[Lestat]

1.  I wish there were a better way to find partners than just clicking on an open spot.  Sometimes the system is so dynamic, the open spots are constantly moving like jumping beans.  It's hard to see the experience level and decide to join someone because the spots get grabbed up in a frenzy
2.  I wish the permission time out request weren't so long.  I wait and wait and can't get out of the wait period to click on another opportunity.
3.  I wish we could see players experience levels at a glance rather than moving the cursor over their name.
4.  I wish there were a way of making your own notes on players rather than labeling them as friends or enemies.  e.g. aggressive bidder, conservative, good on defense, whatever comes to mind.

Thx for listening, and hope this helps.

[skrshawk]

Hello,
Let me do my best to address some of your wishes (I know you're not the only curious one *grin*).

1.  BBO honestly never expected to have the kind of success it has.  There was a time when filling one lobby was considered incredible - now it's burgeoning tremendously.  I'm ready to say that the clubs should be split up by non-forcing skill levels but that's just my opinion.  That would take out one of the issues and by having fewer players competing for the same tables would make it easier to get into games you'd feel more comfortable at.

2.  Will make note of this and see if there's anything we can do (and anyone else who has requested same).

3.  Not sure of a good way to approach this.  We've debated coloring the names but that could simply confuse people more.  Plus there's too much abuse factor with making people more prominent that really shouldn't be.

4.  The best way for those kind of notes is to well, keep your own.  We have a way of logging notes on other users but it is a communal database that we use for disciplinary records.  I'm not sure as this is something that could be effectively addressed by means of the software.

If you have any more comments or concerns, please let me know.

Thanks,
John

[julie5607]

Actually, to expand on the topic of permission requests, the entire system is difficult to manage from the table host standpoint.  Firstly, if one is typing in a chat box when a request to play comes in, that person is automatically given permission to sit.  Secondly, if several requests come in simultaneously, the profile of each requestor is displayed once and only once, and I have yet to find a way to go back and review them if I missed them, thus I have to be quickly reading them and trying to remember which one goes with which name.  Additionally it seems I have to deal with the permission requests before I can perform any other function of the software.  I don't know how to fix these problems but I do know that, even though I generally set permission to sit as an option, I don't feel like it gives me the control I would like to have.

My partner has suggested to me that, rather than a general "permission to sit" function, BBO implement a "minimum skill level", where any request by someone who's self--proclaimed bridge level is less than the minimum set by the table doesn't even make it to the host.  I am not sure if that would be feasable but it might be a place to start.

Julie

[amfnz]

I also had the problem of dealing with requests to sit when trying to get a new partner for a player who had left.

The fact that you cannot see all the people asking for a game and review and discuss options with the other players at the table, and attempt a compatible match, makes it awkward.

Would really like to see this feature enhanced and improved.

[cellist]

Quote

1.  I wish there were a better way to find partners than just clicking on an open spot.

Me too! When the Tables display is really active, with tables coming and going, it's almost impossible to view individual table info.

I think skrshawk's reply addressed one aspect of this issue, that is, BBO never expected that there would be so many members/table active at one time. His idea that there might be clubs devoted to specific skill levels would indeed minimize the number of tables and players on the display at one time.

However, I think it would still be worthwhile to give the interface an option to "freeze" the display. That is, I'm browsing tables and I don't mind that the display might be somewhat stale at any given point in time. Or, perhaps build in an automatic, user-selectable delay in how frequently the display is updated.

Phil

[fred]

Quote

Me too! When the Tables display is really active, with tables coming and going, it's almost impossible to view individual table info.

I think skrshawk's reply addressed one aspect of this issue, that is, BBO never expected that there would be so many members/table active at one time. His idea that there might be clubs devoted to specific skill levels would indeed minimize the number of tables and players on the display at one time.

However, I think it would still be worthwhile to give the interface an option to "freeze" the display. That is, I'm browsing tables and I don't mind that the display might be somewhat stale at any given point in time. Or, perhaps build in an automatic, user-selectable delay in how frequently the display is updated.

Phil

I will try to include something that address the problem that you mention for the next version. The same sort of problem exists in the lobby. Hopefully I will be able to figure out a way to do this that will be transparent to the user (ie the list will not update if mouse is over an item in the list). Not sure if this will be possible or when the next version will be ready, but I will try...

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[EricK]

Quote

4.  The best way for those kind of notes is to well, keep your own.  We have a way of logging notes on other users but it is a communal database that we use for disciplinary records.  I'm not sure as this is something that could be effectively addressed by means of the software.

We could keep our own notes, but it is much easier for us if the software does it for us.  It would only take a simple text file, stored on the user's machine, which the user could add to if he wishes.  There just needs to be enough room for a few simple comments.  And when one hovers over a name in BBO, if that name is in the file then the comments appear along with their own description.

I have come across people whose descriptions of their own skill level are very different from reality.  it would be nice to have something to remind me how good they really are!

Thanks for listening

Eric

[Ken50]

Is there any way to have the clouds appear some where else then overtop the persons profile when looking at the info of a particular seat........i find it frustrating to try to view their bridge level etc. when the lobby discussions and invites are dropping on top of the profile? This only adds to the frantic nature of trying to find an appropriate seat to jump into .

[Mike]

A few remarks:

1) All the problems mentioned above are real  :-[.

2) All these problems cause unwanted annoyance  :'(.

3) All these problems could be avoided if we were not so lazy to organize our own game  .

4) We rather expect automatic babysitting, instead of using the present system's existing excellent organizing resources including this forum. But we are the maximalist and spoiled public  ;D.

5) The service we got free!!!! are already much better  than most of the on-line world can  provide  .

6) Though the ratio of improvement is incredible, I hope these whishes will be satisfied, especially the automatic labeling possibility (just count how many expert self declarations are valid).

7) All these problems root in the incredible success of BBO and caused by the undisciplined public. In these circumstances the average individual player has not enough time, energy, astuteness to go around. So, I hope Fred will make a mental note and put most of these wishes to the same priority level as tournaments.

8 ) Evidently, tournaments feature will be a great feat for BBO. But not to solve these wishes parallel or earlier,  will accentuate the problem in tournaments.

9) We put all the problems to Fred's shoulder that originally is our own partner finding necessity, appropriate table finding necessity, appropriate ambiance finding necessity. These problems atrophy  ACBL face to face clubs and at the same time propel on-line bridge. I think we do not need continuous and immense police force! What I would like to see are a few more tools like pop up personal remarks (instead of a black sea). And extending the practical use of existing organizing features like clubs would be an additional asset (to me they presently look pretty exclusive or temporary).  

10) Behind BBO success is the immense work the developers invested into it.  Additionally, the game here is the closest in play and in spirit to the one that the great Harold Vanderbild invented.  "It is bridge baby" not a bunch of burocratic rules, poisoning rating systems and monster points. So, no surprise, BBO is surpassing all expectations!  

[fred]

Quote

Is there any way to have the clouds appear some where else then overtop the persons profile when looking at the info of a particular seat........i find it frustrating to try to view their bridge level etc. when the lobby discussions and invites are dropping on top of the profile? This only adds to the frantic nature of trying to find an appropriate seat to jump into .

You can actually make the bubbles go away completely, but your screen resolution must be greater than 800x600 for this to be possible (to change your screen resolution use Start, Settings, Control Panel, Display, Settings).

If you have sufficient screen resolution, you can "maximize" the button window through the small button just to the left of the X in the top right corner.
Once you do that, chat will appear at the bottom of the BBO window in a traditional chat-style area.

Hope that helps.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[easy]

I agree with wish # 4. I'm dying to be able to have the ability to indicate what i think of a player.... be it ability or comportment. Keeping hand/type written  notes on individuals can get to be very tiresome veryyyyy quickly.I have 0 knowledge of programing but i would think if we can indicate enemy or friend an ability (as perceived by viewer) to indicate skill level cant be that far off.

[fred]

Quote

I agree with wish # 4. I'm dying to be able to have the ability to indicate what i think of a player.... be it ability or comportment. Keeping hand/type written  notes on individuals can get to be very tiresome veryyyyy quickly.I have 0 knowledge of programing but i would think if we can indicate enemy or friend an ability (as perceived by viewer) to indicate skill level cant be that far off.

It is not a trivial thing to implement, but given how many people seem to want this, I will try to find a way to include this feature in the next version. No promises, but I think it is likely that I will be able to do this.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[fred]

Quote

I agree with wish # 4. I'm dying to be able to have the ability to indicate what i think of a player.... be it ability or comportment. Keeping hand/type written  notes on individuals can get to be very tiresome veryyyyy quickly.I have 0 knowledge of programing but i would think if we can indicate enemy or friend an ability (as perceived by viewer) to indicate skill level cant be that far off.

OK. It is officially done and this feature will be part of the next version.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[julie5607]

Here's a real wish-list item - are there any plans to incorporate some kind of auto-text function in the chat and alert boxes?  For example, before starting with new opps I always announce the basics of the system and carding my pard and  I play, and there are several alerts that I seem to be retyping continually.   It would be nice to be able to save that type of standard text and not have to enter it again.

Not a biggie, just a wish  

Julie

[fred]

Quote

Here's a real wish-list item - are there any plans to incorporate some kind of auto-text function in the chat and alert boxes?  For example, before starting with new opps I always announce the basics of the system and carding my pard and  I play, and there are several alerts that I seem to be retyping continually.   It would be nice to be able to save that type of standard text and not have to enter it again.

Not a biggie, just a wish  

Julie

Thanks for this good idea Julie. I doubt that this will get implemented for the next version, but I will keep a record of this in my "thing to do eventually" folder

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[fred]

Quote

Me too! When the Tables display is really active, with tables coming and going, it's almost impossible to view individual table info.

I think skrshawk's reply addressed one aspect of this issue, that is, BBO never expected that there would be so many members/table active at one time. His idea that there might be clubs devoted to specific skill levels would indeed minimize the number of tables and players on the display at one time.

However, I think it would still be worthwhile to give the interface an option to "freeze" the display. That is, I'm browsing tables and I don't mind that the display might be somewhat stale at any given point in time. Or, perhaps build in an automatic, user-selectable delay in how frequently the display is updated.

Phil

I think I have fixed this now and the fix will appear in the next release.

The lobby and tables lists still move, but if your mouse is over an item in that list, that item will stay put. This still needs some testing, but I am pretty sure the basic concept is a good one and that it will work.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[Ken50]

I know that there is another string here that deals with ratings but I have a suggestion here that touches on the current self ratings that we have. This suggestion has more to do with what seems to happen at times in the main bridge club and might ease some of the problems when selecting a table to sit at .

Note: I am a player that has self rated himself as a beginner mainly because I am new to duplicate, and as yet have not figured out what the norm is to class myself any higher ;D

So here goes:

When I enter the main club i first sort it out by empty seats .

Next I check the profiles of the players requiring pards and if i find one who has rated themselves as advanced or plays a system that i am not familiar with, I move on to the next profile because my bridge playing experience is not compatable and i will not subject a new pard to what may be an uncomfortable position under the rules of this site.

Sometimes this process requires me to go through numerous profiles and before you know it a possible compatable pard is lost because another person sat their first, which usually means time to kibitz for me  

I think for the advanced players here the reverse sometimes happens, they have that confidence to sit generally anywhere and in the rush to aquire a seat , they just sit.  This sometimes results in the 2-3 hands played with the required " Ty Folks but i have to go " and the advanced player is off to another table, not a biggie if you are currently sitting with people you know, but if you are new to the opps as well...........

So at the risk of getting into a rating debate and knowing that BBO currently allows all users to fill out a profile that :

1. Allows people to self rate themselves.
2. Allows people to show their preferred systems.

Then is it possible that these fields when filled out could be included in some way along with the players name when they are sitting at a table?

For me at least this would save some time in people finding a compatable pard and lessen some of those unintended uncomfortable situations which at times detracts from the social aspect of this great bridge site.