coan.net: yeah...but I would still have to go to the tournament page "periodically" and do a search. I would even have to remember when the last time I checked to calculate how many days its been since I checked....

I would like to see the Tournaments and Waiting games have the concept of "New" like discussion boards. That way, I could go to those pages and see which ones were added since last time. Also, in the games menu, next to the "Waiting games" and "Tournaments" links...instead of showing the number of entries, show the number of NEW entries.

This would help advertise new tournaments and games. Currently, I have to periodically go check to see what is there. I have to wade through hundreds of entries each time.

If I could log in and see...Oh, there are new tournaments. Then I could go look at just those new ones to see if I want to sign up for any.

Fencer: Whoa! That attitude concerns me.

Why would you not be concerned about malicious software being hosted and distributed by BrainKing? More specifically, Concerned about the perception of BK's user base.

Several users have had "suspect" problems on BrainKing. To tie this in to "Feature Requests"...I suggest making a Blog entry something like: ...with all the testing and approval process of banners...no security issues found...Continue to research and monitor banner behaviors....

As opposed to just saying...use an "Ad Blocker".

Rose: Have I done something to offend you? If so, sorry...but I can't imagine what it was.

FYI: Every feature request here has some discussion following it. Yet this one, you as GM, asks us to stop. You have the right to do that so I will stop. However, Fencer has "given" us the right to make requests, so I will re-state it so it easier to understand the request. And so it looks more like a request. Fair?

Request: Could the youtube implementation be changed, so that ANY membership level can embed objects.
Reason: As a rook member, I don't like being able to watch some videos inside BK, while others I have to link out of BK.

FYI: I haven't watched any of them yet...but I can still make requests for the way I would like to see it. If Fencer, chooses not to change it, thats fine. I won't be upset at all...just giving my suggestions.

jadarite: Ah, I wasn't the one suggesting that only Rook level members could post. This was suggested by Fencer in his Brainking.info blog. Personally, I see no reason to limit the implementation to certain membership levels. But, it is not my site. Since I DO have a rook membership, I don't care. Is that selfish?

Youtube support in BrainKing...Way cool.
I hope this is the right board...Is it OK to discuss Features fo Features?

1. I am sure I'm not alone here...My company blocks youtube. So, I assume that won't break the page, just the object.

2. "Rook" membership? Only rooks can embed the object, but everyone can watch it?

3. Brainking.info insinuates that Brainking is a "Static" site....I actually find it quite Dynamic. New stuff (blogs, DB content, even features and games) happens EVERY day.

On the main page, there is a table of games (both your turn and your opponent's turn) with columns for Game, Opponent, Time Left, etc.

Could the type face of the column headers be changed (bold?) to visually seperate the header from the items under it?

The layout for the messages in discussion boards has changed. Specifically having to do with the "Subject" of the discussion. The Subject used to be in the top center of the little message box. Now it is the first line after the user ID.

Could the type face be changed (bold?) to more visually distinguish the subject from the body?

Messages generated when a game is finished can be kinda large when the game is part of a tournament.
It would be nice if there was a "Delete" at the top of the message. There are already buttons there, so it would take any more space.

I love the new look of BK...But...

The width of the right hand tower (column where "Favourite Boards" is) is much more static. Maybe not, but I notice it more.....

Right now, there is red text added to the end of the board names when there are new messages. This causes some funny word wrapping. Could there be an option to suppress the extra text...i.e "(43 new)". Simply making the text bold or putting a dot instead of the red text would be great. On the board itself, you could put a message saying how many new posts there are.

Same for the "Fellowships" list.

Fencer: Oh no...not a "Bug"...it is "An Unwanted Feature!"

There is a small link called "Test Mode" on the main page. It is in it's own column. There used to be three columns...now there is a fourth just for this link. It would be nice if this was in the "Middle" column instead of it's own. I know it is minor (and temporary), but it messes up my display.

juls31: Yep. Just like if I wanted my chess pieces to be on the bottom (closest to me) I would always play white.

First: to restate...it would be nice if next to our roll, it said what the piece was.
Also, why no castle move?

A new variation of the game...Have the roll be weighted based on what pieces could move. For example, In a Player's very first move he has 10 pieces that could be moved...Eight pawns and 2 knights. Therefore, the very first roll of the game would be an 80% chance to roll a 1 (Pawn) and 20% chance to roll a 2 (Knight). It would still give a "randomness" to the game, but at the same time allow a player to "Play the Odd" on what pieces might be rolled.

After playing for a while I have a few suggestions.

1. I find I think faster than I click...Many times I go to click on a check box but miss. Poor Aim on my part. But, it would be nice if we could click on the dice itself.

2. When a dice is flagged to be re-rolled, it would be nice to have the image of the dice change to show that it will be re-rolled.

3. It would be REALLY nice if my scoresheet was ALWAYS on the left side. Right now, the first player is on the left and the second is on the right. Every once in a while, I do my re-rolls to get a specific type of score, only to find I already had it. I was looking at the opponents side.

These are small feature requests (maybe not to develop), but I think they would make the games a lot better.

A few things I've learned as a programmer:
1. Users ALWAYS want MORE.
2. A simple feature will always mushroom to a complex one.
3. There are no such things as bugs...only unwanted features!
4. Users HATE waiting for a new feature.
5. Users think they deserve to know the developer's Timeline/Schedule.
6. Timelines/Schedules are an "estimate" because Developement is creativity.
7. Developers make poor Users because they *think* they know how easy/quick a feature is to add.
8. The Developer knows what's best for the User


One thing I will say for Fencer. His site is remarkably free.

In dice chess, the dice is showed at the bottom of the board...Could the name of the corresponding piece also be shown?

pauloaguia: Yes, Black Rooks can become inactive. Also, it is possible for games/matches to go years if a player doesn't log in.

Actually, as I have thought about it...There are two classes of inactive players (Paid vs. free accounts). However, with the exception of the Black Rook, inactive accounts will revert back to pawns.

So, what I would like to see:

1. Anyone (paid or free) that hasn't logged in in over a month be flagged as inactive. This is just simply a visual note to other players. Nothing happens to the account or their games.

2. Anyone that hasn't logged in for over 6 months automatically forfeits their games. Even if there are vacation days left. An email should be sent before a forfeit is forced. There should be a way for the player to contact an admin (Fencer) and get an waiver for extenuating circumstances.

3. Any pawn that hasn't logged in in a year has their account flagged as "Dormant". To other players, its as if the account doesn't exist. If the Dormant player logs back in, their account is then reactivated. An email should be sent to the player when the account goes Dormant. Note, it shouldn't matter when the account reverted to a pawn. For example, if I paid for a rook account, then never logged in for the entire year, the account would revert to pawn AND go dormant at the same time.

4. When creating multi-game matches or tournaments, The creator should be able to set an inactive clause. If the player doesn't log into Brainking for a specified number of months (1 to 5 months...See item 2), they forfeit ALL remaining games. This way the players can still use auto-vacation but the opponents are protected from inactive players.

5. The main page, where it lists "Opponents Turn in..." games. could break the list of games into active vs. inactive games.


For rooks and above, these items aren't that important. But, for knight, bishop, and pawn accounts, where the number of games is limited, running into players that go inactive can be quite annoying.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with games verses inactive players. Can these players auto-timout on their games?

Note: an inactive player is a pawn (or someone that reverted to a pawn) that hasn't logged into BK for over a year.

BIG BAD WOLF: yeah especially if you have more players on the team than can join the tournament.

pauloaguia: Well, I would expect that the 30 days would be definable so you could pick 90, 120,7, or whatever you want. Then team captains could decide whether to join based on that ond other settings.

Ever been on a fellowship team in a tournament (or challenge) only to find one of the team mates hasn't been on for 6 months? Then the tournament can take the better part of a DECADE to finish waiting for the dead player to time out.

Or, do you check every player's profile before selecting them to play for the team?

Or, do you find that one of the players on the opposing team is "dead" (hasn't logged on for months)?

It would be nice if, on the team "roster", you could see the player's last action date. Also, it would be nice if you could have a setting when defining tournaments (Team vs. Team challenges) That says something like: Any player who has not accessed brainking for 30 days automatically forfeits.

I LOVE Loop chess. So, when I went to the Tournaments page I did a search for tournaments with "Loop chess". Several tournaments have exceeded their timeline but the "Loop Chess" game type has already started. But since other game types have not started yet, the tournament is still listed.

When a search for "tournaments to sign up" is filtered by a game type, and that game type has already started (can't sign up), could the tournament NOT be listed?

How about add a submarine to the game.

1. You can't kill submarines

2. They can only move one square per turn (diagonal OK)

3. They use "sonar" to detect enemy ships. They can't pin point them. Just detect that there is one or more ships above them (in the 3x3 square grid with the sub in the middle). As you move the sub around, you could deduce an enemy's ship location.

4. You get all of your shots plus one submarine move per turn.

Fencer: Yeah, I don't know...

Just something I was thinking about. For paying members, what about giving user's a [username]@brainking.com email address? Then tie in the messagebox to their email address.

Horseman: Cool game. I've played the game that your variation was based on...much harder. There was no concept of an all powerful queen. In fact, there wasn't a queen.

lukulus: Aren't there dictionary files that can be used for the different languages?

Fencer: Well, I think that would be the most common need. But, like I said, it's your site. You must have strong feelings on why you don't want to add the link (which is fine), because we've spent more time discussing it than it would take to implement it.

However, one thing I really like, is when you decide not to implement something, you usually come out and say so. Most people don't give any feedback at all. Thank you.

Fencer: Yes, it is always there. Users eventually figure out how to do things like set vacation days. However, Most people expect to be able to access this from their profile. But, if you are not wanting to make BK more user friendly because it will "duplicate" a link...Hey, it's your site.

Here is a simple Suggestion.  I think it would make BK easier to use:

could you add a link to the "Settings" page on the "My Profile" page?

For example::

My profile (edit | change password | Settings | order list)  

Fencer: Cool! Thanks Fencer!

Right now there is the option in settings for: Notify by e-mail if the opponent makes a move and I am not online

Could other options be added:
1. Send a daily email if I have games where it is my move?
2. Notify me by email BEFORE I timeout

I have a friend that keeps timing out. He waits for the email to know when I moved. Sometimes, I move so quick that BK thinks he is still online and doesn't send the email. I know he should check more often. But, it would be nice if BK could notify players before they timeout.

grenv:  Yeah, that would be too complicated.  Basically, I think we need a solution that allows raved vs unrated players to have fair ratings.  Right now there are only two solutions:

1. Rated plays against unrated players, but takes a risk if the unrated player is a good player.  Unfair for the rated player.
2. Rated player refuses to play against unrated players.  Unfair for the unrated player.
   

when unrated players play rated players, The unrated players will get a more accurate rating. Unfortunately, the rated player may take a hit for playing. I just think the rating formula should be updated so rated player's don't get adjusted if the opponent isn't rated.

pauloaguia: A little negative? aren't you?

The point is...If they have a rating, you know their skill level and you can make the decision to play them. You might play a better player to gain skills. You might play a weaker player to gain rating points.

When you play an unrated player, you don't know what type of player they are. But you will have your rating adjusted based on a "Weak" player. So, in this case the unrated player is a VERY good player, yet the rating system "thinks" they are a weak player. So, my ratings took a hard hit.

Because of this, many strong rated players won't play rated games against unrated players. Why would they take the risk?

In answer to your question, pauloaguia, Since they ARE rated I know before starting the game, what I am getting into.

CRY ME A RIVER: Well, actually, it was two games. I am going to lose over a hundred points off my rating.

When playing a game against an unrated player, could the ratings be changed so only the unrated player's is modified?

I accepted a challenge from an unrated player (his first game on BK). He turned out to be quite good and I lost. I figured my rating might go down, but I didn't expect it to go down 56 points. It makes me want to NOT play against unrated players...

On messageboards, when you type in a subject, then start typing in the actual message, then you realize you want to swith to Rich Text (or plain text)...Presto!  All of your text, including the subject, is lost.  Could it be modified so the text is kept when switching?

I have turned the rich text editor off. It takes up too much realestate in the game windows. It would be nice if:
1. The new editor could be turned on for messageboards and off for games, or
2. The submit move button on the games could also be displayed above the message box.

KotDB: If you get a paid membership, you can disable the smileys. but, who knows. Maybe Fencer will publish that option to pawns.

Fencer, see, that's why we all like you...

Fencer: Looks good. Apparently they are only for paying members. Could the "display" of them be made available for non-paying members? I have games with pawns that just see "weird" numbers.

When a game is completed, you get a PM giving the outcome of the game (including the rating change). It would be nice if there was a link to issue a re-match. Basically, just issue a challenge to the opponent with the identical settings as the original challenge.

Walter Montego: But, I do agree that chances are slim that Fencer will add new discussion boards for this.

Walter Montego: I don't visit the Backgammon board, but I used to go to the Chess (and other boards). I have seen the moderator(s) ask that feature requests be moved the Feature Request board.

I really like this idea. But, not just for Backgammon. I would like to see a general features board for non-game features. then a feature board for each game family (chess, backgammon, etc.).

Nothingness: Very similar to loop chess, but your partner gets the pieces you capture. It would be fairly easy to implement (I think). Each game could go on independant of each other. You would need to be able to see your partner's game.

Identical to loop chess except when it comes to promoted pieces. When a promoted piece is captured, it reverts back to a pawn. For example: I finally push a pawn and promote it to a queen. My opponent eventually captures my new queen. My opponent is given a pawn (original rank) to drop onto the board.

Fencer: OK.