Internet Backgammon

• Changed the TCP/IP port the game uses from 1025 to 6432 in order to allow Windows XP and 2000 Pro support. Note this means version 1.02 does not work with previous versions - both ends must be version 1.02 or newer to work together.

Version 1.01

• Changes to registration, adding a 30 day time limit to unregistered use of the program.

Version 1.0

• Version 1.0 has an extensive rework of the communication section of the program. In the beta versions previously released the communication relied on a lock-step type of communication, that is, a message was sent from a computer to the other, and nothing else could happen until a response to that message was received back. The problems with this method included:
• One move allowed at a time. The player was required to wait between moves for the reply from the other end.
• Poor handling of lost packets and no support at all for out-of order or duplicated packets. This resulted in not uncommon loss of syncronization of play between the two computers, recovery of which could usually only be accomplished with reconnecting the games.
•     The comunications in version 1.0 in comparison use circulating buffers and unique move numbering in each game, with the ability to recieve packets out of sequence and even multiple packets at once. This provides much more robust communications. Players are also able to make multiple moves, typically all of the moves in their turn including any undos, without the need to stop and wait for a response from the other end.

• One user encountered an 'unable to register cswsk32.ocx' error upon install. This is not typical, as it has installed successfully on other systems. This user was able to install error free in subsequent attempts.
• Combination moves with non-doubles, moving from upper to lower or lower to upper part of board don't work when playing in strict rules mode.
• Port already in use error on Windows XP and 2000 Pro computers. Fixed in version 1.02.

• One person asked for the ability to change the size of the game board. This was due to them seeing it on my main development computer here, which has the display set to 1152 X 864 resolution. I am considering adding this.
• Use ICQ for connecting to a network player instead of IP address or domain name.
• Future possibility is to have other people connect up to a game already in progress to watch it being played.
• Add granularity to sounds, enabling player to turn on/off certain kinds of sounds but leave the rest as they are.
• Add sound sets, ie. conservative or playful (only conservative included now)
• Add proxy communications config.
• Hints. Hints could be -
• Mouse on other color piece, "These are the other player's pieces. You must move your own pieces."
• Mouse on empty wedge, "Click on any of your pieces to move it."
• Mouse on wedge with pieces, "Click and drag or double-click to move your pieces."
• Except if there are player's pieces on the bar, in which case, "You must move your pieces off the bar first."
• Or if dice are used, "All moves made, you must roll or undo a move."
• Note the exceptions should be handled in Error captions so may only need to not show hint.
• Undo moves with click & drag
• Applause or something when game won.