Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. When will move validation be implemented?
  2. Is Fixation 2.0 free?
  3. Why can't I move the pieces quicker/Why a red X?
  4. Where do I send suggestions or enhancement requests?
  5. Who do I contact about Fixation 1.41 problems?
  6. Will Fixation work with chess.net?
  7. When will a seek graph be supported for chess.net?
  8. Can I replace some of the chess sets?
  9. How come I sometimes see tells in green and not my chosen color?
  10. Can I use Fixation to run automated computers?
  11. Why doesn't my custom server prompt work on the ICC?
  12. How come Fixation does not support Accuclock for chess.net?
  13. Why can't Fixation be used for ICC 7 day trial?
  14. How come I don't see colored text or game windows?
  15. Where do I find the chess engine protocol?
  16. When will Fixation be Carbonized?
  17. Can I help with development?

1. When will move validation be implemented?

Currently, move validation is performed by the chess server. Move validation has been partially implemented in Fixation 2.0.3 but is not enabled by default. You can enable local move validation by pressing Command-Z. However, move validation is incomplete and is not fully tested; Fixation may crash if you use it. Also, only enable/disable move validation before starting a game, never while one is in progress. Local move validation should be fully implemented in the next version of Fixation.

2. Is Fixation 2.0 free?

Yes. Some networking and dialog support code has been taken from public domain source code, thus one reason why it is free. However, Fixation may not be distributed for profit, placed onto a CD-ROM or DVD, or any other Internet site without my permission.

3. Why can't I move the pieces quicker/Why a red X?

Fixation relies on the chess server to perform move validation. As a result, Fixation places a red X on the destination square while it waits for a board update from the chess server. Once the server returns a board update, Fixation can then update the board with your move. Also see FAQ #1.

4. Where do I send suggestions or enhancement requests?

The current list of suggestions and enhancement requests can be viewed here. If you do not see your suggestion there, send a message to the Fixation discussion group. You must be subscribed to the group in order to post messages. If you are not a member, join the discussion group.

5. Who do I contact about Fixation 1.41 problems?

No one. Adam Miller, the original author of Fixation for versions up to 1.41, is no longer maintaining Fixation. I neither have the time nor the development environment for resolving problems with 1.41. A solution is to buy a Power Macintosh and install Fixation 2.0! :=)  top

6. Will Fixation work with chess.net?

See message 51 of the Fixation discussion group.  top

7. When will a seek graph be supported for chess.net?

Adding this support is not planned anytime in the near future. chess.net uses a different seek ad format than FICS or the ICC so custom code needs to be added.

8. Can I replace some of the chess sets?

Yes -- if you know how to use ResEdit. See Will Johnston's excellent web page Chess Sets for Fixation for adding eight new black and white chess sets.  top

9. How come I sometimes see tells in green and not my chosen color?

Tells containing profanity will be highlited in green if you have enabled Admin colors.  top

10. Can I use Fixation to run automated computers?

Yes, 2.0 supports using the Amateur chess engine by Will Singleton. Additional engines should follow once engine authors make the necessary changes to support the chess engine protocol. See FAQ #15 for information on the protocol.  top

11. Why doesn't my custom server prompt work on the ICC?

The ICC prompt variable only supports a value of 0 or 1 where 0 disables the prompt while 1 shows the server supplied "aics%" prompt. If you select the "custom prompt" in the preferences, Fixation 2.0f2 (or higher) will treat this the same as "server prompt". If you would like to be able to customize the prompt like the FICS, send a message to the "suggestion" account on the ICC.  top

12. How come Fixation does not support Accuclock for chess.net?

Accuclock is used by chess.net for move timestamping like timestamp is used for the ICC or timeseal for the FICS. chess.net refuses to supply me with the source code for Accuclock. Therefore, I am unable to provide built-in support for Accuclock within Fixation. In e-mails I have received from chess.net, they stated that they are looking at releasing a stand-alone component (e.g. shared library) but nothing has appeared since I originally made the inquiries in October 1999. I did not receive a response to a February 2000 update message I sent to them.  top

13. Why can't Fixation be used for ICC 7 day trial?

Upgrade to Fixation 2.0.3 or higher. The ICC implemented a major change to their free 7 day trial offer on Feb 23, 2000 (see news item 1320). In order to take advantage of the free trial, changes were needed to Fixation to support the free trial protocol supported by the ICC server. These changes were implemented in 2.0.3. You must enable the "ICC Free Trial" item in the Option menu before logging onto a free trial account.  top

14. How come I don't see colored text or game windows?

If you logon to FICS and discover that c-shouts, tells, notifications, etc. are not in color or when you try to play, observe or examine a game, the game window will not appear for the specified game, this is most likely a server prompt issue.

There are a couple of issues dealing with prompts on the FICS:

Both of these are known limitations/problems with Fixation (any version including 1.x) on FICS. These issues do not occur on the ICC since there is no ptime variable and you cannot customize the prompt text.  top

15. Where can I find the chess engine protocol?

The protocol used by the chess engine and Fixation can be found in the files section of the fixation-dev discussion group. You will need to subscribe to the group before you can access the file.

16. When will Fixation be Carbonized?

There is a Carbon version of Fixation 2.0.3. This Carbon version appears to work fine under Mac OS 8.6 and 9.1. However, there are some issues when running under Mac OS X. Once these problems with using the Carbon version of Fixation on Mac OS X are resolved, it will be officially released.  top

17. Can I help with development?

Perhaps -- there are still some issues with the development environment and the use of timestamp/timeseal.  top
Revised: January 31, 2002