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Hello Everyone

  • 1.  Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 11:34

    Who is receiving these messages? I'm new!



    ------------------------------
    Felice Nightengale, she/her
    MWW Publicity +3
    MWW Recording Secretary (Scribe)
    Region 8 Assistant + 2
    Redmond, WA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 12:32
    Hi Felice,

    Thanks for trying, but at 81 years I'm just too technologically unsophisticated to learn from these absurd complications. I started a SIG regarding my interest (Sudoku), hoping to engage 
    other Mensans in conversations. I've sent several messages but received no responses, so suspect I'm doing something wrong. I never put "Nobody" as an option and don't know why anyone would. 
    Why make that the default? Might as well make Chinese the default language and not tell anyone. That would guarantee a problem, as does a "Nobody" default.

    I just want something simple, like email, to allow conversations between my SIG members. 

    Mensa Connect doesn't work well, or requires a PhD in computer engineering.

    Jerry Martin





  • 3.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 12:39

    Hi Jerry,

    This message does go out to everyone in your group who is opted in. I can help you pull the report that shows how many of the 28 people here fall into that category.

    Felice



    ------------------------------
    Felice Nightengale, she/her
    MWW Publicity +3
    MWW Recording Secretary (Scribe)
    Region 8 Assistant + 2
    Redmond, WA
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 12:52
    Hi.  I'm a Sudoku nut.  I do a Sudoku from each level as soon as I wake up every morning, and again at night.  You know how Mensans try to make everything harder?  My latest thing is doing them without putting temporary "possible" numbers in... Only the real answers.  Takes longer, but uses more brain cells, lol.

    Nancy Campbell





  • 5.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-17-2025 21:01

    Hi Nancy

    I solve a Sudoku by finding the single number that fits.    If stymied, I might look for pairs, or triplets that will 'lock' up two or three blanks for the numbers reserved.  



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 6.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-18-2025 23:02
    Garth, 
    Yes, that's a great strategy.  Have you found a Sudoku book yet?  I find them in grocery stores and pharmacies and Wal-Mart stores.

    I've done several of the five-part Sudoku puzzles you shared with us.  They are really hard! Where do you find them?

    Nancy





  • 7.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-20-2025 11:54

    I have not found any more sudoku puzzle books and have been struggling with the half-finished puzzles that I have.   Besides losing the thread of replies to you, William, and others that seem to disappear.   Also told that messages could not be sent to me via connect because of blockage with 'nothing' checked for communication.   And now can't see what I'm typing so wonder where it is.   I'm about to give up trying to solve puzzles, or try to use the Mensa Connect'



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 8.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-20-2025 12:03

    The last 5 part puzzle also remains unsolved, although I work on it occasionally.   As I don't have the solution to check, I'm guessing I'm progressing okay.   I guess I'll know when all the numbers are in place.



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 9.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-26-2025 13:39

    I solved two duplicate hard sudoku puzzles a week apart, the first in weeks, but then last night, or this morning misplaced the large lighted magnifying glass that seldom leaves my bedside.   Where did it disappear to, if not buried under the covers?   Just another thing to feed my angry frustration and wayward disgruntled attitude.   Oh yeah found three 5-part sudoku puzzles that I've not been able to solve.   Guess it is time to give up on sudoku and X-word puzzles?



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 10.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-11-2025 12:10

    With the memory loss or oncoming dementia getting worse, I forget how to do what I've been doing with connect messages that are successfully posted, o responded to.   But still have not had any messages on email, so maybe that is still blocked.   One place, the general discussion threads said that a daily summary of posts would be emailed to me.   That never happened.   I guess that this internet system is just too complicated for me, and I fail to understand how it works.



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 11.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-11-2025 12:32
    Garth, you are not missing the daily digest.  There are few messages on this message board. May be two a month...

    By the way, have you checked your post office box recently? ��  you may have a Sudoku book waiting there.

    Nancy Campbell





  • 12.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-11-2025 22:26

    Somewhere I've posted a thank you Nancy.   And some explanations as to my troubles using my laptop trying to post on Mensa Connect.   More evidence of dementia?



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 13.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-18-2025 22:56

    Thanks Nancy.   I've been doing the easy puzzles, up to No. 10 in the booklet, but stymied by the most difficult one.   And yet to compare your 5-part solution with what I've done in comparison.   Wonder how you can compete, time-wise in a Sudoku puzzle?



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 14.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 28 days ago

    ```````````````Where did my message go that I'd just typed this past hour?   And wondering how people compete in Sudoku puzzles.   Now will this post??   Questioning the 403 error message with access denied.   Saying I was still working on puzzles in the new Sudoku puzzle booklet, doing the easy ones. ````



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 15.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 28 days ago
    Garth, I have competed at Sudoku exactly once, at an AG.  They did not have enough "checkers" for the number of entrants, so sometimes we waited 10 minutes for them to check our lower level puzzles before they gave us the next one.  The first to finish got to keep working during this ten minutes!!  Naturally, this gave the first few to finish the lower levels, an unbeatable advantage.  Never again!

    By the way, I got your letter...

    Nancy





  • 16.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 27 days ago

    Try another post while the last was denied to post or access.   It is all beyond me, but ended up taking it in with the growing old thread.   Yeah, I'm too old and useless, so lets get it over with.



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 17.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 21 days ago

    Nancy, I was unable to find a match for the 5-part puzzle you sent, but there were 3, maybe more unfinished ones I never completed.   Wonder if I copied the starting clue numbers from your finished one, I could come to a conclusion with the same matching answer?   Surprised at the number of half-done X-word and Sudoku puzzles I've accumulated.   (Folded up newsprint, rare booklets.)   No wonder I can't find other more important letters & info (even in magazines) in all the debris accumulated.   Wonder about unread surplus magazines that show up at the Senior Center.   As I again waste relief time on this laptop as it starts to rain.   Time to go in and rest, maybe get to email propaganda later...



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-11-2025 13:12
    Edited by Garth Miller 04-11-2025 22:17

       Hi Nancy

    I seem to have a Copilot that prompts me to either 'Create a summary or Expand on this topic.   I don't know what it wants if I 'continue' with the prompt: Navigate the Web with Copilot.   That message also blocks the screen and the 'Post' button that finishes the message.  Ah, I finally got rid of the Copilot and can finish this message.   I received in the mail a package marked media, with a note, three pencils, and a Sudoku puzzle booklet.    A pleasant surprise, but then some feeling of guilt.   A few days ago, there were two used puzzle booklets for sale in the Senior Center Thrift Store for 10 cents each.   I looked at one, with no markings or solutions that I could see, did an errand then returned, thinking to purchase one or both (22 cents w/ tax), but both were gone.   In Safeway is a brief magazine rack, maybe 20 feet across which periodically will display some various puzzle booklets, generally listed at $6.99 to 8.99 in price.   I'm tempted, but put it off until I get caught up with all the puzzles I have, since I'm slow in solving them.   X-words, I will write in possible answers readily, correcting as I go, but seldom finishing them without the solution help.   With the sudokus, I should be able to fully solve them without cheating, but find I often duplicate a number in a set so create often a chain of errors.   Then try to backtrack to find the correct answer.   I blame my visual 'duplication', not seeing a number already entered.   The recent 5-part Sudokus I seem to keep finding the same duplication errors.   Anyway, my 2n'd breakfast has arrived about a half hour ago, so time to get out of the colds and have another meal.    This started out intending to be a thankyou note for Nancy sending me the Sudoku puzzle booklet.   Yes, thank you.



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 19.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-19-2025 16:50

    Finding pairs is my overall strategy; I first find single numbers that only fit in two places in a (square, row, column) then when I find a second number, those two places are locked, and that can yield a reduction in the possibilities for other numbers.  I methodically review each square, row, and column, and then sweep them all again.  For the ones in the paper, that usually gets me most of the way done.



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    Bill Rock, Allen TX
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  • 20.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 12:54
    Edited by Jerry Martin 02-25-2023 18:52
    Hi Felice,
    Yes, I need help resurrecting my SIG. I think I have your phone number and will call you another time.
    Two observations: Is the name Mensa Connect or Connect Mensa? At the top of this page it says "connect Mensa". Which is it?
    According to your response below, it was sent at 12:39 PM. But here on the west coast where we both live it's only 10:47AM. 
    I suppose I should apologize for being so picky about accuracy, but again it seems that Mensa Connect (or connect Mensa) is casual about facts while intolerant of less than perfect processing by 
    those of us trying to learn this absurdly complex system. It's very discouraging.
    Jerry Martin






  • 21.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 14:20
    Mensa Connect is the name of the system, but the logo has the connect on the top. 

    I can believe that all of the timestamps are Central time, as that's where the HW is sitting...umm the HW administrator is sitting.  And Mensa Connect is  probably disconnected enough from your personal information to be not aware of what time zone you sit in.  Or us CT people are just self-centered slobs.

    I think complexity is at least partially what you're used to.  It took me years to get to doing sudoku at this level.  I was really baffled for a while.  And I go to AGs and get crushed in the competition.  So be it.  I figure I must be missing (at least) a couple of tricks, <insert bridge joke> as the level-4 one in the paper this week has baffled me, but the level five and six went fine. 







  • 22.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-25-2023 21:15
    Hi Jerry,

    I appreciate the efforts you have made. For myself, I never expected to get so much email telling me to do things to join the SIG. It's nice to know that you are an agemate at 81, and maybe someday we can talk on an old fashioned phone. My number is 949-494-1780, landline. Then you can tell me something about yourself.

    I'm a recent widow, age 84, using a computer all the time, but I can't interact with so many people. I also don't have time to learn the finer points of computer manipulation. You might Google/Wikipedia me and find out that I have a book coming out and am too busy to handle more details in life. 

    I do the LATimes sudoku every morning to start the day, it would be fun to learn more strategies, and find out if my system of dots is used by anyone else. But at the moment, here, the roof is leaking, water is standing under the house, I have duties as executor, and it's all too blinking much! 

    Here's hoping the Sudoku SIG is still on tap in a few months.

    Joyce Farmer





  • 23.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-17-2025 20:37

    Hi Felice, Jerry,

    2 years later I'm now looking at 'Hello Everyone' wondering what is going on with a Sudoku SIG?   Is that what I'm addressing now?   And Jerry, we must be about the same age as I just recently celebrated my 83rd.   And my Sudoku skills seem on the wane, but I still try.    I do not travel far from home, do not see well and now afraid of getting lost.   I haven't been able to use Facebook for about 2 years because of forgotten password(s) and connected with Mensa here in December. 



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 24.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-17-2025 20:53

    I apologize Felice regarding my several posts made to region 8 that didn't fit their 'event' criteria, so had disappeared.   A waste of composition time and effort that sparked my angry frustration.   I don't get any emails beyond the political complaints about Trump's EO's and presidential mismanagement, but here it is, and we'll see if any are new, or enlightening, or related to Sudoku or similar puzzles.   g2mmarshall@protonmail.com



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 25.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-18-2025 21:50
    reply sent via email


    ------------------------------
    Felice Nightengale, she/her
    MWW President (LocSec)
    + Other duties as assigned
    Redmond, WA
    ------------------------------



  • 26.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-26-2025 21:07
    Again I'm not sure this is going anywhere but will try email, and assume previous typed message will be included.   I'm doing better with 'connect' but nearing the saturation point , even with Sudoku puzzles.   Maybe a new 'thread' would help and maybe generate some discussion?

    Sent with Proton Mail secure email.o





  • 27.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 02-27-2025 23:35

    The previous message was sent from email, and now maybe a final explanation.   I recently solved two hard and one medium sudoku puzzles, the first in some weeks.   I've still not solved the more recent 5-part puzzles but explain that in preparation in all of them I count and record the extent of each of the numbers in all 81 spaces involved,   The number of clues for each number (usually between 27 and 30 total) may vary between 0 and 6, but are usually 3.   I also try to count the intermediate additions leading to the final solution, and then the final array that gives me all nine entries for each number.   That also gives me clues as to any pending logical entry.   Probably wastes a bit of time on easier puzzles.   Totals are usually greater on the final tally for each number, leading to a solution; and the intermediate the fewest, generally 10 to 20 total.    Does that make any sense?   Not really, unless I diagram a 'table'   Maybe later when there is time; and I'm just wasting time anyway...     



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 28.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-12-2025 22:27

    Deja vu all over again?   A 'flat feeing of what does it matter, of indifference and uselessness.   Look back and celebrate, not regret.   Then I have a dizzy spell, regress 20 years. later and recognize the same situation remembered from back then.   What did I do the last couple of days?   I fixed and ate food, took delivery of a meal, rested, napped, mowed some lawn and weeded some and surveyed all that needs to be done.   Some railroad tie walls are leaning near collapsing and some work replacing or repairing them is planned, 



    ------------------------------
    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
    ------------------------------



  • 29.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-13-2025 23:27
    Edited by Garth Miller 04-14-2025 00:00

    Church testimonials were interesting, and I was not primed for a class on the ending of this world and the 2nd coming Christ.   Aimed at me for being a sinner, a dropout, and not earning respect for priesthood or endowments and commitments.    And I can't think of the right word to express myself in public or on the laptop trying to type and post in Mensa Connect threads or discussions.   And the 'Tracker' TV is too violent and disturbing, just like all the anti- American rhetoric, the cons, the mixed messages.   A bit of cleanup trying to plan for garbage pickup tomorrow, and I need to weed in the morning and fill can.   And maybe burn the stacked-up pruning later in the day.   Still not found are lost glasses, TracFone, and what else.   I lose it all sooner or later, like my memory.   The easy Sudokus in the new booklet are too easy, with 33 to 36 clues and I get all 9 of the same number entered the first time through on about half of the numbers.   I'll work on #6 tonight in bed and should finish it in less than half hour.   At 9:45, it's time to close this laptop up, head for home, take med pills, and get ready for bed.   In the morning, after 10 minutes exercise, I need to start a batch of fruity oatmeal and fry up some more dandelions for lunch to go with the delivered meal.   I'm still feeling defensive about the Church meeting, so maybe should take a breather after the Easter celebration next week. 



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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  • 30.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-16-2025 15:15
    Garth, are you by any chance going to Mind Games in Portland, OR April
    23-27? I love playing games and have registered.  Hope to meet you there if you are going.  I'm also registered for the AG in Chicago in July.

    Nancy Campbell





  • 31.  RE: Hello Everyone

    Posted 04-18-2025 22:42

    Nancy, I'm sorry to say I don't travel much these days and get lost and confused too much of the time.   I should have loved going to Portland being familiar with the area many years ago when my wife's family lived there on NE Going Street.   We divorced in 1979, and I'm not sure I've been back since, but I have attended Mensa meetings there a couple of times.   'Clan of the Cave Bear' author was one reason I attended those meetings.   These days I can't remember any of the books I've read or even the movies I've seen with the loss of memory and dementia.   And with games I also have forgotten how to play, even Monopoly, Chess and Checkers.   Sorry, and wish you well to having a fun weekend party.    Thanks for the invite.  

    street'

     



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    Garth Miller
    Elmer City, WA
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