I've been thinking about "average times". When I started this puzzle the average time shown was about 13 minutes. It took me 36 but I was in 5th position. Perhaps showing the average time for puzzles completed without aids would give a more accurate idea of the time you might expect to take? What do other people think?
Posted 15th Aug 2014 at 13:32
carlotes Daily subscriber Rated puzzle: HardCompletion time: 15:35Used 'valid marks' Used 'auto remove' Used 'show wrong moves'
I agree completely Penelope. I've also tended to think of this issue because the average time listed does not mean anything. I congratulate you and Elisabeth, I have not been able to finish the puzzle.
Posted 17th Aug 2014 at 10:07 Last edited by Elisabeth 17th Aug 2014 at 10:48
Elisabeth Daily subscriber Rated puzzle: EasyCompletion time: 25:23
I don't take much notice of averages and since no-one else has responded to your comments P and C probably no-one else does either!! Here the disparity is largely, of course, because there are many more in the right-hand column and their times are faster. I always think the median is the better 'average' taken from each column. Already they are in ranking order so it is quick to pick out the middle one!:) We had this discussion somewhile back and I don't think Gareth was keen to alter. The same goes for the rating in the two columns which sometimes is quite different but all-in-all averages(!) out roughly the same, he says.
I look at the average when wondering if I have enough time to do a puzzle. I always expect to take longer but it usually gives a rough guide.
Posted 18th Aug 2014 at 03:39
Elisabeth Daily subscriber Rated puzzle: EasyCompletion time: 25:23
Now you mention it, Penelope, so do I!! But I usually follow up with the median of the first column to give me a more realistic figure and check to see if you, carlotes,...... have done it yet:)
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A yellow/light blue highlight in the time distribution charts highlights your time, where relevant.
Rating scores out of 10.0 show the average difficulty rating chosen by users, where 1.0 is "Easy" and 10.0 is "Hard".
If a puzzle is opened more than once, including by loading from a saved position, then this is potentially a significant aid so it is listed as being completed with 'multiple sessions' for the purpose of the best time/average rating displays above.
Minor aid is defined as no more than one use of 'Check solution' when incomplete and/or no more than one use of 'Check solution' when wrong; and/or using highlighting aids (show repeated digits, show broken inequalities and show valid/invalid placements [slitherlink] only). Major aid is any and all other use of the solving aids except for 'show wrong'.
Last edited by Elisabeth 17th Aug 2014 at 10:48
Here the disparity is largely, of course, because there are many more in the right-hand column and their times are faster. I always think the median is the better 'average' taken from each column. Already they are in ranking order so it is quick to pick out the middle one!:)
We had this discussion somewhile back and I don't think Gareth was keen to alter. The same goes for the rating in the two columns which sometimes is quite different but all-in-all averages(!) out roughly the same, he says.
You can however view other players' statistics and comments in the tables above.