Search found 1259 matches

by David Williams
Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:43 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: How many words would you need to know...
Replies: 26
Views: 2088

Re: How many words would you need to know...

Another point to consider is that you probably don't need to understand every word in in a definition to understand the meaning of a word. For example : Chambers defines "elephant" as "a mammal (genus Elephas) of the order Proboscidea" and "Proboscidea" as "the el...
by David Williams
Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: What is the point...
Replies: 83
Views: 7877

Re: What is the point...

Stewart Holden wrote:... in Damian Eadie emailing the ABSP asking for us to get more Scrabble players to appear on Countdown, and then putting two of the UK's keenest young players up against the #1 rated player on Apterous?
You must have done something to annoy him.
by David Williams
Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:41 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Thursday 3rd September 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 34)
Replies: 2
Views: 1099

Re: Thursday 3rd September 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 34)

D Eadie wrote:Apterous for me anyway, hasn't affected Countdown at all.
by David Williams
Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:31 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Save Our Studios
Replies: 53
Views: 7270

Re: Save Our Studios

Closing date was 6th June. How did it go? This wasn't entirely flip. The Government website says " Once your petition has closed, usually provided there are 500 signatures or more, it will be passed to officials who work for the Prime Minister in Downing Street, or sent to the relevant Governm...
by David Williams
Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Save Our Studios
Replies: 53
Views: 7270

Re: Save Our Studios

Closing date was 6th June. How did it go?
by David Williams
Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:25 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Viewing Figures
Replies: 35
Views: 4427

Re: Viewing Figures

This forum presumably comprises people who are among Countdown's keenest viewers, but I wonder if any one of them has ever bought anything advertised in the breaks. Ratings are a reasonably accurate and prompt form of data, that show how viewer numbers are moving, but ultimately the only thing that ...
by David Williams
Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:49 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?
Replies: 43
Views: 5533

Re: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?

And not a drop spilled.

I walked past the famous Sleddale Hall a couple of months ago. Always had the impression it was in the back of beyond, so I was a bit surprised to find it's only a couple of miles from the nearest motorway junction.
by David Williams
Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:45 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?
Replies: 43
Views: 5533

Re: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?

Sue Sanders wrote:Please excuse the language but it is in hommage tomy favourite film!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9p8bz ... omy_people

I'm sure it's very good, but why is it your favourite?
by David Williams
Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: What is the difference?
Replies: 21
Views: 2048

Re: What is the difference?

It's a blatant copy of the game, and any "disclaimers" only reinforce that. I'm not infringing their trademark, they do not have a patent and copyright does not apply to the rules of games. If that's the legal position I'm delighted, if a little surprised. Not least because what you say d...
by David Williams
Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:46 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: What is the difference?
Replies: 21
Views: 2048

Re: What is the difference?

I don't have any real legal knowledge, but I would have thought that the owners of Countdown would have a pretty strong case for shutting down apterous. It's a blatant copy of the game, and any "disclaimers" only reinforce that. How would someone get on if they put out a board game called ...
by David Williams
Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:01 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Countdown Big Brother
Replies: 61
Views: 3599

Re: Countdown Big Brother

Sue Sanders wrote:Is this just what Doug wanted when he muted the BB House idea??
Best idea yet.
by David Williams
Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:33 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: My Premier League Predictions
Replies: 46
Views: 5710

Re: My Premier League Predictions

Gotta love Liverpool fans, next they'll be telling us Steven Gerrard really was innocent. Anyone with an accent like that should just be sentenced without trial really. Absolutely. And wearing a light blue jumper for a night on the town. In Southport. What surprises me is that the blame is put on a...
by David Williams
Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:58 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?
Replies: 43
Views: 5533

Re: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?

Every time we think we're done, you come up with more good stuff, and it's back to the drawing board. Perhaps if you went quiet for a bit . . . ?
by David Williams
Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:17 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?
Replies: 43
Views: 5533

Re: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?

Carol essentially has a mundane role where she has done the same task many thousands of times. She somehow contrives to do it so well that she has made herself a star by doing it. Even when she's laughing too loud at some duff celebrity you know it's because her only thought is to make every episod...
by David Williams
Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:27 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?
Replies: 43
Views: 5533

Re: Carol Vorderman on Would I Lie To You?

Of course, Carol appeared on panel shows and stuff after she was on TV for 6 months as well. In fact, watch any early Carol shows and the personality just shines through, because it's so easy to project personality while putting numbers and letters on a board. I'm guessing there's an element of iro...
by David Williams
Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:39 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Good deed
Replies: 39
Views: 3586

Re: Good deed

Dinos Sfyris wrote:
David Williams wrote:(If the service was good, do you tip on the basis of what you pay, or what you should have paid?).
Except your bill isn't a tip. A waiter doesn't see any of the money that foots a bill.
Your bill is £30. It should be £40. Do you tip £3, £4 . . . or £10?
by David Williams
Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Good deed
Replies: 39
Views: 3586

Re: Good deed

I'd throw away a Christmas card without a second thought unless it was obvious. But I'd point out a bill was wrong even if I was outvoted. Vote all you like, it's still stealing. (If the service was good, do you tip on the basis of what you pay, or what you should have paid?) Probably I'm the odd on...
by David Williams
Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:41 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Can you escape the room?
Replies: 19
Views: 3451

Re: Can you escape the room?

Lesley Hines wrote:largely trial and error
In much the same way as getting monkeys to type Hamlet is trial and error . . .
by David Williams
Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:09 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Can you escape the room?
Replies: 19
Views: 3451

Re: Can you escape the room?

Did you actually do it unaided? If so, VERY impressed. I think the musical scale would have done for me no matter how long I took.
by David Williams
Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:03 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Good deed
Replies: 39
Views: 3586

Re: Good deed

Good on you. Less so on the police (can't be bothered, too many forms to fill in, etc.), the bank (can't be bothered, data protection, whatever). And of course the chap you spoke to, had he followed the 'correct' line, would have assumed that you were trying to get a mother's maiden name to go with ...
by David Williams
Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:00 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Viewing Figures
Replies: 35
Views: 4427

Re: Viewing Figures

It's quite high on Channel 4's top 30's really up until they switched transmission to 3.15, and from then on, bar RW tributes/Carol's last show, and some Des Lynam episodes making the list, it's totally vanished. Cause and effect? My recollection is that at one time Countdown and Brookside were alw...
by David Williams
Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:20 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Can you escape the room?
Replies: 19
Views: 3451

Re: Can you escape the room?

Done it! With vast amounts of help. Anyone who could do that in two hours unaided has skills the like of which I cannot fathom. I don't think I would solve the codes that quickly even if I knew what I was looking for. Did you? Honestly?
by David Williams
Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:49 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Can you escape the room?
Replies: 19
Views: 3451

Re: Can you escape the room?

I've got a test tube, two batteries, a gold bar that I know what to do with, I've opened the brief case, I've opened both panels and I've found a safe.

I hate you.
by David Williams
Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:22 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Cube
Replies: 20
Views: 2987

Re: Cube

I have to say, Howard, that although your answer is correct I can't quite persuade myself that adding the expected times together is valid. Probably it is, but I don't think it's self-evident. So much easier to say it takes one minute to reach A, and then every two minutes there's a 2/9 chance of re...
by David Williams
Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:44 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: MENSA
Replies: 38
Views: 4064

Re: MENSA

Charlie Reams wrote:But I am officially cleverer than Feynman. Shall I collect my Nobel prize on the way out?
Prizes are for achievement, not for potential. Check the New Years Honours List for your MBE for services to Countdown.
by David Williams
Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:11 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: MENSA
Replies: 38
Views: 4064

Re: MENSA

I have a general aversion to IQ as a concept because summarising one person's intelligence as a single number seems obviously bullshit to me (Gödel numbering notwithstanding). Having avoided IQ tests all my life, I was recently obliged to take one as part of an application process, and this served ...
by David Williams
Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:03 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Plurals
Replies: 32
Views: 4143

Re: Plurals

Lesley Hines wrote:I'd argue that hydrogen bonds with two oxygens, for example.
Shows how out of date I am. It was the other way round when I were a lad.
by David Williams
Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:00 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Numbers game is diabolical-help please
Replies: 15
Views: 2897

Re: Numbers game is diabolical-help please

I think two large is probably the most difficult choice. You have potentially four large numbers (x, y, x+y, x-y) and all the combinations of four small numbers to work with. Where to start? If your aim is no more than to break even I'd go for one large. Options are much more limited, and there's a ...
by David Williams
Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:13 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Plurals
Replies: 32
Views: 4143

Re: Plurals

I haven't got an up-to-date dictionary but certainly in the past the OUP were hopeless at chemistry. In the NODE Elements appear to be all mass nouns, surely correctly, but SULFUR is only shown as an American spelling, whereas it is also the internationally-agreed technical spelling. For me, SULFUR ...
by David Williams
Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:11 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Scrabble Tactics
Replies: 17
Views: 3329

Re: Scrabble Tactics

Whoops. I'm still with Craig, though.
by David Williams
Sat Jul 25, 2009 7:40 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Scrabble Tactics
Replies: 17
Views: 3329

Re: Scrabble Tactics

Can't find it online, but The Times agrees with Charlie. Change the W. You have a 57% chance of picking a letter that gives you a seven letter word, and, if your opponent doesn't swap as well, there are 81 different ways of making an eight letter word. Mind you, I've never come across Alan Simmons w...
by David Williams
Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:03 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Scrabble Tactics
Replies: 17
Views: 3329

Scrabble Tactics

There's been a bit lately about the tactical element of Scrabble differentiating it from Countdown. The following is in today's Times.

At the start of a game you have AEIDRTW. What is your best play?
by David Williams
Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Training Methods/Methods of improvement
Replies: 76
Views: 6418

Re: Training Methods/Methods of improvement

Probably I could look it up somewhere, but I was wondering about these 'stems'. For example, what's the longest word you can get out of TRAINED+A, TRAINED+R, and TRAINED+A+R? Is there a danger of missing the obvious?
by David Williams
Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:30 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Training Methods/Methods of improvement
Replies: 76
Views: 6418

Re: Training Methods/Methods of improvement

Are you suggesting that Scrabble players improve their word-finding skills, which are similar to Countdown, by practise, and improve their tactical play by study? If anything I'd have thought it was the other way round. Not that I've ever played Scrabble outside my own house, or any competitive Coun...
by David Williams
Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:25 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Training Methods/Methods of improvement
Replies: 76
Views: 6418

Re: Training Methods/Methods of improvement

I'm not convinced by the 'just practise' argument. Do Scrabble players just play Scrabble? Has anyone tried any sort of systematic analysis? For example, what proportion of letter selections contain three of AEIO and three/four of DGNRST? How many possible words of seven or more letters contain thes...
by David Williams
Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:33 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Maspoiler for Monday 20 July 2009
Replies: 89
Views: 7547

Re: Maspoiler for Monday 20 July 2009

Charlie Reams wrote:No one cares about 9 round octochamps.
Sniff . . . :cry:
by David Williams
Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:28 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Maspoiler for Monday 20 July 2009
Replies: 89
Views: 7547

Re: Maspoiler for Monday 20 July 2009

Charlie Reams wrote:Julian and Kai are the only two to get every conundrum.
I think not.
by David Williams
Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:43 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: The fantastic Jeff Stelling
Replies: 91
Views: 11032

Re: The fantastic Jeff Stelling

Memory may play tricks, but surely Susie was accused of exactly this. She tried, not entirely successfully, to cut back on it. It doesn't bother me, but I can see how it could be annoying. If I were in Jeff's shoes I'd want someone to point it out if I had a potentially annoying habit I wasn't aware...
by David Williams
Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:16 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Moonshine
Replies: 21
Views: 3502

Re: Moonshine

I'd just finished university. I stayed up to watch. Sometime in the long hours while we waited for American prime-time to begin, I fell asleep. When I woke Armstrong had already got down the steps, or so they said - I couldn't make head nor tail of the pictures. I don't know why, but everyone seems ...
by David Williams
Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:08 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Favourite Oxymorons
Replies: 45
Views: 4106

Re: Favourite Oxymorons

I love oxymorons. Even the word is one of the best-sounding words in the English language. But what are some of your favourite oxymorons? Here are some of mine: Military intelligence Professional footballer Dinner lady Virgin air hostess Forgive me for asking, but how is "professional football...
by David Williams
Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:26 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: HOTELIEST
Replies: 16
Views: 3175

Re: HOTELIEST

Phil Reynolds wrote:TITF
If there is no plagiarism involved in that, I salute you as a giant of modern English literature.
by David Williams
Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:22 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Will Andrew Break The Record?
Replies: 13
Views: 2004

Re: Will Andrew Break The Record?

Yes, since we've been assured that apterous has no real effect, I'm totally baffled. Who assured us this? I fully expect Chris Davies to threaten 925 too if he plays like he does online (and gets nice letters) too. Apterous for me anyway, hasn't affected Countdown at all. The Beevers, Kirks, Fells ...
by David Williams
Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:31 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Will Andrew Break The Record?
Replies: 13
Views: 2004

Re: Will Andrew Break The Record?

Junaid Mubeen wrote:It is incredible though that just months after the new record was set, it is already under threat.
Yes, since we've been assured that apterous has no real effect, I'm totally baffled.
by David Williams
Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:30 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Achtung all fairly recent contestants
Replies: 38
Views: 4025

Re: Achtung all fairly recent contestants

The first few of these were very interesting, telling prospective contestants what it's really like to be on Countdown, but they do get a bit samey. Offhand, the only one I remember at all was Stewart Holden's, with a lot of detail about his preparation and his opinion of Richard Whiteley. I'd be fa...
by David Williams
Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:58 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Reappearances
Replies: 94
Views: 10009

Re: Reappearances

I'm quite prepared to believe that your sole motivation is to see Countdown improve, but what you say is less important than how it's perceived. I suspect many people view you in the same way as Damian does. You may not be trying to make friends, but nor do I think you influence people as much as yo...
by David Williams
Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:15 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Reappearances
Replies: 94
Views: 10009

Re: Reappearances

Gavin, you make it awfully hard to be vaguely supportive of what you're saying.
by David Williams
Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:50 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Reappearances
Replies: 94
Views: 10009

Re: Reappearances

No second chances? Damian makes his own decisions and he's good at it. Have some faith. War in Iraq? Tony makes his own decisions and he's good at it. Have some faith. Securitisation of sub-prime lending? Lehmans make their own decisions and they're good at it. Have some faith. Andriy Shevchenko? Ro...
by David Williams
Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:26 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Reappearances
Replies: 94
Views: 10009

Re: Reappearances

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap
by David Williams
Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:55 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Reappearances
Replies: 94
Views: 10009

Re: Reappearances

Say what you want guys, i don't really give a hoot. Have a poll, write to Channel 4, complain to your MP, it won't make a difference. The people who run the show are those who are paid to, not those who think they know it all. Yeah it was my decision, and yeah it's not changing. Have said enough ab...
by David Williams
Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:43 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go
Replies: 124
Views: 23372

Re: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go

Wouldn't be surprised if the outcome of Series 61 has more twists than a helter-skelter. Let's see !! A helter-skelter has only one twist, of course. Mind you, when did we last have a series that had more twists than that? I bet there's a few of you that wish you'd thought of applying under a false...
by David Williams
Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:47 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go
Replies: 124
Views: 23372

Re: Contestants You'd Like Too See Given Another Go

There should be two challengers every game. You'd get fewer, more deserving, octochamps, because you'd have to beat sixteen people to do it. And everyone who wanted could have a second go. Obvious really.
by David Williams
Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:18 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: For Jon Corby
Replies: 14
Views: 857

Re: For Jon Corby

Digger Barnes was an absolute player. He acted so cool, and after a minute or so of signing autographs, these two smoking hot blonde girls came out of nowhere, threw themselves all over him (literally, one on each arm and kissing his face) and he took them both onto the team coach. Hero. Shows how ...
by David Williams
Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:37 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Idea
Replies: 32
Views: 5261

Re: Idea

David Williams wrote:I can't see the harm in allowing more people a second go. A couple of dozen a year who showed themselves to be well above average, but were just unlucky. They wouldn't be as nervous the second time round, the overall quality would go up.
Have I missed something? Is this actually happening?
by David Williams
Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:27 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)
Replies: 13
Views: 2511

Re: Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)

It has to be said Le God is excellent in DC. Prove me wrong stattos but I don't recall any other guest getting a numbers game that has defeated the two contestants and Carol/Rachel. He contributes to the games, his anecdotes maybe are a bit weak, but he still comes over really well, although workin...
by David Williams
Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:46 pm
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)
Replies: 13
Views: 2511

Re: Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)

Thanks. Seems pretty obvious now!
by David Williams
Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:11 pm
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)
Replies: 13
Views: 2511

Re: Thursday 2nd July 2009 (Series 61, Prelim 9)

What's a telecom? I've only got a NODE, and that has telecoms only. Can someone enlighten me.
by David Williams
Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:40 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Has apterous killed Countdown?
Replies: 107
Views: 11923

Re: Has apterous killed Countdown?

Incomprehensible as it may seem to many on this forum, just because a contestant is aware of Apterous it doesn't automatically follow that he/she will choose to use it to any extent. This certainly applied to at least two of the gang on my recording day (Jackie Baker and myself), so including Innis...
by David Williams
Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:59 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Has apterous killed Countdown?
Replies: 107
Views: 11923

Re: Has apterous killed Countdown?

Oh, and doing a quick calculation, there may be around 7 or 8 apterous players coming up in Series 61, and perhaps a few who will join after having recorded. We have around 110 contestants per series, so keeping things in perspective is pretty important here. It might be interesting to speculate ho...
by David Williams
Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Has apterous killed Countdown?
Replies: 107
Views: 11923

Re: Has apterous killed Countdown?

But again, maybe that's just for you - the casual viewer who doesn't know of the existence of apterous is surely just as likely to be wowed by Innis as you were by the likes Fell and Corby? Nice one. Missed it on first reading. But we used to only get a Corby every few years, now there's one on eve...