A TALLY OF DATABASE-USERS & NON-USERS

You do realise that the 'analogical superlist' is, in some respects, a 'roll of shame' not a 'roll of honour'. Your silence on it says more about you than words ever can.

(There are number of other possible summaries just waiting for a compiler.)

I don't use a computer (read engine), but i set positions with the analysis board or a "real board" trying to find the best possible answer to a a move. The posibility to do this is the greatest advantage of internet chess, i think. Why else up to 14 days per move?. I guess i'm a user.

As of 9/26/08:

Users - 72, Non-Users - 77

It looks like it will almost split in half down the middle! It would be good if chess.com did a compulsory survey they messaged to everyone an made database use one of the questions so we could get some real statistics

I'm actually a bit surprised by those numbers, I would have thought that more people would study mid-game. Oh well, that being said, let me cast my official vote as a "user".

As of 9/26/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 77

Sorry everyone - I know this has been asked before & I'm sure it's been answered ... but what does the yellow highlight & the underline signify in the list?  I've looked for the answer but this thread's getting so humoungous I can't find it now - maybe I need a database to help me :-)

The significance of the the yellow is the same as the significance of the red for users and blue for non-users - no significance at all! It is completely incidental. When you hover over a link (such as someone's name), the system highlights it in yellow. This highlight is sometimes carried across when a link is copied and pasted. The underline is similarly incidental. ALL links should appear underlined. For reasons best known to the system, this underlining sometimes mysteriously disappears.

(You would expect me to invent a rational explanation like the one above in order to conceal the true significance: namely that the marked people may be susceptible to being influenced into changing their allegiance.)

:-) not sure which explanation I like best ...

And while waiting, perhaps we can persuade our opponents to post their preferences, too?

 Everything he said. All three points

Is there any chance that the current group of discussion participants could agree on the wording of such a poll?

Why change it?

Make it simple. Do you use an opening database to help or not.

Answer choices:
1. Yes
2. No
3. No, and I didn't know I was allowed to use one.
4. What's an opening database?

A follow-up poll could be if you use the analysis board, or a real board, or your palm pilot, or your iPhone, or your other shiny new gizmo.

I do noy use a dayabase. I study before the games and after but never during.

As of 9/27/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 78

As of 9/27/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 79

I was post # 7!  whooo hooo!

Make it simple. Do you use an opening database DURING THE GAME to help or not 

but not too simple.

Hi my name is Glenn, I am with Cot Otb, maybe you have heard of our group...Personally I like to play an honest game.  What is the point of using databases to make your moves for you., You are learning nothing.  A true chess player is always looking to improve his/her game through experience and trials and errors........I love the challenge and play to WIN., But I use no outside help of any kind, When you play me it is as if we are sitting together, mano-emano.   Great post.  Thank you Glenn(CoT OTB)