Response Time

[Laura]

I think I just figured out why there is such a time slowdown during certain puzzles. Today, for example, for one cryptogram I waited almost 20 seconds before I could enter any letters, and have been noticing that when the ads include animations (Flash?) the screen updating freezes until the animation downloads. Other times I will try to get the focus for a letter and have to wait about 5 seconds or more.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it just my computer?

[bansaisequoia]

Laura, I might have that kind of delay for a few seconds, but usually it's when I've first logged on to the site or have returned to the page after steering away from it to perform some other task. If you're getting a 20 second delay, that's really out of hand. One would almost think you're still on dial-up, but I know that's not true because you're too computer knowledgeable.

[Laura]

Most likely it's my computer. I've got a lot of heavy processes going on like Google desktop, which I think I'm going to get rid of even though I love it.

The ideal solution is a brand new AMD X4 processor with two 750 gig drives and 4 gigs of ram. Exclusively for solving cryptograms.

[ferrym85]

I saw the same thing!

So, since I do these at work mostly, I open just this website in a new window. I let all my other work-related stuff run separately and that has helped quite a bit... it also helps if I need to be doing work because I can easily pass the Cryptograms site off as an annoying pop-up if need be

Love multiple purposes for one solution!

[bansaisequoia]

I solve at work, too, but I'm really not wasting any time. I multi-task. I have days when I leave over 250 phone messages. As I enter the last digit of the phone number on the keypad, I also click on the "Try another cryptogram?" link. Usually, by the time someone has picked up the phone or voicemail begins, I have solved the cryptogram. Sometimes the voicemail kicks in before I'm finished if it's a tough cryptogram, so I have to solve while speaking into my headset. That probably shaves a little bit off my time. If a live person actually answers the phone, it can completely break my concentration, and I have to abort. Ergo, I'll probably never have a 100% solution rate for the month.

[flutefish]

Laura, I don't think that it's just your computer. I have had that happen several times, and I usually only do cryptograms when I am not doing anything else. I have also noticed that it often correlates to when the ads are animated. What irritates me is that the clock starts running, but I can't type anything into the fields until it finishes loading.