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GoReader Cel Phone Go
Software
by Jay Turley
GoReader from EDAGames is a free .sgf reader for mobile phones that allows users
to search, download and read go games from the database at
gobase.org.
Before you can view any
games, you need to set up the program with your gobase.org account information
and which type of connection (WAP or HTTP) will be used; if
one doesn't work, try the other. Once you have saved this information, yo u can
search gobase or download the ten most recent games. As searching requires
entering information EXACTLY as it appears in gobase, the search is not very
usable; fortunately viewing recent games works perfectly. Once you receive
search results, you can browse through them and load any game that looks
interesting. Loaded games may be viewed immediately or saved to your
phone.
The current version (1.0.3)
provides a minimal yet very usable interface. Menu keys are used to navigate
through the .sgf file - right for the next move, left for the previous. Pressing
up zooms in on the goban, and pressing down zooms out again. While zoomed, the
user can pan to look at different areas of the goban. Holding down left or right
is supposed to jump quickly through the game, but this does not work properly on
many phones.
Although most advanced
features are missing from this program, the ability to revi ew go games on your
mobile phone is nothing short of tremendous. The biggest problems with GoReader
are the lack of a usable search tool and the inability to load your own games.
However, the developers' future plans include allowing .sgf downloads from RSS
feeds, better searching, in addition to a possible problem edition.
The best features of GoReader are its
usability, its integration with gobase, and its cost (did I mention it's
free?). I have been using GoReader on my mobile phones for about four
months now and I love it so much that I donated money to support EDA's
development efforts. Try it out yourself, and if you like it, you too can
contribute to EDA; maybe we'll get those advanced features sooner! Note:
GoReader worked on my Motorola T721, and works on my Motorola V220.
Download the application at http://wap.edagames.com/gotel/
Requirements and mor e information can be found at http://www.edagames.com/produits/jeux/goreader.htm
Other cel phone go software programs
recommended by readers include:
JimmyGo (mobile phones and PDAs): http://jimmygo.sourceforge.net/
GnuGo
for Pocket PC (& Windows-based phones): http://www.vieka.com/gnugo/
Spruce
Go (Nokia): http://www.ngage-user.com/content/downinfo.asp?id=20
Pocket
Gnu Go (Pocket PC or Smartphones): http://www.vieka.com/gnugo/
Send
us a review of one of these programs and earn a go vendor credit! Send reviews
to us at journal@usgo.org
Special thanks this week to Matt Staples, M
atthew Burke, Wayne McCrory, Andy Cowell & Anton Ninno.
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