harley: Yes and no...I understand the concept. But what "points" are added to get the actual S-B score? In my tournament, I didn't readily see anything that added up.

Summertop: Oh, wait...it has nothing to do with losses. He beat a higher ranked player. Whereas, I beat a lower ranked player. But then again, playing each other...didn't offset the other games. I would still like to know what "points" are added up, though.

Can someone explain the Sonneborn-Berger system as implemented in Tournaments? It basically says it is the sum of points of the players that I beat (1/2 points if drawn). And, points earned with stronger players are more valuable than those from weaker players. What "points" are actually used to calculate it?

In the link provided for a tournament I am in, I and Uil tied in points. We played each other twice and split the games. Since he is ranked higher (better player), shouldn't I have I higher S-B score? Also, we each lost one more game. The opponent I lost too had a higher rating (better player) than the one Uil lost to. So again, shouldn't I have a higher S-B score? After that we each beat the same opponents... Uil, is a great player and I don't really care about the outcome. I would just like to know how it is calculated.

Maybe simplify...if we both beat every other player, but split the two games (we each won one). Who would have the higher S-B score? and why?

naughtypawn: Welcome to BrainKing

Chessmaster1000: I feel your pain in having a computer crash. I've learned that lesson too...painfully. If it was a power surge, are you sure it fried your Hard Drive? Most of the time, it just gets the computer. If you take the drive out and put it into another computer...maybe you can get some of your files recovered. If you get an external drive, just PM me and I will give you a copy of this little program.

I have invested in a USB external drive. One of the best things I ever did. It makes backing up a snap. Although, I hated the bundled backup program. I wrote my own simple copy program (that will not fail if the file is locked). This way, I have, almost, a mirror of my hard drive. I can get to any backup file at any time without having to go through the "Restore" process.

Fencer:

Fencer: Personally, there are two things I keep in mind when I am going to put money (register) into a site.

1. Is it "Alive". It is important to me to know that others are doing it also. I don't want to register/pay for a site that is dying.

2. Is it being maintained. This is pretty obvious. Is the site owner still interested in the site and actively improving it.

This site Rocks...that is why I am still a member.

eagle eye: I think Dilbert has something there.

Those that think they know Everything....are annoying to those of us that really do.

Walter Montego, Can you imagine Walter as a GLOB? Just kidding Walter.

Andersp, luckily, I haven't come across a person using a computer (to my knowlege).

Andersp, were you enjoying the game BEFORE you found out your opponent was using a computer? It is very unlikely that a computer/program is actually making the moves on BK. The player is just using it to tell them what they should do. Therefore, you technically are playing against a person...they are just cheating.

We all know tactics on BK to annoy your opponent. Such as taking the full amount of time per move. Rather than resign, why not do this? Or use your own program (just don't tell Fencer)?

smelly socks, if they are up front about it "before" the game starts...then I suppose it is OK.

I con only think of two reason that someone would want to use a program:

1. They are playing out of their league but they are soo competative that they MUST win. These people, I pity. They will probably live a life full of disappointment (and cheating).

2. someone has written their own program and want to see just how good it is. As long as these people are up front about it before the game starts, I don't see a problem with it. If the opponents knows it is a computer player...they can accept/reject the offer.

Fencer, I can't imagine wanting to play elsewhere. Like I said. I actually kept a log of dice rolls and found it to be very fair.

Backgammonfan28, Sorry you are feeling that way. I actually looked at your game (quickly). You opponent only has two more doubles than you. However, I know how you feel. I sometimes feel that way myself. Very frustrating.

Computers , as a rule, do not do random numbers very well. Generally it is pseudo-random. Usually keyed of of some "Random Seed" and the CPU's real-time clock. At one point I was so frustrated with my rolls that I created a program to keep track of my rolls. I felt I got the dredded 1,2 too often. To my suprise I found that the dice were quite random. Especially for a computer. I think Fencer did a good job with this.

Fencer, Man, I'm usually in bed by that time...

Fencer, sweet...If I was in Czech, I would buy you lunch, dinner, what time IS it there?

Anyway, thanks for the site.

Fencer, I like the fact that it was just turned on. No giving for several days notice. They all knew they were in the negative. Those that didn't, I am sure you can fix it for them. As I said ealier, when game time is suspended, some people quit making moves. It can really prolong otherwise quick (1-3 days per move) games. Doing it this way, gives an incentive to keep playing the games.

Game Time is restored

I just had an opponent time out...He should have moved 4 days ago.

Hrqls, That would be fun, indeed.

Anyone else notice that when the game time is suspended, some opponents feel that game "play" is suspended. I almost never have an opponent time out on me. As soon as time is suspended, I usually get several that go into the negative (risking a timeout). I just find it curious.

EdTrice, ah...Only 15373 registered players. But still, that's a lot of eyes.

Thanks, that worked.

He was banned at one time for his behavior. Is it starting again? The big question then is...Why is he now a mod of a board?

Speaking of boards, I tried to go check to verify that he was indeed a mod. I think they are broken. If you don't have it added to your Favourites, you can't get to it. Can someone else check to see if it works?

Chessmaster1000: The pull down game menu appears in the Top Left corner of the page. It simple lists all of your games where it is your move. If you dan't have a move waiting, there is no menu there.

ughaibu: when I first read this, I was a little confused because I was thinking anatomically. I have often wondered if some here had a brain. but, now I understand...

Just for the record, I have brains (take it how you want).

Fencer, what is one hour? It explains the theory of relativity. One hour without BK can seem like an eternity. But, one hour playing on BK seems to be gone in just a few seconds.

sLaMdAnCe: Just to set things "straight". I am not a "Her". As for the fellowships, the ID numbers on the links are wrong. Try using This url

Liquid, how are you? as I said, the bandwidth problems are on my end. Currently, I am at home. But, yesterday I was in the office and I was indeed missing some graphics.

Most of the time I connect to BK while at my office. We have a T1 connection to the Internet. Unfortunately it serves about 90 people. Also, to get to it, I have to go through our local network. I have found when My office's network is bogged down, every site works but Brainking. Well, all of the text on BK work, but no graphics. I know the bandwidth problems are on my end, but it seems BK still doesn't like it.

Stevie: FEEL BETTER

How was that for a shout?

EdTrice, Computer vs. Human could be an interesting topic on the Debate board.

Luke Skywalker: Use the "Force", you should be able to Sense the number of days left.

BIG BAD WOLF: Well, valid point...Watch my next post on the "Features" board.

Fencer: I can see not showing it publicly, but it would be nice for a user to be able to see who has added them, specifically, to either a Friends or enemies list.

When I have a sluggish network (bandwidth is full on my end). all of the sites I try work, slowly. However, BK doesn't work. I get placeholders for ALL of the images. Luckily, I havent't had that issue for a couple of weeks.

So...True, the network speed is not BK's fault. However, BK handles it poorly. With that in mind, I would rather Fencer's resource be put into finishing or creating new games as opposed to the difficult, time consuming task of trouble shooting bandwidth problems.

OK,OK...I figured it out. Since Fencer prefers FireFox as a browser, He programed BK to periodically "Slow down" if you use IE.

Just kidding, Fencer

Sometimes I have a problem where NONE of the graphics come up. But BK's performance is always good for me. I think the graphics problem is due to bandwidth at my office. At home, I never have graphics or speed issues.

Andersp: See...I read his response differently...Fencer is (auto)passing by all auto-pass requests. i.e. Ignoring these requests.

apparently he doesn't have the time to follow this DB

Oh, I figured it out...You actually have to hover your mouse over the icon (or click on it).

pauloaguia: Well, I sent a photo to Fencer (info@brainking.com). He updated my icon, but...

I don't think this feature has been added yet.

In the FAQ's there is a topic (How can I add an icon next to my user name?) that says you can add a "photo on a Profile page". Is it just kidding?

definately, BBW

that would bite...I wasn't suggesting to change it. I agree, it needs to be a different color.

I see where now...When it is my move, I can add notes After my move. The edit field just looks disabled because it is gray.

Did the notes feature on games change? It seems to me, that you must add your note before the move now. Whereas, it used to be you could add it after the move. Currently, I don't have any games waiting for me to move, so I can't double check it.

how abaout a compromise (like we can do anything about, anyway). When a game or tournament is created, have an option to allow vacations. I don't care whether manual or automatic.

Interesting way of puting it Kevin...

Now, don't get upset, I am just curious. Are you out of vacation days? The last two games I had with you, you lost to timeouts.

Jules, were you talking to me...I think buy a membership, get all the vacation days entitled. Start a game, take 30 days straight vacation and never have to move for over a month...Is OK. My only request is to change how many of your remaining vacation days can be used (sequentially) automatically.

I think there shouldn't be any changes to how vactions are given. Just how they are used. If you manually set up your vacations, great! If you are relying on auto-vacation days, like I said, only give as many as the game's Time Per Move settings.