Originally posted by ketchuploverNo explanation? Just a link? No thanks, unless it's orders of magnitude better than it used to be. In the past, it's reputation was horrendous, and you'd have to convince me that it's done a complete turnaround before I'd seriously consider it.
www.worldchesslive.com/uscf
Edit - OK, what I was remembering was the old U.S. Chess Live. That was a joke. However, WorldChessLive (WCL) is a recent combining of the old U.S. Chess Live and the World Chess Network. As far as I can tell, WCL is owned by ICC. So I guess there's a chance that WCL is improved over the old USCL. At least it might be worth trying out the free 6-month membership. I'll mull it over. Thanks for the post, ketchuplover.
Originally posted by Mad RookI think it is the reverse. The folks that ran US Chess Live bought World Chess Live and ICC to the detriment of all except playchess.
No explanation? Just a link? No thanks, unless it's orders of magnitude better than it used to be. In the past, it's reputation was horrendous, and you'd have to convince me that it's done a complete turnaround before I'd seriously consider it.
Edit - OK, what I was remembering was the old U.S. Chess Live. That was a joke. However, WorldChessLive (WCL) i ...[text shortened]... ng out the free 6-month membership. I'll mull it over. Thanks for the post, ketchuplover.
Originally posted by WulebgrUh oh, I hadn't heard that. That doesn't sound as good to me. It seems to me that the ownership structure of ICC and the merged USCL is somewhat secretive. I'm not sure what people really own what.
I think it is the reverse. The folks that ran US Chess Live bought World Chess Live and ICC to the detriment of all except playchess.
I played on US Chess Live when it was active. It was okay, but not worth paying for. As a USCF member, I had a limited membership without additional cost. I also played on ICC for quite a number of years. Last summer during the merge of USCL, WCN, and ICC, I rejoined ICC for a six month period. Although still vastly superior to everything else except playchess, it clearly has turned its steady improvement around and declined slightly.
ICC seems to maintain a separate identity from the new WCL, although both now use the dasher interface. The messages I read regarding the merge (now difficult to find) led me to believe that merging them would make one super site. That does not yet seem to be the case.
The several websites make it appear that ICC has become the parent company, rather than Games Parlor. But, this ownership scheme does not adhere to what they proclaimed in spring 2007. Likely it is complicated as you say.
Originally posted by WulebgrThanks for the input. I think I'll go slowly on the WCL offer. I had previously heard some people claim that the old USCL was loaded with spyware (not sure if it was really true). Also, I did some reading on some other chess forums, and a few people implied that certain clients used with ICC also have spyware. (I'm not an ICC member, and I have no idea if that's really true.)
I played on US Chess Live when it was active. It was okay, but not worth paying for. As a USCF member, I had a limited membership without additional cost. I also played on ICC for quite a number of years. Last summer during the merge of USCL, WCL, and ICC, I rejoined ICC for a six month period. Although still vastly superior to everything else except playchess, it clearly has turned its steady improvement around and declined slightly.
I used to play on Playchess, and it's pretty good. But I have a few issues even with them. I guess no chess server is perfect. Maybe I'll just try out the free FICS, even with the potential of meeting up with an occasional engine.
Spyware? I suppose it depends on how you define that term. The software seeks to detect and expose behaviors associated with cheating, and that might involve gathering the sorts of information associated with spyware.
I ran a lot of anti-spyware applications while Dasher was installed on my computers, and they never detected anything there.
OTOH, Spybot was rendered essentially useless when the lawyers for spyware/scumware purveyors made the case that they were a legitimate business that should not be classified as a threat. As computers have become faster, folks have become less cognizant of how much of their system resources are diverted to tasks they would never authorize.
Originally posted by Wulebgrah great, now how is anyone supposed to beat lad, akizy, weyerstrauss, or korch?
Spyware? I suppose it depends on how you define that term. The software seeks to detect and expose behaviors associated with cheating, and that might involve gathering the sorts of information associated with spyware.
I ran a lot of anti-spyware applications while Dasher was installed on my computers, and they never detected anything there.
OTOH, Spy ...[text shortened]... ognizant of how much of their system resources are diverted to tasks they would never authorize.
we all might as well quit. *goes home*
Originally posted by WulebgrOK, maybe the people on the other forums screaming spyware were just blowing hot air, who knows. It's comforting to know you didn't notice anything sinister with Dasher.
Spyware? I suppose it depends on how you define that term. The software seeks to detect and expose behaviors associated with cheating, and that might involve gathering the sorts of information associated with spyware.
I ran a lot of anti-spyware applications while Dasher was installed on my computers, and they never detected anything there.
OTOH, Spy ...[text shortened]... ognizant of how much of their system resources are diverted to tasks they would never authorize.
I'm not an expert on Spybot, but I do have it and the optional TeaTimer installed, and on some sites it blocks a lot of minor tracking stuff (eBay is really bad about this). But I don't remember Spybot blocking anything really nasty.
Originally posted by Mad RookI'm trying to recall events of about four years ago. Gator comes to mind, and this article turned up through a quick search:
But I don't remember Spybot blocking anything really nasty.
"Don't Call Gator 'Spyware' -- Or they'll see you in court"
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/34679
As I recall, after lawsuit threats, a Spybot update lessened its effectiveness.
Originally posted by ketchuploverI heard a few people say the same thing about the old US Chess Live. But you'd have thought that they'd have picked up some members from the World Chess Network during the merger. From your experience, sounds like that didn't happen.
So far I'm not impressed with the site. Seems like I'm the only member. Glad I'm not paying for it.