Color Code (Red, Yellow, Green)

[FreeRepublic]

The color code option for candidates moves is an intriguing feature. It seems like it should be useful. But how to use it?

Starting from an existing COW ebook, I frequently add a new candidate move and continuation. The new candidate move can be my own idea, that of Stockfish, or come from another book or article. I often like to distinguish between the original book and any new material. I make comments to that effect. Color coding would work too.

Color coding would be more useful, in my opinion, if it were inheritable. For example, you introduce a new move on move 12, give it a red dot, and continuations from that move 12 candidate all have red dots. I suppose it gets tricky if you later transpose to an existing line. Perhaps the red dot could then turn off. I think this semi-automated color-coding on a retail level would be very useful.

Even more ambitious would be to operate on a wholesale level. For example, merge book 2 into book 1 and have all new moves from book 2 color coded. Similarly, import a new PGN file into book 1 and have all new moves color coded.

"Backsolving" color codes might also prove useful - not sure.

COW Wizard continues to be a workhorse application. Mike merely has to hire a team of programmers to keep up with suggestions.

[FreeRepublic]

"The color code option for candidates moves is an intriguing feature. It seems like it should be useful. But how to use it?
...
"Backsolving" color codes might also prove useful - not sure."

Sometimes I add a variation. Looking at the final position, I decide that this is "best play" and is the line that I should review in the future. Looking at the final position, it would be beneficial to give it the color code that indicates "critical line" to me. The next step would be to "backsolve" (or backcode, backcolor, backcolorcode, color code back) so that prior moves are color coded indicating that this is the critical line.

[FreeRepublic]

Since my first post on color code, I've acquired a lot of experience.

I've found the color code feature very useful at the wholesale level when using the following commands:
PGN, Import PGN
File, Import Ebook
File, Add Ebook

Just prior to executing one of these commands, one designates a color code for the new material. Presto! Every new move receives a colored dot, thereby distinguishing new material from old. This works very well when one is making a new Ebook, or when making a major addition to an existing Ebook.

Operating at a more retail level, one might designate the first move of Stockfish analysis with a red dot. The first move of one's own analysis might get a yellow dot. Adding colored dots to subsequent moves is tedious. So I continue my request that subsequent moves inherit a colored dot.

I have found 4 alternatives to be useful: no dot, red dot, yellow dot, green dot. In fact, I would like more. Maybe colored squares to the right of the dot.

[FreeRepublic]

Just a few notes about colorizing imported books/pgn games, etc.

It seems that your last decision remains a default. I imported some new PGN games to an existing COW file, with new games receiving a yellow dot. Later I created a new COW file from a purchased book (PGN). All moves came in with a yellow dot, which is not what I wanted. If I had realized this immediately, I would just have started over. That was not the case. I had entered notes to several moves and added my own and Stockfish analysis. What to do? Fortunately I noticed that COW commands allowed me to remove all yellow dots. It worked great!

One cautionary note. This works great with a file of reasonable size, say 50 annotated games. If you work with a file that has millions of games, you should expect to wait a long time for results!

[FreeRepublic]

As indicated before, I use the color code to distinguish between sources. For example, if I already have a COW Ebook and want to import PGN games from another source, I can designate the new material with a colored dot. I find this to be extremely valuable.

To elaborate further, I used commented PGN games from IM Rodi and created a COW Ebook. I also have commented PGN Games from GM Kuljasevic on the same opening. I added GM Kuljasevic's selected games and comments, designating new moves with a green dot. It's not hard to see when Kuljasevic adds additional lines, all new moves have a green dot.

Not only do games integrate in COW, but text also. The attribution of comments to the two authors (Rodi and Kuljasevic) takes a little more effort on my part. I often have to go to original source material to see who said what. As the book was originally created from annotated games from IM Rodi, his comments come first. If there is only one comment, I don't know the author.

The Import PGN command brings up a dialog box. All the features are useful - to include color code. I suppress duplicate text, although this does not always seem to work. An additional feature request follows.

It would be nice if one could add text to the text to be imported. In my example all text to be imported from Kuljasevic would be preceded by:
Kuljasevic:

[FreeRepublic]

Mike once suggested color coding an imported PGN file or book. Thereafter all additions you make will not have a color code. That is a good way distinguish between the original material and our own analysis.

Candidate moves receive color codes. Perhaps the idea could be extended to text or symbols (!? etc.) to distinguish between sources.

[FreeRepublic]

I often analyze. If I am satisfied with my analysis, I would like to designate each move with a red dot. Doing this manually is a cumbersome process. I'd like to designate the first move with a red dot then "inherit forward." However there is no such command at present.

Here is my work around. I duplicate the COW Ebook and analyze in the copy. When I'm done I "Export Line as a Game." I go to the original Ebook and "Import Games," taking care to "Highlight Novelties in Red." It takes a little planning but works like a charm.