Version 4.5.4 Available for Testing

[fred]

Here's the plan:

 

On or around December 18 we are going to release a new version of the BBO client to the general membership by automatic download (assuming there are no known unresolved mission critical problems at that point).

 

The big new feature is this version will be FD support. The Czars and their teams are making good progress on the stock files they are creating. While many of these files will always be "works in progress", the most important files should be in good enough shape to at least provide a reasonable taste of FD to the general BBO membership. Hopefully this will result in some useful feedback for the FD file authors (and to me, the FD programmer).

 

The concept of "floating conventions" (ie a new kind of FD file) has been implemented in version 4.5.4. A sample floating convention for RKCB 1430 will automatically download itself when you log in with 4.5.4. This file won't work properly with older versions of BBO/FD so I suggest you upgrade if you want to try it.

 

FD authors who want to experiment with floating conventions can define a file as "floating" by inserting a ? as the first character of the file (have a look at the RKCB file for an example). This facility is still fairly primitive, but it appears to have a lot of promise. Probably best to send me e-mail if you have any questions about this (fred@bridgebase.com). Forums post is also fine, but it may take me longer to respond.

 

Some other notes about the new version:

 

- the problem that stopped the autoreconnect facility from working has been fixed (as have various other bugs)

- there is a new option to display friend notifications as chat messages (as opposed to bubbles). People who had the setting for "notify me when a friend logs in" will automatically switch to the new option. You can change this setting by editing your profile and then clicking the "Friends/enemies..." button.

- the facility for converting BBO log files to text files has been improved

- I am sure there is something else, but I can't remember what it is right now. I will modify this post if I remember...

 

Even if you have no interest in FD, I would appreciate it if you took version 4.5.4 for a spin and let me know if you find any problems. The more people who try this version the better the chances that the official release will be free of serious problems.

 

Instructions for upgrading to version 4.5.4 follow:

 

IMPORTANT!!! Make sure you exit the BBO program COMPLETELY before you begin the ugrade process!!!

 

You can upgrade to 4.5.4 at:

 

Click here to update!

 

or download everything (including all the latest files) at:

 

Click here for everything!

 

I suggest you use the first method, but however you do this, please make sure you exit the BBO program COMPLETELY before you start the download process.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com