Electronics draughtsboard

Discussion about development of draughts in the time of computer and Internet.
Peter van Heun
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Post by Peter van Heun » Thu Sep 15, 2005 18:15

GuidoB wrote:You got the source code for me, as well as a compiler (it won't be C++) and a platform (it won't be Windows)? The source code would be sufficient if you have a compiler yourself. But why don't you contact Shahcom from Sint Petersburg (Russia) or one of the many programmers from Russia and the Netherlands?
And then you can program the clock? That would be very nice. Then you receive two baskets full of beer. Or maybe even wodka.

Shahcom tells me that a draughts modulte has to be put into the clock. They tell me that it can not be done through software from computer. Programmer Exlander Presman from Russia and the Netherlands thinks he has found you to solve the problem.

A.Presman
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Real name: Alexander Presman
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Post by A.Presman » Thu Sep 15, 2005 18:36

GuidoB wrote: You got the source code for me, as well as a compiler (it won't be C++) and a platform (it won't be Windows)? The source code would be sufficient if you have a compiler yourself.
Sorry. Probably due to unsufficient English I don't understand what do you mean.

GuidoB
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Post by GuidoB » Thu Sep 15, 2005 18:53

Peter van Heun wrote:
GuidoB wrote:You got the source code for me, as well as a compiler (it won't be C++) and a platform (it won't be Windows)? The source code would be sufficient if you have a compiler yourself. But why don't you contact Shahcom from Sint Petersburg (Russia) or one of the many programmers from Russia and the Netherlands?
And then you can program the clock? That would be very nice. Then you receive two baskets full of beer. Or maybe even wodka.

Shahcom tells me that a draughts modulte has to be put into the clock. They tell me that it can not be done through software from computer. Programmer Exlander Presman from Russia and the Netherlands thinks he has found you to solve the problem.
Call it like you want to call it. A draughts module... Very suitable for any other sport too. What are the rules of chess? Do you have to press the clock 40 times before the time is over, or do you have to make 40 moves? I think the latter, since I can press the clock on both sides 40 time in 1 minute if I want to (and I cannot move any piece in a chess game). Does the clock register the moves somehow? It is connected to the board, so this might be possible. And if so, does it register the moves of draughts as well? Then, what is the problem? Is there no possiblity to change 40 into 50 without changing the software? And what about the second time period (25 moves in 1 hour)?

Let's assume that the clock counts the moves on the board and that you are able to set it to 50 moves in 2 hours (and next a repeating 25 moves in 1 hour). In that case, you have what you want. I cannot think of any rule that says "a digital clock may only add a second time period after the first time period is over". If the clock knows when 50 moves are done (and the clock is right, which means the program is bugfree), there is no problem adding the next hour.

I hope you can clarify what the problem is.

Peter van Heun
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Post by Peter van Heun » Thu Sep 15, 2005 20:50

GuidoB wrote:
Peter van Heun wrote:
GuidoB wrote:You got the source code for me, as well as a compiler (it won't be C++) and a platform (it won't be Windows)? The source code would be sufficient if you have a compiler yourself. But why don't you contact Shahcom from Sint Petersburg (Russia) or one of the many programmers from Russia and the Netherlands?
And then you can program the clock? That would be very nice. Then you receive two baskets full of beer. Or maybe even wodka.

Shahcom tells me that a draughts modulte has to be put into the clock. They tell me that it can not be done through software from computer. Programmer Exlander Presman from Russia and the Netherlands thinks he has found you to solve the problem.
Call it like you want to call it. A draughts module... Very suitable for any other sport too. What are the rules of chess? Do you have to press the clock 40 times before the time is over, or do you have to make 40 moves? I think the latter, since I can press the clock on both sides 40 time in 1 minute if I want to (and I cannot move any piece in a chess game). Does the clock register the moves somehow? It is connected to the board, so this might be possible. And if so, does it register the moves of draughts as well? Then, what is the problem? Is there no possiblity to change 40 into 50 without changing the software? And what about the second time period (25 moves in 1 hour)?

Let's assume that the clock counts the moves on the board and that you are able to set it to 50 moves in 2 hours (and next a repeating 25 moves in 1 hour). In that case, you have what you want. I cannot think of any rule that says "a digital clock may only add a second time period after the first time period is over". If the clock knows when 50 moves are done (and the clock is right, which means the program is bugfree), there is no problem adding the next hour.

I hope you can clarify what the problem is.
The clock has the ability to set a first period of a kind of time is desired. Also a second period of time can be set to your needs. So the clock has the ability to set a first en second time whereby the second time period is a guilotine period.
The problem is, as mentioned before, that the clock adds the time of the second period to the first period when the clock is pressed 40 times. (The clock assumes that a press is equal to a move.) It is not possible to change that number of 40 moves to, for example, 50 or something else.

So is your offer still available? Can you (re)program the clock through software so that I do not have to send the clock back to Sint Petersburg? I add a another basket of beer if you solve the problem. (Meanwhile I worry if the amount of beer will make you to drunk so you will not be able to solve this case anymore...)

GuidoB
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Post by GuidoB » Thu Sep 15, 2005 22:00

Peter van Heun wrote:
GuidoB wrote:
Peter van Heun wrote: And then you can program the clock? That would be very nice. Then you receive two baskets full of beer. Or maybe even wodka.

Shahcom tells me that a draughts modulte has to be put into the clock. They tell me that it can not be done through software from computer. Programmer Exlander Presman from Russia and the Netherlands thinks he has found you to solve the problem.
Call it like you want to call it. A draughts module... Very suitable for any other sport too. What are the rules of chess? Do you have to press the clock 40 times before the time is over, or do you have to make 40 moves? I think the latter, since I can press the clock on both sides 40 time in 1 minute if I want to (and I cannot move any piece in a chess game). Does the clock register the moves somehow? It is connected to the board, so this might be possible. And if so, does it register the moves of draughts as well? Then, what is the problem? Is there no possiblity to change 40 into 50 without changing the software? And what about the second time period (25 moves in 1 hour)?

Let's assume that the clock counts the moves on the board and that you are able to set it to 50 moves in 2 hours (and next a repeating 25 moves in 1 hour). In that case, you have what you want. I cannot think of any rule that says "a digital clock may only add a second time period after the first time period is over". If the clock knows when 50 moves are done (and the clock is right, which means the program is bugfree), there is no problem adding the next hour.

I hope you can clarify what the problem is.
The clock has the ability to set a first period of a kind of time is desired. Also a second period of time can be set to your needs. So the clock has the ability to set a first en second time whereby the second time period is a guilotine period.
The problem is, as mentioned before, that the clock adds the time of the second period to the first period when the clock is pressed 40 times. (The clock assumes that a press is equal to a move.) It is not possible to change that number of 40 moves to, for example, 50 or something else.

So is your offer still available? Can you (re)program the clock through software so that I do not have to send the clock back to Sint Petersburg? I add a another basket of beer if you solve the problem. (Meanwhile I worry if the amount of beer will make you to drunk so you will not be able to solve this case anymore...)
I can hardly believe this clock is in operation in the chess world. Do they really use this system in official tournaments? And nobody misuses it? Normal digital chess clocks do not count the moves, so why should this thing work differently? And 40 moves is the only required number of moves in the entire chess world? I can hardly believe that either.

I would advise you to send the clock back to Saint Petersburg and ask them not to send it back before they turned it into a normal digital (chess) clock. The DGT (Digital Game Timer) offers a good sample for the options that should be available. It is ashame for the world championship, but you cannot do a thing about it, if the Shahcom programmers do not cooperate.

To answer your question: I cannot (re)program the clock, since I don't know to put the software to it. My only point was that it should not be much work to make a new version of the software, that is applicable for the world championship. So, if you have the source code, know how to compile the software and know how to put the software to the clock, it is fairly easy. The Shahcom programmers know all about this. The only thing I can do, is offer suggestions for the source code change if someone supplies me the source code.

Peter van Heun
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Post by Peter van Heun » Thu Sep 15, 2005 22:09

The clock is not suitable for the WC so we can not get the time to the software (the software can not get the time from the clock) because the clock is needed to send the time to the software. How do you think we can get (send) the time into the software? If there is a clock which sends the time to the software (the software "pulls" the time out of the clock) you are right, it is possible to change the time by the software. (Kip en ei verhaal, zoiets.)

GuidoB
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Post by GuidoB » Thu Sep 15, 2005 22:42

Peter van Heun wrote:The clock is not suitable for the WC so we can not get the time to the software (the software can not get the time from the clock) because the clock is needed to send the time to the software. How do you think we can get (send) the time into the software? If there is a clock which sends the time to the software (the software "pulls" the time out of the clock) you are right, it is possible to change the time by the software. (Kip en ei verhaal, zoiets.)
It's getting quite consufing when you start about chickens and eggs...

I guess we are dealing with two pieces of software here. One is the software in the clock, which enable you to regulate the allowed time. The second is the software to put the game to the internet.

The second piece of software talks to the first. It asks something like: "Hey clock, what's the remaining time for white?" And the clock answers: "Well, it is '1:23'." This '1:23' may be a string. The second piece of software does nothing more then copying this string to the right field on the website. So, I do not think we have a problem so far. Shahcom has tackled it, I guess.

The problem is, that the first piece of software does not always give the right time. That is, both on the display and as an answer to the question of the second piece of software. So you need an adjustment to the first piece of software. It should not count any moves and it must add the second period when the first period is over.

Peter van Heun
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Post by Peter van Heun » Thu Sep 15, 2005 23:02

GuidoB wrote:
Peter van Heun wrote:The clock is not suitable for the WC so we can not get the time to the software (the software can not get the time from the clock) because the clock is needed to send the time to the software. How do you think we can get (send) the time into the software? If there is a clock which sends the time to the software (the software "pulls" the time out of the clock) you are right, it is possible to change the time by the software. (Kip en ei verhaal, zoiets.)
It's getting quite consufing when you start about chickens and eggs...

I guess we are dealing with two pieces of software here. One is the software in the clock, which enable you to regulate the allowed time. The second is the software to put the game to the internet.

The second piece of software talks to the first. It asks something like: "Hey clock, what's the remaining time for white?" And the clock answers: "Well, it is '1:23'." This '1:23' may be a string. The second piece of software does nothing more then copying this string to the right field on the website. So, I do not think we have a problem so far. Shahcom has tackled it, I guess.

The problem is, that the first piece of software does not always give the right time. That is, both on the display and as an answer to the question of the second piece of software. So you need an adjustment to the first piece of software. It should not count any moves and it must add the second period when the first period is over.
I send you the e-mailaddress of a person of Shahcom.

Peter van Heun
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Electronic draughts board

Post by Peter van Heun » Sat Oct 22, 2005 20:14

So, does anybody have an opinion about the electronic board used in the world championship 2005 for broadcasting the live game?

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Nescio
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Re: Electronic draughts board

Post by Nescio » Sat Oct 22, 2005 21:25

Peter van Heun wrote:So, does anybody have an opinion about the electronic board used in the world championship 2005 for broadcasting the live game?
In one word: a great idea en I hope to see them again in the future. Are these electronic boards expensive?
Behalve den man die de Sarphatistraat de mooiste plek van Europa vond, heb ik nooit een wonderlijker kerel gekend dan den uitvreter.

Peter van Heun
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Re: Electronic draughts board

Post by Peter van Heun » Sun Oct 23, 2005 12:40

Nescio wrote:
Peter van Heun wrote:So, does anybody have an opinion about the electronic board used in the world championship 2005 for broadcasting the live game?
In one word: a great idea en I hope to see them again in the future. Are these electronic boards expensive?
500 euro's for 1 electronic board and another 500 euro for 1 extra software.

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Re: Electronic draughts board

Post by Guest » Thu Oct 27, 2005 02:14

Nescio wrote:
Peter van Heun wrote:So, does anybody have an opinion about the electronic board used in the world championship 2005 for broadcasting the live game?
In one word: a great idea en I hope to see them again in the future. Are these electronic boards expensive?
You better contact Harm Wiersma or Alexander Presman or Michel Grimminck, if you want to know exactly about prices etc.

Peter van Heun
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Re: Electronic draughts board

Post by Peter van Heun » Thu Oct 27, 2005 09:12

Anonymous wrote:You better contact Harm Wiersma or Alexander Presman or Michel Grimminck, if you want to know exactly about prices etc.
[img]images/smilies/icon_question.gif[/img]

Peter van Heun
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EDB

Post by Peter van Heun » Thu May 25, 2006 22:37

It is now more than one year ago that I received an electronics draughts board through Shacom. The board is allright. The pieces are nice but not good. The clock is still not allright. In fact, I do not have any clock anymore. The first example did not work at all. The second did work a little. Still there is a problem with the number of moves. There is still a fixed number of fourty moves programmed. I wonder whenever the clock will work it should have to work.

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