Puzzles, anyone?

[mith]

Right, I really don't have a lot of time for this, but at the very least I'd like to get the process going again.

1. I know that Kevin is still doing some puzzles. I'm not sure how active he plans to be with that. Anyway, assuming he isn't going to suddenly start publishing new puzzles on his own every week, I think we ought to be able to put together a team to do regular updates (and then he can pop in whenever he feels like).

2. I know that there are already some people doing *something* on ARC. I don't know who, other than Neo (who contacted me since Lepty seems to be fairly inactive lately). Whoever is "running" things, I think a list of people who are actually doing something, and what they're doing, would be a good start.

3. If you aren't part of GLOC/ARC, but want to contribute, I need to know that as well. Simply post in this thread. All you need is interest; we can find somewhere for you to do something. Areas we can use people are:

Writing the actual puzzles
Test solving puzzles, occasionally
Editing (any of: grammar/spelling, background story, html)
Graphics (Kevin generally does his own graphics, but most of the puzzles other than his have not really lived up to the sexy GL look, IMO; someone who can do cool 3D renders would be great, but at the very least I'm sure there's somewhere out there that can do better graphics than me, I can only do so much in paint ).

4. Even if you aren't able to contribute, your input on the puzzles is valuable. When I was Minotaur, I got a few complaints about the nature of some of the puzzles (some were a bit THPish for most people); however, without specific input on what types of puzzles you like, we can't really cater to that very well, we can only post what *we* like.

I've included a small poll in this thread, but obviously that would tell me a whole lot on its own (unless everyone picks option 3 or something). So any specifics would be great.

5. Related to 4, but more of a personal side discussion, I'd like to see the puzzles divided up into basic groups, so people can find what they're looking for. At the moment, we're not updating enough for *one* group, but if we get this thing going again, I could easily see several groups of puzzles, each getting updated regularly; for example:

THPs, for those that like them
Logic puzzles (for example, Three Hats or More Money
Math or Science related puzzles (could mix a bit with logic, but specifically puzzles that require a bit more knowledge of mathematics or some scientific property; for example, The Magnet or How Many Threes?)
Word or Pattern puzzles (for example, Unusual Paragraph or Postmodern Prose)
Spatial puzzles (for example, The Hex)

I'm not sure how difficult this would be on the technical side, or for that matter if anyone other than me thinks it's a good idea. So input there would be good.

Anyway, that's all for now, I think. I know Kevin has one puzzle in ARC, not sure how ready it is. I have a couple bouncing around in my head, but whether I'll find the time to draw them out is another question entirely.

mith, Resident Procrastinator[/list]

[Zag]

I didn't vote, because none of the choices were really correct.

I mostly just stay in the VSP space, not because I object to the "official" puzzles but just because they are usually too hard for my poor little brain. I flip through them occasionally and realize that I never did have any hope. (However, I did get the game theory one -- we all have our specialties). Anyway, I would have picked the fourth choice if it weren't for the negativity it includes.

What are GLOC and ARC?

I am glad to participate in the creation of puzzles. I could be a test solver. (Zag got this one, so it's clearly too easy.) I also will claim to have nearly perfect grammar, pretty good spelling, and I can write reasonably clearly, so I would be glad to edit now and then.

[mith]

GLOC stands for Grey Labyrinth Open Content. It's a CMS (content management system) that Kevin made to... manage... content. Basically it allowed users to author, edit, and publish puzzles, using a simple interface that is mostly non-technical. It's also a usergroup/forum, for those involved in maintaining that aspect of the site.

ARC is the new version (or possibly just the name of the subdomain it's on, or something, I dunno; I'm not sure what it stands for, if anything). I haven't played with ARC much, though it does seem far easier to use than the original GLOC.

[wordcross]

I would be happy to do editing and/or wording the puzzles for consumption by the masses, as it were

I suck at making/solving them though. heh.
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[Courk]

I wouldn't mind writing stories around puzzles, or otherwise editing for grammar and spelling. That's pretty much all I can do.

[wordcross]

lol, looks like that's about all mith is going to get, a bunch of people with good English
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Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[Jedo]

How about another set of puzzles like the MAS mini-hunts? I enjoyed those.

[Courk]

...One day I'll learn how to do neat graphic things...

[wordcross]

Oh, that's the other thing i was going to say, I might be able to get some graphics in, but it'll be more like "Oooh, i have an idea for a graphic for this puzzle, so I might do it" sort of thing that'd happen infrequently. But i just thought i'd make it open in case i do create something worthwhile
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Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[impossibleroot]

More diagram puzzles!

<grin>

If anyone has puzzle ideas that require some kind of illustration, private message me! I love doing the graphic side of things but have less and less time to come up with ideas. Illustrating and puzzles are both big hobbies of mine, and I'm always looking for ways to marry them.

[lostdummy]

more logic puzzles :)

[mith]

I'll be doing something on this tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning. In case anyone thought I'd forgotten already.

[Courk]

A diagram puzzle might be good. They all look nice. Some of them are apparently easy for some people, though. Maybe if IR can come up with some that are a bit harder, or a few that are connected? I don't really know.

[impossibleroot]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Courk! When designing the diagram puzzles, I try not to be too obscure -- but it's often a little too obvious once you work out the numbers or colors. I could definitely try to come up with a more challenging or multi-level puzzle, though. I've got some ideas rolling around the old noodle...

[mith]

I've added wordcross, Zag, and impossibleroot to the GLOC usergroup. The forum should appear for you now, near the bottom of the list. I've also started a thread in there, "Current Progress", check in and let me know if you've got anything in progress, or what you're willing to do.

[Foggy]

I voted earlier, but I feel I should add some comments.

I've never been a big fan of the front puzzles...they usually tend to be a little too mathematical or theoretical for my tastes, and while I understand that's probably the target audience, it's just not my cup of tea.

I used to visit VSP a lot for the IT and Quickies puzzles, as well as other puzzle threads, but there just haven't been a lot of these lately. (Indeed, I believe that the IT/Quickies threads are pretty much dead in the water.)

Vagrant's puzzles have been keeping me here, and I would like to see more of this on the front part of the site.

[Nsof]

I haven't a clue as to how people invent logic and math riddles but these are my favorites.
I also like the diagram puzzles (thx impossibleroot) and any other new types of puzzles (whatever "types" means).

I generally don't like word puzzles because i suck in them in my own language so in english they are impossible for me.
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Will sell this place for beer

[MatthewV]

I did the last update of the front page and will probably do the next. Please post here or PM me if you want anything to change.

[Guest]

I just sent you guys a puzzle via the contact form, named Hydraulic Leverage (although it doesnt have that much to do with hydraulic levers ~_~). This is my forum account, if you need to know.

[Guest]

Haaa, I thought I was logged in. I can't login properly here in the university, but the account is ' Protected ' ^_^

[Guest]

I read the whole thread now. I can't exactly place this puzzle in a category. It's possibly a mixture of math and spatial, but it requires some collateral thought as well. The solution is not exactly obvious...

I can't do any better for the diagram, but I'll send aditional, 3d graphics when I get home.

[Protected]

pictures in 3d sent, also using the contact us form.

[MatthewV]

I am not sure who recieves email sent via the contact link. Because you have an account already, you might try PMing your creation to me.

[Ctorj]

I'm a little late on the posts, but I know I can help. I have recently discovered something interesting about myself...I can't draw with a pencil or pen to save my life (my stick figures would make the pope cry), but I am quite talented with a mouse in hand. If you could tell me what kind of program is used for the 3d images that you guys use that are so good, I can monkey around with it and see how good I can get. I get complemented on my talent all the time so it might be worth it to you guys if I could try my "hand" out in that way. If not, I am always more than interested to help the GL out in anyway possible.

As a side note, I do love the logic puzzles as well as the word or pattern puzzles. I have also been working on submitting some puzzles to the GL, but I am picky (perhaps to the point of perfectionist but not quite that far) and that delays their submittance because I like to rewrite them when I get a better idea.

To conclude, I can help out and I perhaps have more time than others. I have time at work definitley so let me know how I can help. Love you guys!!
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[Ctorj]

*bump*
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[Ctorj]

Never mind...it's a stickie...hehe
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