----- Original Message -----
From: = 'Marc=20 Theeuwen' < AMSINC COM">Marc_Theeuwen@AMSINC COM>=
To:=20 < TECHUNIX TECHNION AC IL">SHOGI-L@TECHUNIX TECHNION= .AC.IL>
Sent:=20 Tuesday, February 01, 2000 4:29 PM
Subject: Re: to play shogi on the=20 net

> >I am passing along these suggestions to the game = developers at the MSO.
>
> >I would also like to discuss = with the=20 list sometime, to what extent
methods
> >for nabbing new = players can=20 change the look of the game.
>
> >For example, there are=20 discussions at the MSO about trying shogi viewers
> >with black = and=20 white pieces, boards with alternating color squares,
> = >different piece=20 symbols, etc.
>
> >I have always thought a little pain at = the=20 beginning (just use the real
> >equipment) and then you are up = to=20 speed, but i find more and more that
> >people feel that visual = "training wheels" could be a big help in getting
> >people to = make the=20 biggest, first step of learning the game.
>
> >I know = that=20 breaking with tradition is always a touchy subject in shogi,
> = >but I=20 would be very interested is some feelings about these = topics.
>
> In=20 my opinion, there would be not a too severe opposition when=20 players
would
> have a choice in the style of their shogi = pieces. When=20 my opponent plays
with
> black and white pieces with more = easily=20 recognizable pictures and on a
board
> with colored squares, = and I can=20 play with a "Japanese style" formatted
board and
> pieces, both = can be=20 happy.
>
> What could make life a lot easier for beginners = would be=20 if the squares a
piece
> (both your own and those of your = opponent) can=20 move to would be
highlighted when
> your mouse is above it. = Similarly,=20 when a piece can promote, it would be
helpful
> to show what = moves the=20 piece can make in their (un)promoted state.
>
> When I = visited a=20 tournament in Hythe, England, organized by John Campbell,
I = saw
> a=20 shogi set designed for Western children. It showed all kinds of=20 animals
(like
> colourful Tigers, Panda Bears and Elephants) = plus=20 schematically the moves
they
> could make. I am not sure who = was the=20 producer of these sets (George
Hodges?)
> and it would be = interesting=20 to hear whether it was actually far easier for
> children to learn = shogi=20 this way.
>
> Similarly, the Swedish Shogi Association has = made=20 Shogi sets sponsored by
Toyota
> that depict various car = models.=20 Perhaps Martin Danerud or Carl Johan
Nilsson can
> relate on = the=20 relative ease for new players to be 1) attracted and 2) = to
learn
> the=20 game.
>
> Even when using pictures instead of Japanese = characters, I=20 would still
suggest
> to depict a small Japanese symbol to make = it=20 easier to go to Japanse style
board
> and pieces=20 afterwards.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Marc=20 Theeuwen

Animal sets (ref AS1) are still available from me = although I=20 only have three
sets left in stock

George=20 Hodges