Re: [piecepack] Re: Interesting piecepack project -- want to help?

["Michael Van Biesbrouck" <mlvanbie@...>]

On 3/5/07, porter235 <porter235@...> wrote:
> 2) a parser for the syntax. Javascript, probably using jquery. Takes
> the syntax and converts the ascii version to a pretty diagram using
> images stored on the server. Another possibility is having the
> javascript create SVG, though browser support for that is still not
> across the board. (Though it would produce a much nicer end result!
> and it intrigues me enough I may end up doing this instead or as well
> as the traditional images.)

I looked a doing SVG for piecepack over two years ago, and it looked
great ... except for support.  It seems like that will change soon.
There are few good reasons for doing an SVG version:

- JavaScript implementations of piecepack games -- show off some games
(at least the solitaire ones) without anyone downloading anything

- create an interactive editor for the other syntax

- (reusing the above code) PBM-style play on the web (make your move
and then email state in a URL that the other player can click on;
saving state on the web server by CGI would allow replay)

The VASSAL implementation is probably better for every purpose except
that it isn't ready for anyone to use without installation.  People
will only install things if they are partially hooked, and even then
they may find that there is nobody online to play with.  Interactive
web things could help people see why they want a piecepack.

Michael