Posted 27th Dec 2019 at 09:43So disappointed to get back from my Christmas break and find that there wasn't a Hanje on offer. Please Gareth, can we have more?

Posted 29th Dec 2019 at 09:20Having contacted Puzzlemix three times on this matter without any response I have to assume that the disappearance of Hanji is permanent. When the time comes I won't be renewing my subscription.

Posted 1st Jan 2020 at 19:49hanji, hitori and kropki are all among the missing. He has already taken nonconsecutives off his menu.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt considering his response to other queries. But nothing further from him other than to refer to that posting.

At this point, after many year, I won't be renewing either.

Posted 3rd Jan 2020 at 16:12mahargman, I replied to all of your messages but your email address bounced every time. You need to update your email address under 'Edit user' or include your current email address in your message so that I can reply. Your @aol.com address does not work.

Posted 3rd Jan 2020 at 16:20
Last edited by gareth 3rd Jan 2020 at 16:21More generally, I have to admit I haven't been paying sufficient attention to the puzzle content on puzzlemix for a while due to too many other projects (although it has had maintenance to keep it running), but I hadn't realised quite how many types had run out. I can see it is in fact Calcudoku (all sizes), Calcudoku Zero (all sizes), Consecutive Sudoku 9x9, Non-consecutive Sudoku 9x9, Hanjie, Hitori, Killer Sudoku 9x9, Killer Sudoku 6x6, Mystery Killer Pro 9x9, Killer Sudoku-X 6x6, Kropki Sudoku 9x9, Kropki Sudoku 6x6, Skyscraper 5x5, Skyscraper 6x6, Sudoku-X 12x12 and Wraparound Sudoku 6x6.

I will restore most of these puzzles tonight, and offer a free extra 12 months to the subscription of any current subscribers who reply here (or those who let their subscriptions lapse as a result), or who otherwise get in touch with me if they don't want to comment publicly.

I'm very sorry for the reduction of variety in the content. Having 16 of the 60 puzzle varieties run out has obviously meant around 25% of the content types were not showing up.

Gareth, puzzlemix

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 01:59Okay, all done. All the types are now present and will appear in the daily puzzles again, as you can see immediately for today.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 03:09Thanks Garth.

I look forward to resumption of my favorites (they happen to be among the list of puzzles that had run out).

And thanks for the offer of free 12 extra months!.

Lorraine

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 13:38Looking forward to the return of many of my favourites, I too have missed my Christmas Hanjie!
Also looking forward to the free 12 months - Happy New Year!

Catherine

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 15:35Thank you for this Gareth. I too have really missed many of these puzzles and have been especially upset about the lack of Hanjies in particular. Could not believe there were none at Christmas. However, I do appreciate that you have other things to do and I very much enjoy many of the puzzles you do post. Free 12 months makes up for the lack of some of my favourites so thank you for that and Happy New Year!

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 16:55Thank you! I really missed hitoris and hanjies.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 18:52Update: I have now scheduled hanjie puzzles for daily subscribers that will appear every few days between now and mid December 2021, so in other words there are 2 years of hanjie guaranteed to appear. There are 204 puzzles, so on average 2 will appear every week. They are at a range of sizes.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 18:55
Last edited by JoergWausW 4th Jan 2020 at 18:56A big Thank You from me, too.

I wonder if my email address also bounced back - I didn't hear anything back for quite a while (three emails).

A healthy and successful 2020, everyone!

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 18:56ziggymole, mahargman, lori, catkinpuzzlemix, thacky and detta - I have now added 1 year to each of your subscriptionss, so where they previously expired in 2020 they will now expire on the same date but in 2021

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 19:06
Last edited by gareth 4th Jan 2020 at 19:18JoergWausW now extended too - and re your emails, I can see I never replied. Sorry - that's very rude of me. :( The puzzlemix email account gets ridiculous amounts of spam having been online for almost 15 years, and I didn't even spot your October message until just now when I went to look. Thanks for supporting 404, and I hope you received it okay by now. I'll reply to your other points now.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 19:21gareth,

my (cynical) theory was for a while that any email/forum post including the word "hitori" was automatically marked as spam, since there was no answer for a long time to any request by anyone concerning this type of puzzle... nevermind. The ban seems to be broken now.

I didn't consider your silence rude at all, because I assumed it might be a spam related problem. And you made yourself rare in the forums here for a longer while, too - and I knew you had a lot of work to finish. So no harm done.

But I had to take my chance here in this discussion to get your attention. Thank you for your support over all these years.

I got my 404 delivery on time, thank you. I struggle more than I expected - might be language related. But it's too early for hints.
Those puzzles I had the right idea quickly, I entered the code for.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 19:24JoergWausW, you should now have my email reply I hope! :) And on 404, yes, it is quite heavily language dependent - many of the clues rely on double-meanings in English, or sometimes even triple meanings, so while it appears to say one thing it is really hinting at something else. It might be useful to know that generally there's nothing complex to do - the puzzle is always working out what to do, and that 'what' is never something really heavily involved. Well, except perhaps on code 43, which has a few steps.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 19:30Thank you very much for the offer of an extension!

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 19:34I'm very happy to see the return of Hanjie. I have had to return to ones already done in the sets of puzzles to get my fix. It will also be very good to see others return as the puzzles were getting too monotonous with only very familiar ones every day. An extended subscription is a very generous offer and I would appreciate that very much. Thank you Gareth

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 20:02
Last edited by gareth 4th Jan 2020 at 20:03Nurikabe now added too - the first one will appear on Wednesday. So that now completes the restoration of all the missing types, and I have added enough for approximately 2 years for all types. There are some other types that are near to running out but I will keep an eye on it again from now on. 2020 is the year I am going to get on top of all my various projects, I hope. :) It is also beyond time to implement app versions of Puzzlemix for easier mobile usage too, although I won't make any rash promises on that...

Penelope and Timewaster - subscription expiries now switched from 2020 to 2021.

Thanks so much to everyone for your continued support of the site, and sorry again for the many previously missing puzzle types.

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 20:43I just answered to your email, Gareth. Thank you!

Posted 4th Jan 2020 at 22:02Thanks for feeding new puzzles, especially Hanjie - and welcoming an extension Christmas present as well :)

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 00:05yvesb - thank you, and now extended!

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 01:41I am soooo happy to hear that Puzzlemix is being revitalised. I am particularly looking forward to the return of the Hanjes.
Thanks, Gareth.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 01:53Thanks bergensbest, and I've now extended your subscription by a year by way of apology.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 03:33Thanks for the extended subscription,Gareth.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 03:38I had noticed the lack of variety and the expected Holidays' Hanjies Gareth is known for. I'm glad the reason was other projects and not health or other reasons. Glad to see all is back to normal for 2020 and looking forward to my daily diversion. Thanks for taking the time to explain and for Puzzlemix.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 04:16I've been missing the hanjies - thanks for bringing them back!

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 06:49Thanks Gareth for the updates, the explanation and the generous offer of extended subscription. I'm looking forward to the greater variety of puzzles and to the return of Nurikabe in particular.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 09:21Thanks Gareth

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 09:24Thank you Gareth for revitalising Puzzlemix. I hope you have not opened the floodgates for people to extend their subscription:)

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 10:01
Last edited by HelenCushion 5th Jan 2020 at 10:02I'd also noticed the relative lack of variety in the puzzles recently, but hadn't quite realised the full extent of what was missing. I've particularly missed the hitoris.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 10:30
Last edited by Penelope 5th Jan 2020 at 10:35Thank you, Gareth. I really need my daily fix of puzzlemix though my only complaint has been too many 6×6 s!

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 12:45Thanks Gareth, I would appreciate the extra 12 month subscription, I've been missing my Hanje's!

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 13:27Thanks for the update Gareth. I was also missing the Hanjies (although I must admit I get my daily fix from the Puzzler Hanjies which I get sent to me in Kenya!) However, looking at the flood of requests for the extra 12 months I will be happy to pay mine as usual. :) Also enjoying the 404 although I am finding it quite difficult. Not a bad thing!

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 14:23Thank you Gareth! You're a star :-)

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 15:50Happy New Year Gareth! I've been missing 9x9 Kropki.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 16:17Thank Gareth, enjoying 404. All the best for 2020 to you and your team.

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 16:32I'm delighted that all these puzzles have been restored, but particularly Hanji and Hitori, which I really missed. Really generous offer of yours as well Gareth.

Have a great New Year

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 20:13Thanks soundwater, christinelm, HollyBlue, isecs, Elisabeth, HelenCushion, templewood, tishtosh, LisaMC, InVinceAble and sylvial - I've added a year to each of your subscriptions, and thank you for your continued support of the site!

Tishtosh - glad you're enjoying 404, and if you need any extra hints over and above those on the site feel please free to email (the same applies to any other Puzzlemix users with the book, which you can find out more about here if you don't know what I'm talking about!).

Posted 5th Jan 2020 at 21:46Thank you, but there was no need, Gareth:) I had already, yesterday, renewed my sub. which ran out today. I hope I shall still be able to continue for another 2 years and that you are not going to be out of pocket.!!!

Posted 6th Jan 2020 at 09:41I am so happy that I can look forward to some of my favorites this Spring.
And I would love an extension to my subscription :-)
Happy new year!

Posted 6th Jan 2020 at 13:12Thanks Chessmama - happy new year to you too, and subscription now extended! :)

Posted 6th Jan 2020 at 15:07Thank you for offering the extension on subscriptions. Mine expires tomorrow and I was not going to renew because of the lack of new Hanjie puzzles. So glad they are going to be coming on a regular basis now. Thank you!

Posted 7th Jan 2020 at 01:30Hi aerohead1980 - that was good timing, then! Subscription now extended by a year. :)

Posted 7th Jan 2020 at 01:46I had to check the Kropki rules when a new one appeared a few days ago. I didn't realize some type of puzzles where gone - except for Hanjis at Christmas - and I'm glad they're all back again. Of course I would like my subscription renewed.

Posted 7th Jan 2020 at 02:40Gareth, am posting here as this appears to be the thread to glorify your name! Have missed the variety of the other puzzles (especially the smaller Skyscrapers when I want a quick break). Understand completely that you have been busy with another project and further echo the comments of others that Book-404 is quite well done and was worth the wait! My wife gave me the WPC Challenge book for Christmas so have been very much focused on solving recently. Honestly, after a bit of thought, I do NOT believe that the subscription extension is appropriate for my account - I would prefer to ensure that you are satisfied with the puzzlemix site and keep up the good work! In my case, consider this ongoing donation as patronage for hosting the site.

Posted 7th Jan 2020 at 14:04Fantastic, glad to have hanjie's back, really enjoy them. Would like another hanjie puzzle pack as well please :-)

Posted 7th Jan 2020 at 17:51W000tttt!!!!

I didn't want to leave, but not getting any Hanjies was frustrating. I'm about to re-subscribe.

Thanks very much, Gareth.

Posted 9th Jan 2020 at 13:25Thanks Gigfy44, bushstone96, Rachel and rhodri2112 - I've now added a year to your subscriptions (and thanks for resubscribing too, rhodri2112!).

bushstone96, that's very kind of you but I should be consistent so I applied it anyway. :) Hope you're enjoying the WPC book - there are some really tricky puzzles in that!

Posted 9th Jan 2020 at 17:58I didn't want to leave, but I have to pay attention to every dollar as an independent author. Hanjies are really good at getting my creative juices flowing, more than any other type of puzzle. You bringing them back makes that an investment in my writing as well as enjoyable.

Thanks again.

Posted 16th Jan 2020 at 23:02I wasn't going to resubscribe because of the missing puzzle types, but appreciate your responses here and the offer of an extended subscription.

My kids love your puzzle books too, so we always buy them each a new one when we travel.

Yay to the return of hanjies!

Posted 17th Jan 2020 at 00:00Hi mathsgirl - subscription extended, and thanks! And that's fantastic about the kids' puzzle books - they're usually my favourites of those I've written, since you can be much more varied in a kid's book than an adult's one! Kids try anything, while (on average) adults tend to stick to what they know. :) (Perhaps not so much the users of this site, though!)

Posted 7th Feb 2020 at 18:18Hi Gareth, I would appreciate a subscription extension too if the offer is still open. Hanjie and Nurikabe were two of my faves. Great to have them back. haven't looked at the book for a while but it is damned difficult!!!

Posted 10th Feb 2020 at 16:44Hi ceebee,
Of course - now done, and thank you!

If you need any tips on the book, let me know! :)

Gareth

Posted 10th Feb 2020 at 20:51Gareth, you mentioned that there are 60 puzzle types. Lately, I like to do only two of the four puzzles posted. Could you post more puzzles each day to satisfy my cravings? Thanks.

Posted 11th Feb 2020 at 00:43
Last edited by gareth 11th Feb 2020 at 00:44Hi JackieChemist,

There have been 4 a day since 2007, and funnily enough I think you're the first person to actively ask for more - not that I'm sure other people wouldn't like more too. However I need to balance the number of puzzles with other people's natural desires to want to 'complete' each day by solving all the puzzles. If I posted too many puzzles it would feel a bit overwhelming - so I think 4 is a happy medium.

If you do want more then you could explore the 75 or so packs of extra puzzles which will all be available instantly once added - you can find these on the puzzle menu page at top-right, or click here to go direct. There's a discount for buying 3 or more at once.

I hope this helps,

Gareth

Posted 11th Feb 2020 at 04:51Thanks for the suggestion.

Posted 11th Feb 2020 at 17:52and - I might add - you could sort your daily puzzles by date, oldest first, and do those puzzles again that you didn't do for almost a year (first puzzle is to figure out how the filter options work ;-) ).
You won't remember the old puzzles (unless you have a perfect memory) and can compare your results now with the result back then.
Or, to triple your joy: Do some from today, from 6 months ago and some from 12 months ago. Resulting in a total of 12 puzzles a day.

Posted 6th Jun 2021 at 13:25Hi Gareth, I replied to this post in January to take up the offer of 12 months free but I've just had to pay to renew my subscription. 😢

Posted 6th Jun 2021 at 22:15
Last edited by gareth 6th Jun 2021 at 22:16Hi catkinpuzzlemix,
You did actually have 12 months free - your request was in January 2020 and it is now June 2021! That's why your subscription didn't expire in June 2020, as it would have otherwise. :)

Gareth

Posted 6th Jun 2021 at 22:35Corona seems to have left us with a "lost year". I don't know where it went...

Posted 7th Jun 2021 at 09:13That's a good point! Hard to keep track of time recently.

Posted 7th Jun 2021 at 20:33So we'll get a Hanjie now titled "time thief", showing a corona virus styled alarm clock...? ;-)