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Hi Greg,

> I have been trying this version, but have some difficulties...
> I have been using Janus Chess for testing.

yes, from time to time there is a fully testable Smirf version, which is
only time limited by an attached testing key.

> First, no matter which timing mode I use, the program always seems
> to make its move in less than a second.

That is Smirf's behaviour when the testing key is wrong or timed out. The
current beta package has a working key valid until end of September. So I
prosume you are not testing the current package or have it repeatedly
installed into an already existing Smirf folder where an outtimed key has
been stored in its ini file (and would not be replaced). Thus repeat the
installing procedure but delete any existing Smirf INI file before.

In the reduced mode you are describing, Smirf abilities still could be
inspected, but thinking time and some abilities are reduced. This is
because Smirf is intended to become Shareware later.

> Second problem is that I do not see where you decide which side(s)
> are computer controlled.  After a manual move is entered, it starts
> thinking, but I see no way to make the computer play itself...

Well, Smirf does not play against itself. It is planned to install a 
special form of remote playing ability to enable playing with other 10x8 
chess programs. That would help to also test different engine versions 
to hopefully detect progresses.

There is a check box 'automatic'. Switch it off, and you could enter as
much moves as you like without Smirf's answering.

You also could switch into the edit mode and e.g. switch the active color.

> Otherwise, the program looks nice.  Keep up the good work!

Same for your ChessV! I hope for this there would be a remote protocol 
installed, too (and a beep). Ed Trice has proposed one, but it seems not
to be sufficiently flexible to also support other 10x8 Chess variants.
Thus I try to implement a compatible protocol superset. Do you have
matching ideas?

Regards, Reinhard.