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Feature request: clear everything of one colour
Forum Index -> Bugs & Suggestions
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svdb



Joined: 15/03/2008 22:07:11
Messages: 43
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I use the different colours for when I need to try one possibility and may need to backtrack later.
It would be useful if I could clear everything which I entered in one specific colour while leaving the rest alone.
Johan


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Joined: 22/12/2006 20:08:51
Messages: 1046
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We are hesitant to add features to the applet that exceed the features of pencil and paper. Adding something like this, or an undo button for example, is a step in the direction of automatic solving, whereas having limited tools encourages using them cleverly.

Other pro's and con's are welcome in this thread. If the demand for this feature is high, we might reconsider, but for now it is not on our agenda.
svdb



Joined: 15/03/2008 22:07:11
Messages: 43
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1. The puzzles where you would use this feature are the ones which need backtracking, which are the ones you wouldn't want to do on paper anyhow. It would be nice if all of the puzzles could be solved without backtracking, but unfortunatly this is not the case.

2. The player is still doing all of the reasoning. A "clear everything of this colour" button or an undo button just tells the applet exactly what to do, only more effeciently than having to click each entry of that colour individually.

3. Having such a feature allows the player to spend more time on the actual puzzle solving, and less on the bookkeeping. And imho, the puzzle solving is what it is about.

4. What stays closer to paper version, a "fast erase" button, or duplicating the tab for each branch you take?

5. What's wrong with with offering tools that take advantage of the medium? Electronic form has its own disadvantages; so what if it has some advantages too?
achan1058


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Joined: 19/04/2008 05:22:28
Messages: 17
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I agree with svdb.

1. Having the user to erase everything of 1 color by him/herself is simply a waste of time, and has nothing to do with solving the puzzle.

2. It is less prone to stupid errors (like erasing the wrong line by accident), which is the bane of puzzle solvers.

3. Other similar sites, such as nikoli.com, has such features (though they have only 2 colors, a normal color and a "try" color).

P.S. I absolutely agree that the applet has disadvantages. For example, you cannot easily employ the counting method needed to solve the hard magnets puzzles.
Johan


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Joined: 22/12/2006 20:08:51
Messages: 1046
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You both raise valid points.

In case we would choose to implement this, how would you like to see it?

I can imagine small erasers behind the pencils, but they have a drawback of increased learnability (most first time users will erase all their progress at some point), also they might be clicked by accident when the applet is not running smooth for a moment.

Another option is to make them obscure key combinations like Ctrl-1, Ctrl-2, etc. and mention them somewhere where die hard solvers will come across them.

achan1058


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Joined: 19/04/2008 05:22:28
Messages: 17
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I say eraser behind the pencil (as in the ones on the head of the pencil) is definitely a bad idea, as it is way too easy to misclick. I rather have something like a mini erasers beside the pencils, but sufficiently spaced from them.
Johan


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Joined: 22/12/2006 20:08:51
Messages: 1046
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achan1058 wrote:
I say eraser behind the pencil (as in the ones on the head of the pencil) is definitely a bad idea, as it is way too easy to misclick. 

Absolutely, no question about that.
svdb



Joined: 15/03/2008 22:07:11
Messages: 43
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You could pop up a confirmation dialog. One with a "Do not ask this question again." checkbox to prevent annoying those who know what they're doing.

Another option is to add an "undo" for this operation (perhaps replacing the eraser icon).
There could even be a generic "undo" option for all actions. Just being able to undo a single step could prevent a lot of frustration.
 
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