Coffee Chinese Chess 0.4
Coffee Chinese Chess 0.4
I. What is Coffee Chinese Chess
Coffee Chinese Chess is a Java applet (written in the Java programming language) for multi-purposes of Chinese Chess: a real game program for playing (you can play against a computer or human) or practicing opening books and endgames; a game viewer for studying / reviewing any previous games; a board picture viewer of Chinese Chess (with much reduced download). It also provides many functions as a normal program.
Additionally, you could customize its appearances and abilities into a totally new one for your home pages.
II. Features
1. No installation, ready to run anywhere and any computer
The Cafe Chinese Chess software is an applet. So it could be run without having to first download and install, as well as worrying about your computer platform. The only thing you need is a normal web browser. Just open a home page which embeds this software and it will be ready for you.
2. Now, you can play Chinese chess on the WWW
Unlike many pictures of Chinese chess games, this software can be interactive. It is easy for your readers to follow a game from beginning till end by clicking a button and the happening can be seen directly. Additionally, more than a viewer of games, it is a real Chinese chess program. You can play against a computer (some levels are not easy to defeat).
With increasing CPU speeds, the Java applets are becoming more competitive with platform specific applications.
3. Very small, but full features
The software is very tiny (around 27 kilobyte). It is only two times as large as a gif picture of game board (and much smaller than any family's photo). As a result, the time to download via Internet will be considerably short.
Even though very small, the software provides many of the functions you are probably already familiar with, such as setting to play against a computer or human, undo, redo, reset, choice of strong (level) of computer, move list, and so on. The software also has a large build-in opening book (145 openings).
4. Economic and effective
After the first download (very quickly), any other appearances of this program need not to be downloaded again (it means free). If you want to introduce more than two board pictures, it is more effective to use this program for some reason: reducing the download times; easily setting up without any graphic skill or tools. Furthermore, your work in next update is very easy - upload a small text file for new game.
5. Flexible
The software allows easy customization. It could display in totally different ways (one program, many appearances). You can also set up sound, choose difficulty levels, change the kinds of notation, decide the game input methods (by setting parameters or by reading from text files). You can see there are some ways for doing the same work - all for your convenience. There are many parameters which help you to choose the fittest display / program abilities / comfortable for your needs.
6. Many purposes
Here are the main purposes of this program. You will discover more when you work closer with it (see example).
III. Copyright/Disclaims
Coffee Chinese Chess is totally free. Only modification on
distribution to others is prohibited.
This software is provided AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE AUTHOR
OF THIS SOFTWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. IN NO EVENT SHALL
THE AUTHOR OF THIS SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR
SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR OF THIS SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
IV. Development History
15/9/2000 Release the first version - 0.1 (alpha).
11/03/2001 Version 0.2 (alpha):
06/03/2002 Version 0.3 (alpha):
11/03/2002 Version 0.4 (alpha):
V. Bug Report/Feedback
You are more than welcome to report bug and feedback. Please write to me via email to phhnguyen@yahoo.com.
Note: You could access my home page by both addresses:
http://www.geocities.com/phhnguyen/
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Grid/6544/