The future of KGS

[Hong Ny]

So, I was wondering lately: Where will KGS be in ten years from now?

I don't have an opinion about this, but I am all ears to hear yours.

[schawipp]

I still think that amongst all clients the KGS interface offers most what you always would like to have in a good casual club atmosphere:

• It allows chatting even after the game is over and shows, who else is observing the game
• It has a very nice review feature
• It is beginner friendly

However, according to some issues with Java updates etc. it seems that some people left the server and looked elsewhere. In fact, nowadays it can take quite some time to get a game on KGS. One further issue might be that it is very easy to access all online playing statistics from all players, even if you have not registered there. This might increase online go playing anxiety as all game records are immediately publicly exposed.

Other servers have its bugs and pitfalls, too:

• IGS seems to have the most polished interface. However some things are strange: (i) When a game is over the chat window is immediately inactive and you have to look up the player in the players list to continue the chat (or did I miss something). That makes the feeling a bit impersonal. (ii) There is a review feature but it is not straight-forward to activate it just after a game is finished; (iii) You have to pass three times until counting starts. During counting, one of the clocks still seems to run (at least in the observer's window).
• I like WBaduk because of the playing style there. However only the Windows client seems to run more or less stable (at least after you found the option to deactivate all flash animations). The android client seems to work, but it seems to not record the win/loss statistics and rating points after playing (that's at least what I experienced). It is also not very beginner friendly since its DDK players have at least the same average strength as strong SDK players on KGS (I seem almost ten stones weaker there than on KGS and I'm not intentionally sandbagging...). It is also a bit tricky to obtain the games as SGF afterwards and there is no review feature.
• Tygem looks nice. However expect for the windows client, it requires you to recognize Korean characters to use the interface.

Therefore I think KGS still has its place (I haven't tried OGS yet, though...) and I would miss it if it should close. All above IMHO of course...

[xed_over]

the java issues have been fixed now

[Abyssinica]

The exact same.

[xed_over]

apparently, in order to fix some things, he had to break other things.
https://plus.google.com/u/1/+Gokgs/posts/YHerseV86gM

[hyperpape]

I suspect that within 10 years, wms will have finished an html/browser based version.

[snorri]

In 10 years, we will all be replaced by AIs. However, KGS will still be around and the robots will still complain about the escaper policy.

[RBerenguel]

I suspect that within 10 years, wms will have finished an html/browser based version.

HTML9 compatible I hope

[DrStraw]

KGS has been around for 14 years. It has seen many improvements, although not so many recently. Why assume there will be much change in this pattern. Bill is providing a service for free, when and if he is available from his requirements to provide for his family. I think that if KGS continues to exists with minor improvements then everyone should be happy.

[Pippen]

Someone (Tygem, WBaduk, IGS, ...) should just "copy" the CGoban- & KGS-structure. It's that good, it's that intuitive. WMS doesn't need to improve a thing, KGS is complete (maybe the simpler rating system of Tygem would be more motivating and fun-making, but so what).

My problem is this: If WMS did such a good job with KGS in such a limited time then what could he do if he'd put even more time & dedication in it?

[Bonobo]

HTML9 compatible I hope

Reddit/“Where do you imagine KGS to be in ten years from now?” says it will be HTML12 by then

[Bantari]

My problem is this: If WMS did such a good job with KGS in such a limited time then what could he do if he'd put even more time & dedication in it?

Not sure why is that a "problem".

If you mean it as question, then I guess the answer is this:
WMS put as much time into KGS as he had available to put into KGS, no more,a no no less. If he put in more time, KGS would have been better. The same goes for almost everything anybody ever does. Unless somebody creates perfection.

[RBerenguel]

HTML9 compatible I hope

Reddit/“Where do you imagine KGS to be in ten years from now?” says it will be HTML12 by then

Unlikely. Even 9 is a stretch of imagination, I liked 9 as a number for the hyperbole. As far as "stable" versions went, HTML 2 is from 1995, 3.2 from 1997, 4.01 1999, 5 2014. That's 2 years, 2 years, 15 years. In 10 years we'd either get not further than HTML 9 (or some minor 8.something) or just HTML6.

[Uberdude]

Unless W3C copies Firefox's style and we have HTML562

[RBerenguel]

Unless W3C copies Firefox's style and we have HTML562

Yeah, or they follow Microsoft's numbering with the Xbox. We'll essentially have HTML rand(496)+5 kind of