AoC is a lot of fun and is a great way to scratch that puzzle itch.
Advent of Code 2020
11–20 of 86 posts
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#12I've always found AoC to be added stress during a time of the year I'm not really running a stress-deficit. I find the competitive aspect a pretty big turn off. I usually get a few puzzles in and then burn out, because I can't keep up with the people who do it every day (I don't even use my computer every day). I wish the scoring didn't prioritize timeliness. This is really the sort of thing I'd enjoy cranking out on…
Just work on a previous years puzzle then? Low stress and still challenging.
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#13I've always found AoC to be added stress during a time of the year I'm not really running a stress-deficit. I find the competitive aspect a pretty big turn off. I usually get a few puzzles in and then burn out, because I can't keep up with the people who do it every day (I don't even use my computer every day). I wish the scoring didn't prioritize timeliness. This is really the sort of thing I'd enjoy cranking out on…
The midnight release in the Eastern timezone doesn't help either. I'd assume this is convenient for West coasters. And probably excludes Europeans altogether.
I'm making mass general assumptions here...
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#14I've always found AoC to be added stress during a time of the year I'm not really running a stress-deficit. I find the competitive aspect a pretty big turn off. I usually get a few puzzles in and then burn out, because I can't keep up with the people who do it every day (I don't even use my computer every day). I wish the scoring didn't prioritize timeliness. This is really the sort of thing I'd enjoy cranking out on…
If you don't care about competing with others, you can always do previous puzzles any time. https://adventofcode.com/2020/events
But you lose the community aspect. It's interesting to talk about the puzzles during the competition, even if you're not competing.
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you don't care about competing with others, you can always do previous puzzles any time. https://adventofcode.com/2020/events
But you lose the community aspect. It's interesting to talk about the puzzles during the competition, even if you're not competing.
I just began a shared slack channel with my co-workers, and put the call out for any other interested hobbyists from other departments. We'll collaborate and discuss there, and ignore the public boards.
I found in previous years I gave up a few puzzles in, so I need some community to keep the interest up. But I have zero interest in the competitive aspect.
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you must look at the scores, you can now make your own private leaderboards. If you're the only member of the leaderboard, then you'll win every challenge.
This is dismissive and unnecessarily condescending. Is it possible to opt out of the public leaderboard entirely? Because if not - perhaps things have changed - the stressful part about AoC is having a publicly viewable permanent score based on arbitrary and unfair criteria. Simply “not looking at it” isn’t enough. I did AoC a few years ago and realized that I had my GitHub profile associated to “middle-of-the-road”…
In the settings you can make yourself anonymous instead of associated to your GH profile (see https://adventofcode.com/2020/settings).
I generally agree with the sentiment and the leaderboards themselves feel very silly.
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#17[deleted]
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#18I've always found AoC to be added stress during a time of the year I'm not really running a stress-deficit. I find the competitive aspect a pretty big turn off. I usually get a few puzzles in and then burn out, because I can't keep up with the people who do it every day (I don't even use my computer every day). I wish the scoring didn't prioritize timeliness. This is really the sort of thing I'd enjoy cranking out on…
Even though I enjoy competing for the leaderboard, the creator is pretty up-front about the leaderboard being Not The Point and advises you to ignore it, and from that perspective the midnight release time makes more sense.
(And the reason is that it's the time that the creator can be readily available: https://adventofcode.com/2020/about )
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you must look at the scores, you can now make your own private leaderboards. If you're the only member of the leaderboard, then you'll win every challenge.
This is dismissive and unnecessarily condescending. Is it possible to opt out of the public leaderboard entirely? Because if not - perhaps things have changed - the stressful part about AoC is having a publicly viewable permanent score based on arbitrary and unfair criteria. Simply “not looking at it” isn’t enough. I did AoC a few years ago and realized that I had my GitHub profile associated to “middle-of-the-road”…
> Likewise, there are many people desperately competing for a “top spot” that measures their ability to... drink coffee late at night, mostly.
Talk about dismissive and unnecessarily condescending. Consider arguing against ideas, not tone.
Re: Advent of Code 2020
#20I've always found AoC to be added stress during a time of the year I'm not really running a stress-deficit. I find the competitive aspect a pretty big turn off. I usually get a few puzzles in and then burn out, because I can't keep up with the people who do it every day (I don't even use my computer every day). I wish the scoring didn't prioritize timeliness. This is really the sort of thing I'd enjoy cranking out on…
life hack: it's not compulsory!