This is yet another clone of Othello, that piece flipping game by Gabriel. Since the game existed before Gabriel printed the version known as Othello, there is no copyright infringement if I use a different name. Anyway, I think that's the way it goes. Since there are several other Macintosh programs which play this game, I must justify this release.

1. Flip-O-Matic's algorythm seems to be better than Otello's, which is the next best program out there. (Comments from Otello's programmer welcome!)
2. If you pay the registeration fee, you get all the source code. This is a CodeWarrior Power Plant application, and it helps to see a relatively simple example of how Power Plant works. This was written with CW 11 Academic Pro.

Since this is my first Macintosh application, it is a bit rough around the edges. Here are the current problems:

1. Does not run on 68k. It should be easy to fix this, since CW is a cross-platform compiler.
2. Does not multi-task while computer is thinking. This is the biggest drawback.
3. No "Are you sure?" dialog boxes. May be added later.
4. No beep when computer is finished thinking. May be added later.
5. Ugly white background. May be fixed later.
6. Algorythm works well, but is relatively slow. I don't suggest playing above level 5 or 6.
7. I am unsure if there is enough heap space or memory or whatever for the deep level 9 move search, as the intelligence is a recursive routine. Any repots of problems are welcome.

Some of these issues seem to have been resolved in a later version of the game, but I have no idea where you can find it. Nor do I know whether the game can still be registered and the source code obtained. I can only offer you the older version.

|

---

Last modified 2007-08-28