NationStates Jolt Archive

Personally, I'm a big fan of crosswords and work on several each day. How often do you try your hand at them? Poll coming.

Also, in case you're a Clinton fan (or even if you're not), here's a crossword in which the former president wrote the clues.

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/clintonpuz.html

Personally, I'm a big fan of crosswords and work on several each day. How often do you try your hand at them? Poll coming.

Also, in case you're a Clinton fan (or even if you're not), here's a crossword in which the former president wrote the clues.

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/clintonpuz.html

I used to do Crosswords all the time. I'm more of a sudoku fan myself:

http://www.websudoku.com

I used to do Crosswords all the time. I'm more of a sudoku fan myself:

http://www.websudoku.com

I was hooked on Sudoku for a while, but I found that with time, it became somewhat repetitious. For me, it seems like there's a lot more variety with crossword puzzles.

I was hooked on Sudoku for a while, but I found that with time, it became somewhat repetitious. For me, it seems like there's a lot more variety with crossword puzzles.
Long as you remember "ebb and flow" are the tides and they are in every puzzle somewhere.

I was hooked on Sudoku for a while, but I found that with time, it became somewhat repetitious. For me, it seems like there's a lot more variety with crossword puzzles.

You might find Magic Sudoku more enjoyable. It's significantly more complex. You start the board with only 9 numbers, and both major axes also have to have 1-9.

http://www.printsudoku.com/index-en.html

If you click the PDF image on the right, it opens up a new .pdf of 6 sudokus of increasing difficulty that gets changed daily. The 6th, Magic Sudoku, is extremely difficult.

I was hooked on Sudoku for a while, but I found that with time, it became somewhat repetitious. For me, it seems like there's a lot more variety with crossword puzzles.

That's about where I'm at now. I'm working more crosswords at lunch than sudokus, but I suppose the pendulum will swing back the other way in time.

I got hooked on crosswords when the Stars and Stripes was the only paper available and I was darned tired of playing spades....

How many of you cheat?

How many of you cheat?

Depends on how you define cheat. I'll occasionally search for information on the clue online, but I'll never outright have it reveal the answer.

Depends on how you define cheat. I'll occasionally search for information on the clue online, but I'll never outright have it reveal the answer.
I've been known to use a dictionary, but I don't turn to the back of the book for the answer.

I've been known to use a dictionary, but I don't turn to the back of the book for the answer.

Aye. Sounds about right, then.

Incidentally, I'd recommend trying a magic sudoku or two. The level of complexity added by the new rules makes for almost a completely different ball game (the major axes must also be 1-9, and the shaded regions in each 3x3 region can't have any number larger than the number of shaded regions in that 3x3 region)

You might find Magic Sudoku more enjoyable. It's significantly more complex. You start the board with only 9 numbers, and both major axes also have to have 1-9.

http://www.printsudoku.com/index-en.html

That seems to be way beyond my capacity. I have trouble with some regular sudokus -- it's not that I don't do them because they're too simple, but because they're too repetitive. It's like word searches -- if you give me a grid that 100 by 100 and ask me to find a three letter word, it's bound to take some time. It doesn't take a lot of time because it's hard, but because you have to do the same thing over and over and over again until it yields results. From what I've read, there are about 5 logical ways to discover a new square in a sudoku puzzle, and you just have to keep applying them until you solve it. Sudoku puzzles can be incredibly complex, but, ultimately, you either have to resort to those 5 techniques or just do guess-and-check.

Aye. Sounds about right, then.

Incidentally, I'd recommend trying a magic sudoku or two. The level of complexity added by the new rules makes for almost a completely different ball game (the major axes must also be 1-9, and the shaded regions in each 3x3 region can't have any number larger than the number of shaded regions in that 3x3 region)

I printed out one from the link and I've worked my way up to hard. I can't bear to leave blanks on a page, even if the puzzle is easy...

The magic puzzle is a tough one. I'll probably fiddle with that after dinner.

That seems to be way beyond my capacity. I have trouble with some regular sudokus -- it's not that I don't do them because they're too simple, but because they're too repetitive. It's like word searches -- if you give me a grid that 100 by 100 and ask me to find a three letter word, it's bound to take some time. It doesn't take a lot of time because it's hard, but because you have to do the same thing over and over and over again until it yields results. From what I've read, there are about 5 logical ways to discover a new square in a sudoku puzzle, and you just have to keep applying them until you solve it. Sudoku puzzles can be incredibly complex, but, ultimately, you either have to resort to those 5 techniques or just do guess-and-check.

I can see that, though I enjoy the complexity more than I resent the repetition. I do enjoy Crosswords, but many times they're beyond my ability largely because I lack a lot of the general trivia knowledge required.

I printed out one from the link and I've worked my way up to hard. I can't bear to leave blanks on a page, even if the puzzle is easy...

The magic puzzle is a tough one. I'll probably fiddle with that after dinner.

I do the same thing. And good luck with the magic one. I've so far only fully completed a magic sudoku three times in the past three months, and aside from this month I used to print 'em out daily.

...many times they're beyond my ability largely because I lack a lot of the general trivia knowledge required.

Same here. I hate the random facts that are sometimes included, since I know much less of popular culture than most people. For example, just now, I'm doing a crossword and have the following cross, where one letter was needed to complete both the words.

Singer Jackson: LATO_A
Sue of "Lolita": L_ON

I know I definitely should know the first one and that it's incredibly obvious, but I have no clue whatsoever. I know next to nothing of pop culture. The second one is more obscure, and I don't know it, either. On the other hand, I do really well on vocabulary, theme, and pun hints, so that compensates for my other shortcomings. I'm usually able to complete all the non-cultural clues in a crossword.

I do the same thing. And good luck with the magic one. I've so far only fully completed a magic sudoku three times in the past three months, and aside from this month I used to print 'em out daily.
It's pretty sparse, anyway, but the extra constraints .... Well, I've got a bucket of Margaritas freezing for the 4th. I'll just have to take the puzzle and the bucket out on the boat with me.

That seems to be way beyond my capacity. I have trouble with some regular sudokus -- it's not that I don't do them because they're too simple, but because they're too repetitive. It's like word searches -- if you give me a grid that 100 by 100 and ask me to find a three letter word, it's bound to take some time. It doesn't take a lot of time because it's hard, but because you have to do the same thing over and over and over again until it yields results. From what I've read, there are about 5 logical ways to discover a new square in a sudoku puzzle, and you just have to keep applying them until you solve it. Sudoku puzzles can be incredibly complex, but, ultimately, you either have to resort to those 5 techniques or just do guess-and-check.

A computer can solve a Sudoku puzzle in about half a second (I should know). Never encountered a crossword-solving program, though…

Same here. I hate the random facts that are sometimes included, since I know much less of popular culture than most people. For example, just now, I'm doing a crossword and have the following cross, where one letter was needed to complete both the words.

Singer Jackson: LATO_A
Sue of "Lolita": L_ON

I know I definitely should know the first one and that it's incredibly obvious, but I have no clue whatsoever. I know next to nothing of pop culture. The second one is more obscure, and I don't know it, either. On the other hand, I do really well on vocabulary, theme, and pun hints, so that compensates for my other shortcomings. I'm usually able to complete all the non-cultural clues in a crossword.

LATOYA (one of Michael Jackson's sisters)

I assume the other clue is then LYON.

No like crosswords, no like sudoku. When I want word games, I discuss politics. If I want number games, I shoot myself in the skull because there's apparently something incurably wrong with me in that case.

It's pretty sparse, anyway, but the extra constraints .... Well, I've got a bucket of Margaritas freezing for the 4th. I'll just have to take the puzzle and the bucket out on the boat with me.

It's sparse, but a lot of the numbers just fall into place. For instance, the 3x3 block with a 2 has a 1 in the only shaded region left. Similarly the one with 8 in the shaded region of the 3x3 block has a 9 in the only unshaded cell.

I've yet to try mixing alcohol and sudoku. One would think I'd have tried that by now...

*makes sure he has some beer for the 4th stocked up)

No like crosswords, no like sudoku. When I want word games, I discuss politics. If I want number games, I shoot myself in the skull because there's apparently something incurably wrong with me in that case.

I, on the other hand, have a problem with those crazy word search problems. All I see is a bunch of jumbled gibberish. Computers to the rescue again. :p

It's sparse, but a lot of the numbers just fall into place. For instance, the 3x3 block with a 2 has a 1 in the only shaded region left. Similarly the one with 8 in the shaded region of the 3x3 block has a 9 in the only unshaded cell.

I've yet to try mixing alcohol and sudoku. One would think I'd have tried that by now...

*makes sure he has some beer for the 4th stocked up)
Well, the alcohol doesn't make you think any more clearly. I find the complex tasks sort of fall aside as I work on the more important things. Like salt on the glasses, not losing the bottle opener overboard, that's what takes some real work as the day goes on.

LATOYA (one of Michael Jackson's sisters)

I assume the other clue is then LYON.

Thanks. This was one of the few cultural hints that I actually was able to get by myself, though, since it can be logically deduced even if you don't know anything about it. The middle letter has to be a vowel (or Y, which I guess counts as a vowel). A, O, and U don't fit right off the bat, and E is a bit contrived. So it comes down to I and Y. If it was an I, then the hint for LION sure as hell wouldn't have been an obscure actress born in 1946, so it had to be a Y.

I, on the other hand, have a problem with those crazy word search problems. All I see is a bunch of jumbled gibberish. Computers to the rescue again. :p

I don't like those either. They always make the jumble look like it should be a real world, and my brain concentrates on defining it as such instead of re-arranging it.

For example in today's local newspaper:

INSEG

IDEPT

COBIXE

TEAGEN

Looks fine, no arranging necessary, no?

Well, the alcohol doesn't make you think any more clearly. I find the complex tasks sort of fall aside as I work on the more important things. Like salt on the glasses, not losing the bottle opener overboard, that's what takes some real work as the day goes on.

Ah, I see. That sorta makes sense. Mine are generally "don't burn anyone's burger, and slip some of the meat from the meat side into the boca of the people you don't like, and 'accidentally' give boca burgers to the non-veggies you don't like."

I may have developed zen grilling skills, but that doesn't mean I'm any less of a vindictive asshole.

A computer can solve a Sudoku puzzle in about half a second (I should know).

By "I should know," do you mean that you've programmed such a utility? The thing is, for certain sudokus, logical algorithms don't work -- you sometimes need brute guess-and-check routines. With a very clever sudoku that has two or more guess-and-check junctures, that would amount to, say, 200 ^ 2 possible routes for the computer to follow (200 possible numbers to randomly plug in at each juncture). That might take it well over a second to compute.

I love crosswords. I'm not very good at them, but I used to do them during AP Gov every day during the school year. Right now, I'm not doing any, and I've gotten out of practice. That one was hard.

By "I should know," do you mean that you've programmed such a utility? The thing is, for certain sudokus, logical algorithms don't work -- you sometimes need brute guess-and-check routines. With a very clever sudoku that has two or more guess-and-check junctures, that would amount to, say, 200 ^ 2 possible routes for the computer to follow (200 possible numbers to randomly plug in at each juncture). That might take it well over a second to compute.

Yup, brute force computational power is the way to go. Algorithms can go algorithmate themselves. It is incredibly fast, however (yes, well under a second), but actually inputting takes some time.

I don't like those either. They always make the jumble look like it should be a real world, and my brain concentrates on defining it as such instead of re-arranging it.

For example in today's local newspaper:

INSEG

IDEPT

COBIXE

TEAGEN

Looks fine, no arranging necessary, no?

Those are all legitimate words. :p

I don't like those either. They always make the jumble look like it should be a real world, and my brain concentrates on defining it as such instead of re-arranging it.

For example in today's local newspaper:

INSEG - Singe

IDEPT - Tepid

COBIXE - Icebox

TEAGEN - Negate

Looks fine, no arranging necessary, no?

There.

There.

Pfft. No imagination. I say the teagen IS a word! It's a color, kind of like green or even teal but with a ruddy, mixed texture to it. And idept is also a word; it's the verb form of "to be adept." Idept, youdept, we all dept. :p

I used to crosswords regularly in my pre-calculus/trig class, because usually we took notes for the first half of the class (before lunch), and after lunch we had free time. So if I was done with my homework or if it was before a weekend or something, I did crosswords with my friends, since several of my close friends were in the class.

Word jumbles/scrambles.

I used to do these every school day for about 4 periods each day (assuming I spent 1/2 the class period on them, that's 1.5 hours daily); I got quite good at them, but now I'm very out of practice. By the end of that year, I was able to figure out 7-letter words in 10 seconds. Now, it took me about a minute to solve icebox. Hell, for negate, I spent 15 seconds wondering whether "engate" was a word.

Pfft. No imagination. I say the teagen IS a word! It's a color, kind of like green or even teal but with a ruddy, mixed texture to it. And idept is also a word; it's the verb form of "to be adept." Idept, youdept, we all dept. :p

Yes. Attempting to constrain the imagination by insisting letters be arranged in their "correct" form is responsible for the demise of… well, you know. Something important, anyway.

Also, an amendment to one of my previous posts: easy puzzles from http://www.websudoku.com/ are far less than a second to solve computationally (attempts to patent word, fails), evil puzzles were about two seconds.

Personally, I'm a big fan of crosswords and work on several each day. How often do you try your hand at them? Poll coming.

Also, in case you're a Clinton fan (or even if you're not), here's a crossword in which the former president wrote the clues.

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/clintonpuz.html

Good for a little idle entertainment, and some mental testing. But itr takes the whole family to actually finish one. I remember a hard puzzle that asked where New Delhi was. (snickers)

I used to do these every school day for about 4 periods each day (assuming I spent 1/2 the class period on them, that's 1.5 hours daily); I got quite good at them, but now I'm very out of practice. By the end of that year, I was able to figure out 7-letter words in 10 seconds. Now, it took me about a minute to solve icebox. Hell, for negate, I spent 15 seconds wondering whether "engate" was a word.

*NMS explains to shrink how word searches in class screwed him up* :headbang:

I used to do these every school day for about 4 periods each day (assuming I spent 1/2 the class period on them, that's 1.5 hours daily); I got quite good at them, but now I'm very out of practice. By the end of that year, I was able to figure out 7-letter words in 10 seconds. Now, it took me about a minute to solve icebox. Hell, for negate, I spent 15 seconds wondering whether "engate" was a word.

I've gotten good at word scrambles, though it did take me a while to get icebox. Hehehe...engate.

Also, an amendment to one of my previous posts: easy puzzles from http://www.websudoku.com/ are far less than a second to solve computationally (attempts to patent word, fails), evil puzzles were about two seconds.

As a reference, how long does it take to add all the numbers from 1 to 1 000 000? Using a program written in Python on a slow machine sometimes takes me over 10 seconds for such problems.

I've gotten good at word scrambles, though it did take me a while to get icebox. Hehehe...engate.

Engate (http://www.engate.com/)

Hehehe...engate.

Whenever I get stuck on something that sounds like a word, I'm liable to spend minutes just trying to get the wrong idea out of my head.

SOLLUBE
HATSEXU
CASHFIT

As a reference, how long does it take to add all the numbers from 1 to 1 000 000? Using a program written in Python on a slow machine sometimes takes me over 10 seconds for such problems.


I'm using Obj-C, and it only takes 1/10 of a second. Of course, that's all I had the program doing just now.

Engate (http://www.engate.com/)

I knew I should have copyrighted it when I had the chance. :(

Whenever I get stuck on something that sounds like a word, I'm liable to spend minutes just trying to get the wrong idea out of my head.

SOLLUBE - Soluble
HATSEXU - exhaust
CASHFIT - catfish

http://wordsmith.org/anagram/

This is Anny. She wants to be your friend.

http://wordsmith.org/anagram/

This is Anny. She wants to be your friend.

That site is my hero.

I went to do crosswords, but fell down on my knees
I went to do crosswords, but fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy, save me if you please

So sigh, sigh, over a crossword I cry
Tried my answer in the boxes
But the boxes defy

And so forth.

ever once in a while. i don't subscribe to print newspapers as i consider it for the most part a waste of perfectly good trees, so i don't see them often. but left alone in a room with one i've been known to mess with at it.

=^^=
.../\...

This was a fairly famous cryptic clue.

Gegs

9 letters, 4 letters

What's the answer?

(9 letters, 4 letters is the amount of letters in the 2 word answer, not sure I needed to put that but you never know)

Gegs

9 letters, 4 letters

Scrambled Eggs.

I do the same thing. And good luck with the magic one. I've so far only fully completed a magic sudoku three times in the past three months, and aside from this month I used to print 'em out daily.
They are tough. I "fiddled" with it for a while after dinner. 'Til about 1AM, off and on -- mostly on. Still didn't get past about half...

I'm not sure I could do these without the shaded submatrices.

Okay, I guess the crosswords are going to collect dust for a while. I have a new obsession.

They are tough. I "fiddled" with it for a while after dinner. 'Til about 1AM, off and on -- mostly on. Still didn't get past about half...

I'm not sure I could do these without the shaded submatrices.

Okay, I guess the crosswords are going to collect dust for a while. I have a new obsession.

The shaded submatrices are necessary to the overall concept. It wouldn't make sense to do without them.

Remember that the major axes also need to contain 1-9.

And yay! I've hooked someone else on these.

The shaded submatrices are necessary to the overall concept. It wouldn't make sense to do without them.

Remember that the major axes also need to contain 1-9.

And yay! I've hooked someone else on these.

When you say "major axes", you mean the diagonals, right? That's a lot of what is making it so tough.

When you say "major axes", you mean the diagonals, right? That's a lot of what is making it so tough.

Yup, the diagonals. And yeah, they're a pain.