[1eyedjack]

Is there a web link to a tutorial, reference manual or other help file somewhere for creating FD files, please?

I have just started my first attempt at one. Click on Help from the menu bar, and the menu item "Help" in the next tier is present but greyed out. Presumably this is a feature to be added in a later version and the menu item is sitting there in preparation.

I have to echo the earlier comments that this is not very intuitive for me. For example, the opening editor screen starts with the auction "(Pass)-P-(Pass)-?", which means that I can successfully define an uncontested auction where responder is a passed hand, but I am having trouble putting opener in first or second seat (or even third seat for that matter).

I would also like guidance on how to enter context-sensitive defensive methods. I would expect some limitations on the ability of the software to deal with this, since defensive methods will depend on the opposing definitions of bids, which are almost limitless in possibility. How do you tell FD to recognise that a preceding auction falls into a particular category at which point certain defensive rules kick in? I will give you a for instance:

With one partner I play a fairly simple, generally effective algorithm for defining whether a double is take-out or penalty in nature (or, exceptionally, artificial). It is by no means the best technical method, but we find that to improve on it would increase its complexity (and scope for human error) out of proportion to the marginal benefits that improvement would bring. On a manual convention card we present it as a small flow chart, but I will describe it hear in script:

Q1: Is the double listed as part of a specific artificial defense to a particular situation?
--YES, see convention
--NO, see Q2
Q2: Have we expressed a trump fit?
--YES, X = penalty
--NO, see Q3
Q3: Are the opponents in a fit at the 2 level?
--YES, X = takeout
--NO, See Q4
Q4: Do one or more of the following cases apply?
--- Pass = Forcing
--- We have preempted
--- They are in NT
--- They are above the 3 level
--- Doubler trap passed over a previous opportunity to X same suit for t/o
--- One of us has already implied length in the suit doubled
--- Opponent's bid is artifial and forcing
--YES, X = penalty
--NO, X = takeout

In dealing with Q1 we have only a very few artificial conventions involving doubles: about the only three I can think of are
They interfere over blackwood
They open 1NT
Doubler is in 4th seat after (1 suit)-P-(1 suit)-?

In dealing with Q3 we agree that giving preference by bidding does not show a fit. Giving preference by passing does.

Determining whether pass is forcing, particularly in a high level situation where both sides have been bidding strongly, is a minefield that I have yet to tackle properly.

Minor additional rules fine-tune it, ie when determining whether or not we have implied length in the opponent's suit, bidding NT does not so imply, whether opened or overcalled.

So, how would you approach putting something like that into FD?