New feature - input needed!

[afulton]

In the pink

I'd like to see the pink indicating a duplicate because it gives me the option of which one I want to delete. I can't see it really speeding it up - I'd still have to make a decision about which one to keep, and try reading the words to see which makes the most sense.
I enjoy the challenge of completing the puzzles and each quote is a glimpse into someone's mind. I wonder at the speed some people achieve, and am content to finish mine. I do them as quick as I can, but when I am one second longer than the average and see that "below average" rating, it rankles a bit. I am thrilled to be under two minutes on average, considering sometimes I spend 20 minutes on one! Everyone has their own reasons for playing, and those that want to set records will strive for that, while others get the thrill of completion and some could care less about rankings.
I just think it's a wonderful site! And I wonder if some of you folk have any interests besides cryptograms (do you eat? How do you do so many in a day??)
And thanks for asking us for our opinions!

[staret]

I like the way the cryptograms are set up for us to solve I don't think we need any changes. I think it takes time to learn all the tricks and ways you could solve a puzzle. I started doing cryptograms from the bookstores but they would have less and less books and magazines on cryptograms every time. I believe this is the best site where you could find them.

[patsy86]

Please don't change it. It's not duplication, but the right substitution that I'm searching for.

I have intentionally repeated a common letter, when I'm clueless and waiting for the "aha" moment, such as typing "the the the" to see what works. And when I'm frustrated and hit keys at random:

asondvalsnv;alsjkdfl';sfjaophvoahgsdfljkfj

I don't need to see pink, as I'm seeing red.

[BuzzBuzz]

A suggestion

I notice that there are possibilities of getting one or more hints. I suggest that solution times and scores be compared only with other times and scores that use the same degree of getting hints. I suggest that the user should be able to specify for a session (multiple cryptograms solved in sequence while logged in) the degree of hints desired: no hints, 1 hint, 2 hints, 3 hints, 4 hints, max available hints (which would depend on the difficulty of each cryptogram). It seems unfair to compare times and scores using no hints with ones using the maximum available hints.

[pootie49]

If a player is getting hints then they arent competing in the monthly competitions.
I am fairly certain that only registered competing players are achieving scores which
appear on the boards.
So no one in competition is getting hints.

[fishbum]

I'm taking this opportunity to input a couple of things that made it more fun for me.
1. I am not a good typist so it often takes me a while to locate certain keys such as 'delete'.
I have a programmable mouse and programmed a button for the 'delete' function.
2. At one earlier time I was going to suggest to management that perhaps they could provide a drag-and-drop option for letters. I had this in mind because I would like to lean back in my chair and not have to sit upright to address the keyboard. (physical issues). Well, I have overcome this when I discovered the on-screen keyboard option. It also frees up one hand to hold my whiskey glass.

[pootie49]

Fishbum? The on screen keyboard... How does that work?

Do you just use your mouse to do the typing so to speak?

Isnt that alot of work? You would have to locate the letter with your mouse then
position it into the puzzle is that right??

Just curious Ive never used an on screen keyboard I dont think this old computer
even has one.

Thanks.

[fishbum]

Hi Pootie,
I find it pretty easy. The keyboard came available with Windows 7. It looks very much like a standard version and takes up about 25-30 % of the screen and can be moved about. I am typing this with it now, just one hand on the mouse. When solving, I just hit the letter with the mouse and click, just like my regular keyboard. If I want to move the cursor around within the puzzle, I do that as I normally would. I found the 'On screen keyboard' under 'Control Panel' features and opening 'Ease of Access Center'.

fishbum

[pootie49]

That sounds pretty cool actually.

Im finding its hard at times to sit up as well, and resting this huge old keyboard on my lap
just doesnt work.
I went into control panel and I do have an on screen keyboard, so I want to say thanks!
Maybe I can play some if I practice a bit.
Be nice to be able to just lean back and stretch out and play.
yes a laptop...I can hear everyone saying, LOL.

Well cheers and dont spill anything, lol.

[fishbum]

It seems that our last couple of messages have killed discussion of the 'new feature'. While I am not of a strong opinion one way or the other an auto replacement, I would like to see a drag-and-drop feature.

[momof7]

letters already used

Hi!

I just want to say that it can be annoying when the letters on the bottom that are supposed to show which letters are still available, are not correct. Often I find that letters that I have already inputted into the puzzle are still showing on the bottom as unused.

[fishbum]

I'm with you MOM.

[ladie]

newbie setting all time records

I'm a rank newbie, never having solved a cryptogram in my life until solving some from the newspaper in January. There weren't enough available there, so I looked online and found this site, and have been playing as a guest until joining today. I'm delighted to be able to complete almost all puzzles correctly, but it takes time. While some of you are working on the left hand side of the bell curve with your super fast time records, I'm setting my own records on the right! Actually in my short crypto history before I came here I never thought to worry about the time, just enjoyed solving the quote for its own sake, but I can see where being more efficient / skillful is going to be fun too.

I've read much of what's written here on the forum re the new proposed alert using replacement or pink for doubles. I think the latter allowing a moment to examine the choices is a great idea for beginners like me. Actually it's very similar to what I do with pencil and paper, putting a couple of choices up and examining them. If players are allowed to choose from all three options while playing in competition mode, it seems to me it wouldn't effect the best scores as it would probably cost time to use the new option. At any rate it would be available to all, so the playing field would be level. If it's voted down for competition, another idea might be to have these options available, but only in non-competition mode like the hints.

I'm so glad I found these online cryptos and the forum and FAQs which are very helpful. Now if I could just find the tips for newbies which someone said were on page 8 but obviously have drifted ....

Thanks,
ladie

[smoochie222]

Try this link

http://www.cryptograms.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53

hope it helps

[ladie]

LiveLaughLove, this is just what I needed.

I've bookmarked the thread you sent as well as the link to the Pattern Word Dictionary.

Thanks for the help!
ladie