Google Image Search

[barrett]

Carnut, that's actually a very good idea, if there is a way it can be implemented... although still there are ways round it.


I'm not sure if I can make any suggestions about how to solve this problem to be honest, it's clear the people who I would describe as the 'core members' (those of you who have been here the longest, post the most puzzles and posses the most knowledge!) of this 'site are not going to be cheating in this way, and hopefully once all the members have read this topic and seen the reaction to it they will do the honorable thing and self-moderate their behaviour.

I definitely think there should be added a new rule that makes it clear that this is NOT an acceptable way to play the game - There will be no way to police the policy, sure, but again hopefully everyone here is honest enough to play fairly.

[Allemano]

Does judicious cropping work?

Cropping, rotating, and changing hues all help. I'm putting together some tips on for tools that allow for the easy manipulation of pictures in this way.

Re: filters. Yes, I think a strong enough watermark would prevent this from working most of the time, but would also make the recognition of pictures much more difficult for those who are solving them the old fashioned way.

How did you do that? I've checked all of these, but wasn't successful. 
Carnut's idea of copy-protected files is honourable, but useless..
Simply a screenshot or some other free-ware tools will do the job, then....
I'll try some Photoshop filters later.
Stay tuned!

[Otto Puzzell]

How did you do that? I've checked all of these, but wasn't successful. 

Try a combination of 2 or 3

[Paul Jaray]

Fair play è una regola non scritta, ma dettata da un codice d'onore e si può tradurre con lealtà.

Fair play is an unwritten rule, but dictated by a code of honour and can be translated with loyalty.

This is how I'm going to deal with it:
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=17980.0

[gilescooperuk]

Certainly this can be an issue. (and it does work on a Mac running safari although you have to save and upload the image rather than dragging). Personally I try to avoid internet images by either taking them myself (always at car shows) or doing the tail light puzzles where the pictures usually came off ebay auctions! mind you a photo library of 16000+ images comes in handy for that.

I have posted some puzzle pics on the various websites I maintain but the captions and metadata will get around that.

[Allemano]

A simple, but formerly forbidden stratagem will do the trick: just mirror the pic and google can't cope...

[Wendax]

A simple, but formerly forbidden stratagem will do the trick: just mirror the pic and google can't cope...

Unless the evil tool user mirrors it back. 

[Allemano]

Then, I'd call it an evil puzzler rather than an evil tool...

I checked a few of my old puzzle pics. Some of them with blurred background some of them screened etc.
As long as the main pic informations remain Google will find it.
Even this cropped and high contrast pic of a Balbo Fiat 1400 leads you to the "Italian Coachbuilders" thread where it is shown in its original size and sepia tone.

[Wendax]

Then, I'd call it an evil puzzler rather than an evil tool...

I meant the evil tool user to be a tool user with evil character rather than a user of an evil tool.   

[Wendax]

It is so frustrating! I took the "Google proofed" picture of Otto's Fun #35 puzzle and colored the doors clumsily by using Microsoft Paint. And suddenly Google could find it. 

[Otto Puzzell]

If cheaters have to work to cheat, I expect they will tire of it.

[Wendax]

Fair play is an unwritten rule, but dictated by a code of honour and can be translated with loyalty.