http://www.hartnup.net/wordpress/archives/2005/07/05/why-hand-made-sudoku/ John's all-purpose blog, with Debbie's name in the title too! Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:46:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://www.hartnup.net/wordpress/archives/2005/07/05/why-hand-made-sudoku/#comment-10432 Deano Fri, 14 Apr 2006 16:23:03 +0000 http://www.hartnup.net/wordpress/?p=428#comment-10432 As an inveterate hand-made sudoku compiler, I think the main difference between hand-made and computer-generated puzzles is - put simply - just the fact that you can tell the difference! When designing puzzles, I tend to look for interesting grid patterns if the puzzle allows me to go that way (sometimes it doesn't - seeds you put in gradually dictate the overall shape). I can, if I wish - and I often do! - try to create a puzzle with as few seeds as possible (my personal best is an 18-seed symmetrical). In the end, though, it's down to what the solver prefers, and I think in general solvers have no particular preference. But I'm a crossword compiler too, and I've seen software-generated crosswords - they really are pretty awful! It could be argued that far more goes into creating an entertaining crossword than into creating a sudoku puzzle, and that's probably true. But as a solver, if you know that a puzzle (sudoku, crossword, whatever) has been created by an individual you feel a more personal involvement in the battle of wits it presents. The sudoku puzzles on my site (5 per day, usually) are hand-made, although I use a brilliant piece of software called Sudoku Assistenten to build them. The process of inserting seeds is just like using pencil and paper, but SA (as we devotees call it!) takes the drudgery out of it by constantly updating the grid with inevitable numbers and cancelled candidates. I like your comment about prize puzzles. Yes, it is a bit of a farce. Sadly though, it's no more than marketing. It's why the prize "viewer questions" you see on TV are so hysterically easy - they just want responses in large numbers to help gauge viewership, interest etc. As an inveterate hand-made sudoku compiler, I think the main difference between hand-made and computer-generated puzzles is - put simply - just the fact that you can tell the difference! When designing puzzles, I tend to look for interesting grid patterns if the puzzle allows me to go that way (sometimes it doesn’t - seeds you put in gradually dictate the overall shape). I can, if I wish - and I often do! - try to create a puzzle with as few seeds as possible (my personal best is an 18-seed symmetrical).
In the end, though, it’s down to what the solver prefers, and I think in general solvers have no particular preference. But I’m a crossword compiler too, and I’ve seen software-generated crosswords - they really are pretty awful! It could be argued that far more goes into creating an entertaining crossword than into creating a sudoku puzzle, and that’s probably true. But as a solver, if you know that a puzzle (sudoku, crossword, whatever) has been created by an individual you feel a more personal involvement in the battle of wits it presents.
The sudoku puzzles on my site (5 per day, usually) are hand-made, although I use a brilliant piece of software called Sudoku Assistenten to build them. The process of inserting seeds is just like using pencil and paper, but SA (as we devotees call it!) takes the drudgery out of it by constantly updating the grid with inevitable numbers and cancelled candidates.
I like your comment about prize puzzles. Yes, it is a bit of a farce. Sadly though, it’s no more than marketing. It’s why the prize “viewer questions” you see on TV are so hysterically easy - they just want responses in large numbers to help gauge viewership, interest etc.

]]> http://www.hartnup.net/wordpress/archives/2005/07/05/why-hand-made-sudoku/#comment-830 Sudoku Fan Fri, 05 Aug 2005 16:48:05 +0000 http://www.hartnup.net/wordpress/?p=428#comment-830 If you like sudoku I recommend you <a href="http://www.printsudoku.com" rel="nofollow">PrintSudoku.com</a>. I has 6 new sudokus every day ready for printing. If you like sudoku I recommend you PrintSudoku.com. I has 6 new sudokus every day ready for printing.

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