to waimarie and others

[mohill]

While I agree with the general tenor of your complaints about asking for help so soon, you must remember that not everyone lives in UK.

I am a NZer and I subscribe (quite expensively) to some UK newspaper puzzle societies.

UK newspapers load their webpages at midnight for the day just beginning. That is already midday here in NZ. I cannot enter any puzzle competitions in UK but I do compete in a lighthearted way with a circle of friends here in this country, who try to outdo one another with the GK puzzles.

So by about 3.00pm (or 3.00am in UK) I have usually exhausted my own knowledge, my reference books, my googling etc and I have frequently found all of my solutions. But I if I have not, then I ask the Answerbank for help. It may seem early to you but not to me. I get help from a variety of members and I really appreciate it. I am sorry if this provides answers for questions at a time when some people haven't even opened their newspapers, but it is a global world we live in.

Cheers!

I hope it continues

[BabsG]

Good luck to you mohill and love to everyone in NZ from Wales.

[waimarie]

Hi Mohill - Don't want to make a mountain out of it and your point is well taken.

However, the simplicity of many of these early requests are not from anybody who has taken the trouble to search references or use any googling. I think what irritates people generally is knowing many of these answers are easily available. I remember googling for a 'one eyed Macedonian general' and (to my uttermost surprise) up popped the answer. Well now, if it can answer that I'm sure it would be able to tell you who won the 200m at the 2004 Olympics but apparently not, to some people.

I have always had a sneaky admiration when I see some answers timed at 0230 or 0315 in the early morning. Now you have disillusioned me into thinking they are not necessarily genuine night owls but wide awake people enjoying the sunshine in a far corner of the globe. Another shred of innocence lost. Please carry on beavering away while I have some shut eye.

[mohill]

Thanks BabsG and waimarie.

Your response and comments are much appreciated.

Cheers

[auntiebertie]

In total agreement - people seem to take more type typing out the question than it takes to Google it! Just take a look at the two entries right above this post - most are simple - eg:Gro Harlem - prime minister of Norway - doh - exactly how many answers do you get if you google 'Gro Harlem Norway' do you think..?! Anyway, if you have tried your hardest there is no probs asking the question!

I personally refuse to provide the answer if it is [a] incredibly easy to find with a few key words - as in the example above - and I ususally suggest what they should google to find the answer; and [b] if exactly the same question has been asked and answered on this board a few posts earlier!

Then again -perhaps I am just a Grumpy Old Auntie Bertie....!