a single version when mutli-core is becoming the standard. What happens when multi-core becomes even more prevalent. Are we still going to sell a single core version, bullcrappy, it's greed!


They spend years optimizing it as well. years, c,mon


Using your logic 93 octane gasoline should be the same price as 89.

it doesn't make an car engine go twice as fast.

This is not the reason for higher price.

The price is not decided by the question if something is hard or easy to do
because by that logic you will never see strong free chess programs.

Uri

[YL84]

Have you ever considered the possibility that implementing SMP is rather hard? They spend years optimizing it as well. Using your logic 93 octane gasoline should be the same price as 89.

It SHOULD be the same price nevertheless
Yves

[AGove]

I doubt if most people have a dual/quad.

Uri, I doubt if most people are interested in computer chess. As far as people here are concerned, there has already been a poll...

http://www.talkchess.com/forum/viewtopi ... ht=#140296

... since when the proportion of MP systems will have increased and will go on increasing.

[dj]

Uri Blass wrote:

I doubt if most people have a dual/quad.

I only have single processor machine(A3000 that I bought in 2004) and I am not sure if I am going to replace it in the next year.

Most new systems sold are dual core but the majority of PCs being used are not. Th people who rush to buy the latest hardware are those who best be persuaded to part with larger sums of money for multi-processor versions.

Dann Corbit wrote:

They are just charging what the market will bear. If they could sell the single CPU version for $99, they would do that also. If they could sell the deep version for $500 they would do that. And so would I if I were in their shoes.

Exactly. The operation of the laws of supply and demand - much the fairest and most efficient method of determining the production and distribution of goods and services.

And let's get real: no programmers are getting rich selling chess engines.

[mclane]

especially not if he is not selling his engine because the price is too high.

[Jim Walker]

zapchess costed 49 EURO. 64bit and MP version.
+ free update to zansibar.

zappa mexico (beated rybka) costs 60 EURO. 64bit and MP version.

CM11000 also costs 49 EURO. with 64bit and MP version.

imo 99 euro is too much.

but of course its only my opinion.

It's not "only" your opinion ! I don't own the new Deep Shredder or any new "Deep" programs except Rybka because of the price. I'm slowly getting away from computer chess as it's racing towards 16 way boxes and higher priced programs. I'm taking the cure and breaking the habit.
Jim

[S.Taylor]

Have you ever considered the possibility that implementing SMP is rather hard? They spend years optimizing it as well. Using your logic 93 octane gasoline should be the same price as 89.

It SHOULD be the same price nevertheless
Yves

If it is te same price, there would be no need to have any single proccessor versions anymore, just buy the deep one.
I take it that deep versions do both.

But, there COULD be a cheaper version for only single, and that could be at 25% less. So either $49, or about $62.50 for the deep.

[Spock]

I'm slowly getting away from computer chess as it's racing towards 16 way boxes and higher priced programs. I'm taking the cure and breaking the habit.
Jim

Very understandable