I might not renew it if the administation doesn't tell us what they will do to improve the site in 2011.
 
My membership will expire the 14th of january.I have been one of the most dedicated members of this site for 7 years, organising tourneys (MOT) , and doing many other things but if they don't care about their own site, I will go somewhere else.

I dont see anyone that even cares for this site let alone improve it.

 
You mean, 'anyone'; In terms, of the {assinine}, 99%, non-communicative personnel; At the 'Caissa's Web' division, of 'Western-Media'? --
 
 

I sure do

Well, I know most of the members here and I can challenge them anytime for a corres game as a guest. I can't play more than 10 games or play MOTs but as I am the main TD on this site right now, it wouldn't matter much if I leave,would it?
 
So they better come up with improvements quickly as I am starting to save all my games to my own database...

It would be quite a loss indeed if you did not renew your membership. You are one of the most knowledgeable and most involved chess players here. You have whole-heartedly contributed to making this site much more enjoyable for your fellow Caissa members. I do hope you reconsider. Unfortunately, I personally think your complaint will fall on deaf ears as have so many of mine in the past. This is what led me to unassociate myself from Caissa in 2004 until quite recently. Mediawest Online is not involved enough in this site to be aware as to who contributes to keeping members here and enticing new ones to join, as even I myself had done in the past. I'm quite certain this attitude comes down to dollars and cents. I think it would be a reasonable assumption, demonstrated by their lack of interest, that this site is not such a big money maker for them and is overlooked. It is quite a shame actually, because with a little creative thought this site could realistically be made into more of chess club type environment on your PC. A chess club in your own home. I think this idea could be quite successful and profitable in the process. They should start by first consulting the members who take an active interest in this site and who focus on improving it. There was once a time when quite a few members here spent half the night watching and discussing games, openings, theory, and whatever else. In fact, a few members in the NYC area and myself even took a road trip to Atlantic City and played some chess games in person as well. This was not just a site to "play" chess. It was a site where one could play, learn, and discuss chess and hopefully make a few friends in the process. If you are not already aware, there are quite a few players here of enormous caliber and although I am quite versed in the game of chess myself. I am no Grandmaster and I'm certainly not arrogant enough to believe I have nothing else to learn about the game from these players if given the proper chance. Realistically though, I doubt any time or money will be made available for any of this. Undoubtedly this non-interest by Admin is the main reason 90% of players here are guest accounts only.

I think they have made a huge mistake by opening a new site. It's a waste of money. They wanted the site to look better but they could have updated the old one instead. So now they have to implement all the features again .
 
Also they should close down the old site because no one plays there anymore. If anyone tries it and likes the design, he might be interested but he will soon realise he was wrong to register due to a shortage of members and ghosts games played between Caissa chess programs. So overall it gives a bad image of the company.
 
We don't ask for many things from the administration. All we want is one adminstrator who could be available 2 HOURS A WEEK to answer all our mail, complaints etc... via a chatroom or the message center. We just want to be up to date with anything new on the site and to know that someone cares about our needs as consumers.
 

Oh, quite a big waste of money. I see nothing here that is a significant improvement from the older site. In fact this site is missing quite a few things the older site had which is quite disappointing to say the least. I have sent quite a few emails to Admin since rejoining over a month ago and I have not received a reply to any thus far, which is quite infuriating considering I am a paying customer and not a guest. I agree 100% with everything you have said and I hope that we get some kind of response in turn.

bitch bitch bitch.i happen to think this is a great site with little room for improvement.of course i also think strip searches at the airport is a good idea.you don't know how good you have it.when i came here from brooklyn years ago i hardly know what freedom was.now i can drive a car if i could afford the insurance,and play chess without the fear of ridicule.long live caissa.whatever that is. cuch

We are not saying this site is bad, but that it could be better. Look at Fischer in the 60s and 70s when he was complaining all the time about the lighting, the playing conditions, the sponsorships. Thanks to him , chess professionals are now much better off.
 
Of course, none of us on this site can ever be compared to Fischer but we like to think things could be even better with a more adequate communication.

This is the message I got today :
 
Dear Gladiator,
 
Thank you for renewing as a member of Caissa's Web. Your membership will support ongoing development of many great new features for our site.
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or
suggestions you may have.
 
Good luck in your games!
 
AdminBrian
 
So now I am waiting.

I stopped using Caissa years ago when it was still under the old engine using the id of TGRUN. I decided to try it again this year. There are still some issues that annoy me (such as losing on time when it is the opponent's move). The main reason I renewed is there are players on here that are not on World Chess Live.
 
Years ago they had scheduled tournaments at specific times, now we have to create them ourselves. I don't view that as a big issue. I used to be a USCF TD so I don't have a problem with it.
 
I agree that it would be nice to hear a response to concerns.
 

Fischer? It was gamesmanship he was dealing in, a la Lasker. Chess pros today are ball-less wussies.

Every time a new technology arises we are told that more and better communication will bring about peace on earth forever. How is that working out?
 
"People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening"
 
-- Paul Simon.