Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 17:23:56 -0400
From: Jens Yllman <jens.yllman@mailbox.swipnet.se>
Subject: RE: 

 Hello.

 I've not had time to realy study the draft. But I've read the e-mails here
with one eye. And I thought I had to comment on this thread. If you need
anything that is new in FF[4] that does not exist in FF[3]. Then you should
use FF[4] and follow all the rules set up to define FF[4]. You say that it
is easier to convert old files to the new format if you don't need to
follow every thing closly. Why convert old files to FF[4] just for
converting. Why not leave it in FF[3]. I don't think it is that hard to
support both FF[1-3] and FF[4]. And I think if you load a FF[3] game and
wants to save it to FF[4]. Then you should ask the user to convert alla
data not understod by the program, and then save it. It is realy great with
FF[4], where all the formats is specified. Then the program knows how to
display it. And let the user configure the program to display it the way
the user wants it. One good example is the date. There is probably more
then 20 ways to show dates all over the world. And if the program knows the
datem, it can display it the way the user choose. And if you think it is to
hard to code these user friendly things. Then display it the way the
computer wants it, or maybe the way you want it. If the program ALWAYS is
100% sure of what data it has read. It can convert it and display it in the
way the user wants it. And that is the way of the future. EASY use for
user. The user does not want to edit the file directly. So why always let
the user decide what format the file should have. I still think this text
format is great for many reasons. But it is realy only people good enought
that can edit it anyway. So they can learn this formats the computer likes.

 I hope you didn't think this was to heavy to read. I just had so many
thoughts about this. I hope my diffrent GO projects will develop over the
summer. And I'm sure I will implement SGF. And then I will first implement
FF[4]. And then add FF[3]. First of all to be able to read FF[3]. Then
maybe to save FF[3]. But maybe I only make a small tool to convert from
FF[4] to FF[3]. Who knows. And who knows if I get enought time to work at
my GO projects at all. Work seem to take all my time from time to time.

 Jens Yllman

note: Isn't internet great to let people from all around the world to
discuss like this. And I like the ide of standards evolving without
comersial interest and with the 'users' as designers.