PlayChess diary: Computer crash

April 18, 2004

Computer crash

Don't worry, I am not talking about the PlayChess server. But my development computer crashed some days ago.

Of course, I have backups of all relevant files. Nothing is lost forever. But I must set up a new development computer: not difficult, but time-consuming.

Consequences:
- Round 4 of ACL-S001 is delayed
- Conditional moves will come a little later
- Several smaller improvements cannot be published now
- Some older emails are temporarily lost
- I am very, very busy...

By the way, the conditional moves will be phantastic! Most of the programming work is already done. During my tests, I fell in love with this feature - how could PlayChess exist for such a long time without it?
You can simply "click in" your conditional move sequences (these are hidden from your opponent). As long as your opponent makes one of the moves forseen by you, he automatically gets an immediate reply - until he finally deviates from your move sequence. These automatic moves are a great tool so speed up games, especially in the opening phase.
Got curious? Good! But this feature is for members only... ;-)

A side product of this development is that you will be able to see your moves immediately: you enter g1-f3 (with mouse or keyboard) and the Knight jumps from g1 to f3.
These new features rely heavily on Javascript. If you are still using a browser from the stone ages (say Internet Explorer below 5.5 or Netscape 4.x), you should consider upgrading to a current version. And please activate Javacript (for the PlayChess site, at least).

I hope to resolve my computer problems within the following two weeks. My priorities are as follows:
- set up development computer
- round 4 of ACL Swiss
- conditional moves
- league tournaments
- forum

And now: back to work!
Thomas :-)

Posted by Thomas Stahl at April 18, 2004 08:57 PM

Comments

Thanks for the continued hard work!!!

Posted by: Coolhandluke at April 18, 2004 11:58 PM

Thomas:
I won't say I was the first person to suggest conditional moves here. I think it actually was suggested in the forum many years ago. But I was one who suggested it again, probably in the last two years. And I also think I was the first person to suggest that -- unlike postal chess -- the conditional moves be hidden from the opponent. For that latter suggestion I took some strong criticism from players who thought this chess site should work EXACTLY like correspondence chess.
At any rate, as one of the proponents of this idea, I'm happy to hear you're excited about it. I'm looking forward to it.
Sorry to hear about your crash.
--Dennis

Posted by: djpnola at April 19, 2004 06:00 AM

Dear Thomas !
It is very sad : to read and to learn that
that has taken plase .
That is possible to You to help ?
I wish to You successes in restoration of
work and updating .
We are with You always .
Better luck !
Innessa . Saint- Petersburg .

Posted by: Innessa at April 20, 2004 07:26 AM