MidnightMedic: Actually I knew that this site was going to grow to fast and overload the servers - and that is exactly what I said a few months ago when a couple of people were "spamming" the IYT message board about this site! No one believed me then, but it quickly came true! :-)

Not that I'm saying anything bad now - just thought I would let you know that somebody did actually know that this site would be this popular and grow too fast! :-)

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

As an additional note to rooks who wants to donate money.

You could instead of just donated money, you could set up some prize tournaments. So for example if you were thinking about donating $20 - you could set up 2 "prize" tournaments - each with a six month Brain Knight membership.

WHICH in turn may get the winner of the tournament "hooked" on this game site and that person will renew and/or upgrade!

Just an additional idea of how to get more money into this site!

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I also think the people who donate extra money to the site should get a special note in their profile.

For example - right now for the few users who are part of the "customer service" have a special note under their profile name. To have a special note for the user who support this site over and beyond the membership would be cool.

Yes, that link works good!

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

OK, I don't think I have seen this question before, and it is something that might happen in one of my tournaments soon.

I have a tournament with 2 sections. Section #2 is complete with a pawn as the winner. (Section #1 has 3 more games to go).

My question is, if the pawn is up to 20 games when the second round starts, will he forfet the tournament games or get more the 20 games?

Thanks!

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

server problems: Having accounts that are not used just take up a little hard drive space, and does not really have much to do with the current problems with the server slow time.

I do like the idea of (some-what) closing much of the discussion boards - but only for pawns (see message of mine below).

I just don't like the idea of adding more levels of membership. I myself am a Rook, and I really don't want to see the Rook membership change (unless more is added - then I might not complain).

---------
Vikings: I know for myself, I prefer to just play then to just win - and to have a game just end or be forefited in the middle (even if it is a win for me) would not make me too happy. Someone else mentioned to let them finish the games that were already started but not start any new games, I also don't like that idea - for the fact if a person only has a couple of games, they may not play as much and also slow down things (plus the other problems that were talked about before) :-)

BBW

Yea, I think that Fencer should start trying (if possible) to limit the number of accounts that one person/household can make accounts with.

I mean they should not be a strict as IYT that bans accounts if 2 people use the same computer, but more probable could be done.

Then again, I don't think too many people who keep creating new accounts just to get "extra's" - I'm sure there would be a few, but I would think very few.

Yea harley, I was thinking about that when I wrote it, but I'm not sure how to get around it.

Actually, One thing I would do is not just give them the first month that they sign on with the "extra" things like seeing a Fellowship - since a new user could take a week or 2 just to get use to the site, it would not let them really get to "know" the site. I would let the Pawn decide when to have a "friends of BrainKing" trial - where they can see the Fellowships, possible read more messageboard (if it was limited), use things like the friends/enemies list (if it was limited), etc..... (I hope I explained that well enough)

Goal: Get more people to buy memberships

Ideas I don't like:

1. Limit Pawn moves (example: 25 moves per day). This is one of the things I hear as as the biggest complaint about IYT - and one of the reasons some people come here is to get away from IYT - so to do this may upset more people then get them to pay. Also, it can slow down paid members who play pawns with only a limit number of moves. ++++++ BUT, as a side question - what are some of the Pawns moving a day? Would it be an idea to limit pawns to say 50 or 75 moves per day? Where it would not hurt many pawn EXCEPT for the ones that take a lot out of this site for free?

2. Limit Pawns to 3 months. Like others have said, some tournaments/games last longer then 3 months, and it can hurt the ratings when people have to keep using a new account every 3 months

3. Limit Pawns to only "basic" games. For example, they can play chess, Backgammon, etc..... But they can't play some of the variations like Dark Chess, Atomic Chess, Crowded Backgammon, Backgammon Race, etc.... Only the "main" games". I liked this idea when I first thought about it, but after a little time of thinking - some of the variations do not get many players now - and to limit that even more might really hurt some of the games.




Ideas I like:

1. Limit pawns to how much they can post on the discussion boards. I would limit them to 2 post on most board (and let them post more to the "system" boards like BrainKing.com & Feature requests - since sometimes it takes more then 2 post to say things. Possible also limit pawns to only a few of the "main" boards to read? (This is a game site, and the boards are not part of the "games") Another idea to add to this is not allow them to post to any board except to the "system" boards with problems and such - and possible only give a 1 month "trial" of reading the other boards before they can't even read them either! (again, game site - not a chat site. This will not take any game play away from pawns - just "extras" away)

2. I still would love to see a pawn able to join 1 fellowship as a Guest for 1 month. This way they can see some of the discussion that goes on in the fellowship, plus see the tournaments and such - and possible if a pawn see's what is in a Fellowship, they might decided to pay to do more in the fellowship.

3. If there is a time of day (say between 5-7pm - whatever time zone) that is extremly busy and sometimes puts the server into the "maxed out" area, why not block pawns from signing on during this time period. This will still give pawns unlimited moves and play time during the other 21 hours of the day - but possible block them from even getting signed on during the busiest 3 hours. And if this happens to be the time that they like to play, they may possible pay some money to play during that time.

4. Drop the limit of NON-tournament games for Pawns to 10. And also allow them to still join 1 tournament at a time. (So if they happen to join a tournament with 7 games, the most games they can have at one time is 17) This will also help Pawns who try to join a tournament then find out they don't have enough game space.

5. Take other NON-GAME functions away from Pawns. For example, don't let them keep friends or enemy lists. Don't let them save boards. Don't let them see things like who is on-line. Limit the amount of "data" they can put in their own profile. No auto-refresh. Maybe even NO vacation for Pawns. (possible some other things that I can't think of right now) - But the idea to not take away any "game" things - but to take away other non-game things.

OK, that is all I can think about now.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I know how it works.

If you are rated high and you win - you go up a couple of points. If you are rated high and lose - you go down A LOT of points! :-)

Possible a good rating system for skill type games like chess, but when you start adding more "luck" into games (like a little for Backgammon, and a lot more luck for Battleboats) - it may not bs the best rating system.

-- Which I'm not complaining about the current rating system, but it never hurts to look at different options.

Here is a recent tournament results that I found interesting - in the BBW presents: Small Keryo Pente

danoscheck had 8.5 points, and 41.75 S-B for first place.

Erika also had 8.5 points, and a HIGHER S-B rank of 43.25, but ended up in second.

Not too often you see someone with higher points get second! (Which I believe is because danoschek actually won more points in the games against Erika)

.... Anyway, just an interesting result I thought others might like to take a look at.

It probable wasn't you - right before you wrote that message, I had a couple of "weird" things happen (like only 1/2 the page loading) - like the server was just about ready to be "maxed out", but not yet to the "max" point.

But I'm glad it is working now! :-)

Sometimes "small" errors happen from time to time. First I would try to go back to the Main Page, and then choose the game again and see if you get the same error.

If that does not work, it would be something Fencer would have to look at.

I've had a hard month of June, you mean I can't go back and take vacations for June?????

Actually harley, when I first looked there (when getting the answer for below), I said the same thing to myself "Why is there only 1 checkbox on the month?" - It took me a minute to figure out why for myself.... :-)

On the left side of the screen, choose "Settings"

In Settings, there is an option along the top for "Calendar" You can set your vacations (and weekends here)

Hope this helps!

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

When Battleboats Plus is intruduced, you should get multiply hits per turn - hopefully it will be here soon!

Also, to see the last move - The "Game notation" is right next to the board for me and I can see which squares the last hit were - Which I really like because you can quickly see ALL the previous moves really quickly!

harley: Dmitri & Spiderm4tt can't post about that no more! COOL - Time for me to get into the argument since they can't answer back! (now who's side to take......) :-)

chattytea: I thought I have a couple of my oppenent's messages go strait to the bottom (instead of the top) - but I just figured I was losing it ot something and ignored it. But with new games, there is probable a slight chance things can go wrong.

I think the tech info is aimed mostly for the people who post every once and awhile about how the site always seems to be down. (And I'm sure there are plenty of e-mails also)

... and I know that I don't need the tech info to know the site has troubles. Would I have paid if I knew this site was going to have trouble? Well yes - heck when we were talking about this site on IYT a few months ago, I even said "Wait a few months, BrainKing will start growing too big and have problems also!" People did not believe me, but I knew it was going to happen. :-) Now, will others pay if they know the site might have troubles? Well I'm not sure - but it's better to let them know now then to just find out later.

Tech Info HERE

I welcome all pawn here - without them, many knights/rooks would not be here, and there would also be a limited option for people to play games against. Should Pawns get more "extra's"... My answers is no. (I think they should fix the "one tournament at a time" so they don't have to wait for other slow players, but I don't think they should get "more" then they have now - just fixed)

Should Pawn get less then they have now? Well I would not like to see that, but that would be something Fencer would have to decide. If it would help the server & money situation, well I would support what ever he did. IYT had to lower what the non-paid members had, and a lot of people got upset over that... and I'm sure something similar would happen here IF that were to happen here. But it's Fencer's site and he should keep trying whatever he needs to do to make this the site he would like to see! :-)

Someone also mentioned the idea of after 3 months, "downgrade" pawns to less. That's sounds good on paper, but I think many would just start creating new accounts every 3 months to get around it.

WOW - I just figured out if you go to the "game rules" of the games, there are Statistics there for the games!

For example, in Spider Line 4, White won 61% of the time, Black won 38% of the time, and draws .2% of the times!

Idea: Is there a way to put all the statisics for all the games on one page? Just one of those cool things I like to look at, but it's a pain to have to go through EVERY game's rules to find them. :-)

Plus, how long have they been there? I remember looking at rules not too long ago and I never seen them there. (which is why I'm posting this so others can check them out!)

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

Was there still a plan to sell shirts & other item here?

Well you said something about charging more for people who run a Fellowship - and I guess my point is to not "take" anything away from the current Rook membership.

I personaly do not like the idea of another higher membership level to do some of the things that as a rook I can already do. (I already paid for a year as a rook for the things it does, so please don't take anything away from it.)

BUT - How about a higher membership level for more money. Possible call it an "Extra Friends" level or something. Maybe not give them anything extra (as in features), but for say an extra $10-$20, put a gold "star" next to their name so everyone knows that they support the site extra. So for people who can afford the extra money, and wants to help out the site even more - this gives them an option to do that.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I mean I don't really have that big of a problem with the server being slow - Heck, a few months ago I predicted this would happen (that is when the server started growing too fast like IYT, it would have it's problems also.) Many people said "That's not going to happen", but I was right! :-)

But like I said, no big deal to me - I have games on IYT, DailyGammon & Pocket-Monkey to keep me busy while I wait for BrainKing.... I just don't like it when all my opponents have to wait so long for me to play sometimes. :-(

Actually I have a similar question - that is when is the "peak" and "low" times for the server.

It seems whenever I get on to play many games, I will at least once or twice get the server is too busy message. Maybe if I knew when the "low" time was, I could try to play more games during that time and stay away during the "peak" time.

Kevin: I also want to thank Kevin since now I have more chances to play my sister (SueQ) and beat her (no matter what she actually says!) :-)

littlebabybird: I looked around and did not see anyplace to reset your password - you may want to either use the "Contact" link, send Fencer a message, or wait for Fencer to see your message here.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

Actually if I win the $250, I'll put some back into the site (that is run a few "free membership" tournaments) :-)

.... but then again, I'm not the best chess / Gothic Chess player so don't expect me to win.... (but I will be doing a lot of game studing!) :-)

Question for Fencer: Do you try to keep track of people who make multiply accounts and try to cheat?

I mean for the most part, it probable isn't a big deal - but with a $250 Gothic Chess tournament, I would guess there would be at least a couple of people who try to make 2-3-more? accounts to give them more of a chance to win.

Anyway, I was just wondering if you were watching for this or not - I don't know of anyone off hand, but I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't at least a couple of people who will try this.....

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I really don't think there should be any limits on non-members for their moves either - but if the server is getting to busy for what the site can handle, I would rather as a paying member get priority over the people who don't pay (at least during those busy times) It would be nice if all sites could handle high volume times, but many can't - and if this site keeps growing as fast as it has.....

But even if they limit the moves to 10-20 during the peak times - that still almost as much as IYT for the whole day. (And during peak times - I'm only talking probable 3-5 hours that it's the most busy - leaving 20 hours of non-restrictions)

To expand on my ideas that I posted earlier.

Brain Rook - Keep the same - up to 1000 games (Unless you start getting people up to that amount and they keep on timing out - maybe drop that down to 500 or something - still way more then most will use)

Knights - I guess keep the same.

Pawn - Possible limit their moves during "peak" hours when the server is the most busy. Possible 10-20 moves max during the peak times? Or if you can keep track of how much bandwith a person used, limit that for pawns during "peak" times - since cruising message board also takes away from the server. (During non-peak hours, don't limit them in their moves)

I also still like the idea of letting pawns only enter 1 tournament a month. It does not matter if the tournament is over before the next starts - just as long as it was 30+ days since the last started. (Since now tournaments can be as many as 14 games out of their 20 limit - it is hard for pawn to keep that many games open for tournament) Playing in 1 a month would still let them enjoy the tournament, and use the site to help decided if they want to pay here.

As for non-tournament games, possible limit them to 10 games.

So are the Admin's looking to change what Pawn/Rooks get, or is this just a "what-if" type of thing?

If I had to choose, for Pawn i would allow them to enter 1 tournament a month. Even if the games are over, just let them start a new tournament every 30 days. And then give them say 5-10 non-tournament games. This would solve the problem of pawn trying to join tournaments, and then finding out they don't have enough free space (since it can be as many as 14 games, or smaller - it is hard to guess). No move limit - which I think most people don't like. (Heck if you limit them to 15 like someone suggested, that would mean only 1 non-tournament game!)

For Rooks - Please don't limit them to only 100 games. 200 games maybe, but I would prefer no limit. (One of the main reasons I'm a rook and not a knight)

... those are my thoughts

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

That is true - but even if 4,000 people have active account, and 200 are paid - that is still 95% non-paid. It's hard to tell for sure. :-) Just my guess

85% brain-pawns. Well there have been over 5,000 people who have accounts here, and under 200 paid members made a move yesterday. So is around 95% brain pawns is my guess. :-)

... and what is forgotten is there are already a lot of member only boards (Fellowship boards) - I'm not sure how this new board will help...... it is now just another board to add to my long favourites list....

Auto-Refresh is Cool! You can even make it auto-refresh every 10 seconds! (and since it takes about 15 seconds to load the main page.....)

OK, I'm just kidding. I've actually turned mine off.

I think they should keep it, but they should have it turned off by default for new users - and take about the 10 & 20 second refresh times.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I've been playing games for the past few hours - and I have had no slowness problems - very fast.

Except it was down for "upgrades" for about 3 minutes.... but other then that, very fast for me tonight. (Mid-Illinois-USA)

Well for the past week, IYT has been very quick!

As long as one site is quick, I'm happy! :-)

As a side note if someone is getting close to timing out - you may want to set a vacation day in case this site stays slow so you will not time out... if you are close on time!

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I would love to be able to go to the next game according to time also - as I suggested once before, but it was then explained to me that it would slow the server down a little to recalculate each time someone plays a game (So I would rather have a fast site then this option if I had to choose)

How I get around it: Sometimes when I busy, I will only have about 10 minutes to sign on and play a few games - what I do is if I have a few games that need to be played now, I just open each game up in a new window - so I will have 5-6 screens with 5-6 games that need to be played. This saves me from having to submit each move, go back to the main page (wait for it to load), and then choose the next game.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

Actually NightHawk1958 - the person who makes the challenge can choose which color to be - it's just that they choose white for themselfs because it is easier to win. (which if you want an easy win for ratings... well I guess that is the way to go).

Hopefully Fencer will have the "play 2 game - 1 of each color" for non-tournament games soon.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

The only other thing that comes to mind is a list of all the games with check-box's for each game. (but that would take up a lot of screen space).

Possible when someone is about to create a new tournament, have 3 options: (1) Create Tourny for single game. (2) Create Tourny for multiply games. (3) Create Tourney for all games.

If they pick single or all games, it can go to a screen like it is now. If they pick multiply games, it could go to a screen with a list of all games with check boxes for them to choose just a few games.

Just some thoughts.... :-)

I'm not sure exactly how to program it - but have 1 list box on the left of the screen (with all the games in it) - on the right side of the screen have an empty list box (where you add which the games) - and in the middle you have "Add Game" and a "Remove Game"

If I explained what I'm thinking in my head well enough, would that solve the problem? Then a user can just select 1 game at a time, add it to the second list box.

And I see that you are adding/testing the 2 games (1 of each color) thing for the tournaments - GREAT! Good Job! :-)

(I could be wrong since I'm not a gammon expert, but I'm pretty sure this is against the rules... please correct me if I'm wrong)

Lets take for example if you roll a 6 and a 2. Lets say only 1 of your checkers are able to move 6 spaces (and many to move 2 spaces)

So instead of moving that 1 checker 6 spaces, you move it only 2 - leaving the "6 dice" to do nothing, and you end your move.

I believe the rules are (and again, I may be wrong) - If possible, you HAVE to use both dice when it is possible. So the software should "MAKE" me move that 1 checker 6 spaces, and also move a checker 2 spaces.

I have seen this happen in 2 of my games here so far.

(reply to Dmitri King message from way below)

What point was I trying to make by rewritng them? Well take a look at the very next thing I wrote - "Simple Suggestion: Just don't go there no more". If someone does not like a site, do not go there! (At least I think it sounds simple enough).

It is a game site. If you don't like how it is ran, don't go there. They have non-paid memberships so everyone can try out their site before they pay. If they do not like it, well try another place - there are more and more turn-based game sites comming up (including this great place - BrainKing).

As for the negative thing. When I see a post that puts down one site, and then turns around and tries to promote a second site - I PERSONALY feel that it reflects negativly against the second site! I know not everyone will agree with my view (and that is fine), but to me it just seems like the second site has people go out and destroy the first site. Even though the second site might not approve of what is going on (which I have not heard how BrainKing feels about it) - but to put down IYT and turn around and tell people to come here looks very negative to me.

I mean if you are going to do that, why not also post the bad stuff about BrainKing???? Don't get me wrong, I love BrainKing - but there are bad things here also. Why not include how it is hard to follow threads in the message board? Or how the Backgammon games will let you make illigal moves? Or how they also limit their free users - and you can only join 1 tournament at a time as a free users (and even if you are out of the tournament - you can't join a second one until ALL users in a section are done - not just you).

Bottom line: All sites are different (THIS IS GOOD). People should try all sites and play at what they like best. For example, I do not like to play at GoldToken. But, every once and awhile I will post a message on IYT about different turn-based games sites. I include GoldToken, LittleGolem, DailyGammon, and now BrainKing. Even though I do not like all the sites - everyone should find what they like the best - and if you do not like it, DO NOT GO THERE! (sounds so simple.... but I guess it is not)

And again - I know not everyone will agree with my opinion, and that is fine. Good Luck in your elimination plans of IYT.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

I guess what I'm trying to say:

It is wrong to make things into a IYT vs. BrainKing. It is much better to say "Hey, there is a new great site called BrainKing. It's growing quickly. Come and check it out at: http://www.brainking.com" - that way you don't make enimies from loyal IYT players, and you get more people to come and check out this place.

BrainKing is a great site - and I think having negative things assotiated with it is just the wrong way to go. And I would think the owners of this site would not want that either. (but maybe they do... I guess I can't really talk for them)

I'm not saying there are not things wrong with IYT, but as a site grows - more problems come. Just wait about 6 months and see if BrainKing is having problems. If it keeps growing as fast as it has in the past few months, I bet you it will. (Hope not, but ....)

So I'm not saying there are not things wrong with IYT, I just think you are going in the wrong direction to get people to try BrainKing. But that is a difference of opinion which neither of us will probable change - so Good Luck in trying to eliminate IYT.

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

PS: That last paragraph where you say you are not sure what I'm saying here - I was just re-writing some stuff that Gary Barns had wrote.... that was all! :-)

May I ask you a question?

Why do you want to "eliminate" IYT? So you think the owner and customer service dept. has an attitude. So you think that IYT has become one of the snobbiest businesses. So you think they have the worst customer service.

Can I make a simple suggestion? Just don't go there no more. I mean if you don't like it that much, just don't play there. Ask any friends you have there to come and play you here.

I'm not trying to start any IYT vs. BrainKing (there is good and bad about each) - but the bottom line is you play where you like.

I think it is really good to let people know about BrainKing - BUT I think it is REALLY bad to talk bad about IYT and recommend another site in the same post. It is just the wrong way to do it. Also spamming different message boards with the same post is also not a good way to do it.

Again, I'm not trying to start anything - I just think you are going about it the wrong way. Suggest BrainKing, and let everyone decided what they like the best! :-)

BBW (BIG BAD WOLF)

When someone pays for a membership, you can put another users name (for example: BIG BAD WOLF) and I will get brains when you pay.

And when you go get friends to pay, they can put your name down and you will get brains!