I agree the times are getting faster and its harder to earn the extra pt being in the top 25 of the 8 x 8
Things that have surprised me:
I have been in the top 25 at least once every size of puzzle.
Yesterday, my 3rd best time on the 4 x 4 was enough to be 24 on that list. It is luck when it happens.
The change I have been thinking of asking Patrick to do would probably be difficult to code:
Rather than the top 11 - 25 times qualifying for an extra pt. I would prefer to see it as the next speediest 15 unique members who did not score in the top 10 earn an extra pt.
It will take a few pts away from the speedsters. The speedsters would still be able to have multiple places in the top 10 spots, and earn those extra points for mutlipe places. But after the top 10 places were decided, then the next 15 points would go to 15 unique individuals who were fast, but not in the 10. A person had earned a point after the top 10 places had been decided would only get that 1 pt.
This would not affect the 8 x 8 puzzles as members can only do it once. All 25 places go to unique members
It might encourage more people to do the timed puzzles.