Changes at AutoPuzzles

[Carnut]

There are going to be some changes on AutoPuzzles, effective from 5th May.

We've been experimenting with excluding the Pro's with 400+ points from answering Pro puzzles for a week or two to give the newer Pro's some chance to get more involved with Pro puzzles, since they can't be involved in any other puzzle boards and they were not getting much chance when the puzzles were first moved to the Pro's. 

It's worked quite well, so the idea is to make the principle permanent, but rather than by excluding some Pro's we will move the threshold for becoming a Pro to 400 points.  Those Pro's who've already got between 200 and 399 will revert to Expert status.

Similarly Rookies will need to earn 50 points before they become Experts, with Experts with between 20 and 49 points reverting to Rookie status again.
Some very active Experts with fewer than 50 points will become Feature Writers, which will ensure they can still post their own puzzles.

We believe this will enhance the site and provide more involvement and enjoyment for all puzzlers in the future.

[el_monty]

 :thumbsup:

[Otto Puzzell]

There are going to be some changes on AutoPuzzles, effective from 15th May.

We've been experimenting with excluding the Pro's with 400+ points from answering Pro puzzles for a week or two to give the newer Pro's some chance to get more involved with Pro puzzles, since they can't be involved in any other puzzle boards and they were not getting much chance when the puzzles were first moved to the Pro's. 

It's worked quite well, so the idea is to make the principle permanent, but rather than by excluding some Pro's we will move the threshold for becoming a Pro to 400 points.  Those Pro's who've already got between 200 and 399 will revert to Expert status.

Similarly Rookies will need to earn 50 points before they become Experts, with Experts with between 20 and 49 points reverting to Rookie status again.
Some very active Experts with fewer than 50 points will become Feature Writers, which will ensure they can still post their own puzzles.

We believe this will enhance the site and provide more involvement and enjoyment for all puzzlers in the future.

Well done

[Oguerrerob]

 :applause:

[nicanary]

I'm always pleased to see decisive action. I agree with you that the experiment has enlivened things a bit, and I think the new parameters for the Rookies and Experts should enhance their enjoyment of the site. I see no reason why anyone would object to being "downgraded" if it means they get a chance to answer more puzzles.

I like the idea of making regular puzzle-setters into feature writers - I know exactly who you mean. As we say in the UK - nice one.

[Carnut]

I'm always pleased to see decisive action. I agree with you that the experiment has enlivened things a bit, and I think the new parameters for the Rookies and Experts should enhance their enjoyment of the site. I see no reason why anyone would object to being "downgraded" if it means they get a chance to answer more puzzles.

I like the idea of making regular puzzle-setters into feature writers - I know exactly who you mean. As we say in the UK - nice one.

Thanks for the positive response.
It was of course you who started the ball rolling!  A good idea.

[fyreline]

Sounds like good and constructive moves to keep things alive & well. Looking forward to the changes.

[ftg3plus4]

Good to see a definite decision to make some positive changes.

I personally would also like to see one of D-Type's earlier suggestions implemented: abolish the Black Hole and award a point to the puzzler whose puzzle has stumped everyone!

[Allan L]

Good to see a definite decision to make some positive changes.

I personally would also like to see one of D-Type's earlier suggestions implemented: abolish the Black Hole and award a point to the puzzler whose puzzle has stumped everyone!

Yes this is a change for the better, I believe.

When can one say that a puzzle has stumped everyone? Szodt's Law says you only need to declare it so for someone to join just because (s)he knows it.
Perhaps the Black Hole has run its course but the Pros & Feature Writers may still be needed if some ex-expert rookies become Feature Writers

[Carnut]

Good to see a definite decision to make some positive changes.

I personally would also like to see one of D-Type's earlier suggestions implemented: abolish the Black Hole and award a point to the puzzler whose puzzle has stumped everyone!

It's worth consideration.
And the puzzler declare the answer?

[D-type]

Looks good to me.

[ftg3plus4]

When can one say that a puzzle has stumped everyone?

Perhaps, after it's been open to all for a certain amount of time (to be determined), the puzzler can give one more "going, going, gone" warning -- with, say, a week's notice -- before closing it.

And the puzzler declare the answer?

But of course.

[mekubb]

Good proposal Norman, you have my vote, 12 points !

[Arunas]

Interesting change!
Next move - abandoned puzzles?

[nicanary]

Interesting change!
Next move - abandoned puzzles?

There's no reason why a point can't be awarded if the solver can prove with evidence to one of the editors. IMHO.

[Carnut]

There are currently 14 pages of Black Hole puzzles, the majority of which are never going to be solved, let's face it.
I would much rather see those pages slimmed down to just the ones posted by puzzlers who are no longer active, and even those could be solved as nicanary suggests.
I think it's time to tiday the BH up!

[Wendax]

There will be some left where even the poster didn't know what it is. Six of my Black Hole puzzles are of this kind.

[Carnut]

There will be some left where even the poster didn't know what it is. Six of my Black Hole puzzles are of this kind.

Yes, I was thinking that there could be a dedicated board where pictures of cars even the poster doesn't know could be posted; it could be instead of the Black Hole and be re-named Unknown Cars or something..  At the moment it's just a thread in the News, Information and Feedback section but I would imagine few people look back through the thread to see the cars.  If they were individually posted on a board they would be there for all to see, with a thumbnail at-a-glance view.

[Wendax]

That is what I had in my mind, too.

[oko94]

Yes, I was thinking that there could be a dedicated board where pictures of cars even the poster doesn't know could be posted; it could be instead of the Black Hole and be re-named Unknown Cars or something..  At the moment it's just a thread in the News, Information and Feedback section but I would imaging few people look back through the thread to see the cars.  If they were individually posted on a board they would be there for all to see, with a thumbnail at-a-glance view.

Great idea  :thumbsup:

[Paul Jaray]

Same here...I use the Black Hole only for puzzles I do not know myself.
There should be a new section with the ones no-one can solve and I'll be glad to move in this new section all the unidentified cars from the 'Information Requests || What is this car ?' thread.

[nicanary]

I have just been faced with an enigma - an established Pro (400+ points) has asked if he can answer a puzzle in the Pros section which had previously been open for Pros up to 400 points. I had moved the puzzle to the Pros on 3 May and the new regulations came into force on the 5 May.

I have taken the attitude that the puzzle is my personal responsibilty, and I can do what I want, but I don't want to set a precedent which other members object to. Please feel free to comment, otherwise I shall continue on my merry way.......Presumably we only now promote puzzles to the Pros if we're happy to let the 400+gang have a crack at them..

[Carnut]

That's right.,
Since there are now no Pro's with fewer than 400 pts (those who had have revert to Expert status) any puzzle in the Pro section is now open to all Pro's (i.e. Puzzlers with 400 and above points).

[oko94]

So now the header for the Expert board should read "Solve 400 puzzles to become a Pro" !

[Carnut]

So now the header for the Expert board should read "Solve 400 puzzles to become a Pro" !

Right you are!