Re: [Bug-gnubg] Webpage comment fields spamed

[Ned Cross]

This is a bit off topic from GNUBG bugs, but I'd agree the site is 
poorly done.  There is at least one other portal into the same server 
called www.play65.com.

I checked out Gammon Empire from curiosity and like others have said the 
rake is quite high, plus they don't really seem to know much about 
backgammon. They refer to match play as a 'series' of games.  They do 
not use, nor even give the option for the jacoby rule.  Their website 
shows dice with all 6's on them.

Their 'autobearoff' will take checkers off even in contact situations.  
The program will allow the user to offer a double in match play even 
after the cube is dead (ie- redouble to 4 with score 1-1/3).  The 
checker movements are very crude, with none of the easy options given by 
gamesgrid, TMG, or a good Fibs client.

And the way they execute the program is terrible.  I guess its a java 
thing running on your PC that needs to download every time you connect.  
Well it sucks the life out of the PC and the server is terribly slow 
(perhaps partly because I'm running an old PCI video card right now).  
Even MSN Zone software moves much faster and smoother, although the 3-d 
graphics are a bit nicer so perhaps some people like it for that.

The only other good things I could find are that 1) They keep separate 
ratings for $ play and fun play; and 2) They keep a game history so you 
can look up how many games you played for what stakes on what dates 
(although the information is still buggy for match play).  TMG and GG 
could improve in that area for $ players.

So with such a weak playing interface, there would need to be some other 
good reasons to play there.  Their spamming tactics and apparently weak 
customer support make it clear to stay away.  There are plenty of other, 
better sites to play BG.

-- Ned

Øystein Johansen wrote:

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> Michael Petch wrote:
> | Actually Gammon Empire is apparently bot bad - never been there myself
> | but a growing number of players I know seem to like it (Maybe they just
> | have bad taste) :)
>
> First they spam my email. Then I see a lot of warnings at r.g.b. Then I
> read other warnings at GammOnLine. Then they abuse the web site of GNU
> Backgammon through the commenting fields.
>
> ...and the rakes are also quite high. In addition you're not able to
> record your matches. I don't trust this service at all.
>
> Please advice your friends to play somewhere else.
>
> - -Øystein
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