B ackgammon fans have a new way of playing the game online against other people for free. Adam Gerson has released a Mac OS X client for FIBS (First Internet Backgammon Server), a world-wide network for playing backgammon established in 1992. CocoaFIBS is a Mac OS X Panther interface for the service.
CocoaFIBS is still in beta development -- currently at version 0.2 -- but meets playability requirements for most users, according to the developer.
New Features in version 0.2
- Terminal window is now a window not a floating window.
- Public chat window is now a window not a floating window.
- The size and position of the public chat window is now saved.
- For kibiz, say and tell a sound will play for each line of text sent to you.
- Added a preference for private chat sounds.
- Darkened the color of the game statistics below the board.
Bugs Fixed in version 0.2
- Username and password are auto filled in the login window if you save the password in your keychain.
- Chat fields no longer disappear at seemingly random times
CocoaFIBS is free, and playing on FIBS itself is also free, though the group behind the project does allow for donations. The game requires Panther (Mac OS X 10.3 or above). You can download it from Adam Gersonis .Mac Web site.