Replaying games from books rather than electronic devices

[Subotai]

I recently purchased a book with all of Honinbo Shuei's games in it. This is the first time I have really studied games from a book rather than using software like SmartGo Kifu. While the convenience and amount of games that can be held on these apps is quite extraordinary, I feel there is an extra element present when studying games on paper.

The flow seems more realistic and intuitive than when you are just pushing next all the time on your device. While there are definitely times when I find myself saying "Where in the world is move 76?" but for the most part I enjoy looking for the next move as it helps me to better understand the flow of the game.

Does anyone else enjoy replaying games on paper rather than apps?

[Abyssinica]

What book was this, exactly?

[Vesa]

It's always good to have a choice.

Sometimes I click through the games on a computer or mobile phone. Sometimes I use the mobile device as a book with for example 50 moves per diagram, and play the game out on a go board. Sometimes I let the diagram play it out automatically on the screen. And many times I grasp a book or a magazine and play it out on a go board.

Cheers,
Vesa

[xed_over]

I prefer playing through games from paper. It really helps me pay more attention to the flow of the game

[Subotai]

The book is a Chinese translation of a Japanese text I believe.

It is called 本因坊秀荣全集 which basically translates to the complete collection of Honinbo Shuei

[ez4u]

I prefer my iPad hands down. Virtually all the replaying of games on a board I now do from the screen. The ability to tailor the number of moves to what I want is worth it all by itself. There is also the ease of making notes (depending on the program). Usually I start with the first four stones. Then move through the game one or two stones at a time. And then there is the timeliness. Today I was just looking at Gu Li's victory over Lee Sedol in the China City League yesterday, October 28th. That was courtesy of Go4Go and Go Eye. I think it will be a while before we can replay that game from a book. As for the appeal of replaying from diagrams with 50 moves on them, well that seemed like a bug not a feature of paper books forty years ago when I began playing. The advent of first PC's and now tablets and smart phones has just proved that my earlier perception was correct.

As always though, YMMV.

[DrStraw]

I just about never play games through on the computer, and certainly not for serious study. I don't even do it from books anymore but I used to do so a lot in the past. But then I would never use the computer for any activity for which there is a printed version. I hated it when Microsoft started to put all their help online as disconnected articles. I always preferred user manuals which could be read than random articles which do not flow from topic to topic. Even now, if a user manual is available only online I will print a copy so that it can be read.

[xed_over]

And then there is the timeliness. Today I was just looking at Gu Li's victory over Lee Sedol in the China City League yesterday, October 28th.

For recent games, I'll open them up and print them out on paper

[macelee]

I just about never play games through on the computer, and certainly not for serious study. I don't even do it from books anymore but I used to do so a lot in the past. But then I would never use the computer for any activity for which there is a printed version. I hated it when Microsoft started to put all their help online as disconnected articles. I always preferred user manuals which could be read than random articles which do not flow from topic to topic. Even now, if a user manual is available only online I will print a copy so that it can be read.

Dear DrStraw, please consider the environment before printing out the next manual you find

[Abyssinica]

The book is a Chinese translation of a Japanese text I believe.

It is called 本因坊秀荣全集 which basically translates to the complete collection of Honinbo Shuei

Where did you buy it? i was trying to look for shuei games two days ago, as a matter of fact.

[DrStraw]

I just about never play games through on the computer, and certainly not for serious study. I don't even do it from books anymore but I used to do so a lot in the past. But then I would never use the computer for any activity for which there is a printed version. I hated it when Microsoft started to put all their help online as disconnected articles. I always preferred user manuals which could be read than random articles which do not flow from topic to topic. Even now, if a user manual is available only online I will print a copy so that it can be read.

Dear DrStraw, please consider the environment before printing out the next manual you find

You are addressing that to the wrong person. I have a reputation in our department of never using any unnecessary paper for exams, assignments, etc. Everything is online. I probably use only about 5% of the paper of the average faculty member. I also generate all my own power at home and only about 10% of my food is shipped more than 30 miles. But I do not like reading online, so about once a year I will print out a user manual, two sided with two pages per side.

[jeromie]

I like both formats. Electronic game records are definitely easier to read, but when I have plenty of time to study it's nice to set all the electronic devices aside. I spend enough time in front of the computer every day.

My mind also has to work in a different way when I read game records from books - it requires a certain ability to predict where the next move will be in order to read the moves efficiently. I could do the same thing with an electronic record, of course, but I usually don't.

[Subotai]

I bought the book through TaoBao, which is like amazon. Unfortunately I don't think most products can be bought internationally.

[sparky314]

Regarding taobao, there are plenty of taobao agents that you can order through, which will ship internationally. I'm in that exact process for a few tsumego books (including both of Lee Changho's series). I don't have a recommendation for a specific agent, as this is my first time, but there are plenty available out there.

Basically, they ship it to their local warehouse, and once all the packages arrive, they'll ship it internationally. You pay for the initial order, then pay again for shipping to your address. You'll also pay a small processing fee (their profit for being an agent). Also, you don't need to know any Chinese to order.

As an example, here in the US: Lee Changho's series on Amazon goes for $15-20/book (sometimes used, if you can get them all in the first place...). Whereas the entire series (L&D & Tesuji) is a total of $28 via taobao. The international shipping is the expensive part, but even at $80 for shipping/fees, you're spending a total of $110 for the 12 books, vs Amazon's $180 (minimum) - and that's from 3rd party sellers, so...

Something to consider and investigate, if you're interested.

[Bantari]

I recently purchased a book with all of Honinbo Shuei's games in it. This is the first time I have really studied games from a book rather than using software like SmartGo Kifu. While the convenience and amount of games that can be held on these apps is quite extraordinary, I feel there is an extra element present when studying games on paper.

The flow seems more realistic and intuitive than when you are just pushing next all the time on your device. While there are definitely times when I find myself saying "Where in the world is move 76?" but for the most part I enjoy looking for the next move as it helps me to better understand the flow of the game.

Does anyone else enjoy replaying games on paper rather than apps?

Personally, I prefere electronic everything - music, books, go records, and so on. It saves so much space, and makes it so much easier to find what you need. A Kindle is a miracle, and an iPod a wonder! I am a big believer in soft content.

For replying games, however, I always try to use real board and stones - even when the record comes in e-format from my iPad. It just sinks into my brain better, I feel, and makes it somehow more "real" to me. Andf I like the feel of Go stones...

The only time I replay games on electronic device only is when there is no way I can use the board - like when waiting at a dentist or sitting on the pot.