I have updated ChessNoteR to version 2.2.0. The import thing to note about this version is Dropbox support has been removed and the system can now email the game to the TD. Also the major addition is the Replay feature. After speaking to multiple TD’s at the Las Vegas International Open I have added this feature. The break down is this new feature will allow the TD to see if a user is using the ChessNoteR to analyze the game in progress. Below is some videos from YouTube and also the manual.
Page 5 - Profile update with email
Page 7 - Menu change without Dropbox
Page 20 - New playing Area Map with Replay
Page 22 - New Replay Feature
Page 31 - New Email Game Data
Page 33 - New Review Game Map with Replay
If you have questions please feel free to respond here or email directly.
Joey Troy
Black Mirror Studio
Owner & CEO
email: jtroy@blackmirrorstudio.com
Black Mirror Studio , PO BOX 1745 Belen, NM, 87002
I looked at the videos and it seems users have to manually go through the update process. Is there a way to force this update onto users so they don’t have a choice but to have the version that allows TDs to check the complete game history, including takebacks and such?
Currently the system isn’t setup for auto updates. You would need to check that users are on 2.2.0 and if not to run an update. I send out email blast to all the customers and I would say 95% or more always run the update.
It sounds like a 2.2.0 update is readily easy to do.
I would not be surprised if the delegates meeting had a motion made to limit the ChessNoteR certification to those devices at 2.2.0 or higher. From the standpoint of the company that may allow all old devices sold to still be usable in tournaments (the company can say whether or not there are any old devices that cannot support such updates). If staying at an older version makes it possible for a TD to deny its use (regardless of whether or not there was advance notice) then that reduces any incentive to defer applying the update.
It’s a solid suggestion! I agree that a TD should deny the use of the ChessNoteR device if the user is not on 2.2.0 or newer. The update only takes a few minutes to download and install so there is no reason not to do it. Also all updates are 100% backward compatible with all versions of the Operating System be it Lollipop or Marshmallow. The bigger concern is getting this information out to all the TD’s so everyone is on the same page
How do you prove, in response to an inquiry or complaint from the opponent during the round, that the player is using the updated version and not the previous one?
There is two options. Before the game starts you can go to Menu < Update and it will show the current version, again needs to show 2.2.0 or newer. Here is a YouTube video on it.
The update process is not difficult, and a player at a tournament who hasn’t updated could quickly do it at the site assuming Wifi is available.
However, it makes life easier on everyone if they get it done now - TD’s don’t have to check, players don’t have to do last minute updates, etc.
Joey, I assume you could do a second email strongly suggesting the update be completed soon because some TDs have suggested that to use the device version 2.20 must be applied; a week after that email you could produce a list of those who haven’t and perhaps a hard copy letter could come from US Chess with the same suggestion? If you could ensure everyone that there were no devices under 2.20, and all future devices were above it, it might be worth the little extra effort now.
I will send another blast next week to stress the point of doing the install to the ChessNoteR Family. I would have to agree with Allen I don’t think US Chess should send this out via paper mailer. It would be nice if US Chess could email Affiliates and TD’s so they are aware of the 2.2.0 feature of replay as again multiple TD’s requested this feature and it keeps everyone honest.
But they wouldn’t have to send a physical mailing to all members - it only needs to go to owners who haven’t done the upgrade. If you can match the list, we’ll know when everyone has it - there’s no need to send it to all the members, just the 5% of your customers that haven’t done it. If there are one or two stragglers, those names can go to TDs along with the device serial number.
That cost is probably closer to $25 - including time.
I believe Joey has a list of all devices and which have been upgraded. If that is incorrect, then the idea isn’t feasible.
Because it saves everyone in US Chess effort. Sending a paper mailing to 5-10 people saying nicely that “…because you haven’t upgraded your device it won’t be allowed to be used in a rated tournament until you do…” - and having that come from an “official” entity - might get those last few people to get the upgrade done. If they get it done - there is no longer any issue for any player or TD to concern themselves with.
And I always find it odd when people seem to think we have a bunch of folks sitting around with little to do.
I usually ask which of the 6 or so people in Crossville will stop doing the accounting, stop handling disciplinary cases, stop posting TLAs, stop processing memberships, stop processing rating reports, stop answering calls about national events, etc to go and do the questioner’s special project. I have also learned that “it will only take…” is generally extremely low-ball.
IF it’s 5-10 people who fail to respond to the vendor, and the device has to be checked anyway at the tournament, and the person who fails to upgrade gets the device turned away, that would seem to solve the problem. You seem to assume that TDs are not going to check the device and just assume it is the correct version if Troy says all are updated. They have to check the device in every case anyway due to it being on a cell phone platform. Further, you seem to be assuming that all TDs will even allow the device at the event if it is updated. Neither of those match my experience.
I’m not assuming anything other than we will know all devices are on an appropriate level. Allen, I would be happy to draft the letter to go out. With the addresses from Joey and using Stamps.com I could have 5-10 letters easily done in a half-half hour. If what you are trying to tell me is that the office is still significantly less efficient than that, which I personally don’t believe, then I’m sorry, we would still need to get the office significantly more efficient if that is the case.
If everyone knows that all devices are at a certain level and above, it takes less checking than if we don’t. In the former case, I can check for a seal and be done. In the latter I have to take time to check the latest update on the device. As a TD and a user, I’m certain the latter takes more time.
If TDs wish to spend more time on it than that, that’s their perogative. However, I’m still a believer that in U.S. Chess still too often takes the route of least work and making things hard for the user - subject to secret handshakes - rather than just doing things completely and right. The attitude has vastly improved from the past, but from your answer I’m very concerned that we may have much further to go than I thought.
Maybe my tag line should become “Eliminate the secret handshakes.”
Can Joey even tell when a user has done the update and which version someone currently has on their device? His note seemed to be more of his estimate of people doing the updates rather than stating a fact.
I also don’t believe this is something for the US Chess office to do. If Joey wants to send something out to all the TDs then he can use the US Chess system currently in place to have an e-mailing sent to a customized list, if he feels it is that important for TDs to be aware of this as the device was approved for use without this particular feature and so it may actually not be that important.
I am guessing that Tom Doan’s point was probably that George Smith (never-US Chess-member) would buy the device for his granddaughter Mary Jones and does not need to provide any US Chess ID. All Joey would have is George’s name and address. Even if he gave US Chess George’s address there would be no cross-reference that would find Mary Jones’ contact information. Joey is a contact known to George and George is not responding. A US Chess letter (a contact not known to George) stands an even better chance of being ignored (my wife regularly rips up unrequested “junk mail”).
You are correct it’s an estimate currently. In terms of blast to TD’s that maybe something worth while just so they are aware of the changes in the software which will in turn make their job easier if some one is trying to use the ChessNoteR to analyze which is against US Chess Rules.
When I build a device it is registered to a specific US Chess player. If they do not have an US Chess ID I send them to US Chess to register as I do not sell to non US Chess players. If the player happens to only have FIDE I will register the device with that and leave the US Chess portion empty. Here is a video that explains the serial number process and how to triple authenticate the device. This is based on sticker, serial number in the software and the QR code which takes you to the website.
