WineCape

Search feature is... well, bloody useless. So a **bump** for those that need any questions answered using this tool.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Additionally, are there any restrictions on editing units to increase # fausts, demo charges, ammo supply, etc? If we are going to allow any editing at all, these issues will have to be addressed.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Another valid point. Two views have to be weighed here: a) Forbid any deletion/editing at all; Allow a 100-point deletion max. + possible editing of figting force attributes (quantity of fausts, ammo load-out etc.) Maybe the combatants on the Invitational could vote over this Treeburst? Your call. Regards, Charl Theron

NE comments forthcoming from the other combatants on Treeburst155's 100-point deletion idea?

Country: South Africa, no points if you cannot find that on a map of Africa. Province: Western Cape. Town: Stellenbosch, 2nd oldest in South Africa. And a South African, Retief Goosen, has won the US Golf Open (albeit with some jitters due to previous lightning injuries I guess :rolleyes under the noses of lotsa Stars and Stripes players!! You make us proud "boytjie!"

Hello Gentleman, Just to recap for our combatants, the prizes of this "Stars" Invitational is as follows: <LI> US$220.00 wine value for the winner, I'll pay for postage/freight too; <LI> The John Platter: A South African Wine Guide for the winner, 450+ page booklet. South Africa's top wine critic and contributor to the Oxford Companion of Wine. <LI> A bottle of Islay Single Malt Scotch or US$100.00 for the winner. [sponsor: Claymore] <LI> US$50.00 bonus prize to a non-winner. [sponsor: Treeburst155] <LI> US$50.00 prize to the combatant voted as the "Best Sportsman" [sponsor: Mrs. Treeburst155] I have been informed by Treeburst155 that the Invitational will start very soon, possibly only in a couple days' time. Regards, Charl theron

Mikey, MickOz is right, we really CAN squeeze you here to make this tourney 1st prize hit the $1000 barrier! My wife was already asking me about the bottles of wine set aside for this Invitational as well as those for Tourney I & II. I told her business on the Internet, contrary to popular believe regarding what she might have read in newspapers, is booming! Damn, there goes any leverage I have against you Mike! It really helps that she is rearing my 2 daughters and Daddy is in charge of business - sort of. Please thank your wife in advance for her "advance". Regards, Charl Theron

Dear Gentleman and not so Gentleman, Would it make your nomination task easier if we could get not one, but *TWO* nominations from the cesspool for the PBEM Invitational Tourney of "Stars"? Just let Treeburst155 know. I have not discussed it with him (have no time as I am boarding a plane in 2 hours) that it will be OK I guess to allow 2 cesspoolers on the Invitational instead of 1. But hurry up, as the invitation return deadline is closing soon. Regards, Charl Theron

Gentleman and not so gentleman, Could we get a nomination from the Cesspool whom will represent all pengers in the Invitational Tourney of "Stars"... *this week*, please Now tear each other apart and let Treeburst155 know (soon!) at RCMein@aol.com or at Mikeman@cablelynx.com ! We'll hate NOT to have an excellent PBEM'er to represent the 'pool in the Invitational. Beer drinker of course do not qualify! (Gitless joke) Regards, Charl Theron

The final bottle, a Cape icon since the first 1994 vintage. Catapulted to fame after a panel of International judges placed that vintage ahead of the fabled Australian Grange: Hermitage 1991 in a SA-Oz taste-off competition, sponsored by South African Airways (SAA). This label hasn't looked back since. Bottle #6: Stellenzicht Syrah 1998 -- Stellenbosch Damn, this is such a *scarce* wine that I could only find a " Semillon Reserve" label. Just picture the words "Syrah" instead of "Semillon Reserve" above and you get the picture André van Rensburg, then winemaker at Stellenzicht -- he is now at Vergelegen, see page 1 of this post -- bespectacled, informal, is a man possessed. Compromises are fine on matters of marketing, labels, and imagery, even pricing. But NOT on wine quality. Not surprisingly Van Rensburg is among those (few) eager to pit their winemaking skills against New World wine competitors. André can be seen here with his some of his local/international wine trophies, with the Helderberg mountains and the town of Somerset West in the background… In a *public retort* during the controversy in 1995 whether SAA should continue to sponsor international Wine Test Matches, he told fellow South African winemakers unwilling to compete against Chile: "If a winemaker is scared of competing against Chile, he should stop making wine and grow vegetables. The objections of the better known [south African] estates are based on their unjust reputations earned from wine writers who have been to kind to them. Too many big names and not enough good wines" he said. Ouch! As always, he's shooting from the hip. Once, at a management meeting at Stellenzicht to consider the estates' new wine pricing policies, he was asked by his boss, Hans Schreiber (multi-millionaire owner of Neethlingshof, Stellenzicht and former CEO of Dresdner Bank, Germany) to suggest his figure. "Raise the price by 4 cents… [a ridiculous small amount even in South African Rand terms, about US$0,005!] …a bottle" he said. "Hans Schreiber sent me out of the boardroom and told me to come back the next day after I'd thought about it. I did, but still said 4 cents." Needless to say, he's not anymore at Stellenzicht! Anglo-American Corporation-owned Vergelegen has grabbed his talents where he is churning out some exquisite stuff. Awards: Veritas Double Gold in 2000 John Platter 5/5 Stars, ("Superlative, A Cape classic/masterpiece"), one of only 15 wines out of 6000+ rated to receive this accolade, Gold Medal @ Michaelangelo Awards, Gold Medal @ Sélection Mondiales, SA WINE 4 out of 5 Stars rating. Tasting: (John Platter) - the 1998 already gorgeous, will grow in an absolute stunner. Opens its very dramatic act with concentrated wafts of dark cherries, ripe plums and -- part of all great syrah inimitable add-ons -- no sparing of the pepper grinder. Fills the mouth with flavour: dry herbs, some Karoo bush/shrub, smokey oak, dark chocolate. Nudging a whopping 15% alcohol, but this part of its beautiful weighted charms. Drink now, but will improve 8-10 years from now. This then concludes the 6-bottle prize for the winner of the Invitational PBEM Tourney of "Stars" Oops, didn't mention that I will give an extra prize with the wine, to wit: The John Platter: A South African Wine Guide 2001, some 450 pages of good reading! I'll be away from home/work 'till 20 June (on international soccer referee duty), so please direct all questions/reports etc. to the Tourney Manager, Treeburst155. Kind regards, Charl Theron

Continuing the 6-bottle Tourney of "Stars 1st prize, here the second last bottle of the line-up. Bottle #5: Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 -- Simonsberg, Stellenbosch Couldn't find a '97 Cab label, so the one above will have to do. Gorgeous modern Cape Cabernet, a New World star, hugely admired locally and internationally for its sheer deliciousness and Thelema signature: dense blue/black colours, supple, velvety texture, rich mulberry and blackcurrant flavours; the whole imprinted with a ripe, distinctive Thelema mintiness. It's diamond-edged acidity maybe too overpowering for fanciers of harder vinosity, but each year the "Sold Out" sign goes up earlier when released, just over 4 weeks in 2000! In a handful of vintages - he made his debut in 1987 - Gyles Webb, co-owner/winemaker has transformed Thelema from a obscure fruit farm into a showpiece vineyard with an ultra-practical modern winery, devoid of frills but not without aesthetic appeal in its clean, unadorned simplicity. Why is Thelema, which buys no advertising, has no Cape-gabled homestead, and is a very new player in an old and very tight wine business, always short of wine? Gyles is a modern winemaker who has profiled his drinkers, the busy but not undiscriminating buyers who pop a bottle into the shopping basket for tonight's dinner. They are without vast cellars or big cheque books. They are not interested in pricey wines, which need to hibernate expensively for years before to be opened and become approachable. Such drinkers know wines, but they are unintimadated by the conventions which pass for connoisseurship, old customs which hold no red is worth the cake unless it's long in the tooth, strapped down by leathery tannin and dripping with avoirdupois. Gyles Webb's wines fit their bill. Classics - he grows only classic varieties - which are friendly, affordable and immensely drinkable. Today. And a few years down the road too. This is their triumph; modern classics for now and later, but perhaps not too much later, which don't fall apart after a few year in the bottle. Today's smart winemakers know they're playing to wine drinkers more than wine talkers, that their last vintage is the only one which counts. Few vineyards are so meticulously tended as those at Thelema. The slightly shabby roadside pillars … … contrast vividly with the neat, healthy vines and the back drop of the famous Simonsberg Mountains. In 1991 and 1992, Thelama's vineyards was judged the best-managed vineyard in Stellenbosch. Little fanfare accompanies this award, but among winemakers/growers it's perhaps the most prestigious of all. Canopy (leaf) management and careful, constant summer/winter pruning to control/concentrate vine growth and trim yields are the most important activities at this estate, supervised personally by Webb, a hands-on man. Completely unlike most winemakers I know, he is NOT out to make the best wine in the universe! Conventional wisdom seems to have it that if you don't aim for the stars you'll make second-rate wine; and if you don't blare it's the best to the world, no one is going to do it for you. Webb's aim is simply "an absolutely honest, clean, not too heavy, well-made, straight from nature, user-friendly food wine, which you don't get tired of drinking after the first glass" Professor Robert Schrire of Cape Town University is an academic with a palate as acute as his tongue. (He told the nation on national TV to mistrust ALL politicians, always. He teaches politics. :grin) Passionate about top-drawer Californian wines - he studied and lectured at Ivy League colleges in New England - said the following: "I was always hand-carrying more Californian wines than it was decent or patriotic to be seen with." The ordeal is less necessary now: " I can buy wines with the same taste right here in South Africa. Like Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon" Some accolades received: Diners Club International Winemaker of the Year 1994 and 1996 South African Airways Trophy for best red/white wine in '94, '95 and '96, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of the World selection in 1995 and 1999. Thelema is also 1 of only 3 South African wine estates invited to participate in the yearly prestigious New York Wine Experience. SA WINE 4,5/5 Stars. Voted there as the best Cab of all 1997's tasted. Jeez, this has made my mouth dry/parched. I'll open a bottle while doing battle with my PBEM opponents now… Sincerely, Charl Theron

Stalin, Also make also sure you have the CM intro movie disabled (start CM while holding the left shift should disable it). Also, it only supports certain resolutions -- Fuerte could clarify here -- so you might be using an unsupported resolution. Regards, Charl Theron

Stalin, Make sure, if you are using numbered game files - which PBEM Helper supports - that they must be in this format: FILENAME###.TXT where ### are 3 digits. All other files numbered, not adhereing to this naming convention, are treated as separate games (you have to set the password for every GAME FILE). E.g. "WineCapeMarcus009.txt" is OK, "WineCapeMarcus09.txt" is a no-no. I you are using only 2 digits at the end of the named file, PBEM will look at each file as a new game. Using 3 digits at the end will solve the problem with the password. Hope your question answered, if not let me know.

Latest gentleman to join us for the PBEM Invitational Tourney of "Stars" is .... ARI MAENPAA + FUERTE Welcome onboard!

Stalin, your question being...? If you need help, Fuerte can answer PBEM Helper questions here. Kind regards Charl Theron

SO, run your exact question to Fuerte @ the PBEM Helper Q/A here and Fuerte will clear things up. Sincerely Charl Theron

Next up, the most famous Pinotage in the world. The estate, Kanonkop, although they did not bottle the world's first Pinotage, is without doubt the world's leading authority on this grape variety. Bottle #4: Kanonkop Pinotage 1998 -- Simonsberg, Stellenbosch The name "Kanonkop" derives from a "kopje" (cannon hillock), from which a cannon was fired (no CM pun intended! ) in the 17th century, to warn farmers in outlying areas that sailing ships plying their trade between Europe and the Far East had arrived/entered Table Bay for a stopover at Cape Town. The entrance to the farm… The farmers would then load their wagons, hitch their oxen and set off to Cape Town Harbour to barter their produce, mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, to the sailors and travellers who had spent many months at sea. Thus preventing scurvy, which was a prevalent sickness among sailors due to Vitamin deficiencies. Mention the word "Pinotage" and one name immediately springs to mind – Beyers Truter, winemaker of Kanonkop. Beyers Truter was once quoted as saying he could easily marry Pinotage… He’s the "Prophet of Pinotage" and follows his red wine calling with missionary zeal. Winner of the Robert Mondavi Trophy as the International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London in 1991 for his 1989 Pinotage, and winner of the 1994 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy, he retains his modest perspective. At a recent Pinotage tasting he admitted to me that he had just broken the delicate Mondavi Trophy, made of glass – but wasn’t too upset about it. "I guess I’ll have to get a replica made." With his distinctive balding pate he almost looks as though he would be at home in the brown robe and sandals of a monk! Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (called Hermitage then, hence the name) effected by Professor Izak A. Perold in Stellenbosch, 1926. A robust grape and a heavy bearer/earlier ripener on the vine which extends the harvest for growers who wishes a higher yield tonnage per hectare (and thus more pocket money!), it was regarded as a good blender and not responsive enough to receive expensive French oak treatment or American oak. That viticulture opinion has changed the last 15 years with the most expensive cooperage now reserved for wine estates top Pinotage's due to better/improved wine making techniques. SA oak grows too fast and are not well "grained" for the making of oak barrels to mature Pinotage in. American oak pairs well with Pinotage to give it an almost sweetish impression, though still dry on the palate. Most estates uses both Am/Fr. oak though. Flavour association of Pinotage in general: In general, Pinotage is a substantial (read: "robust") -- as it received nothing of the delicate genes of Pinot Noir in its original Burgundy form -- flavoursome, very individual, fruity grape -- specially when oak-matured -- which it rarely was until the last decade or two. Nose/Smell: Berries, strawberries, raspberries, typical banana flavours on nose/palate, ripe plums (more pruney in older wines), even "candy floss" or "star toffee" plus obvious smells via assimilation of wood (ie. oak spice/vanilla). Taste/flavour: Sweet berry fruit (but ends bone dry), cloves, pine, "boiled sweets", bon-bons. If not well made, it will have a harsh acetone taste - We call it here "the paint-stripper" taste, to be avoided! The Kanonkop Pinotage 1998 is regarded by Beyers Truter the best he's made in the 1990's. Certainly the accolades received by this wine is prove of this, to wit: Voted 5/5 Stars in the John Platter: South African Wine Guide ("Superlative. A Cape classic!"), Veritas Double Gold in SA, South African Airways 1st Class Selection for International flights, ABSA Bank Top Ten Pinotage out of 59 tasted, Michaelangelo Gold Medal as well as SA WINE Magazine 4/5 Stars ("Excellent wine of distinction. Recommended for special occasions and cellaring") Tasting notes (John Platter): "Magenta purple colour, penetrating aromas of ripe plum/damson, sweet banana, gutsy mineral interweave; massive, complex layered with seriously delicious ripe choc-cherry, cinnamon and clove, opulent lanolin-like creaminess. Firm but fine tannins for good 10 year keeping. Can be drunk now." If you have not tasted a *quality* Pinotage yet, then just win the PBEM tourney of "Stars"! Kind regards, Charl Theron

Gentleman, It seems that Mike Meinecke (Treeburst155), our Tourney Manager, is having problems with his cable internet access as well as his mail address posted here on the Forum. Please reply/converse with him via his AOL account @ RCMein@aol.com .

Nice work Marcus, Not that ANY colour scheme is going to save me from our PBEM game! I'll visit your link to d/l. Sincerely Charl Theron

Gentleman, It seems that Mike Meinecke (Treeburst155), our "Stars" PBEM Invitational Tourney Manager, is having problems with his cable internet access as well as his mail address posted here on the Forum. If you have received your Invitational invite from Treeburst155 and have replied in kind, please reply again to this AOL account @ RCMein@aol.com .

Next up, one of my favourite wines, ultra scarce and probably the only SA wine that I will fork out the equivalent of US$50.00 or more (on a consistent basis) to get this beauty in my cellar (being in the wine trade has its privileges! ) Bottle #3: Veenwouden Merlot 1998 -- Paarl The reasons for South Africa's lack of international "cult" wines can be debated endlessly. What is not disputed is that most of South Africa's finest wines come from relative newcomers to the Cape wine scene (and mostly from their re-planted vineyards). Veenwouden is one of these gems, attaining true "cult' status in South Africa, and now it seems abroad too, as their wine is getting so scarce (because of exports) the we as traders have to fight to get a small allocation each year! Veenwouden is situated on the northern side of Paarl (30km from Stellenbosch) with views over the Klein Drakenstein Mountains… Owned by Deon van der Walt, the wine is made by his brother, Marcel. Deon van der Walt is an international opera singer, based in Switzerland, while brother Marcel was a professional golf player before he joined the family in the early 90's as winemaker. BTW, South African International golfers David Frost and Ernie Els are also in wine farm partnership here in the South Africa. Seems to me that golfers swop some of their clubs for battonage! -- another fancy Frenchy word for stirring the wine/lees through the barrels' bung hole to get better flavours. Marcel, on the left, Deon on the right + their Vivat Bacchus (a blend) label…. Their respective international travels often saw them meeting up on the right bank of the Gironde in Bordeaux — enjoying the wines they loved most. Marcel’s golf clubs now spend most of the time in the cupboard/cellar as he dedicates 100% of his time and energies to the vineyards and cellars. The first vintage was completed in 1993 with assistance from Meerlust’s Giorgio Dalla Cia, still a mentor. A chance meeting in 1994 with Pomerol winemaking consultant, Michel Rolland, developed into a close friendship and led to Marcel spending time in the cellars of Château le Bon Pasteur absorbing their scrupulous cellar hygiene practices and insistence on only the cleanest and finest ripe fruit. Marcel has no oenology degree, but his wines outclass many made by fellow winemakers with top qualifications. The winery is ultra-focused and specialised: just 3 reds produced commercially at the moment. The wine: Made in a more opulent Merlot style, this wine has been matured in 80% new and 20% second fill 225 Nevers barriques for 24 months. It has a small dash of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Veenwouden Merlot 98 has a rich saturated, black/purple colour and unbelievable textures and richness. Magnificent palate, ripe cherries and raspberries with a hint of mocha/chocolate. The thick juicy concentration has a smooth, velvety texture and ripe tannins. It ends with a layered palate and a long, beautifully proportioned finish. This wine won a Gold Medal in Tokyo at the Vinexpo this year, and a Gold Medal at the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, the Preteux Bourgeois-Air France Classic Trophy in France, a Veritas Double Gold in South Africa's (highest award for a bottled wine), as well as 4,5 out of 5 stars ("Excellent, fine wine of distinction") in the SA WINE Magazine, voted among 4 others there also as the best Merlot produced the last decade in South Africa. -- In short, you are in bloody good company with this wine! -- This then, one of the 6 bottles for the lucky winner of the Invitational PBEM Tourney of "Stars" More to follow here later… Regards, Charl Theron

As promised, the second wine and its background, constituting part of the 1st prize of the "Stars" Invitational. Bottle #2: Vergelegen 1998 -- Helderberg, Somerset-West (a Cape Blend, 75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot & 5 % Cabernet Franc) The first vines on Vergelegen (Dutch, meaning "situated far away") were planted in 1700 by the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, Willem Adriaan van der Stel. (His farther was Simon van der Stel, the 1st Governor of the Cape and the founder of the town Stellenbosch were moi resides ) 6 years later the fruitful yield from 500 000 vines planted on 61.5 "morgen" was 55 "leaguers". The vineyards flourished under a succession of owners and in 1993, under Anglo American Farms, 100 ha of vines have been planted following intensive climate and soil tests. Vineyards: The grapes were entirely sourced from the Rondekop vineyards. These vineyards were selected for the concentration of the fruit, low yields and the soil type (granites with a clay base). Harvested at Balling between 24 - 25.5 °. Winemaking The Cabernets were fermented in open tanks and punched down every 3-4 h. The reason for using open tanks is to maximize colour and tannin extraction. After completion of fermentation, the Cabernets were left on the skins for 3-4 weeks. The wine was racked (fancy word for pumping wine over) 4 times from barrel to barrel in the first year. Merlot was only pumped over in a closed system without aeration every 4 hours. This was done in order to preserve the fruit flavours. The wine was matured for 22 months in 225 l French Oak (100 % new wood). Egg white fining (used as it does not strip flavour of the wine excessively), 2 eggs per 100 h/l with 0.5 % salt solution. Hey, you even get a breakfast! The wine is deeply coloured, shows rich spicy and minerally flavours with strong hints of cherry. It has a fine acid balance and the potential of age will enhance its stature. La-la-la, suffice to say this won the John Platter: A South African 5 star wine price in 2000! Maturation: Can be enjoyed now but will improve in the bottle for at least 15 years. Mind you, this wine drinks *very* well now! The Majestic 300 year old Camphor trees in front of the homestead, planted between 1700-1702.. The Vergelegen winery is unlike any previously designed in South Africa. The design of the winery mirrors the octagonal walled garden laid out by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. Situated high up on a hill, the octagonal structure commands sweeping views of the property, the town of Somerset West, and the breathtaking expanse of False Bay. The winery on top of the hill with the top building (pic1), the cellar tanks (pic2) and the barrel cellar (pic3) beneath. Only a single level is visible above ground. Three working levels lie buried in a tower configuration which allows for gravity flow and gentle handling of the wine. André van Rensburg, the best winemaker in South Africa, IMHO I saw this place with exceptional pleasure, since everything there was laid out wonderfully finely -- Reverend François Vanlentijn Nov 1700 Kind regards Charl Theron Charl Theron

Ok gentleman, rumour has been confirmed as fact by our Tournament Manager that the first reply received for the Invitational Tourney of "Stars" is ................ FIONN KELLY St. Patrick himself will be pleased

Pawbroon, Treeburst155 will approach you Pengers in your cesspool with a formal invite soon. Regards

I'll keep this an ongoing feature, putting down the background of each of the 6 bottles of wine and its background here over time. First up, a true Cape classic/masterpiece, voted 5/5 stars in the "John Patter: A South African Wine Guide " -- only 15 out of 6000+ SA wines rated there received this honour. Bottle #1: Vin de Constance 1996, from Klein Constantia (SA most famous dessert wine) In the 18th/19th centuries, the "sweet, luscious and excellent wine of Constantia" was recognized as one of the great wines of the world. The story of this legendary wine started in 1685 with Simon van der Stel, the Dutch Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Before selecting a farm of his own he set men to work, digging up basketfulls of soil all along the southern slopes of the Cape Peninsula. Samples sent back to the Netherlands showed that the valley facing False Bay had by far the best potential. Calling his vast estate Constantia, it was not until 50 years after his death that Hendrik Cloete, a descendant of an early German settler who bought the farm, that the Governor's dream came to a reality of producing world class wines. The vineyards were prepared and planted with Frontignac, Pontac, red and white Muscadel and little Steen. Taking a brave decision, Hendrik Cloete did not shelter behind accepted names like Sauternes or Madeira (some of these wines were blended with Cape wines!), but kept the name of the "Constantia" - plain and simple. "From these Elysian fields used to come one of the very greatest wines in the world - the legendary Constantia" writes Hugh Johnson. "Constantia was bought by European courts in the early 19th century in preference to Yquem, Tokay, Madeira …" Louis Philippe sent emissaries from France to fetch it, Napolean drank it on the island St. Helena, finding solace in his lonely exile there, Frederick the Great and Bismarck ordered it and in England the Prime Minister made sure consignments from the Cape were delivered to Buckingham Palace for the King. In Edwin Drood, Charles Dickens tells of the "support embodied in a glass of Constantia and a home-made biscuit", while Jane Austin recommends that her forsaken heroine try a little Constantia for "its healing powers on a disappointed heart". While German poet Klopstock devotes an entire ode to the pleasures of this wine, Baudelaire transform it into a sensuous image for his great brooding poem Les Fleurs du Mal Towards the end of the 19th century the dreaded disease phylloxere arrived at the Cape, causing devastation in the vineyards and bankruptcy among the winemaking families. Groot Constantia was sold to the Government as an experimental wine farm and the Cloetes moved away. "The old order changeth, yielding place to new", and with it went the famous sweet Constantia wines which had brought delight and pleasure the world over. Now, a century after the disappearance, comes the renaissance, started in 1980 - Vin de Constance - made in the style of the old Constantia, from vineyards which once produced this legendary wine…… The farm is situated here…. An old bottle, dated 1883…. The Klein Constantia homestead/vineyards near the foothills of Table Mountain, Cape Town…

Excellent! :cool: Just in time for those participants who wants to use it for their PBEM games in the upcoming Invitational Tourney of "Stars", expected to start in the first half of July 2001. Keep up the excellent work. Sincerely Charl Theron