Search found 2895 matches

by Ben Wilson
Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:35 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: General feedback
Replies: 284
Views: 52465

Re: General feedback

Is it just me, or is Plum a lot stronger on speed games than he 'should' be? Certainly a lot stronger than Caesar.
by Ben Wilson
Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:33 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Any of you series winners read the OED cover to cover???
Replies: 10
Views: 1818

Re: Any of you series winners read the OED cover to cover???

I've barely even opened most of the volumes. A project like that would leave my eyeballs in a gooey mess.
by Ben Wilson
Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:31 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Podcast 3.1 - Jason Larsen Birthday Special!
Replies: 14
Views: 2425

Re: Countdown Podcast 3.1 - Jason Larsen Birthday Special!

It's been a while since Jason's birthday- I think I can safely close this thread now. See you in 11 1/2 months! :)
by Ben Wilson
Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:06 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Official Thread of Brag
Replies: 1176
Views: 167135

Re: Official Thread of Brag

Joseph Bolas wrote:
Charlie Reams wrote:This must be a record for something. Stupidity, at least.

(Note that my esteemed opponent finally got a numbers game right in Round... 435!)
This is the new record, for stupidity, or whatever you call it :lol:
Round 498 is a particular highlight of that game.
by Ben Wilson
Sat Oct 04, 2008 7:44 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Official Thread of Brag
Replies: 1176
Views: 167135

Re: Official Thread of Brag

http://apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=4160

May only be second highest speed game but I've got my prime on a stick back and in style! :)
by Ben Wilson
Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:20 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Fun with the custom challenges
Replies: 21
Views: 2189

Re: Fun with the custom challenges

But to be fair I was playing prune... as I was in this game- http://apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=3841 :)
by Ben Wilson
Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:45 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Feature requests
Replies: 1956
Views: 433121

Re: Feature requests

What could be cool is a sort-of 'score challenge' or duplicate mode where you're scored on your own game but still competitively, like the Goatdown challenges at COLIN. Maybe even more than 2 players to a match?
by Ben Wilson
Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:01 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Bug reports
Replies: 2157
Views: 436979

Re: Known bugs

http://apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=3282

Very kind of it to give me the same conundrum twice in one challenge! ;)
by Ben Wilson
Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:25 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COGST - starting mid-September
Replies: 302
Views: 23982

Re: COGST - starting mid-September

I may have to reluctantly withdraw from the countdown tournament because I do not have access to a computer until tuesday week :x . If i could postpone my match until then, then I will be able to play, if not, forced to pull out. I am sneakily using the college computers to send this message :P . P...
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:33 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

When I said 'tonight' obviously I meant 'this week + weekend'. Either way it's been done. Next up on the site will be a 'best of COLIN' page with various anecdotes and photos from the four events. Any particular events or games you want me to put up there, let me know- obviously the 'Bevins almosts ...
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:07 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Feature requests
Replies: 1956
Views: 433121

Re: Feature requests

I'm also convinced that I pressed the first letter of the conundrum before it told me time was up (it was close though). If you were playing against a human (unlikely considering you're, well, you, but you never know) sometimes lag comes into play- I've had half the word typed in the box before onl...
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:24 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: New Host
Replies: 264
Views: 29786

Re: Latest Countdown host speculation

His turns on HIGNFY have always been fun- god knows he's done enough of them- he'd be alright as a host but as said, there are some suitability questions in there.
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COGST - starting mid-September
Replies: 302
Views: 23982

Re: COGST - starting mid-September

He's online now mate, albeit listed as 'away'.
by Ben Wilson
Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:58 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Name plates of contestants
Replies: 20
Views: 4689

Re: Name plates of contestants

I'm a bit miffed that I only wound up with one despite three trips to YTV studios- ah well.

Nita Marr of the Edinburgh Countdown Club has about eight... :-/
by Ben Wilson
Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COMA- The Countdown Online Masters competition
Replies: 190
Views: 20963

Re: COMA- The Countdown Online Masters competition

Please to be posting times and dates in this thread please Conor and Paul (assuming no clashes with COGST stuff).
by Ben Wilson
Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Website will be updated later tonight, but as it stands right now, there are a mere six places remaining...
by Ben Wilson
Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:21 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Name plates of contestants
Replies: 20
Views: 4689

Re: Name plates of contestants

All this just makes me want to try and get as many ex-contestants, and their nameplates, into one place at once for a mass photo. If only there was a mass gathering of former, current and future contestants at some point in the future... ;) (One that the poster of rhe quoted message hasn't actually...
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:19 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Birthdays
Replies: 1252
Views: 129679

Re: Birthdays

Happy birthday Stewart G for today and Nick W for tomorrow! :)
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:28 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Official Thread of Brag
Replies: 1176
Views: 167135

Re: Official Thread of Brag

Jesus, Conor :shock: BIRTHDATE, PICAROON, TEPIDARIA... you've obviously been keeping in practice whilst you were away! Scary... so are you going to finish your COMA Final with Paul H? Oh, I'd forgotten about that. :oops: I'm up for finishing it anytime. Cool, I can cut the hair off my voodoo doll n...
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:26 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Question for the technologically-minded
Replies: 5
Views: 1237

Re: Question for the technologically-minded

I'm in the process of doing mine as I have a VHS/DVD combo recorder but I will admit I'm taking my time over it.
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:25 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Who has an ODE2r?
Replies: 17
Views: 2339

Re: Who has an ODE2r?

And me.
by Ben Wilson
Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:39 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: September's Daily Duel
Replies: 13
Views: 3197

Re: Daily Duel

I eagerly await the 5sec max-only hypergoatdown duel. :)
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:52 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Birthdays
Replies: 1252
Views: 129679

Re: Birthdays

Happy birthday Jason. :)
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:32 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Future of online Countdown tournaments
Replies: 14
Views: 2574

Re: Future of online Countdown tournaments

I can't imagine people will be queuing up to act as hosts when it can be done automatically, but if people want to waste their time then I won't dissuade them. I've probably hosted more games than anyone else in the last 4 years and I don't intend to do any more. MSN has a massive number of disadva...
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:30 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Future of online Countdown tournaments
Replies: 14
Views: 2574

Re: Future of online Countdown tournaments

I agree Apterous is definitely the future of online tournaments but it'd be a shame if msn play died out altogether. The hours spent talking complete crap before and after each game would be missed by at least one person. ;)
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:39 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Birthdays
Replies: 1252
Views: 129679

Re: Birthdays

Happy birthday Dave! :-)
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COGST Game 8 - Julian Fell vs Steven Briers
Replies: 6
Views: 2129

Re: COGST Game 8 - Julian Fell vs Steven Briers

Charlie Reams wrote:Wow, I thought we were looking at Julian's first online defeat for a while there! Well played to both, fun game to read through, and thanks Kirk for making that possible.
First online defeat ever, wouldn't it be? At least since the aborted online Countdown league... of 2003.
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:17 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Apterous
Replies: 19
Views: 3421

Re: Apterous

Firstly, hats off to Charlie for not only Apterous, but for being the grandmaster of the online Countdown community and for putting in countless hours of effort over the last 4 or 5 years. Thank you :) Although with people like Mike Brown and Ben Wilson on the scene, I don't think I can accept the ...
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Birthdays
Replies: 1252
Views: 129679

Re: Birthdays

Happy birthday Martin. :)
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere :(
There are trains, stop complaining.
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked. 28 places have already been filled :o On the day Ben, do we have to be there when it's opening up, or can we arrive after lunch, just before the first game is starting? As long as you're there for the start of round 1 you can arrive ...
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:02 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

It's compiled, I just need to upload it...

...30 seconds later...

...done. :)
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:39 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Bug reports
Replies: 2157
Views: 436979

Re: Known bugs

In Hyperconundrums/Hypergoatconundrums, the letters appear too small to be visible- wide ones like Ms and Ws appear as an ellpisis.
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:34 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Scrabble-related plug
Replies: 8
Views: 1917

Re: Scrabble-related plug

Just incase people don't know already, the 2009 Countdown and Scrabble calendars are in the shops (well Waterstone's anyway), but I didn't get the prices. They'll also be on http://www.tilefish.co.uk soon enough I'd imagine. By no small coincidence, me and Charlie are planning another clabbers cons...
by Ben Wilson
Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:20 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: L33T Scrabble
Replies: 6
Views: 1789

Re: L33T Scrabble

Michael Wallace wrote: We've had a few games with them (e.g.)
Ew, stepladder.
by Ben Wilson
Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COGST - starting mid-September
Replies: 302
Views: 23982

Re: COGST - starting mid-September

I'm about whenever really, except for Thursday when I'm out for most of the day. Other than that I'm probably more flexible than most, since I have nothing to do (beyond eating and sleeping) until my PhD starts. Good good- just catch me whenever I'm on apterous and we can get at it then (usually mo...
by Ben Wilson
Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:54 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COGST - starting mid-September
Replies: 302
Views: 23982

Re: COGST - starting mid-September

Matt and raccoon boy, when are you available to play your games? :)
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:05 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Who would you like to see in DC?
Replies: 219
Views: 41142

Re: Who would you like to see in DC?

aagharmer wrote:As a newbie, I would like to add my four penn'orth on this one.

Harry Enfield
If he appears in dictionary corner I may well have to drive a sledgehammer through my TV screen.
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:37 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Ben O Ben, is there any chance you could put on the website a list of who's signed up for COLin so far, like you did with CONot? Oh yes and as requested on the site, I can bring a copy of the ODE2r if need be It'll be sorted by Sunday or Monday. I'm away all weekend doing Scrabble-style stuff but i...
by Ben Wilson
Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:54 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Bug reports
Replies: 2157
Views: 436979

Re: Known bugs

Bizarre behaviour on the ratings- losing to Stewy in his first ever game dropped my rating from 580 to 356.
by Ben Wilson
Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:46 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Official Thread of Brag
Replies: 1176
Views: 167135

Re: Official Thread of Brag

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=916

For when 100 rounds isn't excessive enough.
by Ben Wilson
Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:24 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Bug reports
Replies: 2157
Views: 436979

Re: Known bugs

The new Goatdown feature is sex on legs but alas has a bug- after picking 6 consonants and 2 vowels, the bot I was playing then picked an S- my understanding of the goatdown rules is that the final pick can't override the maximum vowel/consonant limit like this.
by Ben Wilson
Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:28 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Re: Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Safe to say I wasn't expecting this level of response- including the 'maybes' on the facebook page- http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39855883576 - 22 of the 36 spaces have already been filled. I can expand to 42 spaces at a pinch- though frankly right now I'm just basking in actually having...
by Ben Wilson
Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:31 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Welcome to cdb
Replies: 16
Views: 1987

Re: Welcome to cdb

I'm liking it, it strikes me there's a lot that could be done to it but it's very good as a no-nonsense stats site, which are always fun. :)

I'll miss the corral though.
by Ben Wilson
Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:35 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: I'm back...
Replies: 35
Views: 3004

Re: I'm back...

It's because I'm just curious to know the process of a Countdown taping from beginning to end, Joseph. Buy the fabulous book called "Spreading the Word" which would satisfy those needs, Jason. Whilst StW is undoubtedly the best option you could also buy Mark Tournoff's book Crucial, or re...
by Ben Wilson
Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:47 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Lincoln 2009
Replies: 167
Views: 17424

Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Hi everyone Entries are now open for COLIN 2009, which promises to be one of the best, if not the best COLIN to date! The date will be Saturday, 24th January and the venue will be, as always, St. Hugh's Church Hall in North Hykeham. The format is unchanged- three people to a table, one hosting and t...
by Ben Wilson
Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:33 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: COGST - starting mid-September
Replies: 302
Views: 23982

Re: COGST - starting mid-September

Hi Martin

Count me in :)

BJ"procrastination"W
by Ben Wilson
Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: I'm back...
Replies: 35
Views: 3004

Re: I'm back...

Charlie Reams wrote:...while I sat around playing a game...
One hopes this isn't a spoiler. ;)

Anyways, good retroactive luck Mr. Reams- I wondered why I was experiencing Charlie/Jono withdrawl symptoms. ;)
by Ben Wilson
Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:26 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Official Thread of Brag
Replies: 1176
Views: 167135

Re: Official Thread of Brag

Seeing as no one repleid to the thread I made about it...

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=438

Going for a longer one at some point this week. :)
by Ben Wilson
Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:07 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Leicester (CoLei) - Saturday 30 August 2008
Replies: 57
Views: 7924

Re: Countdown in Leicester (CoLei) - Saturday 30 August 2008

Echoing Ross's and Dinos's statements, CoLei today was brilliant fun- great games, great company, great food too. :) Congratulations to Mark on an impressive 4/4 record, and commiserations Kirk for victory being snatched away at the final second YET again... you will win someday. ;) Would say 'roll ...
by Ben Wilson
Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: After Carol
Replies: 21
Views: 4828

Re: After Carol

Martin Gardner wrote:Occaisonally celebrities go for their own words without checking with Susie and it can go wrong. I can remember Ken Bruce offering CUBED in one of my games when there was no C.

Martin
Then there's the issue of Jo Brand every time she appears in DC. :)
by Ben Wilson
Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:13 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: ABSP Scrabble tournaments
Replies: 59
Views: 4598

Re: ABSP Scrabble tournaments

I appreciate that and for my money playing for money is not gambling - if it were, you could included tennis tournaments like Wimbledon as gambling. My point (which in fairness, I didn't make very well) is that if you're offering someone the choice between a £4 tournament and a £14 one, you're only...
by Ben Wilson
Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: ABSP Scrabble tournaments
Replies: 59
Views: 4598

Re: ABSP Scrabble tournaments

I appreciate that and for my money playing for money is not gambling - if it were, you could included tennis tournaments like Wimbledon as gambling. My point (which in fairness, I didn't make very well) is that if you're offering someone the choice between a £4 tournament and a £14 one, you're only...
by Ben Wilson
Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:41 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: ABSP Scrabble tournaments
Replies: 59
Views: 4598

Re: ABSP Scrabble tournaments

Not sure if I've already said this, but it's interesting that the people who organise our club don't play ABSP tournaments because they consider it "playing for money". I thought this was bollocks at first until I realised that the tournaments I play in are £4 each and an ABSP tournament ...
by Ben Wilson
Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Arithmetic
Replies: 27
Views: 3003

Re: Arithmetic

Jason Larsen wrote:Would someone please give me an example of division resulting in a fraction?
3/4=3/4.
by Ben Wilson
Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:18 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Scrabble-related plug
Replies: 8
Views: 1917

Re: Scrabble-related plug

Don't bother. The 2009 ones will be out in a month. If you're desperate, there's always ebay.
by Ben Wilson
Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:47 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Feature requests
Replies: 1956
Views: 433121

Re: Feature requests

Possibility- a variant where you play through a series of rounds (pre-determined) until you hit a specific target, say 150 or 200 points?
by Ben Wilson
Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:32 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: No Countdown next week :(
Replies: 74
Views: 7906

Re: No Countdown next week :(

Gavin Chipper wrote:
Joseph Bolas wrote:Now that Countdown is back on, shouldn't this topic really be locked?
Why bother?
I was kinda hoping it'd die of natural causes, sadly I was wrong.