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The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

bgammon.org

21–30 of 71 posts

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#23

I love the game, created a german niche website about backgammon with steady traffic since years. Always happy to see new solutions. How do you cover the server costs, without ads?

I've designed the server and its embedded backgammon engine to use very few resources, so it's all able to run on a dual core VPS that I am already using for my numerous other projects. Everything needed, including Postgres, currently uses less than 256 megabytes of memory and negligible CPU.

As it grows, I intend to follow in Lichess' footsteps by offering a paid supporter badge without locking any functionality behind a paywall. Because the server is lightweight, just a few paid supporters should be able to offset the costs for many free users.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#24
post #17
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does "Play now using your browser" link to the play store?

If the user-agent claims to be Android, the play link is changed to the Play Store. This is because the web client runs single-threaded[0] and has reduced performance when running in a browser on desktop, let alone when running on a mobile platform. When running as a native Android app, all of the device's CPU cores are utilized. 0. https://github.com/golang/go/issues/28631

It would be best to also change the text then, not just the link. The text could read "Install the app and play now" when the link is changed to point to the play store.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#27
Something I've thought a lot while playing backgammon locally is "I wish there was a site like lichess, but for backgammon"... so kudos for going out and starting your own! Are there any plans for post-game analysis?

There seems to be an issue with the login/signup form, as it doesn't pull up the native keyboard for my phone, but some random keyboard.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#28
post #17
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does "Play now using your browser" link to the play store?

If the user-agent claims to be Android, the play link is changed to the Play Store. This is because the web client runs single-threaded[0] and has reduced performance when running in a browser on desktop, let alone when running on a mobile platform. When running as a native Android app, all of the device's CPU cores are utilized. 0. https://github.com/golang/go/issues/28631

I would much prefer to run single threaded in the browser than be cajoled into installing another fucking app.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#29
post #26

Can you add support for tavli? https://www.bkgm.com/variants/Tavli.html The first game of tavli is portes which is the most common variant of backgammon played. Tavli is played by Greeks at least (and I'm sure many more)

Perhaps of interest: an open-source implementation of Tavli in JavaScript: https://github.com/michaelti/olympus-backgammon (disclaimer: I'm a co-author). Curious if we could share some knowledge here!

Excited to read more about the Universal Backgammon Engine Interface mentioned in the post.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#30
post #27

Something I've thought a lot while playing backgammon locally is "I wish there was a site like lichess, but for backgammon"... so kudos for going out and starting your own! Are there any plans for post-game analysis? There seems to be an issue with the login/signup form, as it doesn't pull up the native keyboard for my phone, but some random keyboard.

I got a feeling that this may be a cultural aspect there too: Backgammon is not considered "sophisticated," I think. I'm from Greece (I don't play backgammon myself, though), and backgammon (tavli) is extremely popular but widely considered "a game for the masses." It is played mostly in tavernas and old-style coffee shops, and each game has a social aspect, too. People discussing (sometimes shouting and finger-pointing "no! You should have done this or that! Ah! just get up and let me play, you're a noob!"

I can't but laugh thinking who would be the GMHikaru or GothamChess of tavli :D :D

Edit: This can be misinterpreted. I don't play tavli not because is not considered sophisticated, I just find the rules confusing for certain setups.

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