dtgk

[Baboonboy]

I have been sans computer for the last month and have missed reading the dialogue. I have also found it nigh on impossible to complete the DTGK using reference books alone. Has anyone else tried this and been successful? BB

[athenae]

always used Internet ---- see the Internet as another Reference Book / Encyclopaedia!

[Paul21455]

Hi Baboonboy. In the days BC (Before Computer) I used to finish the Saturday GK on only about 75% of occasions, even though I scoured reference books at home and in the library for ages. In the days AD (After Delivery) my computer throws up the obscure answers on 100% of occasions, so I guess we share the same experience.

Having said that, I have won prizes on the GK 3 times, and the only occasion I won the main prize, was 5 years ago, when computers were still anathema to me, so perhaps the toil of solving it was well rewarded.!!!

[gardenmad]

Yesterday morning, for the first time ever, I did the dtgk in about an hour - we get the paper at 7.30 - I used google for all the gk clues I did not know, and for those answers like epistemology and conceptualism I typed the letters I had into my crossword pen, and got the answers that way. I have loads of reference books, but google is quicker! I cannot help but think it is cheating, really, though....

In the afternoon, as I was watching the rugby, I did not attend to the cryptic one as closely, and could not do it. After supper, though, it came easily... why should this be? It was still a cheat, as I used my pen for some words..

I don't send them in these days, as the real puzzle is how to get your envelope picked out... any ideas, anyone? My top tip is the crossword pen, brilliant!

[alzheimer]

As an OAP who has only developed a laptop in the past couple of years...I can only agree that it STILL feels like cheating, using Google etc..but I do it - in deference to my BP !! I used to do them all "by the book" alone (There were a lot of phone-calls among us puzzlers in those days!) Now I have a whole library of mostly unused and dusty reference books and a lower phone bill! You good folk always help me out if I am truly stuck...long live "AnswerBank" I say

[gardenmad]

I forgot to say, I don't intend to stop cheating!

[alzheimer]

Ditto!

[pollythecat]

I have only been using the internet to help with crosswords for the past couple of years. I always did them with the help of my vast library of reference books before then - they seem to have become somewhat redundant now - anyone want to buy a load of second hand books?

[dwil]

I've already sent this but it doesn't seem to have got through ie I've pressed the wrong key.

I too have a pile of crossword reference books that I no longer use but I can't see any difference in looking up electronically via google or looking in an index or list. My conscience is clear!

[gillywilly97]

I don't get the paper til Sunday - my Mum gets it and passes it on, having done the (obviously!) easy clues. Ha! I try and finish the crossword in 3 stages: using my own knowledge (don't often get very far!), then I use my (very good) dictionary, crossword helper book and atlas etc., then I try here! I still have 7 left to find - wish me luck! Google is a last resort.....yes, somehow it feels more like cheating then the others!

[gillywilly97]

Finished! Only needed Google once!

[Dee Sa]

yes I used to in my non computer days, but it took hours and I ended up with 9 different refence books.
Even now I try with these books until I get fed up and then I use the computer, something about you can remember the answers if you do it yourself but not with the computer.