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James Getzen

Downloads: 0

Posts: 6

Smile Score: +1

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Member Since: 03 Jan 2007
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James Getzen's Posts

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(2)

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Twixt Puzzles

Getzen reviewed on 20 Sep 2006

I have just had a minute with it, but it's a well-done widget about Twixt, a game which deserves much wider exposure. That said, if you are new to the game, the puzzles will be especially challenging to get right on the first try.

My only suggestion: it'd be cool if you could click on the variation text and have the moves appear in the game.

[Version 1.0]

Chessmaster 9000

Getzen commented on 12 Jan 2006

I just noticed that Feral has posted a more recent beta patch at their website:

http://www.feralinteractive.com/?section=support&language=english

The patch is up to beta 10 now, so it looks like there is more work being done. The patch does partially alleviate the problem I mentioned below about cpu hogging -- when you switch to another app or the Finder, CM9000 suspends operation, releasing the cpu *if* there isn't an analysis going on.

The only bug is that to get the focus back on CM9000, you can't click in the game window, you have to click on the dock icon. Weird.

[Version 1.0.2b2]

Chessmaster 9000

Getzen commented on 12 Jan 2006

A couple of quick notes. I just got CM9000 and immediately replaced the app with version 1.02b2. Contrary to some of the other comments here, it runs fine so far on my 1.8Mhz G5 PowerMac with 10.4.4.

My only complaint is that the game hogs the cpu -- pegging the usage at 100% -- no matter what settings I choose for Engine Priority, Blunder Alert, Mentor Lines, Pondering, etc. Heck, the cpu is pegged at the *title window*, before a chess board is even displayed.

Bug alert: The Engine Priority setting can't be changed back from the low setting. Set it back to high, close the Engine option window, reopen it, and the setting is back on Low again, not that it seems to matter since the cpu is pegged regardless.

The *only* time the cpu comes down is when choosing a menu item.

CM9000 is very nice (I had previously purchased it for a PC), but the CPU hogging issue must be fixed.

Also, is it somehow possible to load an Xboard engine as a personality, as in the Windows version?

[Version 1.0.2b2]

ChessPuzzle

Getzen reviewed on 05 Jan 2006

Great concept and nicely done, HOWEVER the puzzles themselves are uneven. Some are relatively easy (say, mate in 2) and some are pretty difficult. This would be OK if they were arranged in order of increasing difficulty, but they aren't.

That is forgivable, but what is disconcerting is that at least one puzzle (#5 for me - I assume they are in the same order for everybody) does not have a mate solution. Crafty is analyzing that puzzle now and is at 14-ply now, with no mate in sight.

It's hard to complain with a free widget. Let's just say there is a bit of room for improvement.

[Version 2.1.3]

Zoo Tycoon 2

Getzen had trouble on 08 Dec 2006

I like the game, but the game runs at about 2x the speed it should. All the people and animals are racing around. Apparently, some other people with Intel Macs have this problem (I have a MBP).

Anyone know how to fix the problem? Help!

[Version 1.1]

1 Reply

Getzen commented on 08 Dec 2006

OK, after changing the resolution setting and then switching back to my starting resolution, the problem has mysteriously gone away. Weird.

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