Go Server Recommendation

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Okie
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Go Server Recommendation

Post by Okie »

All,

Having recently upgraded my Java I find that it no longer wants to let me use the KGS client. With enough time I might be able to figure out how to wicker the security settings, but instead I have decided to try another server.

I play as a 2 kyu on KGS and am looking for a server:

1. That has a good number of players around my level and up so I can get even games easily.
2. Lets me save an SGF of the game easily for later study.
3. Is stable as long as my Wi-Fi is stable. I also have an OGS account but about every 10th game or so on that server I get an error submitting move error and precious seconds tick off until I can get control of the system again. It does this even when I have plenty of signal strength (full bars) on my home Wi-Fi system.

Since it can be hard to get games as a provisional player it would also be nice if the server had something like the KGS automatch feature to help me establish a solid rating.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Okie
DrStraw
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by DrStraw »

You may try accessing KSG directly from the WebStart page. That is what I do because I can not longer run it directly from the copy on my machine.
Still officially AGA 5d but I play so irregularly these days that I am probably only 3d or 4d over the board (but hopefully still 5d in terms of knowledge, theory and the ability to contribute).
Okie
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by Okie »

Dr. Straw,
thanks for the suggestion, I just tried that and got a message stating:

"Your security setting have blocked an application with an expired or not-yet-valid certificate from running"

I have been playing around with the security settings without joy. Hence the request.

Thanks,
Okie
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by zac »

Pretty sure IGS fits the bill.

EDIT; what operating system are you on?
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EdLee
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Post by EdLee »

Hi Okie,

If you can open up your Java control panel and, in the security tab, add this to the exception sites:
http://files.gokgs.com

( with no slash at the end. ) Could you try it to see if it allows you to run CGoban ?
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Re:

Post by DrStraw »

EdLee wrote:Hi Okie,

If you can open up your Java control panel and, in the security tab, add this to the exception sites:
http://files.gokgs.com

( with no slash at the end. ) Could you try it to see if it allows you to run CGoban ?


I had forgotten that I had to do this before it worked. I still have to go through webstart every time but I do get one.
Still officially AGA 5d but I play so irregularly these days that I am probably only 3d or 4d over the board (but hopefully still 5d in terms of knowledge, theory and the ability to contribute).
Keith White
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by Keith White »

I have http://www.gokgs.com/ in my exceptions list and despite that, if the applet is pulled from a subfolder etc, it still fails. n fact, I'm running Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca and use a number of browsers.

WebStart recognises gokgs and lists it but the browsers fail. Opera uses Chrome as model and non support the java plugin AFAIK and, in recent upgrades, Firefox has pretty much made it impossible to access java applets.

However, using CGoban 3, actually 3.5.20, I can access KGS without issue. I believe it is a platform independent client so if you haven't, give it a try.

Sadly, I believe Java dug it's own grave and even with all the recent security holes and browsers now filtering out access to applets, it's rate of 'depreciation' was like nothing I've seen before.
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by Okie »

Thanks for all the replies,

Ed Lee,
thanks, I had put in an extra slash in the exception list and after using your suggestion, I can get to KGS again.

Okie
Marathon
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by Marathon »

How about Online go server at https://online-go.com/ ? It doesn't use Java.

I've had no issues using Java for KGS. When I use the web start client, it does give me a warning, and asks if I am sure I want to run it.

I can use the applet client with Firefox, if I enter two security exceptions.

By the way, I am currently using OpenJDK version of Java, although I prefer Oracle's. Those with Java issues might try changing Java vendors, and see if that makes a difference. One difference I've seen is that OpenJDK's implementation of Java Web Start looks like it is downloading the client every time :tmbdown:


By the way, these Life in 19 x 19 forums do have an area for discussions specific to KGS in go club Forums area, where there are other threads about issues with Java security. One of them is here, where I learned about the security exceptions. But, that thread is 2 years old.
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Re: Go Server Recommendation

Post by Marathon »

It looks like, on my system, I was running the client with OpenJDK, but opening the applet with Oracle's Java. Also, when I went to OpenJDK's website, it offered only versions for Linux.
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