Bid Whist Online

Bid Whist Playa,

Update November 5, 2009
Our hardware will be shutdown for a move tonight. You will not be able to play starting at MIDNIGHT central time until the morning. Normal play will resume by noon central time November 6, 2009.

Updated June 5, 2007

1. We have improved the computer playing strategy
2. We have added new table creation options.
3. We have added very basic avatars with happy faces (more will come later.

1. The progressive bidding does not work correctly.
2. Some users only get one box and it says 0 players. We are looking into a solution. Please use your secondary account

Updated May 26, 2007
We have made additional minor improvements to the game.

1. We have added some features that help ensure that you are playing with the latest version of the game.
2. You can transfer control of a table that you created to a new person.
3. Also being put on the ignore list will now exclude you from playing at that person's table.
4. Other minor improvements related to entering and exiting the game.

Updated April 17, 2007
We have made some minor improvements to the game.

1. Your "Ignore" player is now saved between logins the same way that Favorites are saved
2. We will use the Ignore information to also see if a player is becoming a nuisance to other players
3. We improved some of the error messages seen in the game

Updated January 26, 2007
We have slightly altered the game in four significant ways.

1. Improved computer logic should avoid some of the bigger errors (no play is still not very good)
2. Fixed the boot button
3. Introduced new help files
4. Changed the Java model so we can gather information from your computer to improve the game play (e.g. detecting your screen resolution so that the largest possible screen is displayed)

Updated November 10, 2006
We have gotten feedback on the new design and reactions were concentrated on two areas for existing users. Thanks to everyone who has provided us with constructive feedback and comments so we can try to develop solutions for the most serious issues. We especially appreciate those who were so kind as to send us screen shots so we can really understand their issue. The first complaint is that some of the required components are now cut off. This is especially true of users who are using computers whose resolution is 640 x 480 and Windows 95/98 computers. While we will try to find some accomodation for those users, we must warn you that we will not continue supporting these machines. Less than 1% of computers now use this resolution and so we must devote our resources to higher resolution screens which 99% of our potential customers have.

Updated March 8, 2006
We have gotten feedback on the new design and reactions were concentrated on two areas for existing users. Thanks to everyone who has provided us with constructive feedback and comments so we can try to develop solutions for the most serious issues. We especially appreciate those who were so kind as to send us screen shots so we can really understand their issue. The first complaint is that some of the required components are now cut off. This is especially true of users who are using computers whose resolution is 640 x 480 and Windows 95/98 computers. While we will try to find some accomodation for those users, we must warn you that we will not continue supporting these machines. Less than 1% of computers now use this resolution and so we must devote our resources to higher resolution screens which 99% of our potential customers have.

The second major complaint is that the cards are not centered. If you use the Large screen option for table size then you will have centered cards. Most new computers come with 1024 x 768 resolutions which works very well with the large screen. If you have a 800 X 600 resolution, then the Basic works best for you and your cards are off to the right. We will try to issue an update towards the end of the month which will address this issue.

Lastly we have not heard comments about the other changes. FYI, we take all suggestions and complaints very seriously. In the process what is an improvement for one user is a detriment to another. For instance we made some changes because users want a better ability to see the chat. Other users dislike don't like chat and want more things related to the charts. We are constantly trying to balance the different requests. As you can tell by the screen resolution numbers some user have twice as much screen space which allows some features to work better. Relatedly unfortunately a limited number of users feel that they have the right to be abusive to our support staff in their emails because they may dislike a change. We may suspend or cancel accounts when this happens. Just as we ask respect for all users, we expect the same towards our staff.

Updated March 4, 2006
We have posted a revised layout. Here are some things to look for:

1. There are two different sizes for the tables. If you use 800 x 600 you should use the smaller size (Basic). If you have a higher resolution for your screen you may want to use the larger layout. See Play Options -> Select Table Size -> Large
2. The boot problem should be fixed (this happened the last time we tried this layout).
3. We have had some users complain about not being able to set their table name, hopefully this solves that problem.
4. People using Mac's should have fewer problems with the game now.
5. We corrected ome minor color problems on buttons which caused certain items to be hard to read.
6. People with chat box problems, may or may not have their problem resolved.

Updated February 25, 2006
We will be testing a revised new layout next week. It should fix the problem reported earlier with the player boot function.

Updated January 14, 2006
Today we are testing a new layout. The new layout has a better chat space. Under play options it also has two different screen sizes. Users with higher resolution screens should try the larger version. If you default size is 800 x 600 you will need to use the smaller (default) version.

1. The comment box is blocked if you join another table. (fix should occur late tonight).
2. Problem with kicking people from tables. (Fix time not identified).

Updated January 10, 2006
We have found the source of the final problem that caused many users especially those with slow connections such as dialups to often experience disconnects during high traffic times. The problem has since been corrected. We have added 15 days to all accounts because of the lost playing time. Since the problems first occurred a total of 30 days have been added to all existing accounts. We sorry for the disruption to the service. Thanks for the tremendous patience that users have shown while we rectified the problems.

Updated January 8, 2006
We have done another update that will take place for Sunday, Jan 8, 2005. Hopefully this will help with the disconnect problem that has been particularly problematic for dialup users.

Updated January 5, 2006
We had a problem in the morning with a server restart that caused the game and website to be inaccessible. That issue is now resolved.
We are still attempting to reach a resolution on the dialup. We experiment with an AOL account last night and the speeds available were disturbingly low. If we were just downloading the file the speeds were 1/10 the advertised rates. We are close to strongly suggesting that those who can get DSL. Especially if it cost the same as the dialup. In the Boston area for AOL this is true for many AOL users (you even get to stay with AOL).

Updated Decemeber 29, 2005
Two important items
1. New Year's Weekend starting as early as Friday we will be attempting to do system updates. Periodic outages or interruptions to the games may occur.
2.We have received reports especially from AOL dialup users about problems staying connected. We are investigating but we don't have a clear answer. The updates occurring this weekend may help. If you use AOL on dialup and have any helpful information for us, let us know. We do know that some of the dialup users do not realize, for instance, that if they receive a phone during the game that may cause a problem and cause the game to hang. If you lose your Internet connection for any reason during the game, then the game will have problems and may hang on you. If you know that your connection works better during certain times, please let us know.

Updated December 20, 2005
We have now corrected the problem which allows for memberships. If you joined after Oct. 9, 2005, you will need to join again. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will attempt to reply to emails sent but we are still catching up.

Updated December 12, 2005
As you may be aware we suffered a catastrophic failure of our hardware on Saturday, December 3, 2005. We believe we have now resolved the major technical issues created by this problem. The solutions will impact different users in different ways so please take the time to read this carefully. We apoligize for the extended delay. To the extend possible we are trying to make sure that everything is in order before we allow play to resume on the main site. This will allow us to minimize future disruptions. Unfortunately because of the nature of the changes, it has taken longer than we had planned to secure certain key technical resources to resolve potential issues. We are very sorry because we know this has not only disrupted our business but more importantly it has prevented the continued development of many friendships and the growth of the community of Bid Whist users.

First all paid users will have at least 15 days added to their account due to the loss of service between Dec 3, 2005 and Dec. 14, 2005. Games that we played after Oct 9, 2005 will not be reflected in your history. We are very sorry for the disruption in service. Because of a material loss of some of our data, the impact on different customers will be different.

1. If you were a paid member before Oct 8, 2005 and paid using the online system and your account was current as of Dec 3, 2005, then your account should function as normal. If you at any point had multiple email addresses in the system, then some problems may exist.
2. If you were a paid member before Oct 8, 2005 and renewed after Oct 8, 2005 by mail, then we are still processing your information. You should send us an email after Dec 16, 2005 if we have not updated by then.
3. If you joined after after Oct 8, 2005 and paid, then we have had to recreate your account. You should receive an email indicating how to login and your new password.
4. If you created a Trial Account after Oct 8, 2005, then your account not longer exists. You may create a new trial account for the service.
This is the information we currently have available.

Posted Dec. 3, 2005
Due to a problem with our server we are experiencing significant difficulties. For temporary relief we have provided this server to play the game. Because of the temporary nature, this server has some limitations.

1. The game will run slower than normal.
2. Members who joined after Oct. 8, 2005 will not be able to play on the temporary server
3. We are not accepting new permanent or trial memberships while we attempt to resolve the problem.
4. We are unlikely to response to any emails or provide any customer support while we attempt to correct the situation.
5. Individuals connections directly from the computer to the site may not work or they may find that JavaWebStart has multiple items labeled Bid Whist Online. Please use the Start Playing link at http://66.135.33.230.
6. Because of certain technical issues users may find that sometimes they connect to this site and sometimes they can not.
We are very sorry for the disruption in service. We hope to have to resolved by Monday, 5th December, however residual issues may persist. We will attempt to provide updates as we correct problems.

 

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