dailysudoku.com

Victor · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 207 Location: NI

???
I'll try to explain again: worth considering having a new section of the forum restricted to discussion of 'basic' topics only?

Now I've decided myself, having thought about it, that this isn't a good idea, but it seems a hamless one. So, Storm_Norm, what DID I say to get you wound up? - that ERs are 'fancy'? Well, they are, where I come from: it's a good word, kind of 'cool with attitude'. I'm all for ERs etc., and think it's proper & good when somebody finds an unusual technique in a VH & mentions that. Sorry I upset you, but I can't figure out why - do tell.

As to the idea itself, ask yourself this question: does there exist a person who will or has come to this forum as a beginner, wants to ask a basic question, but is put off by the obvious expertise of contributors? Remember that such a person would remain below the radar, and so an answer is merely an opinion. Mine is Yes, and I could then go on to ask how many such people there might be, and whether a new forum section would be suitable - guess not really. Sorry I mentioned it!

storm_norm · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 1741

victor,

I don't think anyone can prove that the new readers are put off by the content of this forum.

is it anyone's business why the new readers won't post questions??

should they feel fine posting questions? of course.

but they have to post a question in the first place in order to get feed back. and remember, this forum wasn't active for how long?? there was a break in the action, so to speak.

maybe a poll should be put up for anyone who hasn't posted yet, whether the content of the forum is scaring them off.

Victor · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 207 Location: NI

Storm_norm says:

Marty R. · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject:

cgordon · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 769 Location: ontario, canada

nataraj · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject:

Marty R. · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

cgordon · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 769 Location: ontario, canada

For my last two cents.

I can easily find "hard" sudokus every day in any one of my three daily Canadian newspapers - but I can never find any trick-needing "Very Hards". (incl US papers)

There seems to be a regular crowd of 500 to 2500 who view the 'Very Hards'. There's an obvious interest here in going beyond the pairs, triples and line/box stuff.

Why not have a separate and daily screen that just offers the Very Hards? (That sounds elitist - which my posts have demonstrated I ain't)

It just seems there's a distinctly separate dividing line between the VH levels and the sub-VH levels.

Separate sudoku - separate forum I say.

nataraj · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:32 am Post subject:

keith · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:04 am Post subject: Moved the thread

I moved this thread, because I think this conversatiion is important, and it should not be buried by the daily other puzzle discussion.

Keith

keith · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:17 am Post subject:

24 hours? NE! · Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 6 Location: OC California

If you don't mind, I'll give my perspective from a "First time poster" to this site - my $.02

I went through a SuDoku phase about 2 years ago and was a regular on the puzzle page. I was doing everything I could get my hands on and having fun. I became very busy and, unfortunately, SuDoku got set to the side. I'm still interested and I remember this site so I've stopped by again. I would still consider myself a beginner and haven't delved into the VH puzzles - I'd much rather accomplish a puzzle with my limited time and would only complete a longer puzzle if I had already invested a lot of time.

I'm not shy about posting, I'm a regular at woodworking forums, so this might not be your exact target, but this is what I see.

If I wanted to learn more about solving puzzles, I would check out the discussions already posted and develop my skills. No need to ask questions on the basic puzzles - the tutorials are great (and there are lots of sites to find out information).

As I get into the more challenging puzzles I might have a question on a particular puzzle, so asking a specific question may be in order. If so, my first post on that puzzle would be important. If I get shot down, snubbed, ignored or insulted I wouldn't show up again. If I receive a response, even if it is a little over my head, but someone is willing to work with me, I'll continue to ask. - I haven't felt any of these myself, but I'm sure others would feel the same way - so tailor your responses based on the individual asking them.

All that being said, I don't think you would find me posting much about SuDoku puzzles because I just don't have the time to invest in the VH puzzles, a hard one here and there, so I'm not inclined to post, but just to glean information. Those that have been hooked on the more difficult puzzles are the ones who will stick around and post.

I am getting interested in the Nurikabe puzzles, so I may be looking for more discussion on those - so a Nurikabe forum would be cool (and new puzzles if that's a possibility, but I've got a long ways to catch up already).

Sounds like more than $.02 now that I look back at it, so I hope that gives a perspective. I like this site, so I'll be perusing/gleaning.