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.

[allotment10]

catron - I know a lot of people who don't use this site any more, , but use brian's site, they also use donslots, the reason why they don't come on here any more is because of some of the posters on here who continue to pick fault with other posters and sites that are there to help the majority of us , you seem to be a minority on the replies here, and as much as i value your opinion ,personally speaking, i think 'brian' should just ignore the 'nit-pickers' , if they don't like it, no need for them to look into the site, and why do some of you give the answers out to others if you don't believe in someone giving out the whole answers, ???? seems a bit confusing to me ?

[Catron]

allotment10 - I have not even argued against so how you can say I am in a minority puzzles me.

You and the author of the question and all the others who have replied must be aware that over 90% of those who do crosswords do not use his site or any other such site. All I am saying is that it is incredibly naive to seek for a cross section of views on a site that will be heavily weighted in favour as that is the whole ethos of this site. If you really want to test the views of the 'average' crossword solver, you do NOT do it by seeking views here - it really is that simple.

[allotment10]

So how would one test the views of the 'average' crossword solver ? If they can't ask the question on here, or any other crossword answer site , where does one ask ?
now i'm even more confused, lol,
first, people don't like people giving out answersites, when they give out answers themselves, and now it seems you can't 'test' the views of the 'average' crossword solver by asking what they think of answer sites on a 'post questions' site , i thought this was what this site was for, to ask people a question ?
All i'm saying is - if people want to post the full answers on thier site, on here, or wherever, why don't others just leave them to it,
someone, last week posted the full answers to the sunday mail, and a few replied that they didn't like it, but, they had replied to lots of questions and given answers so what's the difference ? sounds like a bit of jealousy to me, perhaps they think they should be the only ones who give the answers out , ?
So at the end of the day, what does it matter, 'brian' has just the same right to ask his question on here, same as someone who wants to post the full answers on here to the crosswords, or on any other site,
it's really that simple :)

[jane stojkiw]

Hi

I think anyone who provides the answers is great please carry on, sometime us enthusiasts do not always have the time to trawl the internet for answers, to me a crossword puzzle or two is light relief and I do my best to find the answers but it is not always possible. I am grateful and happy for others to trawl for me at times, so its a nonsense for people to witter on about such things, the satisfaction is in doing them knowledge or not, some folks are far to clever for their own good and cannot see the benefits or the pleasure. So bravo and keep up the good work, what is your site by the way. Jane a weary crossworder if there is such a word. Good Luck.

[bathtub]

I'd be very sorry if you stopped, Brian, mainly because it helps me to point my dad in the right direction with his Express puzzles. He's in his 80s, enjoys the challenge of struggling through 95% or more of a puzzle on his own, and gets very frustrated if he doesn't finish it. He doesn't send off his entry, by the way.

I really do not understand the claim that what you are doing is unfair... if ever there was a case for saying 'if you don't want to know the results look away now', this is it.

Many people enter competitions after asking their mates or their spouses, many puzzles seem to allow entries from husband-and-wife teams - why is seeking help from someone on the internet any different?

I suppose someone who simply copies your answers without making any effort at all is pushing the bounds of fairness a tad, but I'd hope that their conscience and an understanding of how much the odds are stacked against them when it comes to winning an Express or Private Eye puzzle would give them a clue to just how sad they are.

Keep up the good work!

[sandcastle]

please dont stop publishing answers. i find your site a great help. thanks for doing it.

[podger123]

I don't know your site and I reckon ABers visit to cheat not to compare! I can't see why you would want to post your answers except to brag. It does lessen the chances of winning if evryone has the same. I hope you don't do Quizmail and GFQ.

[allotment10]

Please keep up the good work, and just ignore them that don't like it :)
lottie.

[puzzlesRus]

Thanks to all for your comments/opinions. I appreciate that these represent only a small percentage of the views of those people who tackle prize crosswords but at least I can see a general picture.

Bathtub's comments in his/her penultimate paragraph are particularly relevant and that is why my webpage highlights the fact that the answers are there for comparison purposes. I would like to think that only a small minority would use the answers, without actually trying to work them out for themselves.

[allotment10]

Thank you, puzzlesRus, you do a great job :)

[donny27]

I sincerely hope, Brian, that you will completely ignore all the comments from folks who seek to find fault with your excellent Crossword Answering. It's a real challenge to complete the crosswords first; then, as a 'second' check ~ see what you have 'come up' with. Don't stop, you have a geat idea going for all of us !!

[mytc]

Carry on posting Brian, i have always used and appreciated your site, ignore these miserable greedy soandso's who are worried their chances of winning will be diminished, it does'nt matter how many people enter these competitions, any competitions, if you are meant to win it , you will, regardless of how many entries there are, be it 1 or 100,000. It's in the lap of the Gods, and your karma ! Keep up the good work Brian. x