Thread - LMI Monthly Puzzle Tests - F. A. Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

@ 2011-09-20 9:48 AM (#5660 - in reply to #5633) (#5660) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 9:48 AM

What software do I need on my machine to be able to participate in LMI tests?

You need 2 different software.
1)
Adobe Acrobat Reader - This is needed to open pdf (Portable Document format) files.
Instructions Booklet and Puzzle Booklet are always uploaded using this format.
It is important that you have some recent version of acrobat reader.

Download link - http://get.adobe.com/reader/

2)
Adobe Flash Player - This is needed to login and submit in the test page.
Unlike other sites, LMI uses Flash player for submission and score page for several reasons.
It is important that you have latest version of Flash Player.

Download link - http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

In most computers these 2 are already installed. Unless you are using a brand new computer, you are all set to participate.

Since you are able to read this page, you definitely are using some browser. It is always good to have the latest version of that browser installed.
Also, javascript needs to be enabled in your browser.

LMI does not use any browser specific mechanism, however LMI web pages (forum and test pages) look best using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

@ 2011-09-20 9:56 AM (#5661 - in reply to #5633) (#5661) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 9:56 AM

When is the next LMI Puzzle test? How do I get notified?

The schedule for LMI tests are published at this thread
This link is same as "Monthly Tests" link you see at the top of the web page.

Also, link to the next active test is always available in forum (top right corner)

Typically, monthly tests are announced 10 days before the test dates.

We also send emails to players if they have participated in earlier monthly tests.

Apart from LMI forum, we also announce about tests in other puzzle forums (UKPA, forum.logic-masters.de, sudokuvariante.forumactif.com, forsmarts.com/forum, wpf forum)

@ 2011-09-20 10:06 AM (#5662 - in reply to #5633) (#5662) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 10:06 AM

What is the typical life cycle of a monthly test?

In most cases,

A test is announced 10 days before it starts.

Instruction Booklet (IB) is available a week before it starts.

Discussion (mainly doubts / questions / strategies on the puzzles) take place in the corresponding thread through out the week. Minor changes to IB is possible based on these discussions.

Password protected puzzle booklet is available at least 6 hours before the test starts.

Flash Submission is enabled 6 hours before the test starts.

Tests typically run for 48 hours during the weekend. (Most LMI tests starts from 00:00:01 Saturday GMT)

While the test is running, score page is available only to those who have participated.

The score page is made public immediately after the test is over and Winners are announced.

Player provide feedback about the test and it goes through lot of analysis.

Within 48 hours after the test, LMI ratings are updated after including the test scores.

Around 5 days after the test, it is marked as inactive, and we plan for the next test.

@ 2011-09-20 10:24 AM (#5663 - in reply to #5633) (#5663) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 10:24 AM

I see from score page that puzzles are rated. How do I rate puzzles?

Puzzles can be rated from the test submission page. Rating stars are available below each puzzle. Click on the star to rate the puzzles. (More stars means better puzzle)

There is no submit button, just clicking on the star is enough. If you've rated a puzzle, the stars will have a different color.

Authors look forward to any kind of feedback regarding the puzzles. It is nice to rate the puzzles. [But please don't experiment with the stars - we have seen that some players just click on the stars for fun. It is not advisable ]

It is not necessary to rate the puzzles while the timer is on. In fact, we recommend that you rate the puzzles only after you finish the test.

Starting Jan'2011, the ratings are made anonymous (that means no player can see what other player has rated)


	@ 2011-09-20 9:48 AM (#5660 - in reply to #5633) (#5660) Top
debmohanty Country : India	debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 9:48 AM What software do I need on my machine to be able to participate in LMI tests? You need 2 different software. 1) Adobe Acrobat Reader - This is needed to open pdf (Portable Document format) files. Instructions Booklet and Puzzle Booklet are always uploaded using this format. It is important that you have some recent version of acrobat reader. Download link - http://get.adobe.com/reader/ 2) Adobe Flash Player - This is needed to login and submit in the test page. Unlike other sites, LMI uses Flash player for submission and score page for several reasons. It is important that you have latest version of Flash Player. Download link - http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ In most computers these 2 are already installed. Unless you are using a brand new computer, you are all set to participate. Since you are able to read this page, you definitely are using some browser. It is always good to have the latest version of that browser installed. Also, javascript needs to be enabled in your browser. LMI does not use any browser specific mechanism, however LMI web pages (forum and test pages) look best using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
	@ 2011-09-20 9:56 AM (#5661 - in reply to #5633) (#5661) Top
debmohanty Country : India	debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 9:56 AM When is the next LMI Puzzle test? How do I get notified? The schedule for LMI tests are published at this thread This link is same as "Monthly Tests" link you see at the top of the web page. Also, link to the next active test is always available in forum (top right corner) Typically, monthly tests are announced 10 days before the test dates. We also send emails to players if they have participated in earlier monthly tests. Apart from LMI forum, we also announce about tests in other puzzle forums (UKPA, forum.logic-masters.de, sudokuvariante.forumactif.com, forsmarts.com/forum, wpf forum)
	@ 2011-09-20 10:06 AM (#5662 - in reply to #5633) (#5662) Top
debmohanty Country : India	debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 10:06 AM What is the typical life cycle of a monthly test? In most cases, A test is announced 10 days before it starts. Instruction Booklet (IB) is available a week before it starts. Discussion (mainly doubts / questions / strategies on the puzzles) take place in the corresponding thread through out the week. Minor changes to IB is possible based on these discussions. Password protected puzzle booklet is available at least 6 hours before the test starts. Flash Submission is enabled 6 hours before the test starts. Tests typically run for 48 hours during the weekend. (Most LMI tests starts from 00:00:01 Saturday GMT) While the test is running, score page is available only to those who have participated. The score page is made public immediately after the test is over and Winners are announced. Player provide feedback about the test and it goes through lot of analysis. Within 48 hours after the test, LMI ratings are updated after including the test scores. Around 5 days after the test, it is marked as inactive, and we plan for the next test.
	@ 2011-09-20 10:24 AM (#5663 - in reply to #5633) (#5663) Top
debmohanty Country : India	debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-20 10:24 AM I see from score page that puzzles are rated. How do I rate puzzles? Puzzles can be rated from the test submission page. Rating stars are available below each puzzle. Click on the star to rate the puzzles. (More stars means better puzzle) There is no submit button, just clicking on the star is enough. If you've rated a puzzle, the stars will have a different color. Authors look forward to any kind of feedback regarding the puzzles. It is nice to rate the puzzles. [But please don't experiment with the stars - we have seen that some players just click on the stars for fun. It is not advisable ] It is not necessary to rate the puzzles while the timer is on. In fact, we recommend that you rate the puzzles only after you finish the test. Starting Jan'2011, the ratings are made anonymous (that means no player can see what other player has rated)