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A place to come and discuss the features of this site, as well as suggest/request additions and modifications. Oh yeah, and Bug reports too.
Gamer
2005-09-26 06:04:17 |
Posting Solutions
It seems logical to post solutions to problems right after you solve them. (Note: This assumes applicable people didn't try to solve it while in the queue, or make any significant progress there.) Some members have gotten annoyed when the problem was solved right away, which makes sense if it took a while to create, but my view is problems exist to be solved, and waiting a certain period to post comments just hinders exposure of the problem; by the time you can comment a new problem has the spotlight. |
owl
2005-09-26 14:06:31 |
Re: Posting Solutions
I agree. Solving while in queue is a disqualifier, but beyond that, all is fair as long as you are careful to announce that your post is a solution, spoiler, etc. I personally try to withhold a early post if I am already very familiar with the problem and its solution; but that's me. I suppose we could have the post capabilities of a puzzle frozen for 24 hours, but I would think that would kill a LOT of posts, and make most clarifications "too late".
If one feels competitive about it all, then surely one would not want to hobble anyone else. If it isn't a race, but you want to work on a problem without hints, then don't read other solutions posted. Otherwise, read what is posted, as often finding the poster's errors is just as entertaining as the puzzle itself. Right? |
Percy
2005-09-27 00:57:48 |
Hint
I think, sometimes it is appropriate to post a hint before (u can judge how long b4 from the comments) u post the solution? |
brianjn
2005-09-27 04:37:59 |
Re: Posting Solutions
Gamer and owl are more specifically referring to those of us who have access to the JM queue.
Owl's comment, "I personally try to withhold a early post if I am already very familiar with the problem and its solution ..... ".
In that Forum one needs to guard against solving a problem there; I recognised this danger when I very recently attempted to get some clarification about a problem - such an incident may well have prompted Gamer to initiate this thread. Also, in the discussions one might gain info of an advantageous nature, if one was competitively inclined.
Sometimes while the author will post a hint, someone, often a scholar, but may be someone who has insight either through that forum, or their own reasoning, will provide a hint to prolong the activity. |
owl
2005-10-13 13:34:21 |
Re: Posting Solutions
I keep thinking about the "hint option"; There are two reasons that keep me away from it. (1) I can't see ever using it outside my own problem. Hints can make or break a problem and I wouldn't take that responsibility from the author. To make matters worse, others may be more likely to read a hint instead of a full solution, but the hint could be a total spoiler or terribly misleading.
Which leads to (2), I could be wrong. If it is a problem with which I am very familiar, there is still the above issue. And on the rest? I may be "sure", but that doesn't mean I am right. That is part of the point of posting a solution; it is for verification. I won't speak for puzzles, but mathematics is a social construct that relies heavily on the approval of the community. Above, when I speak of being familiar with a problem, I include familiarity with the community tested solutions.
So when I "know" a problem, I may not post a solution, but I can post replies to other solutions. And when I post a "solution", I hope for the same from my peers. And this leads to another topic that I assume has been discussed multiple times; etiquette (sp?) of response. The quickly written word is cold without intent; we should take great care to be kind in helping peers develop solutions, yes? |
Percy
2005-10-14 00:34:02 |
Re: Posting Solutions
Are "authors" really that possesive about their problems?, someone who has just solved the problem may be better placed to provide intelligent disscussion in the solving comments.
As for hints in general, I was just thinking (in my previous comment) that if one (who has not previously seen the problem) solves the problem quickly a hint provides a way for others who may be stumped to get more value from the problem. Also this would discourage the competitive attitude of getting a solution in first. |
goFish
2005-10-30 04:25:37 |
Re: Solutions or not?
Do, should or can Authors submit solutions at the same time as they submit problems?
Why are there so many "unsolved" problems on the site? |
brianjn
2005-10-30 06:27:01 |
Re: Posting Solutions
There is an expectation that problems and solutions be submitted at the same time; more correctly that assumption would be that a solution is submitted prior to the puzzle being made public.
(This is not a compulsion as there are some puzzles which have been posted and I believe solved but the author has not given the 'official' solution).
A puzzle up for preview may be impeded if the a solution is not available. Sometimes qualities of the puzzle will require scholars asking Levik to release one copy of a solution (to them in confidence). Although the JM committee will not see it, the scholar may assist with clarifying the preview process. Without an available solution, and any perceived uncertainty, the problem may also be turned down.
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brianjn
2005-10-30 06:37:24 |
Re: Posting Solutions
[Other JM and scholars might clarify this further].
Second point. Why are there so many "unsolved" problems on the site?
Part of this answer could be due to the fact that authors have not released their 'official' answer - which could also be that they have never posted one either. I does happen that the author will accept answers submitted and make them the 'official' solution. On occasions authors have posted their 'official' answer, but before doing so, have thought it advisable to add something of the nature of responses to the soultion.
Another reason for so many "unsolved" problems is just as likely to be due to the old axiom "out of sight, out of mind".
After a short period of time, I haven't checked, but I figure that after some 7 to 10 days after been posted, the puzzle 'slides-off' the bottom of the screen. How many people actually go through the categories to see if they can find a puzzle to which they might provide the solution? |
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