First Internet Backgammon Server (FIBS) is the earliest backgammon server on the internet, operating since July 19, 1992. FIBS allows internet users to play backgammon in real-time against other people and tracks player performance using a modified version of the ELO rating system. It was created by Andreas "Marvin" Schneider. The FIBS motto is "First...Friendly...Free." Anyone with access to the internet can create a username and play for free. FIBS caters to a strong international community of backgammon players.

Game play

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Early users connected to FIBS via a command line interface through telnet similar to a MUD, with the standard backgammon board drawn in ASCII text. Dice rolls are represented numerically and moves are performed by entering starting and ending point numbers. Other game related commands are available by typing the appropriate command. The first graphical user interfaces for FIBS were developed in 1994; FIBS/W for Windows and MacFIBS for Mac OS. Graphical interfaces continue to be developed for most major computing platforms, however telnet remains to be the underlying protocol for FIBS. This allows anyone with access to the internet to log into FIBS regardless of platform.

bot have been developed, some based on neural net programs like Jellyfish, TD-Gammon, and Snowie, to allow human players to compete with these computer programs on FIBS and to analyze these programs' performance in real-world play.

Community

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FIBS supports communication between players via text messages using the "shout" command which broadcasts to all players, in-game using the "kibitz" or "whisper" commands, and privately using the "tell" command. FIBS is largely unmoderated; its sysop typically tends to technical issues with the server. The "shout" command was initially implemented as a way for a player to find an opponent but has developed into a method of communicating with the general FIBS population. Profanity is tolerated but usually frowned upon by regular community members. There are no established rules of conduct, however users usually follow the Don't be a dick. On occasion, the sysop has stepped in and blocked or banned extremely disruptive users. All users have a range of options to filter the amount of text messaging he or she receives from ignoring troublesome users (with the "gag" command) to fully blocking receipt of all "shout" messages (using the "toggle silent" command).

References

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• FIBS.com FAQ
• FIBSboard forum
• FIBS ratings formula explained by the sysop
• "The FIBS Rating System" by Kevin Bastian
• The WWW Backgammon Page by Dr. Stephen Turner
• The FIBS Bots Page
• "Induced Dysfunction Through Simulated Gaming" FIBS humor by Andreas Schneider MD, Kit Woolsey MD, Marius Loner PhD

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