cssdixieland: Yeah, well, your argument makes about as much sense as the people that say the United States should never, ever adopt the Metric System. There's better ways to do things, and you are right we do not have to do things in a different way just because there are better ways.

Keeping track of the moves in a Chess game is just a way to save the game. Why does it matter how it is done? You make it sound like using the Algebraic Notation is the worse thing in the world, and using tradition as a reason is one reason of many I have heard why we do not use the Metric System here. On BrainKing there is also a pictorial notation, though it does use the algebraic numbering for the squares. My version of the Algebraic Notation is not standard. I do not use shortcuts. I name both squares and I use - for move, and × for capture, and I use the standard abbreviation for the piece every time for every move. My way of using Algebraic Notation eliminates all ambiguity, and it is very easy to use. I can still use Descriptive Notation, but why should I? It is easy to make mistakes using it, and has all sorts of ambiguous moves that require care when recording a game so that you get the right move recorded. I suppose it has a romance to it as it treats both sides equally, but other than that, I see no advantage to preferring it over Algebraic Notation.

When you posted here in reply to a four year old post, I was surprised. I had thought that Descriptive Notation had been completely replaced, and only people that study old games written before Algebraic Notation took over would need to know Descriptive Notation. I find out that I am incorrect in this assumption. Are their many people that share your belief in the Descriptive Notation? The reason to keep track is so that you can replay the game or share it with someone else. If most people do not know Descriptive Notation and you only publish games using it, you will lose a lot of people, or those people must learn it.

Which system is easier? The Metric System or U.S. Standard? We both know the Metric System is easier, but the U.S. Standard has many adherents over the Metric. The Metric System's simplicity is one major reason why is should be used in the United States, though I can think of more reasons. I like the U.S. Standard, but I am also very good with numbers. Most Americans are not, so why do they resist the Metric System? Laziness? Inertia? Or maybe know one cares? You got me why. Considering we have had a decimal money system since 1792, you'd think we would have been on the Metric System bandwagon since the French invented it. Consider that the Metric System was adopted as the standard in United States in 1866 and 1876 and it sill is not universal. That's right, over 150 years ago. It's tradition.