Poll: Crossword answer site http://members.lycos.co.uk/bri_tal

[puzzlesRus]

For some time now, I have published my solutions to certain Newspaper crosswords, purely to allow other enthusiasts to compare their results with mine. During that time, I have received about six emails, condemning my actions, on the grounds that it is unfair and makes their chances of winning that much less. I have also noticed a couple of posts from AB members recently, in a similar vein.

Perhaps AB crossword enthusiasts would care to voice their opinions and if sufficient numbers feel likewise, then I will gladly stop publishing my solutions.

[grasscarp]

PuzzlesRus - I would hesitate to say that people who are AB members necessarily represent everybody here. We have a few people who object to others asking questions too soon, or too many or before they have tried every other avenue, or even from asking at all as they don't think it is "fair". I think that people should be free too ask as and when they like. People can choose to answer or not. If you want to publish answers please continue. Live and let live.

[julesy]

Ditto previous answer from grasscarp.

[eddiebun]

I welcome the chance to compare my Private Eye crossword soultions with yours. Indeed, in the past i have emailed you to THANK you, not to condemn you.

[shaneystar2]

Hi Brian ..I often check my Monday and Sunday Express answers with your site .
You are not the only one who publishes answers to crosswords on the web. Some people just need an axe to grind . If they haven't got one they are not happy .
Lets be fair these crosswords get thousands of entries .It's all the luck of the draw.
If this is all these people have to worry over then they should think themselves lucky .
Shaney
xx

[gen2]

Crosswords are ephemeral (or at most last a week) and there is only a low level of objection to posting answers. Having said that, there is strong opposition to posting an entire solution on AB because members come on here to overcome an obstacle and hope to go on to complete the rest on their own. They don't want to accidentally see other answers whilst doing so.

If you are posting an entire solution elsewhere then I presume visitors will expect to find a complete solution so won't be disappointed if they see other answers. If you don't do it, someone else will, or already is. The Donslot website has been doing that for ages until his host discontinued hosting and he was forced to relocate here:

http://donsaround.googlepages.com/competitione ntries

Charity quizzes are a different matter in my opinion. as a setter of such a quiz, I accept that a certain amout of questions and answers will be exchanged here and elsewhere. Excessive demands for answers (as has happened in the past) or complete sets of answers dishearten the setter and make it less likely there will be a follow up. It also upsets other entrants who pride themselves on making a personal effort to complete it. As far as the Charity is concerned, the more entrants there are the better so they won't object.

Morally, I suppose it is up to the individual to live with their conscience but to also be aware that they may be upsetting other entrants in the process.

[squarebear]

Please don't stop publishing your answers. They are really useful to check mine against wthout having to wait for the solutions.

[nononsense]

Ditto to squarebear's plea! Thanks!

[rootshall]

I think the shaneystar has hit the nail on the head. i for one would like to see you carry on as i check my answers against yours as well.

[Catron]

I am sorry but I am surprised you are asking your question here. This is a question and answer site and so the replies given will necessarily be biased with by far the majority in favour of any help that can be given to aid the completion of their crosswords.

If you genuinely wish to know the feelings of crossword enthusiasts you simply cannot come to a site in which you are going to get a biased response.

[bearsrule]

Hi

If this is the donsaround site please carry on publishing. People who don't want to check answers or get answers they are struggling with need not go to the site.

I like a challenge but sometimes crosswords get frustrating and I haven't the time to search and search.

I appreciate you and all the other brainy people who help me enjoy puzzling.

Many thanks.

[leopardlady]

My husband and I really enjoy the Sat. and Sun. challenges with the gk crosswords. We try to limit ourselves time-wise, but usually hang on doggedly until we have exhausted all possibilities -- and brains are turning to jelly! It would then be so frustrating not to be able to turn somewhere for the one or two (OK yes, maybe more!) missing answers. Great sense of camaraderie, too! Keep up the good work.

[poortony]

i appreciate you site and thank you for your
help in the past and hopefully in the future

thank you

keep up the good work

[puzzlesRus]

Catron2 As mentioned in my post, at least two people who use Q&P are NOT in favour and I am sure there are others. People are entitled to their opinions and I am only too willing to listen.

[jan1956]

hi brian, I regulary check my answers with yours,
please do not stop
it is a great help and as already stated there are other sites too,
ignore the idiots they are just that idiots
all the best
jan

[allotment10]

I'm sorry to say this, but i find that some of the members of AB are very unfair towards people posting full answers for quizzes/ crosswords etc, why, i can't understand, at the end of the day, the luck is in the draw and there are loads of people who enter them . But the most ridiculous thing is, these ones who object to people posting the full answers are the ones who seem to love answering all the questions on separate posts , so they might as well post all the answers anyway !
You carry on, You do a brilliant job, and just ignore those odd few that want the limelight for themselves, If they don't like it that much, they don't have to look at your site do they ?
We have the same on
http://www.bananas.me.uk/forum/
We give the answers out for all the mags, and we don't care who doesn't like it, at the end of the day, we're all trying to help each other , and sometimes we all get stuck so it's nice that we can rely on people like you , donslots and marinacs site to help us out when we get stuck or haven't the time to do the crossies/ quizzes ourselves,
Keep up the good work, please.
lottie.

[jan1956]

to email you these people must have gone on your site, one wonders what they expected to find??
were they looking for answers in the first place, as said most can be found on google anyway

[Catron]

So lets get this right - you are asking those who want help whether they want to keep a site open that helps them? There is no way, if you are honest, that you will ever get the majority on this site to say that they think you should stop giving answers so what is the point of asking those who have a vested interest in keeping your site going?

You must know already how this will play out so why are you bothering? If you really want a genuine and unbiased response, you will use another method to get your responses. I am sorry but using this site to gauge the response of real crossword enthusiasts is like asking a turkey to vote for Christmas.

Do not misunderstand me - I give answers willingly - but you surely have to admit that using a Q and A site to gauge the overall reaction to your site is more than a litle naive.

[lindyg]

Felt compelled to register and reply.I regularly log on to your site,and have also recommend it to others.You have pulled me out of the cerebral mush on many occasions.As I believe in free speech , let your good work continue ,and the whingers to whine.

[birley]

I like checking my results with yours and long may you continue. The people who are griping do not have to look at your page and if they already know all the answers why are they on AB anyway.
Good luck

[creamegg]

Brian,
There are just some people out there who need to have a moan and a gripe about such trivial things, ignore them. I often check my answers against yours for the express crusader and would very much miss your site if it was taken down.

Keep it up, Thankyou
Anne