Heya. Just letting everyone know that I am back, sort of. I am way behind on doing Xtra puzzles but that is okay. The printer is kludged together with the network at the moment so printing isn't 100% convenient. The move took alot out of me and I haven't been in the mood to do many computer things. I still have things to unpack and it will probably take me a year to get it all done. Anyby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
... in case anyone is interested. I am moving into a new home and while I am very excited about that, the planning has been a nightmare. And of course with it being post holiday, everyone wants other things done that they have been putting off NOW and I don't have time for it. So I won't be doing issue #3 for a while. I am looking forward to it, but I probably won't get to solve it simultanby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
* SPOILER * I was working on the Jigsaw Extra Regions Sudoku in the lower right on Page 25. I believe that there is a BUG Formation in the puzzle which causes there to be 2 solutions. Doing the puzzle I got this far: 8 . . 9 7 2 3 5 1 3 7 9 4 1 5 6 8 2 5 2 1 8 6 3 . . 9 4 5 3 6 8 9 1 2 7 2 8 7 3 5 1 9 6 4 1 9 . 7 2 . 5 3 8 . 3 8by Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Well once again, this proves how different I am from everyone else... I can only think it is because I am stressed out at this time, but I did NOT find the Skyscraper Sudokus easier in issue #2. The 6x6 and 8x8 were okay, but I felt the normal ones and the SSSS took way too long for me. It is probably because I am very impatient right now, and if I can't get a puzzle solved in an hour or lesby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Well I did the Community Puzzles on Christmas Day and here are my opinions on them: Lewis's Ls: I agree with Christine. This type of puzzle gets the award for best contribution this issue! The puzzles were very thought provoking and you need your skills from Nurikabe, Hanjie, Hitori, and probably some other puzzles combined to solve these. I read the rules at first and was confused, but afby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Very cute Gareth... Will this happen every time you make one of these puzzles or was it a one-off effect? Can this become a rule for those type of puzzles like my Samurai Flower Rule (Ninja-Leap)?by Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Yes, I hope everyone is having a great holiday so far! I get very grumpy at this time of year, but this holiday is turning out better than expected. I had turkey leg, cornbread, and Dr. Pepper for dinner, played a lot of Dominion with my wife and friends, and watched the Doctor Who Christmas Special (for those who are interested ). Thanks for getting issue #2 out for Christmas. I did the cby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
While we are waiting for Issue 2 to be released, I would like to know if anyone does other puzzle publications besides Sudoku Xtra and if they had any recommendations. I have tried quite a few titles and have opinions of them, and would like to hear other people's opinions as well. Here are the ones I like to do: Sudoku Xtra: Of course Killer Sudoku and Kakuro (Puzzler): These are myby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Now that I have some more time to respond, I'll throw in my requests: What you have now More Calcudoku, Skyscraper, and Consecutive puzzles. If you could put some Str8ts puzzles and Chess Mazes in that would be great. Now to re-pitch an idea Have a Sudoku Dragon... What you do is have puzzles throughout the publication which have marked squares that, when filled in, tell you whatby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Just letting you know that Sudoku Pro #49 finally arrived in Sydney, Australia at my local news agency this weekend and I picked it up. From what I understand, issue #50 was online only ... so that is that I guess. Good thing we now have Xtra. I always like the variety...by Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Christine, it is NOT just you... I just completed all the skyscraper type puzzles in issue 1 and the ones in there are much more difficult than Gareth has put out in the past. I felt like he was trying to see how few start numbers he could include. I can see why Marilyn was geting frustrated. I was doing one of the sudoku type ones and gave up in the middle, thinking "I have other thby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Something that might help you is to consider Skyscraper puzzles as if they are Futoshiki. The difference is that they don't put the greater than signs in for you, rather they tell you where the symbols are by other rules. Suppose we have a 6x6 puzzle. That means the highest number is "6". Look around the edges. You should find a 1-clue along each side of the puzzle. That means thby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Unfortunately I haven't had as much time as I would like to do the puzzles in Xtra. But I have worked on a few and my favorite ones are the ones Christine mentioned above because they are a real strong addition to a regular sudoku. You also cannot get these nice new ones anywhere else ... and Gareth thinks about the puzzles he makes rather than just churning them all through a computer. I likby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Continuing with patterns: 3 Whites together in a row or column can never be "shish kebabed", because the exits of the middle White will both be straight and that breaks the rules. That means the exit lines of the 3 Whites run parallel to each other. Using the walls as you do is the place to start. A White next to a wall means the exits to the White run parallel to the wall. Blaby Spittledung - Sudoku Xtra Discussion Forum
Sudoku Xtra ©Gareth Moore 2009 - email gareth@sudokuxtra.com - get puzzles for your own publication