|
FAQ
• Search
•
• Once you reach 10 points, you'll be able to post messages on the forum. You can then log in automatically via the puzzle site. If you have more than 1000 points and still no forum account, then send me a note.
|
Help me improve my times! (please)
Author |
Message |
paapapiret 
Posted on: Tue Jan 21, 2025 3:35 am
Posts: 3 Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 7:05 am
|
 Help me improve my times! (please)
Hey Calcudoku greats! Any tips for improving times? Theese 4-8 second times in the 4x4 baffle me, how do you even enter the numbers that fast? (let alone solve it?!(I'm thoroughly impressed btw!)) Do you use a keyboard, touchscreen, mouse, or a robot ;) ? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Happy 2025! ![BigGrin [biggrin]](./images/smilies/msp_biggrin.gif)
|
|
|
|
 |
starling 
Posted on: Tue Jan 21, 2025 6:22 am
Posts: 218 Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 2:11 am
|
 Re: Help me improve my times! (please)
I use a keyboard. Left hand on the number keys (the ones in the QWERTY set-up, not a separate number pad), right hand on the arrow keys. I don't think this is necessarily ideal -- on larger puzzle sizes my left hand placement can get off by a key really easily, which has blown up some times that might've been really good -- but it's what's most comfortable to me and seems to work well enough.
Honestly though I'm not sure I have great advice for speeding up. The only specific skill I know I've intentionally practiced for speed is the roll through L-shaped cages.
I do make a specific point of doing smaller daily puzzles to warm up, of doing both the warm-up puzzles and actual timed attempts in one continuous block, and of listening to music while I do all of those, but I have no idea if those actually help me, much less someone else.
|
|
|
 |
paapapiret 
Posted on: Tue Jan 21, 2025 9:39 pm
Posts: 3 Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 7:05 am
|
 Re: Help me improve my times! (please)
starling wrote: I use a keyboard. Left hand on the number keys (the ones in the QWERTY set-up, not a separate number pad), right hand on the arrow keys. I don't think this is necessarily ideal -- on larger puzzle sizes my left hand placement can get off by a key really easily, which has blown up some times that might've been really good -- but it's what's most comfortable to me and seems to work well enough.
Honestly though I'm not sure I have great advice for speeding up. The only specific skill I know I've intentionally practiced for speed is the roll through L-shaped cages.
I do make a specific point of doing smaller daily puzzles to warm up, of doing both the warm-up puzzles and actual timed attempts in one continuous block, and of listening to music while I do all of those, but I have no idea if those actually help me, much less someone else. ---------- A thousand thanks for your answer! ![BigGrin [biggrin]](./images/smilies/msp_biggrin.gif) I transitioned to the method you describe with the keyboard and numberkeys a week ago, I was using a mouse and the numberkeys before that, so I guess the point is I just need to practice more (a lot more)! I'll try practicing rolling through the L-shaped cases, but I'm not too sure what this means exactly? Would you be so kind as to further explain Again thank you for your answer!
|
|
|
|
 |
starling 
Posted on: Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:39 am
Posts: 218 Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 2:11 am
|
 Re: Help me improve my times! (please)
So what I mean by rolling those cages is that with the way I have my hands set, there's a very quick alternation between Left-Right-Left-Right-Left in order to fill an L shaped cage. Specifically, ones with a repeated digit feels sort of like doing a drum roll rhythmically to me, so I refer to going through those cages as "rolling" them.
Now that I'm thinking about it I should probably start practicing the two common 4x4 arrangements for all 16 digits (split into 4 2x2's, or the one where the next row is just offset from the prior one by one spot), because that's probably low-hanging fruit for me.
|
|
|
 |
paapapiret 
Posted on: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:03 pm
Posts: 3 Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 7:05 am
|
 Re: Help me improve my times! (please)
starling wrote: So what I mean by rolling those cages is that with the way I have my hands set, there's a very quick alternation between Left-Right-Left-Right-Left in order to fill an L shaped cage. Specifically, ones with a repeated digit feels sort of like doing a drum roll rhythmically to me, so I refer to going through those cages as "rolling" them.
Now that I'm thinking about it I should probably start practicing the two common 4x4 arrangements for all 16 digits (split into 4 2x2's, or the one where the next row is just offset from the prior one by one spot), because that's probably low-hanging fruit for me. Ahh seems I was overthinking it aha thanks again and gl in your future times! :D
|
|
|
|
 |
mas 
Posted on: Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:50 pm
Posts: 1 Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:19 pm
|
 Re: Help me improve my times! (please)
game controller & JoyToKey (to use buttons as number button)
|
|
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum
|
|