The Sphinx's Lair

xnor

2:07 AM

is "this question shows no prior research" a valid close reason?

Doorknob 冰

@xnor It's a valid downvote reason.

xnor

ok, but not close?

Doorknob 冰

"This question does not show any research effort; it is not useful or unclear"

@xnor Not unless it's an extreme case (ex. "what does 'french fry' mean?"), no.

xnor

2:25 AM

the discussion about challenge titles with "Are you clever enough?", avigrail's signature phrase, or "Pacoverflow Riddle Poem" earlier made me realize something: they are filling a need

even though I'd like to not have them, I understand why they arose

challenge puzzles are really categorized by their author and their distinctive style (for original interpretive puzzles)

tags do not suffice

in order to determine whether one wants to solve a challenge, if one knows the writer, that's the most useful information

so advertising with the author's name or signature in the title, while it violates SE principles and some find it annoying, serves a community need

d'alar'cop

3:02 AM

I just wanted to say that this is a very interesting observation and certainly deserves discussion and consideration

(in my opinion, obviously - for what little that's worth)

pacoverflow

4:57 AM

@xnor, Yes I agree! Someone should post a question about it on Meta. Not me since I'm biased.

xnor

5:11 AM

@pacoverflow unfortunately, I don't really know what I'd say or ask

i don't think I'm actually for "signatures" in questions despite their upsides

and I doubt we can get new tech features implemented to make the author more prominent

so it was just an observation, that's all

pacoverflow

Yeah I don't think the community would approve despite any positives there may be

Joe

9:13 AM

@pacoverflow @xnor @d'alar'cop How about a JS plugin like Empuzzler (Riddler?) which enhances anything on PSE tagged Riddle?

They'd need to fit an expected format (ish) but we could certainly do some basic improvement

*s

Andrew Martin

9:24 AM

@xnor: I would believe the Stack Exchange wouldn't allow this. See here. To quote from it: "*Please don't use signature or taglines in your posts. Every post you make is already "signed" with your standard user card, which links directly back to your user page."

@xnor: i.e., why have signatures in titles or signatures in the question body when there's a very prominent user card on every post, visible on both the main site and in the question itself.

Puzzling Meta

9:35 AM

1

Q: Do we have or need a dictionary of puzzle terms?

Hits question was inspired by posting "Assumption Needed when Solving Puzzle". I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to have a collection of typical terms used for puzzling (and on site). And if so, how this should exist. as a Question post ? as a site-Wiki ? To a certain extend, the tag...

xnor

@AndrewMartin I'm not actually advocating using signatures in titles; they are definitely not the place for it

about user cards, what's missing is the ability to see in on the front page without clicking through

d'alar'cop

@Joe anything tagged "Riddle" is not a signature

So, I think Riddler is an awesome idea

xnor

the last person to edit or answer appears, who is often not the writer

d'alar'cop

what argument is there against it?

Joe

@d'alar'cop I mean if the puzzle is tagged "riddle" we can use that to determine if Riddler should transform it or not

d'alar'cop

9:40 AM

and there's plenty of argument for it... because it solves the spoiler issue

yes, i know.. I think I was responding to the wrong thing

xnor

@Joe that would be great, and I'd like to see it for non-riddle questions as well

d'alar'cop

yes, but give the user a preference check on it

Joe

OK, start telling me what stuff you'd like to see it do

d'alar'cop

Riddler on/off

xnor

act by tag?

d'alar'cop

9:41 AM

exactly what Empuzzler does... except only on RIDDLE

unless you want to let users configure the tags it should include/exclude

Joe

So just hide answers? Empuzzler does that :P

d'alar'cop

I thought it hid everything?

comments... answers...

Joe

Oh, I see

d'alar'cop

release answers one at a time..

but tell you how many there are

Joe

But the top-voted answer is most likely to the the answer

So I don't see how releasing one at a time helps you. By seeing 1 you're most likely to see the answer

d'alar'cop

9:43 AM

well if they're all wrong.. they are hints

so maybe an indication that it's been answered or not

I'm not sure.... these are just little details really..

Joe

You'll know that: SE tells you if there's an accepted answer

d'alar'cop

as it is would be awesome... set to tags... brilliant idea

oh of course.. it'll be green etc.. I've never seen Empuzzler :p

Joe

Go install it :P

d'alar'cop

I didn't know what it changes...

Joe

Or do you not use CHrome?

d'alar'cop

9:44 AM

I use chrome

I never needed it because we have spoilers :p

and I usually like hints :p

or an answer

Joe

Hm

d'alar'cop

but I'd use it as you descibe it

because it sounds perfect for us

Joe

I'm not sure if Greasemonkey scripts can have settings pages

d'alar'cop

now is the time to do something like this

Joe

So it might just be an "edit the script and add your tags in here"

d'alar'cop

9:48 AM

while there's still time to take away spoilers... I've stopped using them most of the time myself actually

OK, well if it has RIDDLE as default, should be fine..

actually, how about we have a tag "CHALLENGE"?

Joe

Wait, what do you mean about spoilers?

It doesn't touch spoilers, it just hides every answer then shows every answer

d'alar'cop

spoilers in answers... I've stopped using them... and we'd be able to get rid of them if we use Riddler

oh yeah, I know... but that's ok

once you click "SHOW" you know what you're in for...

it is kind of like a giant spoiler

a spoiler inside of a spoiler would be too much.. :p

Joe

So do you want an option to make it also un-hide spoilers when you click "Show"?

(It'd be another edit-the-variable option)

d'alar'cop

why not make default to despoil everything?

I mean.. why retain spoiler tags inside the giant spoiler?

Joe

Because I don't want to despoil things :P If spoilers are used properly, you can get hints without getting the answer

d'alar'cop

9:52 AM

I see..

ok, so don't then

:)

then it's perfect as is... just need to be set to certain tags... doesn't need to be configurable if it's a pain

just RIDDLE and maybe CHALLENGE

Joe

So, should unhiding spoilers only affect tags you've chosen?

Andrew Martin

@xnor: Rather than view "activity" (i.e. the default view), choose "questions". That lists everything in order of asking, showing only the asker and not any of the editors.

Joe

Eg. you set it to hide answers on 'riddle' tags - should it despoil 'theory' questions, or only 'riddle's?

xnor

@AndrewMartin thanks, that's helpful

d'alar'cop

@Joe... well I'd say then that we shouldn't despoil anything..

and the habits and usage of spoilers will change and evolve

Joe

10:07 AM

So when should despoiling happen?

d'alar'cop

eventually they probably won't be used... except maybe to hide the final answer to a riddle

never I'd say

noone uses them in theory answers

only ever in riddles... and as you say... maybe someone wants a hint.. but not the answer

Joe

Mm

I'll just leave it as a global option then

You can disable spoilers entirely, or leave them on

d'alar'cop

ok, cool

is it possible to collect data on how people use it?

Joe

Not sure I want to worry about privacy with that

d'alar'cop

ok, so it's all good then..

Joe

10:11 AM

OK, that's done then :P

d'alar'cop

:D

so it'll be part of the system.. or people must manually install it?

Joe

You have to install it still

I'll go post it on the Empuzzler thread

d'alar'cop

ok, so maybe it should be always featured or something

or a little things somewhere on the left panel or on the top... unless you have it installed

Joe

I can't actually change SE :P

I'm not affiliated with SE at all, I'm just a web dev

d'alar'cop

I mean, one of the mods could help us :p

Joe

10:23 AM

Maybe :P Go and @ some of them xD

d'alar'cop

let me know when you're ready to go and I will

Joe

16

Q: Empuzzler: A user script for hiding comments and answers until you want to see them

I've created a user script that hides comments and answers on Puzzling.SE's main site by default, and reveals them only when you want them revealed. I've done this because I'm the sort of person who dislikes having potential spoilers or answers in view or at risk of being in view whilst I'm mull...

discussion spoilers scripts user-interface

It's posted ;-)

d'alar'cop

sweet :D

ok, I'll use it too

@Emrakul ping :D

@Joe can I use this? greasyfork.org/en/scripts/5570-puzzling-se-empuzzler it looks out of date :p

Joe

It's out of date

I don't have access to that you'd have to tell @doppelgreener to update it :P

d'alar'cop

ok. how do you recommend I install it then?

Joe

10:36 AM

Grab it off the pastebin link at the top of my answer

d'alar'cop

yep I've got the js

Joe

See the comments just under the changelo

They should explain everything

d'alar'cop

I don't see anything in the comments about installing it.. and the meta A says: "Chrome users ought to be able to add it straight away"

Joe

pastebin.com/jCfbUjiL

lines 23-41

d'alar'cop

yes, but to install it into my browser... what am I not getting :p

do I need TamperMonkey?

Joe

10:43 AM

83

Q: Manually adding a Userscript to Google Chrome

Instead of "installing" User-Scripts I found many tutorials on the web to add it manually. All of them told me to do the same steps: Make the directory C:\Users\Blabla\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\User Scripts Place a .js file there, which contains the User-Script Start Chrome ...

google-chrome userscripts

:P

d'alar'cop

(what a noob, i know)

Joe

To install a user script, drag the *.user.js file into the Extensions page (chrome://extensions in the address input).

d'alar'cop

I tried that :(

Joe

You may need to tick Developer Mode

d'alar'cop

it says, drop to install... when I drag the empuzzler_0.5.js over the extensions,, then I drop it... then it opens the file as though it were a text :p

Joe

10:47 AM

Strange. Looks like it works to me

Go to chrome://extensions and drop the .user.js file on to it

Oh, rename to .user.js maybe

d'alar'cop

oh right..

ok :D

tick... of course my question would've been dv'd into oblivion by now on SO, thanks

all right, it's all working. nice :D

Joe

:P

-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

d'alar'cop

NOOOOOOB

gtfo qq

Joe

:P

d'alar'cop

it all moves too fast for me... :(

xnor

10:51 AM

@Bmyguest can I ask you for confirmation on a couple of things as hints?

d'alar'cop

@Emrakul !!

Joe

Isn't he @Emracool now?

Or did he change back?

d'alar'cop

@Emracool ?

I think he changed from kul to cool yesterday...

A E

11:34 AM

I assumed one account had modpowerz and the other did not. It's a pretty common form of modding, I don't know if it's common on SE. Could be wrong, there's one way to find out ...

Joe

Ah fair enough. I didn't realise he had two separate accounts heh

d'alar'cop

@Jow

@Joe, I've been using it now for a bit and I like it :) One thing though... when I have a message (the red icon thingo) it won't take me to it because it's blocked...

Joe

Hm

So how should it react?

Assume that you've already seen anything that can be spoilt, so not hide anything?

@d'alar'cop

d'alar'cop

11:52 AM

yep, I'd say that if you're linked to a particular comment... so it'd have a # in the URL

then no hiding?

it's almost as though any link that goes to an answer (via share or whatever) or to a comment (via the proper links)... should bypass Riddler

Joe

so location.hash.match(/^#(comment)?[0-9]+$/)

Ah, actually location.hash.match(/^#(?:comment)?[0-9]+(?:[_0-9]+)?$/)

d'alar'cop

yep, that should do

or even, if it has a hash at all would be enough wouldn't it?

would it ever have a hash when you just want to view the question?... I don't think so

yep, going to answers also uses a #

Joe

I dunno

Maybe something like after editing a question it might add a hash?

I really dunno, but I think it's safer to just match as little as possible

Less chance of bugs

d'alar'cop

ok cool

links to answers are a # followed by a strictly integer code

Joe

12:09 PM

OK, posted in the Empuz thread

d'alar'cop

Nice is all works :)

good job Joe!

@Emrakul @Emracool pingaling?

Joe

:P

d'alar'cop

12:28 PM

well, anyway, when you see this, I've started using Riddler/Empuzzler for Riddles and it's sweet. The meta post (the answer) should probably be linked somewhere on the front, what do you think? @ me to discuss :)

see you later Joe :D

Joe

Cya dalar :)

A E

1:35 PM

/r/ change room title "The Drama Llama".

Joe

I find 30% to be optimistic

Puzzling Meta

1:48 PM

-2

Q: The mysteriously missing question

Folks, There has been a murder. A question was just minding it's business and it is now dead. What happened to it. "Who done it?" There are no other clues. Just very mysterious. Will he "turn" himself in? Will he "open" his mind? Can he "handle" his responsibility? Dun dun duuuuuuun.

discussion

0

Q: If riddles are on-topic, why did my questions get downvoted?

For example, this one had 1 upvote before it got downvoted. Did I post too fast, titles, etc or are riddles not allowed?

discussion

Joe

1:59 PM

Does that auto-post new meta topics?

A E

Yes

It's one of the room's feeds.

Joe

Oh nice

Very nice

A E

If you create a room for a particular question then you can add that question's feed to the room, so new answers get posted automatically into the room. Although comments don't (or at least I don't know how to make them appear, which isn't quite the same thing).

Joe

Neat. I never even knew about chat a couple of weeks ago xD

Donald.McLean

2:14 PM

@AE The chat room name is my fault.

A E

@Donald.McLean Don't worry about it Donald, I was j/k.

Donald.McLean

@AE Considering that I suggested something so unbelievably silly that people felt it worth voting for, it would be ridiculous of me to take offense at someone making fun of it.

Joe

I'll give you a text-based-upvote for the chatroom name :-)

A E

@Donald.McLean Silly is good. I like silly. :)

Donald.McLean

@AE Me too. :-)

user61230

3:14 PM

@d'alar'cop 'ello; I was sleeping, sorry.

user61230

@AE They're the same account - I just had to change my username briefly so something I was trying to do would become less confusing. Meant to change it back, but didn't. Only one account here :]

Puzzling Meta

0

Q: Can we get Code Snippets?

What I'd like to do is to create some simple-ish interactive puzzles with Javascript/CSS to get some feedback on a couple of different ideas I've got. Is there any chance we can get code snippets enabled on PSE? They're on SO already so shouldn't (?) take too much effort to enable on PSE. If not...

feature-request

Joe

Sleeping? How dare you :P

user61230

I'm sorry! Sleep is my only respite from moderating!

2

d'alar'cop

3:33 PM

hi all :)

Joe

Afternoon, cop

d'alar'cop

yes, it's been quite hectic over here lately :(

hello Joe

Joe

I do hope things calm down a little. Hopefully some legit puzzles and discussions will distract everyone :P

d'alar'cop

well it's mostly business as usual apart from a couple of interesting events that only really take the interest of the certain few

user61230

I have half a mind to post on the next complaint question "Maybe you should enjoy a challenge question or two, just to get your mind off things."

user61230

3:37 PM

Been a hectic few days.

d'alar'cop

Yes, funny idea. But I think those things will come to a rest

Very exciting few days... :O

user61230

That's the hope.

d'alar'cop

I'm sure you feel very caught in the middle of things

I know you're busy.. have you looked at the post which kicked off the most recent discussions?

(now quite thoroughly deleted)

user61230

The auto-deleted one?

user61230

Yeah, that one. Woke up to it.

d'alar'cop

3:42 PM

well sorry about that indeed.. unless you got a kick out of it :p

@Joe I changed my local copy of the plug-in to be called "Riddler" instead... since I only need blocks for challenges (often riddles)

user61230

I'll be honest, I giggled a little :]

Joe

That's fine :P Just don't go asking for Riddler support anywhere :P

d'alar'cop

lol

I thought it was quite funny as well

I literally laughed quite a lot

I'm glad you weren't there actually

(I mean because you were spared the trouble)

hello AE

A E

hi! and bye!

d'alar'cop

good bye

So what is on your mind @Emrakul ?

ave Bozman

A E

3:59 PM

I've written my first riddle!

1

Q: A Dark But Quite Progressive Puzzle. What's the musical solution?

Well, my previous few puzzles have been too hard, so I've done my best to avoid that this time. If this one is too easy then let me know! :) This is a multi-part puzzle. We start with a riddle: I am thought and I am memory; I create the world; I free men and I free women. Black wing...

riddle cryptograms literature

Of course there's also a cryptogram. :)

d'alar'cop

I love it

A+

A E

cool.

I think it might be too easy, but that's ok I guess. There's still the second bit of the puzzle.

I'm listening to the musical solution now. :P

d'alar'cop

authors often feel this idea of the difficulty

they can't believe people find it so hard

A E

yeah, my previous few have been much harder than I intended

d'alar'cop

was it you who posted La Resistance from South Park?

I love that song

A E

4:02 PM

@d'alar'cop, yes, but as an example of what we didn't need to be doing.

But it is a great song.

d'alar'cop

i know :p

A E

which is weird because I can't stand Les Miz.

The musical ran for years and years here in london

d'alar'cop

South Park has the Midas touch

A E

was known as "The Glums".

d'alar'cop

I appreciate Trey Parker more and more

A E

4:03 PM

yeah, me too, although sometimes they can be a bit hit and miss

Orgazmo was awful

people say the Book of Mormon musical is good though.

d'alar'cop

I suppose their recent Lorde schtick should be left behind now

yes Orgazmo is unwatchable really

A E

"Lorde schtick"?

d'alar'cop

lately they have had Lorde (the musician) as a central sort-of-character

it's actually Randy... the joke is that she looks like a 40-year-old man

:p

the main episode with this is "The Cissy"... brilliant - my favourite.. pure art

but they keep using it...

Donald.McLean

@AE Haven't seen Les Miz, but I've been told that it's even more overwrought than Phantom of the Opera, which is not a good thing.

A E

@d'alar'cop oh, I haven't actually watched SP itself for years now.

@Donald.McLean True. Got a good song though:

►

d'alar'cop

4:10 PM

looks like V for Vendetta

Bozman

Oops. I guess you should know how the flags work before you stir the hornet's nest.

d'alar'cop

indeed

you get the award for funniest comment of the week

A E

@d'alar'cop The musical was first staged at about the same time that V was being written.

d'alar'cop

I see

A E

Don't know if Les Mis is also intended as a veiled stab at Thatcherism...

@Bozman Never poke hornets.

Also never invade Russia in the winter.

Or the summer, because the country is very big and the summer is very short so by the time you get there it's always winter again.

(Can you tell I was watching Enemy At The Gates last night?)

d'alar'cop

4:17 PM

I hadn't seen it.. I give it a look

*I'll

A E

tl;dw: the Nazis lose.

d'alar'cop

@Bozman do you know what comment I'm talking about?

Geez.. spoilers!!?

Donald.McLean

@AE That was ok. I'm a fan of Broadway style musicals and have quite a few tracks from them on my iPod. Even one from Phantom.

Bozman

@d'alar'cop no i've been a loose cannon recently so it could be several.

A E

@Donald.McLean Then you might like grooveshark.com/#!/album/Are+A+Drag/130746

My favourite:

►

Joe

4:20 PM

@Bozman that's quite the understatement ;-)

d'alar'cop

@Bozman "If it's not an easy answer like Java..."

I'm still laughing about that :D

Donald.McLean

@AE Actually, that's pretty cool.

A E

@Donald.McLean I think so. :)

Donald.McLean

@AE I'm also a big fan of interesting covers.

A E

@Donald.McLean oh, well then we have a lot to talk about. Let's see now...

My other favourite from that album:

►

Then there's this:

►

Donald.McLean

4:28 PM

@AE Over the Rainbow didn't quite work for some reason.

@AE That was good.

A E

:)

Bozman

@d'alar'cop yah i was thinking about that one. Just frustrated dealing with politics when all you want to do is take a quick break from work and see interesting puzzles and answers and the only ones voted up are simple ones while one's that take some thinking and discussion get down voted. hopefully it turns around.

A E

Here's one that - unlike Shatner - is actually really good...