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Poll
Who interface you consider best? (Closed)
| Aquarium | 23 | 22% | |
| Aquarium/ChessAssistant | 7 | 7% | |
| Fritz | 19 | 18% | |
| Fritz/Chessbase | 28 | 27% | |
| Shredder Classic | 12 | 12% | |
| Arena | 10 | 10% | |
| Winboard | 1 | 1% | |
| Other (you say who) | 4 | 4% |
![[in]](/mwf/v12/flags/in.png "India")
I agree. The first and foremost, they need to improve the database view in Fritz!
Fritz/Chessbase programs.
Fritz 9-11 was good. Fritz 12 needed some time to get used to...so any of them now.hehe...
Fritz 9-11 was good. Fritz 12 needed some time to get used to...so any of them now.hehe...
![[fr]](/mwf/v12/flags/fr.png "France")
What is the difference between
Fritz
and...
Fritz/Chessbase
???
Fritz
and...
Fritz/Chessbase
???
![[de]](/mwf/v12/flags/de.png "Germany")
Fritz/Chessbase means the combination of both (for those who need Chessbase for Database management)
IMHO:
Aquarium - best looking, but (unless I missed an update - possible) too buggy.
ChessAssistant - not much on graphics, but the most powerful Chess software on the market in the world for sure--perhaps too sophisticated. I must have learned some pro database administration skills try to work with it.
Fritz - most user-friendly--other than cannot play engine vs. itself. Probably best for engine vs engine matches, and played games analysis.
Chessbase - most user-friendly database software--could be a little more sophisticated. Pretty much the same old thing version after version though--not even new pieces. No forum to complain!! (Although: I will probably get this Chessbase 11 coming out.)
Shredder Classic - (im unfamiliar with it, thought it is probably at least as good as Fritz).
Arena - I seem to end up using this for engines vs engines tournaments. They let you stop the book @ different moves for Black & White. Secretly customizable GUI too!-(except for engine windows for some reason.).
Winboard - Virtually why bother playing Chess? Bottom-of-the-barrel.
They have all been running a little short in the piece sets art department! 10-25 good/usable staunton sets of pieces would be nice. Oh well! I am also a font monger. I have hundreds of fonts installed on my pc.
Aquarium - best looking, but (unless I missed an update - possible) too buggy.
ChessAssistant - not much on graphics, but the most powerful Chess software on the market in the world for sure--perhaps too sophisticated. I must have learned some pro database administration skills try to work with it.
Fritz - most user-friendly--other than cannot play engine vs. itself. Probably best for engine vs engine matches, and played games analysis.
Chessbase - most user-friendly database software--could be a little more sophisticated. Pretty much the same old thing version after version though--not even new pieces. No forum to complain!! (Although: I will probably get this Chessbase 11 coming out.)
Shredder Classic - (im unfamiliar with it, thought it is probably at least as good as Fritz).
Arena - I seem to end up using this for engines vs engines tournaments. They let you stop the book @ different moves for Black & White. Secretly customizable GUI too!-(except for engine windows for some reason.).
Winboard - Virtually why bother playing Chess? Bottom-of-the-barrel.
They have all been running a little short in the piece sets art department! 10-25 good/usable staunton sets of pieces would be nice.
Oh well! I am also a font monger. I have hundreds of fonts installed on my pc.
SCID - the chess tool of my choice. It's free, it's powerful, it's for Mac, Linux and Windows!
Have a peek at: http://scid.sourceforge.net/index.html
Michael
Have a peek at: http://scid.sourceforge.net/index.html
Michael
![[ph]](/mwf/v12/flags/ph.png "Philippines")
Fritz Chessbase interface is best and elegant for a long time. Too bad the latest Fritz interface with ribbon looks like Aquarium which is messy.
The ribbon should only be optional! [] Hiro;weglyphs!!
] Hiro;weglyphs!!
There should be a way to minimize the ribbon. Since I don't have Fritz 12, hence I'm unable to say for sure. Excel 2007 has a option of hiding the ribbon. If you can do that, then try using keyboard shortcuts!
I mean optional to the classic menu system--you should be able to choose whether you want the classic(al) menu system or the ribbon in the options or something. :(>
There is: you just click on a tab name like 'Home' to select it, then double-clicking on the tab name (again where you clicked) will minimize the ribbon.
> There should be a way to minimize the ribbon.
There is: you just click on a tab name like 'Home' to select it, then double-clicking on the tab name (again where you clicked) will minimize the ribbon.
![[mx]](/mwf/v12/flags/mx.png "Mexico")
> I mean optional to the classic menu system--you should be able to choose whether you want the classic(al) menu system or the ribbon in the options
++;
> Too bad the latest Fritz interface with ribbon looks like Aquarium which is messy.
You mean too bad its lacking in any new and meaningful innovations- out side of a few more bells and whistles.
If it does what it says it does, then this looks like some pro software!! I have d/l & installed it & I will have to look into this DEEPER! I think I already have a grudge though: I know screen resolutions have gotten higher, but I cannot stand tiny/dinky fonts. Perhaps if I made a $20 "donation" they/Shane would look into it for me? Thank you for the link!
![[us]](/mwf/v12/flags/us.png "United States")
You can change the fonts, go to the menu "Option->Fonts" and select one the items to modify the font used for that.
BTW, it does all it says it does. But if you find any problem, the mailing list is quite helpful and nice: https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/scid-users
BTW, it does all it says it does. But if you find any problem, the mailing list is quite helpful and nice: https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/scid-users
Aagghh! You have to double-click on the Font name, style, size, etc. in the dialog box to change them! Yes...it is working now. That is much better.
I do like the arrows for the mainline and variations!! That is an excellent innovation there!
Double-clicking on a move could bring up the Comment Editor tab.
I like how you can blank-out the next move--perhaps this could be extended to include blanking-out ALL of the remaining moves--so/such that you can only see the moves for upto the current position--as a player might incur during the course of a game in a tournament! That would be nice.
I do like the arrows for the mainline and variations!! That is an excellent innovation there!
Double-clicking on a move could bring up the Comment Editor tab.
I like how you can blank-out the next move--perhaps this could be extended to include blanking-out ALL of the remaining moves--so/such that you can only see the moves for upto the current position--as a player might incur during the course of a game in a tournament! That would be nice.
I really like Chessbase 7.0. I try to get away with using it whenever possible, although it's very limited by today's standards. The later Chessbases' just aren't as minimalist and quick to operate.
> The later Chessbases' just aren't as minimalist and quick to operate.
Minimalist if you want AND Maximalist if you want is what I want!
maximalist (màk´se-me-lîst) noun
One who advocates direct or radical action to secure a social or political goal in its entirety: "the maximalists . . . who want the undivided land" (Arthur Hertzberg).
[Russian maksimalist, name applied in 1906 to an extreme splinter group of the Russian Socialist Revolutionary Party, ultimately from Latin maximum, maximum. See maximum.]
- max´imalist adjective
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation. All rights reserved, dude!
One who advocates direct or radical action to secure a social or political goal in its entirety: "the maximalists . . . who want the undivided land" (Arthur Hertzberg).
[Russian maksimalist, name applied in 1906 to an extreme splinter group of the Russian Socialist Revolutionary Party, ultimately from Latin maximum, maximum. See maximum.]
- max´imalist adjective
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation. All rights reserved, dude!
Ummh! Maybe you would fair far better on the Unspeakable forum. (almost had this thread sequestered to the "Edge"of the Rybka forum universe.)
Decembrists:
The Cimotti cluster oblongs for the 104 cpus in the engorgery: lunge the Capitalist Cupidity!
The Cimotti cluster oblongs for the 104 cpus in the engorgery: lunge the Capitalist Cupidity!
Labyrinth- you are taking this right to the EDGE!
Checkmate is worth it!
"Who" interface? Perhaps we have a translation problem here, because English would "which" interface.
Yeah who do you interface with. Who you talk to that inputs the moves for you, like if you order you wife to do it: "Hey Wench!! Knight c6!!"
Or it's like, if you use a different interface than the ones listed, then you say who, I mean who who, you sound like an owl ha ha
Seriously though he probably just meant to say 'which'.
Or it's like, if you use a different interface than the ones listed, then you say who, I mean who who, you sound like an owl ha ha
Seriously though he probably just meant to say 'which'.
I am unable to vote, as I use different interfaces for different functions.
For IdeA, there is no alternative but Aquarium.
Aquarium locks up the pgn file (plus creates unnecessary files) containing my analysis preventing my taking it to another computer, so for interactive analysis, I use the Fritz GUI. Also, the Fritz engines work only in the Fritz GUI.
For engine matches, I find the free Arena the most versatile. (I always use time increments, so the reported problem with time management does not affect me. But it cannot load six men bases, as the timeout is 20 s or so and cannot be changed) ChessGUI, I found too buggy. With 4.0.6, I hope Aquarium will improve in this respect.
For database functions, I find Scid, the best. Its opening report and creating trees on the fly, I find better than other software, even though free!
To get games from the server, I use Scid, as I have got some special time management features incorporated into it. The Aquarium interface requires you to be connected to the internet, to see the time data. Also, it does not treat messages and draw offers correctly.
For viewing a small game and making some changes to small pgn files like commenting a game, I prefer CompoChess, as it loads up very fast. And it's free!
Thus, I can't recommend a single interface as best for all functions.
For IdeA, there is no alternative but Aquarium.
Aquarium locks up the pgn file (plus creates unnecessary files) containing my analysis preventing my taking it to another computer, so for interactive analysis, I use the Fritz GUI. Also, the Fritz engines work only in the Fritz GUI.
For engine matches, I find the free Arena the most versatile. (I always use time increments, so the reported problem with time management does not affect me. But it cannot load six men bases, as the timeout is 20 s or so and cannot be changed) ChessGUI, I found too buggy. With 4.0.6, I hope Aquarium will improve in this respect.
For database functions, I find Scid, the best. Its opening report and creating trees on the fly, I find better than other software, even though free!
To get games from the server, I use Scid, as I have got some special time management features incorporated into it. The Aquarium interface requires you to be connected to the internet, to see the time data. Also, it does not treat messages and draw offers correctly.
For viewing a small game and making some changes to small pgn files like commenting a game, I prefer CompoChess, as it loads up very fast. And it's free!
Thus, I can't recommend a single interface as best for all functions.
I use Fritz12 for Monte Carlo, Chessbase for database functions. Most of my time is spent with Aquarium though (IDeA and IA).
When you mentioned interactive analysis using Fritz12 I guess you meant IA, why don't you use Aquarium since you will be able to see the IDeA trees while running IA?
When you mentioned interactive analysis using Fritz12 I guess you meant IA, why don't you use Aquarium since you will be able to see the IDeA trees while running IA?
![[gb]](/mwf/v12/flags/gb.png "United Kingdom")
seems to me a little unfair with fritz's vote being split between fritz and fritz/chessbase. as the difference is negligable i find it a little misleading. had there only been one category of just 'chessbase/fritz' then it would thus far have received over 40 votes - putting it by far and away ahead of the #2 GUI.
> seems to me a little unfair
...could have been worse (even more stupid, dishonest):
split fritz between fritz 9, fritz 10, fritz 11, fritz 12...
why don't they split Aquarium between Aq3 and Aq4?...
Well, that's polls: the answer is in the way they ask the question!
Before you pass judgement look at the poll again. Aquarium and Fritz are treated equally
Loboestepario,
There is only one vote per person-
At this point in time-23 members voted for Fritz/Chessbase (which, whether we like it or not, is still a vote for Fritz as well).
Then you have 18 members voting for Fritz alone.
That is 46% for Fritz one way or another.
In this regard we don't know who is using specifically- Chessbase/ Aquarium for a GUI.
Or, Chessbase vs CA
Or, for that matter- Fritz/ with CA. Which points out the flaw in this poll. But I am not sure it would make that much of a difference in the ultimate out come.
There is only one vote per person-
At this point in time-23 members voted for Fritz/Chessbase (which, whether we like it or not, is still a vote for Fritz as well).
Then you have 18 members voting for Fritz alone.
That is 46% for Fritz one way or another.
In this regard we don't know who is using specifically- Chessbase/ Aquarium for a GUI.
Or, Chessbase vs CA
Or, for that matter- Fritz/ with CA. Which points out the flaw in this poll. But I am not sure it would make that much of a difference in the ultimate out come.
That's pretty obvious from the poll. My point was that Aquarium is also "split" between Aquarium alone and Aquarium/CA just like Fritz is "split" between Fritz alone and Fritz/Chessbase. That was the complaint from the previous poster.
There are many other possible combinations besides those 2 that you listed. Pretty much any engine interface + another program with some database functions.
The poll was intended to find the most popular choices I believe and not necessarily all the choices.
There are many other possible combinations besides those 2 that you listed. Pretty much any engine interface + another program with some database functions.
The poll was intended to find the most popular choices I believe and not necessarily all the choices.
I agree!
I use Aquarium with/ chessbase-with that in mind I'd say the poll is flawed by how many votes-I don't know.
Why? The poll asks which GUI people think is best. It sounds like you want to run a different poll that asks which GUIs people are using regularly...
> The poll asks which GUI people think is best. It sounds like you want to run a different poll that asks which GUIs people are using regularly...
If I think Chessbase is best for database-and don't care to make a distinction between GUI's - Then Fritz gets the vote as well!
You should go find a thread where only three people read it!
I think Chessbase should not have figured here at all. There should be a separate poll for chess databases.
yes but even counting aquarium in with chess asst it only amounts to 27 votes combined (at this point in time) - well short of the, lets say...chessbase GUI total. and it is hardly like comparing it with aquarium 1, 2 unless you throw in fritz 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. as has already been aluded to. the bare bones of it is this...chessbase GUI or aquarium? and as far as i know there is a difference between chess asst and aquarium in more than just name or database functions. i would imagine a better way to poll it would have been which of these...arena, chessgui, aquarium, chess asst, fritz/chessbase, skid, shredder. surely these make up 99% of all GUI use among the chess engine community, (but maybe winboard might also be included).
i have several different GUIs but personally i find myself using fritz ore than any other. i use fritz 11 with the patch to allow monte carlo analysis and rid my pc of those annoying prompts every time i load DR4. i much prefer it to fritz 12. i tried the fritz 12 demo and didn't like the look or feel of it. seemed like too much of the screen was taken up by menus and i got the impression it was just slick graphics. my taste is more for stripped down but slightly less pretty fritz 11. maybe it's just because i've gotten used to it. i've pretty much tried them all though. shredder is ok but there are still too many things i don't like about it. the variation board is pathetically small and only able to display the currently analysed mainline, customizing options are very limited and there are a few other niggles and gripes i have with it. but there are also a few issues i have with fritz, for example the variation board is also nowhere near as good as the one in arena, which can display any line so far analysed by any of the engines in use and the window for the v-board is much bigger. i fail to see why this feature is not given more attention by GUI developers. surely one of the fundamental requirements of a cc player is to be able to visualise many different engine lines rather than just be presented with notation and/or one single mainline. the let downs with arena though are that it can only analyse with 3 engines simultaneoulsy, graphically it isn't as good as fritz or probably even aquarium also, it can take a while to learn how to use it properly (although once learned it is straighfroward enough IMO) updates are only released once in a blue moon, although a new one is on it's way. i'm testing 2.06 at the moment but i'm struggling with the german version : ) so it is a lil' difficult for me to say how much better the new features are until i have worked out how to use them. one definite plus point however is the ablility to analyse with more than 3 engines. so arena is fast catching up on the commercial GUIs, if hasnt already. IMO there is no real reason why anybody new to computer chess would ever need to pay for any commercail GUI when there is arena. given how small are any of the advantages of any other GUIs it is hardly worth shelling out.
the ideal GUI to my mind would have the appearance of fritz 11, the ease of use and simplicity of shredder with the variation board of arena, plus arena's ability to connect to chess servers.
i have several different GUIs but personally i find myself using fritz ore than any other. i use fritz 11 with the patch to allow monte carlo analysis and rid my pc of those annoying prompts every time i load DR4. i much prefer it to fritz 12. i tried the fritz 12 demo and didn't like the look or feel of it. seemed like too much of the screen was taken up by menus and i got the impression it was just slick graphics. my taste is more for stripped down but slightly less pretty fritz 11. maybe it's just because i've gotten used to it. i've pretty much tried them all though. shredder is ok but there are still too many things i don't like about it. the variation board is pathetically small and only able to display the currently analysed mainline, customizing options are very limited and there are a few other niggles and gripes i have with it. but there are also a few issues i have with fritz, for example the variation board is also nowhere near as good as the one in arena, which can display any line so far analysed by any of the engines in use and the window for the v-board is much bigger. i fail to see why this feature is not given more attention by GUI developers. surely one of the fundamental requirements of a cc player is to be able to visualise many different engine lines rather than just be presented with notation and/or one single mainline. the let downs with arena though are that it can only analyse with 3 engines simultaneoulsy, graphically it isn't as good as fritz or probably even aquarium also, it can take a while to learn how to use it properly (although once learned it is straighfroward enough IMO) updates are only released once in a blue moon, although a new one is on it's way. i'm testing 2.06 at the moment but i'm struggling with the german version : ) so it is a lil' difficult for me to say how much better the new features are until i have worked out how to use them. one definite plus point however is the ablility to analyse with more than 3 engines. so arena is fast catching up on the commercial GUIs, if hasnt already. IMO there is no real reason why anybody new to computer chess would ever need to pay for any commercail GUI when there is arena. given how small are any of the advantages of any other GUIs it is hardly worth shelling out.
the ideal GUI to my mind would have the appearance of fritz 11, the ease of use and simplicity of shredder with the variation board of arena, plus arena's ability to connect to chess servers.
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