Topic: Autopuzzles needs your help.

[Otto Puzzell]

I laud PJ for trying to attack this through openness and honesty. 

If the only solution to this ongoing challenge is to post personal pictures from ones own camera or scanner, or to mutilate pictures until they are virtually unrecognizable, my puzzle-posting days are through.

[Iluvatar]

I laud PJ for trying to attack this through openness and honesty. 

If the only solution to this ongoing challenge is to post personal pictures from ones own camera or scanner, or to mutilate pictures until they are virtually unrecognizable, my puzzle-posting days are through.

I hope nobody thinks I'm really accusing PJ... 
Again I really don't understand how anyone would want to gain points unfairly... but I do not think these people would have no problem to falsify an explanation...

[Iluvatar]

And if I know the car? How do I explain how I solved the puzzle... "I solved the puzzle because I know this car"... what should you reply??

[Majeko]

And if I know the car? How do I explain how I solved the puzzle... "I solved the puzzle because I know this car"... what should you reply??

Facing that dilemma right now I'm going to answer the puzzle and see what happens.

Of course I agree with not using Google SBI to solve puzzles.

[Paul Jaray]

@serra: we decided this strategy to avoid exactly what you wrote. It's not pleasant for a true and fair player to be questioned each time.
So far a real cheater could always play offended once questioned.
Now we are asking you all (cheaters and players) to support us, because we are in the same team.

@Iluvatar, I thought of that too...I was going to post a screenshot of the folder containing the folders, where you can read 'Moretti last modified mm\dd\yyyy' but then it was a bit too far (and sometimes It can be modified for good reasons after the puzzle has been posted).
You are right, a cheater can make up an explanation but if we can 'smell' cheaters now, the deepest they have to go with theyr lies, the bigger the smell will became.
But we are not going to play Sherlock Holmes, they will always be able to cheat and after all it's not about that either:
we just want to send a message.

To sum up, the best way to prevent cheaters to cheat is to use modified pictures: it's already been done, some of us do it regularly and it make things harder.
I won't do that (and it's my personal opinion here) because I don't care!
I'll explain: some years ago, I used to post some puzzles with the answer written below in smal beige print. To read it you just had to select it and copy in a notepad or wherever to read it.
Now, if you are a real fairplayer, you solve it the old fashioned way...if you are a cheater, you read it but you are not fooling anyone else but yourself, IMHO.

This is not about me, but about Autopuzzles and the people behind it, who spend hours looking for challenging puzzles to post. For them, (us), in respect of theyr work (our) we should join our efforts to isolate cheaters.

If you know a car, because you know it, don't worry you won't be questioned. If you keep knowing cars like that, you won't be banned for that...if 198 of your 200 points will be earned because you know them, just like that, well, you'll be a Pro.

[Iluvatar]

@Iluvatar, I thought of that too...I was going to post a screenshot of the folder containing the folders, where you can read 'Moretti last modified mm\dd\yyyy' but then it was a bit too far (and sometimes It can be modified for good reasons after the puzzle has been posted).
You are right, a cheater can make up an explanation but if we can 'smell' cheaters now, the deepest they have to go with theyr lies, the bigger the smell will became.
But we are not going to play Sherlock Holmes, they will always be able to cheat and after all it's not about that either:
we just want to send a message.

To sum up, the best way to prevent cheaters to cheat is to use modified pictures: it's already been done, some of us do it regularly and it make things harder.
I won't do that (and it's my personal opinion here) because I don't care!
I'll explain: some years ago, I used to post some puzzles with the answer written below in smal beige print. To read it you just had to select it and copy in a notepad or wherever to read it.
Now, if you are a real fairplayer, you solve it the old fashioned way...if you are a cheater, you read it but you are not fooling anyone else but yourself, IMHO.

This is not about me, but about Autopuzzles and the people behind it, who spend hours looking for challenging puzzles to post. For them, (us), in respect of theyr work (our) we should join our efforts to isolate cheaters.

If you know a car, because you know it, don't worry you won't be questioned. If you keep knowing cars like that, you won't be banned for that...if 198 of your 200 points will be earned because you know them, just like that, well, you'll be a Pro.

[Paul Jaray]

I've been asked if each guess or answer has to be explained.

Nothing will change in the usual way of playing: you can guess as before and there will be no need to prove or explain anything.

From time to time, we can ask how the puzzle was solved: only in that case, you are kindly invited to expalin it without taking it personal and with no fear at all if you do not have a 'convincing story'  ...we won't investigate, we just want to make things harder for smart-asses.

[nicanary]

I'm so inept at IT that I wouldn't know how to modify a photo - certainly I don't have a "paintshop" facility. So all members can rest assured that my puzzle photos will be available somewhere on the internet.

But I agree with the editors and long-standing members - it's not difficult to tell when something suspicious is happening. I was a bit naive when I joined, and I used to just post a blunt and matter-of-fact answer, because I KNEW the answer. If you're a UK-born classic and racing car enthusiast, you know a British Salmson when you see it. On the other hand, you don't know some 1920s German cyclecar of which only 150 were made. I hope you see my point.

I don't have an archive of my own, only what's in my head from 50 years of reading magazines and books. Maybe I'll get my daughter to teach me how to scan photos and transfer them to my desktop (I've surprised myself that I know THAT much about IT!). But in the meantime I've got to rely on all of us acting like gentlemen. I quite enjoy not being able to solve the Pro puzzles - it's a "British" thing that we accept being useless at everything.

I have already advised one of the editors that if cheating becomes a routine matter, then I'm leaving. No more endless succession of Formula Junior one-offs! The future of this site is in our own hands.

[Ultra]

I thought "gentleman polishing his  Packard" was a euphemism!

Sorry, as usual I am lowering the standard of the forum...

Now THAT'S funny!!!!

[sixtee5cuda]

I accept the policy.

Techniques I have seen work to confound SBI techniques:
1) with the image on your screen, take a picture of the car with a cell phone or camera.  This works best at an angle, or with something partially obscuring the image.  I found that a dirty beverage glass works well.
2) Use images you took yourself.  Not all of us encounter strange or exotic vehicles in person, but when we do it is nice to be able to share them here.

[Tom_I]

Enough has probably been said already, but I am fully in agreement with this policy. It's the research and detective work that interests me, and if this results in finding the answer (an increasingly rare event these days), then the reward is the sense of achievement, rather than the puzzle point.

I would always be happy to explain how I found an answer - so long as I could remember, that is! Some time ago I solved a puzzle where John Duff, one of the "Bentley Boys" in the 1920s was appearing as a sword-fight double in a movie. Someone of the same name sent me a PM to ask where I had found the information about his great-uncle. I went back through notes and browser history on two PCs, but just couldn't find the source, and had to admit that, while I remembered it was in an online book, I was completely unable to find it any more.

I guess that's one excuse I won't be able to use again!

[serra]

@serra: we decided this strategy to avoid exactly what you wrote. It's not pleasant for a true and fair player to be questioned each time.
So far a real cheater could always play offended once questioned.
Now we are asking you all (cheaters and players) to support us, because we are in the same team.

@Iluvatar, I thought of that too...I was going to post a screenshot of the folder containing the folders, where you can read 'Moretti last modified mm\dd\yyyy' but then it was a bit too far (and sometimes It can be modified for good reasons after the puzzle has been posted).
You are right, a cheater can make up an explanation but if we can 'smell' cheaters now, the deepest they have to go with theyr lies, the bigger the smell will became.
But we are not going to play Sherlock Holmes, they will always be able to cheat and after all it's not about that either:
we just want to send a message.

To sum up, the best way to prevent cheaters to cheat is to use modified pictures: it's already been done, some of us do it regularly and it make things harder.
I won't do that (and it's my personal opinion here) because I don't care!
I'll explain: some years ago, I used to post some puzzles with the answer written below in smal beige print. To read it you just had to select it and copy in a notepad or wherever to read it.
Now, if you are a real fairplayer, you solve it the old fashioned way...if you are a cheater, you read it but you are not fooling anyone else but yourself, IMHO.

This is not about me, but about Autopuzzles and the people behind it, who spend hours looking for challenging puzzles to post. For them, (us), in respect of theyr work (our) we should join our efforts to isolate cheaters.

If you know a car, because you know it, don't worry you won't be questioned. If you keep knowing cars like that, you won't be banned for that...if 198 of your 200 points will be earned because you know them, just like that, well, you'll be a Pro.

Hi,
I agree with the fight against Google Search by Image... but I'm not sure this is really the best solution...
If someone wants to gain puzzle points in an unfair way (I still don't understand why someone want to do it...) he can be unfair also in the explanation of his solution...
For instance... (it's only an example...  ) PJ has posted some screenshots of his folders with the pictures... nice... but how do we know that the pictures were there before he solved the puzzle?? Maybe he solved it with GSBI and then saved the pictures... 
So... I think that the only solution to avoid the problem is to post puzzles that cannot be found via GSBI... and the best way to do it is to search the picture in this way before posting the puzzle... if Google find the picture... it's time to use some graphic camouflage on the image... until google does not find it anymore...

 

[Arunas]

I agree with the idea, as well! Count me in.

I agree that the modification of pictures might not be the best solution to keep puzzlers play fairly.
However, I will keep modifying my future puzzles (when needed) for two main reasons:

- To keep puzzling fun and challenging, like it was when I joined AP years ago...
- To be sure that no bad intentions to earn points illegally will work. This is is my own policy that "you have to know or correctly guess my puzzle car to get the point". I believe this well complies with the whole idea that PJ has emphasized here in this thread.

Happy puzzling, guys! I trust in fair game.

Game and demonstration a knowledge - that's the spirit of AP. Puzzle Points will earn You nothing, but knowing that You scored each and every of them fairly using only Your own knowledge and research skills and being at some moment better than other puzzlers, in a fair gentlemen way, is what should make You proud of Yourself. I truly believe such mindset leads to the success at AutoPuzzles and such members are and will always be the most respected and most appreciated here on this forum.

It's my honor to be here!

[Allan L]

Of course you can count me in, but as has been said a couple of times justfying knowing a car can be difficult when (e.g.) I've known what one of those was since someone at Hatfield Tech College had one in 1957.
There's an unsolved puzzle now (which won't get to the Pro level so I'll not get a go at it) that is one of a classic set of photos that most of us older British enthusiasts have "always" known.
I don't post many puzzles, mainly because I prefer to use my own photos and many are transparancies - however I got a gizmo for scanning trannies last month and my most recent offering was done that way. Trouble then was shaky memory and no notes about when it was taken!

[Zerk]

I'll certainly agree to answering questions about how I arrived at a puzzle's solution. I can't understand anyone taking offense to the practice. Also it seems senseless to gather points by GSBI; Without the rules there is no game, and the game is comprised of searching, solving and then savoring your accomplishment. The point you gain is windowdressing, but the process is all-important. 

For me, answering a question will mainly consist of, "well, the wheels looked kinda Citroen-y, but the bodywork looked kinda kludged together, so I searched Google Images for Citroen specials AND homebuilt sports cars, and found a picture on quasimodocars.com".

My reference library is sparse, so I depend on Google Image Search heavily. I usually get sidetracked by unrelated search returns. I've never used GSBI, but I'll admit to being sorely tempted by some of the puzzles here that will not yield to my searches, because I'm so intrigued by the puzzle car that I want an immediate answer and more information...not as a means to get points.

What do you gentlemen think of using PMs as the means of asking and answering the questions as to search method? Putting the question in the body of the puzzle itself is faintly damning, and the answer may reveal an internet source that someone prefers to keep to themselves. We could simply post, "PM sent" upon receiving a correct puzzle answer, then the PM text would say "Congratulations! Now for the point, how in hell did you do that?"

[4popoid]

I understand that I am an anachronism. I was raised as what I hope to be a gentleman, and if there are rules to whatever pursuit you find yourself involved in, you follow them. If you do not agree with said rules, you either strive to change them or you decline to play. Here's where I'm going with this:

1. I certainly agree that using Google Search By Image (or any other similar image-searching engine) is not playing fair. It involves no skill or knowledge other than the ability to push a few keys, sit back, and let someone else's research answer your question. It is prohibited on this (and many other) "name that _________" forums. Honorable players will not use it. Dishonorable players will not care.

2. The first priority is making certain that everyone - ALL - participants are aware that use of this feature is banned. I believe most of us know this by now, but as we hopefully attract new members they need to know this. The fact is certainly available to them, but unfortunately a lot of new responders just jump right in before they read all the rules.  That's just the way the internet is, and I don't have a good answer for it. Is there a way to require any new poster to read, and agree to abide by the rules of the forum before he or she can respond to their initial puzzle?

3. It is easy to become weary of seeing the same, somewhat accusatory disclaimer about GSBI on so many puzzles . . . "We know some of you are cheating".  No one likes to have their integrity continually challenged. Those who intend to cheat will continue to do so, and will further their dishonesty by fabricating an explanation of how and where they got the answer. I don't really see how a "spot audit" will help to cut down on truly dishonorable responders. Maybe it will, I guess we should at least give it a try.

4. I agree that using photos that do not appear on the internet for puzzle car subjects is the ultimate deterrent to GSBI abuse . . . But that sincerely limits the amount of material available to draw puzzle cars from. Those of us with larger libraries of obscure photos have a definite advantage there. I have not yet posted a puzzle car (or very few, it's been so long I don't actually recall) because I participate as a moderator in enough other Automobile Quiz sites that my time is somewhat limited to "host" a quiz. I do enjoy searching at my leisure for the solution to the excellent puzzles our more senior members provide.

5. To my way of thinking, the search is at least half of the fun. Some of the memorable (and yes, not so memorable) vehicles I have discovered while hot on the trail of the latest puzzle car are true gems. To utilize GSBI is to rob yourself of that experience. I won't do it, and neither should you. I have no way of knowing exactly how much of a problem this is on the forum, although I would agree that some of the more difficult and obscure vehicles being quickly and accurately identified by a newer member may be somewhat suspicious. Perhaps that particular car was a pet passion of his . . Or not?
So proceed with "spot audits" if you must, I hope it helps. As I said, I am an anachronism. My word as a gentlemen should be enough.

But that's only true among gentlemen, isn't it?  Play on, my friends. Don't let the dishonest few diminish our fun. Sorry for the lengthy rant. Perhaps I need a nap.

I would largely echo the above quote.  When I joined AutoPuzzles I agreed to follow the rules as given, and if revised.  When I can no longer do this, I will voluntarily withdraw rather than continue in violation of stated policy.  In an automotive context, it is much like obeying the speed limit, even if it sometimes seems to be unrealistic.  When one obtains a driving license, one agrees to follow the rules, or face sanctions, or forfeiture.  Still, as we all know, there are those who routinely violate the speed limit despite the sanctions, frequently to the annoyance and/or endangerment of other drivers.  There will always be those individuals, but this is not grounds for closing the roadway, or harassing those drivers who do obey the rules.

Like others here, I do not have a personal library/archive of automotive information.  My only means of solving posted puzzles is through experience/memory (which, at my age, shrinks daily), and via the internet.  In my retirement, I find it enjoyable to do internet research in an attempt to solve posted puzzles, using techniques developed over many years searching for components used in my field of engineering.  By doing this I gain knowledge in the field of automotive history, which I find most interesting.

As some others may have observed, I generally am very selective in the puzzles that I attempt to solve, usually concentrating on pre-1960 (especially pre-1935) production (sometimes very limited production) vehicles.  Generally each one requires a great deal of researching, although I do occasionally get lucky. Usually I try to spot vehicles that interest me as soon as they are posted in the Rookie or Expert sections, even though I can not participate unless they are eventually moved up to the Professional section.  I make this investment in time and effort being fully aware that it is highly unlikely that a particular puzzle will ever reach the Professional level before it is solved.  If I am successful in my research, I file the solution in my "AutoPuzzles Previews" folder, and hope that I may get to use it when/if the subject becomes available to me.  If one of these pre-solved puzzles does reach the Professional level, and I am able to file the solution before some of our automotive geniuses (you know who you are) can jump in, my research is rewarded with a point.  If I am beaten either at a lower level, or the Professional level, the point is lost, but my effort was not wasted as I have gained pleasure and knowledge by joining in the race, even if I did not win.

When I quickly file one of these pre-solved puzzle answers, it might appear to some that I may have unfairly used GSBI in order to answer so rapidly.  This is only because they are unaware of all of the research time spent prior to the puzzle moving up to the Professional level.  Like fyreline, I sometimes grow weary of all of the redundant disclaimers regarding GSBI.  My position is: Just because some insist on not following the rules (like speeders), that is no reason to quit participating (driving).  Just knowing that you, and most of the others, are honorable should be enough.

Having said all this, I will continue to abide by the rules, and submit to the audits, if required, but if said audits become onerous I'm gone.  Perhaps it is an American thing, but I still believe that one is innocent until proven guilty, and one should not have to prove innocence.     

[Djetset]

Count me in too PJ.  I don't have any idea about how to use Google Search by Image, but the concept is totally against what Auto Puzzles stands for.

As you know, I tend to use images sourced from printed materials that have not previously appeared on the internet (which helps to combat Google Search by Image), and this might explain why so many of my puzzles remain unsolved in the Black Hole section   

[WayneB]

I remember Norman (Carnut) asking me a few times via PM how I had solved his puzzles, he must have been happy as I didn't get banned.

Posting images scanned from books and digitally obscuring them with leaves, stars etc. is an excellent way to stop the cheating, but sadly its also an excellent way of stopping 99% of us from solving the puzzles using our own automobile experience to recognise small elements within an image which can provide much needed clues that can be used to solve a puzzle.

Most of us will probably never see the books or magazines that contain the rare images, and If a cars wheels, doorhandles, steering wheel location and other parts are obscured have little chance of ever figuring out what it is.

I was lucky enough to have become a Professional on here a while ago, but am now finding the puzzles take a huge amount of time to solve which sadly is time I cannot afford to spend  anymores.

I therefore suggest that puzzle posters disclose to the puzzlers from the start where the image came from, internet, book, magazine , personal photograph or piece of artwork etc. and larger amounts of points are awarded for puzzles that are sourced from media besides the internet. i.e.:-

1 point for internet sourced

2 points for book sourced

4 points for magazine

8 points personal photo

16 points artwork or drawing

Another thing to take into account is that in the early days of this forum, puzzles must have been easier to solve as the vehicles pictured were not as unknown and obscure as the ones currently featured for puzzles, so I will think it will certainly get more difficult for puzzlers to be able to solve puzzles now and in the future which may explain why so few of the newer members seem to be sticking around.

I think deliberately making puzzles ridiculously difficult or unsolvable is an mistake, this forum is partially an educational tool and If the puzzle cars are extremely difficult or impossible to solve how will anyone ever know what they were in the future?

[Iluvatar]

I think deliberately making puzzles ridiculously difficult or unsolvable is an mistake, this forum is partially an educational tool and If the puzzle cars are extremely difficult or impossible to solve how will anyone ever know what they were in the future?

I don't think it's a good idea to assign different point value to different sources... there is already the rookie/expert/pro classification to have the easier puzzles solved by new members and harder puzzles for veteran puzzler...
But I think it would be a great idea to set a time limit for a puzzle life... when it's unsolved after, for instance, 2 years, the solution would be revealed and who started the puzzle recieve a point (or more...).
I think I have read a similar proposal on an old thread somewhere on AP...

[Carnut]

Yes, Wayne is right that many of today's puzzles are much harder for the Pros to solve than they used to be, as the pool of later rare cars is now getting depleted as so many have been posted already.  It's a problem which has been discussed on several occasions here: how to create more involvement for the Pros, as we do lose some once they reach 200 pts and then can't progress.  I've thought about simply giving 2 pts for solving a Pro puzzle, but I really don't think that would make much difference (and of course Pro puzzles are not necessarily solved by Pros!)

Personally I try to source 98% of my puzzles from the 'Net as this is after all an Internet-based game and posting puzzles from very obscure British magazines is not really much of a game for, say, an Argentinian member..  But I still do use magazines when I get fed up with puzzles it's taken me hours to find get solved in minutes!

It's a problem to which we'd love to hear suggested solutions.

[nicanary]

This thread is becoming interesting, and could be a chance to resolve the future of the site. I know how and why the thread started, and a sort of sub-thread has commenced which is about the direction of AP which might be for the benefit of all. We need new members who "stick around", and this is the ideal opportunity for all members to have a say, and proffer their suggestions.

Here's one from me - how about all members who reach Expert level being under an obligation to post at least, say, 6 new puzzles a month. I realise that not everybody has as much time as others to spend on AP (although I manage it, and I've got 2 jobs and a household to manage, although that might be a reflection on the OCD I seem to have acquired since joining AP), but surely 6 puzzles isn't beyond anyone?

These comments we've made about running out of marques does have some substance, but a quick glance at random at Georgano reveals scores of names we haven't used yet. It's just a case of finding a suitable image.

[Iluvatar]

Here's one from me - how about all members who reach Expert level being under an obligation to post at least, say, 6 new puzzles a month. I realise that not everybody has as much time as others to spend on AP (although I manage it, and I've got 2 jobs and a household to manage, although that might be a reflection on the OCD I seem to have acquired since joining AP), but surely 6 puzzles isn't beyond anyone?

I don't agree with it... a site like AP cannot live if the members are obliged to do something... but maybe an incentive could be added for members who add more puzzles...

[Iluvatar]

What about adding new ways to get the points?
I mean... IMO AP should encourage the personal knowledge above the research skills...
So... what I have in mind is a random "fast" puzzle which appear when you are on AP... the car is a car already solved on AP, and you have 10 seconds to identify it... if you do it right you gain a point...

[Paul Jaray]

So many replies and so little time to answer...

Thank you all, I think we arrived at some conclusions:
you all support us in this new strategy to fight cheaters.
If puzzlers want to be 'safe' they should use modified pictures or scans from books\mags\etc.
Nothing is going to change in the way the game is going to be played.
There should be no fear of anything: if you know the car but can't explain or you won't remember, it doesn't matter.

@zerk:

What do you gentlemen think of using PMs as the means of asking and answering the questions as to search method? Putting the question in the body of the puzzle itself is faintly damning, and the answer may reveal an internet source that someone prefers to keep to themselves. We could simply post, "PM sent" upon receiving a correct puzzle answer, then the PM text would say "Congratulations! Now for the point, how in hell did you do that?"

That is perfect, of course.

@popoid: you are probalby going too far:

Having said all this, I will continue to abide by the rules, and submit to the audits, if required, but if said audits become onerous I'm gone.  Perhaps it is an American thing, but I still believe that one is innocent until proven guilty, and one should not have to prove innocence.

I used to do like you do, solve all puzzles starting from the Rookie section and then copy the prepared answer few seconds after it's moved, if I'm logged in. (now, with so many skilled experts, I can't do it anymore because they all end before  and time is less and less).
I agree what you (and others) stated: it's a game among gentlemen.
...but not fools  . If any puzzler tells me: I knew it before because I knew it, like we said, I believe his word.
If you are looking for a piece for your coffee machine, contact a seller of those pieces and in his website you find a 'selfbuilt' car the company built in the 60s and there is no other source in the world where you can find it (except SBI) and the puzzle get solved within few minutes, I still believe his word, but I will have a personal idea about...and other puzzlers too. Nobody will be ever be banned upon 'ideas' and there will not be an unpleasant witch-hunt, but a cheater will know that we are not sitting and looking.
It will never be onerous and look at the bright side: there is an additional pleasure in revealing how smart you are. 

@WayneB: the point system you suggest, I'm afraid can't work but it doesn't mean you can not decide if one of your puzzles deserves more than 1 point. It's been done before, if you think it's worth, a puzzler can award more points for his puzzles but, again, it doesn't require a specific rule.

Another thing to take into account is that in the early days of this forum, puzzles must have been easier to solve as the vehicles pictured were not as unknown and obscure as the ones currently featured for puzzles, so I will think it will certainly get more difficult for puzzlers to be able to solve puzzles now and in the future which may explain why so few of the newer members seem to be sticking around.

I think deliberately making puzzles ridiculously difficult or unsolvable is an mistake, this forum is partially an educational tool and If the puzzle cars are extremely difficult or impossible to solve how will anyone ever know what they were in the future?

I agree to the 1st part, obviously once the most known sources have been dried, the puzzles are always more challenging.
About the 2nd part, I think if you want to solve a puzzle, you can always do it just asking and guessing. In the end, if the puzzler want to have it solved, he will find a way to lead you toward the solution.
I have some puzzles quite hard still out there. If you do not have my source, they are quite hard. I try to figure out how you can find it and try to point you there. It's up to you to pick my clues.

@Iluvatar. You are right, we already discussed about the time limit and it can't be imposed. I personally do not want to have puzzles remaining there for ages and I prefer to play hangman to let you solve them...but it's my personal view.
To award a point to the poster of impossible puzzles is risky: if I do not 'help' you in some of my puzzles and you do not have my source, it will be almost impossible. If I know that I'll get a point for that, why bother? I know it's not all about points after all and I'd like to see also the divulgative and educational side of this place.

Here's one from me - how about all members who reach Expert level being under an obligation to post at least, say, 6 new puzzles a month. I realise that not everybody has as much time as others to spend on AP (although I manage it, and I've got 2 jobs and a household to manage, although that might be a reflection on the OCD I seem to have acquired since joining AP), but surely 6 puzzles isn't beyond anyone?

I don't agree with it... a site like AP cannot live if the members are obliged to do something... but maybe an incentive could be added for members who add more puzzles...

 

[Ray B.]

I'm going to respond very briefly, because I don't feel very concerned by the subject, having solved about zero puzzle the last two years.
Yet, if anyone asks me  how I solved this or that one, I'll be glad to try to answer. Try only, because there is little chance that I remember, months after that.

As for GSBI, when I first heard of it by a member who admitted he had solved some of mine this way, of course I wondered how it worked… but only understood quite recently. I am a little slow, maybe. The reason? I had bookmarked "Google advanced image search" in my bookmark bar, because this is how I make all my image research….. But it's a page where the little camera doesn't appear. So I quickly gave up.
Anyway, what would have been the fun?