The future of KGS

[oren]

I was thinking we would have iHTML jaguar or something silly.

[DalekSnare]

I'd like to see the HTML 5 version working in every browser and also an app for all platforms. Java used to be the best for cross platform when it was just computers. Nowadays it's very limiting since all the new devices don't run java programs. The Android app is a start, but that doesn't help you if you have an iPad or Windows phone. The surface pro can run the old java client, but a more tablet-friendly app version would be nice.

[RBerenguel]

I'd like to see the HTML 5 version working in every browser and also an app for all platforms. Java used to be the best for cross platform when it was just computers. Nowadays it's very limiting since all the new devices don't run java programs. The Android app is a start, but that doesn't help you if you have an iPad or Windows phone. The surface pro can run the old java client, but a more tablet-friendly app version would be nice.

Java client-side is dying, even without considering tablets/phones. I think currently I'm using semi-regularly just 3 things java-related: Gephi, KGS and GoWrite. Well, and some text-mining library I've used in R, depended on some piece of the Apache project written in Java, can't remember the name. Of course a datapoint serves nothing, but killing most Java-as-applet is effectively reducing Java in desktops at a similar rate.

[karaklis]

the java issues have been fixed now

I have heard this several times now, but I still have no sound (Windows 8.1, Java Version 8, Update 25 (Build 1.8.0_25-b18)

[Mef]

the java issues have been fixed now

I have heard this several times now, but I still have no sound (Windows 8.1, Java Version 8, Update 25 (Build 1.8.0_25-b18)

Just to verify -- What version of CGoban3 are you currently running (this appears in the lower left corner of the application start screen)? Also verify that the "Sound enabled" box is checked under the configure menu (I've heard from some that it was unchecked after they upgraded), also make sure the combo box below it isn't set for "No games".

[karaklis]

Just to verify -- What version of CGoban3 are you currently running (this appears in the lower left corner of the application start screen)? Also verify that the "Sound enabled" box is checked under the configure menu (I've heard from some that it was unchecked after they upgraded), also make sure the combo box below it isn't set for "No games".

3.5.20 (this is the version that I get when I get it directly from the KGS home page)
Sound checkbox is enabled.
The combo box below was the problem... Sound is back. Thankx

[Mef]

Just to verify -- What version of CGoban3 are you currently running (this appears in the lower left corner of the application start screen)? Also verify that the "Sound enabled" box is checked under the configure menu (I've heard from some that it was unchecked after they upgraded), also make sure the combo box below it isn't set for "No games".

3.5.20 (this is the version that I get when I get it directly from the KGS home page)
Sound checkbox is enabled.
The combo box below was the problem... Sound is back. Thankx

That's great to hear that you got it working!

[peti29]

Sorry for the thread necro. (But I didn't want to create a 3rd topic of the same name.)

I can not fail to notice the dwindling number of open games nowadays in KGS (and half of that are robot games).
It seems to me that the player base has been reduced under a "critical mass" or is being close to that.
Without enough players ranks will freeze and that will further reduce the number of active players.

I often wonder (while looking for a game) where is everyone? The increasing number of tablets may be a reason, or I don't know.
Or am I mistaken? Do you also feel the player base dwindling?

[wineandgolover]

Sorry for the thread necro. (But I didn't want to create a 3rd topic of the same name.)

I can not fail to notice the dwindling number of open games nowadays in KGS (and half of that are robot games).
It seems to me that the player base has been reduced under a "critical mass" or is being close to that.
Without enough players ranks will freeze and that will further reduce the number of active players.

I often wonder (while looking for a game) where is everyone? The increasing number of tablets may be a reason, or I don't know.
Or am I mistaken? Do you also feel the player base dwindling?

I think the number of strong players, 6d+, has dwindled alarmingly. I still have no problem getting games at 1k, though.

[Inkwolf]

You've noticed that 6D+ has decreased, but have you noticed that you rarely see games being offered for lower than 5k? And almost never below 12k. Beginners are almost entirely limited to playing a few bots.

Lower-skilled players outnumber highly skilled players, and new players are the future. A game server that relies on the old veterans being around forever (and somehow multiplying) is doomed.

It seems like a vicious circle--new players who can't find games easily are not going to stick around, and if they don't stick around, other new players are not going to be able to find games either. And if the newbies leave, we are not 'growing' any future players.

[Pippen]

In defense to KGS I have to say that Tygem is as much or little maintained/updated as KGS and nevertheless has built and maintained a strong & rich player base. I think once OGS has settled KGS will be dead. I think it has nothing to do with WMS not updating.

[wineandgolover]

Just checked OGS. There were three dans playing, all 1d. Still not a credible alternative.

If Tygem had a Mac client, I'd take a look. But, for now KGS is the best out there for me. Ten years from now, I have no idea.

Funnily enough, my KGS account was registered ten years ago. It was so shiny then.

[Kirby]

Tygem is as much or little maintained/updated as KGS and nevertheless has built and maintained a strong & rich player base.

Maybe this is specific to the English client. I use the Korean client, and very regularly when I launch it, I have to wait a bit for an update to finish downloading. I used to use AppLocale to run the client, and every time it updated I would run into issues. I finally realized it was because there was a problem with using the default name on my system, instead of using ascii characters for the installation path. Anyway, it's updated pretty often, though typically, the updates are small (not major changes to UI or anything very often).

[Kirby]

I often wonder (while looking for a game) where is everyone?

I'm at work.

Catch me on Fridays, and/or maybe Tuesdays. I try to play on KGS then (or for AYD games, according to my opponent's schedule).

[dfunkt]

In defense to KGS I have to say that Tygem is as much or little maintained/updated as KGS and nevertheless has built and maintained a strong & rich player base. I think once OGS has settled KGS will be dead. I think it has nothing to do with WMS not updating.

I doubt that very much.