RIP Excalibur Deluxe Talking Touch Chess?

[JonP01]

Hi Steve,

I am all but trembling with anticipation The backlit screen just on it's own would be enough to make this machine all but equal in usability to Saitek's Maestro. And one can only hope that with the new model will come those hardware and software fixes that I have been hoping for. I doubt that Excalibur would have previously been aware of all the faults I documented with the old model and subsequently sent to them. Maybe the new model will also think on it's opponent's time this time around as well.

As for the Robot, I am equally stunned. This thing has been on and off for goodness knows how long. And to my eyes it just looks better than the older phantoms, mirages' etc. It actually reminded me more of the Novag robot - which is a good thing.

Sadly I am not sure if I will ever have the funds for such a beauty, but if I do then I would very seriously consider attempting to acquire one. Definitely not a machine to purchase without going through a trusted middle man who will properly pre-test the thing though

A Great Start to my Day Regards

Jonathan

[Steve B]

I do not care about languages. I handle many...

Tell me about thinking in adversary time, engine and things like that regards
Fernando

i have already said too much
i have placed myself at great risk ..all for your idle amusement
even now..as i type...i see moving shadows in the distance


I Can Say No More Regards
Steve

[Steve B]

Hi Steve,


As for the Robot, I am equally stunned.
Sadly I am not sure if I will ever have the funds for such a beauty, but if I do then I would very seriously consider attempting to acquire one. Definitely not a machine to purchase without going through a trusted middle man who will properly pre-test the thing though

Jonathan

Yes the Phantom Force will be the chess computer release of the decade .. and with an all NEW Nelson program

as to the middleman

for a fee...
Anything is possible regards
Steve

[JonP01]

.. and with an all NEW Nelson program

Well that bit actually worries me a bit. Historically, "all new" Nelson programs tend to be very buggy. If we take the program that first saw light of day on the LCD Talking, followed by DTTC, Alex and finally TCII, it wasn't till TCII that the bugs were all ironed out - and even then it still doesn't ponder (though that is not a bug so much as a lack of the feature - though the lack of the feature could be due to concealing a potential bug).

Slightly Concerned Regards

Jonathan

[Steve B]

.. and with an all NEW Nelson program

Well that bit actually worries me a bit. Historically, "all new" Nelson programs tend to be very buggy. If we take the program that first saw light of day on the LCD Talking, followed by DTTC, Alex and finally TCII, it wasn't till TCII that the bugs were all ironed out - and even then it still doesn't ponder (though that is not a bug so much as a lack of the feature - though the lack of the feature could be due to concealing a potential bug).

Slightly Concerned Regards

Jonathan

on the other hand...
the GM and Mirage had an all new Nelson program and they were\are comparatively bug free

the Mirage of course was a hardware nightmare

but then again...having a perfectly working one.. or two.. makes them highly collectible

Nelson The Living Legend..Sends His Regards
Steve

[JonP01]

Well, these new releases will still be extremely interesting to me regardless. It will be interesting to see how Nelson copes with the power consumption issues of a backlit display.

As I have mentioned here previously, the backlit Saitek Maestro has a prodigious appetite for batteries. Rechargeables aren't really an option in that machine because they discharge too fast and only have 2.5 volts to begin with. And even alkalines can sometimes only last at around 2 - 3 games at classical time controls. Of course the DTTC can not only use rechargeables, but they last an incredibly long time.

Perhaps a lot of this has to do with the processor - the Maestro uses an H8 series processor which in my experience is very hard on batteries - especially as the clock speed ramps up.

My educated guess is that the new DTTC replacement will continue to use a 6502 processor, since I believe this will help compensate for the backlight on the display in terms of power consumption.

As for the Robot, I am glad that you will no doubt purchase the first machine to hit the stores in the US. That way you can tell us all about it. And of course I would be much obliged if - after you purchase your DDTC replacement - you could have it play against itself at 40 moves in 2 hours. If the game gets to move 40 and one side has not lost on time, it's more than likely the time control bug has been fixed.


Guinea Pig Regards


Jonathan

[JonP01]

Yes the Phantom Force will be the chess computer release of the decade

Hi Steve,

That being the case, I suggest that you purchase five units, viz:

- the first is for normal, everyday use

- the second can be pressed into service if and when the first suffers a catastrophic mechanical failure.

- the third can be used as source of spare parts for the second

- the forth remains mint, unused and in it's packaging, except for 1 x game in 30 test session every 4 years.

- the fifth remains totally mint and never used, to be sold on eBay in 15 years time to the highest bidder.


Thinking Ahead as Always Regards

Jonathan