Shrike

Re online messenging services: Perhaps it would be possible to have the client software return data on whether such software is enabled, and for the either (1) that information to be recorded; (2) any messages recorded for checking should allegations later arise; (3) entry in certain tournaments contingent on temporary disabling of such programs; or (4) entry into such tournaments contingent on recording of messages. I like (3). Tournament oprganizers could set this as a tournament parameter. In practice (2) will never fly -- even if the recording occurs at the client machine to solve the storage problem, no one will ever agree to it. (4) is ungood for similar reasons, though not as bad as (2). Many forum users have expresssed distaste for (1), and BBO users in general probably wouldn't accept it. Maybe a sort of (1.5) is possible: recording only the volume and timing of communication (and possibly matching those for partners). Maybe that's too much to expect. But what, other than the initial programming headache, is wrong with giving tournament organizers the right to limit entry to those not using chat? I propose to the owners that this feature would be valuable. It will not solve the problem, nor even the subset of the problem consisting of communication between partners, but it will make it a lot harder to get away with by taking away what is often the easiest method. It will be particularly valuable with the increasing seriousness (pay-for-play especially) of tournament play.