Is it cheating?

[zita-green]

if people use advanced search engines to solve prize crosswords?

[pericat]

Yes - takes the fun out of it

[zita-green]

I''ve been thinking about it. Spent ages looking up things for Azed and then I find that there's a search engine that does it all for you.

[zita-green]

When I say 'looking up', I mean, in books

[pericat]

It's like going to a pub quiz and getting all the answers from someone else. I could never see the point in cheating

[MLN:RUGBY]

At least its researching for yourself!
Not like continually asking for answers to these prize crosswords on this site!

[zita-green]

Hi Melons. I'm not saying that they are cheating. I'm asking a question.

[zita-green]

Melons, I thnk that you have misunderstood me. I have not accused anyone of cheating. I have simply asked a question. And its not about people being cheats on answerbank. Many people there are very helpful and, I am sure, honest.

[Pentalpha8]

I would defy the cleverest mind to find all the answers to a hard cryptic crossword like Azed without using some form of research whether it's a good dictionary or a search engine .There's no difference in using an on line dictionary to using a paper version .And If you don't have a paper version of the cryptic sovers "bibles" like Chambers or Bradfords then there's nothing wrong with using an online research facility .
But of course Melons probably knows the answer to

One close relation pens books for those of Walter (5)
.....off the top of her head :))

[zita-green]

Pentalpha8 - your point is a good one. Perhaps I am a bit old-fashioned. I do not wish to be ungrateful for the help that I have received.

[zita-green]

Is asking a question the same as making an accusation? Perhaps my wording was inadvisable

[Mamyalynne]

Well what is `cheating` in the days before the internet we all used books to glean the info and I still do to a point isn`t then all research `cheating` if you don`t have the knowledge already??

[zita-green]

Mamyalynne, I have already conceded to Pentalpha8 that, undoubtedly, I am a bit old-fashioned. I have also acknowledged that I have every reason to be grateful to answerbank

[GrumpyOldMan]

Your great debate has not given me an answer to DT26039 7d, so from my point of view, a pointless exercise. Getting the answer, from whatever source, is not the point. The point is understanding it!!! That's the bit I like.

[hindle-a]

Grumpy Old Man -that is a relief!!!

[Mamyalynne]

zita was not being critical rather endorsing your point, I think it is a matter of perspective. I have sites bookmarked that give crossword answers by lunchtime each day but rarely visit them. Just thought it seemed good at the time but I prefer he challenge, we all have our way.
M

[bathtub]

The question seemed quite reasonable to me, and since it was addressed to everyone in general and no-one in particular, I fail to see how it amounts to an accusation.
No, it's not cheating. The point has already been made that online resources are no different to printed ones. Hunting down the answers to clues, online or in print, doesn't spoil the fun for me - it's very much part of the fun.
Whether it's entirely ethical to enter prize competitions when others have helped you with some of the answers is another question - but not one I personally get too bothered about, except when posters come on AB asking for help with every single answer.
In my 40+ years (on and off) of solving, I've discussed, shared and debated clues and solutions at home, in the pub, on the phone and now online - again, I don't see how using technology makes any difference to something that's always gone on.
I think it's great that people can have discussions, share knowledge... and encourage those new to solving to persevere. Newcomers, in time, become old hands and share their knowledge.
I don't want to reopen the Listener debate again, but I do wonder what people who object to discussing answers and using online sources of reference are doing on AB in the first place - unless, of course, it's a kind of cruciverbal curtain-twitching.
Crosswords aren't a matter of life and death or something to beat yourself (or others) up over. They're meant to be fun (albeit very serious fun!)

[scotman]

I think it comes down to a matter of degree. I use this site but only after doing searches myself. I see nothing wrong with on-line services such as dictionaries, translators, anagram searches etc.
I have the impression that some people use sites like this as an alternative to thinking for themeselves.