Protocol, Politeness And Puzzles

[sunny-dave]

Thanks Ed for some interesting responses here :

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puzzles/Question1480433.html

Rather than further clutter up Smurf's thread, which has already turned into a mini "Q&A" session, how do you feel about the few 'self policing' topics (including The Listener threads - to which I contribute most weeks) where anything beyond a very general appreciation of the puzzle is quietly removed?

I happen to like the way that works, but it does sort of seem against the general ethos of the site?

Dave xx

[Neveracrossword]

Lie-in King, thanks for a very interesting, reasoned post. The only slight quibble I have is about an 'observer joining and posting an answer [to the Listener]'. I think any hints, let alone answers, are always removed very, very quickly!

[jim360]

I think the Listener, and themed crossword puzzles in general, could probably benefit from being a bit more open about giving hints or answers. I respect the traditions here and, perhaps a bit hypocritically, participate in the wall of silence myself -- but I'm not averse to the idea of giving hints or even the odd clue answer if it helps drive participation up. The Listener learning curve is anyway steep enough without adding the whole "if you can't do it yourself straightaway then tough" approach into the bargain. Beginners or strugglers could do with being welcomed rather than shooed away.

That said, again I'm fine with maintaining the AB tradition of no or minimal public hints, as long as there are plenty of people participating in private assistance or correspondence and we are welcoming enough to those who do ask for help.

[Lie-in King]

Never' - fair play, as I said I rarely dip into the threads so couldn't speak to that with any authority :-)

Jim - I tend to agree, though would reiterate that it's really a Net-wide proscription on Listenersistance (all my own work "lol") & think the AB regulars are aware of that, hence the discussion-type threads we see here.

I should probably shut up about it anyway as I became fed-up with them a long while ago - when it takes longer to understand the preamble than to solve the clues, that's a puzzle spoiled for me, sorry.