> why should Chessbase read ChessAssistant format?

why should ChessAssistant read Chessbase format. Both are closed formats. There is NO WAY to read a closed format. Reverse engineering is very very hard. There are hundreds of closed formats out there, that noone can read or write too. Its the owners decision to let others read (or write) the format. (take the cad industry for example)

For data exchange we have pgn format.

> but it doesn't look like CA has a big share of the market right now

Ofcourse you are correct in this way, and i guess this is why CA tried to reverse engineer the chessbase format (although this is hard and time consuming).

But as some users reported, chessbase changed there format in Chessbase 10, so its logical Aquarium to have problem reading those files (i guess untill next Aquarium version, since changes cannot be major :) )

Simple: Copy the integrated version to your Auarium folder, start the ABAGui.exe , select a UCI engine file (like Engines/Rybka 3.exe , use the "browse" button) and select a tree configuration for the first book (that's enough for the beginning). That's it. Now you can click ok and start any GUI you would like and install the book adapter just like a normal UCI engine. If you play against it, it will play the books from the book at the beginning and then after leaving the book start Rybka.

This is a bonus feature for expert users, I will write a description how to use it for the Rybka website.

I just got this program, and I think you're experiencing what I am.  It's a huge learning curve, especially when you have used Chessbase products.

I'm just now converting the Powerbook to a database in Aquarium.  Truth his, there are some things I like about it, and some I don't.  I think Chessbase has the user interface down better, to be expected, and gives the user more information.  But it seems like you can do more with this program.  I've got 2010.

If you don't like it, you can easily put the engines into another folder, and create them in Chessbase.

One thing I have noticed though, is that HIARCS, Shredder, and a few others have moved back to the UCI, universal chess interface, instead of the proprietary Chessbase interface.  I wish Fritz would use them too, or offer one with their products.  But the whole idea with proprietary interfaces is like patents, so no one else can use them, or make money on them, and you'll have to buy only their products.

Sure, they need work.  But from what I can see, Chessbase is far from perfect.  They are on version 7 now for Fritz 12 for instance.  So they had some exterminating to do also, and from what I can tell, hopefully, there's more to come.  I can't get my Zap Chess 9 programs to play within Fritz 12, they close the program.  Shredder 9 is buggy too.

He is probably referring to CTG opening books.

Did you read our return policy? If you don't like Aquarium, request your money back.

more than 3 years of work by 1-3 programmers for free? What should they live from? :)

Since you advocate working without payment, i am offering you a job at my company. You will work 10 hours a day for free (maybe some food...) and you will be happy :)
I would be really glad if you join.

no, I remember the IDeA result and add it to my tree by browsing it manually. This way I also learn the new lines.