Hi guys.

Letters: Never use letters - whether or not they are related to the puzzle. Examples: Drawing a character saying "Shhh", "ZZZ"; writing "STORE" on a building for the word "shop", writing "R.I.P." on the tombstone.

http://www.isketch.net/instructions/rules.shtml

No mention of PMs being allowed from now on.

I'd like to point out that the following still apply though:

"Mathematical formulas are allowed. For example: The word "equation" can be rendered using "x + y = z"."

"Roman numerals are allowed; do not mistake them for letters."

It's about time they changed it since it says "Remember, letters are NOT allowed" before you draw, and admin kick messages say the pretty much the same thing. (still doesn't make sense because of the above though)

Except that it's not a true general statement anyway...

Letters are part of every alphabet, abjad, abugida, or syllabary. So... we can still use logograms! Good news for everyone who can write Chinese or Japanese. Or Egyptian hieroglyphs.

On a more serious note: I think this rule sucks for both the reasons NH stated and because I don't think it's a problem to write RIP, zzz, etc. because it doesn't give away the answer any more than an open box with an arrow (to indicate 'in') does.

Oh well.

Actually, I've been skipped by an admin for a Chinese symbol before (a made up, Chinese looking symbol, not a real one. Trying to signify chinese-ness - not trying to give out a word - as if I could do that)

RIP on a gray block quickly translates into tombstone, grave etc. zzz gives away sleep and so on.

I'm kinda happy with the change.

If words like that were allowed then draws like this would be allowed:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/words.jpg

I can, however, see why people would feel the need to draw letters for certain words (not saying the rules should allow for it though). Example: if you were told to draw a compass in real life, you'd no doubt put N, E, W and S on it.

Example: if you were told to draw a compass in real life, you'd know doubt put N, E, W and S on it.
/me looks at Sam and whistles innocently.. :razz:
I once did that. In the geography room and got a warning from an admin, heh. In my newbie days :P

I'm glad PMs aren't allowed anymore. Not to sound as though I never did them myself though! I did, but very rarely. At least this takes away the temptation of even writing "bye" to someone when they leave while I'm drawing. And it's annoying when someone votes to skip your PM and an admin comes in.. :eek: (which happened to me once). Waste of their time. It must be disappointing when they get to the room only to find that it was a PM that was being skipped. They could be out there chasing more important votes.

Hmmmmmm is it possible to draw a compass without letters :razz:

http://www.robotics4.net/Game/pictures/compass.gif

^^^^^ have you been screen capping my draws again^^^^:razz:


Once again I got skipped for using numbers, I wish it would state on canvas that numbers are allowed. My word was million, pretty hard to draw without numbers (and I didn't have enough time to draw a million dots........:razz:)

edit...it does amaze me that money signs can be used. £ $ etc . A pound sign is guessable straight away , whereas a Z for a sleep draw (which isn't allowed) could be a number of words...sleep...nap... dream..snore...snooze..bedroom....duvet... etc etc


/me hikes up the kilt for no pm's on canvas

And I suppose that using £1 is for "pound" is no different from using 1p for penny. There's lots of odd examples, lines need to be drawn somewhere...

And I suppose that using £1 is for "pound" is no different from using 1p for penny. There's lots of odd examples, lines need to be drawn somewhere...


Very different £1 is allowed 1p isn't.

I'm all for the new rule, and indeed the old rules that still stand, I just feel the the Z one seems harsh, when £ $ are allowed that's all. If I wrote a £ sign everyone should get it straight away, but using the Z doesn't give the word out by just that.

What I mean is that £1 is no bigger a clue than 1p, and one is allowed and one isn't.

so maybe the answer is......no signs at all :razz:

That way hopefully more people could start to draw sounds like pic's when needed.

The general, underlying rule of iSketch on what to draw and what not to draw is:


You can use any artistic method to make your drawing easier to guess. However, you are not allowed to use non-artistic clues, such as writing letters.

In my mind, symbols (and also numbers) are no more artistic than letters. I still think they should be allowed though.

There's always been something to complain about in the rules section. I remember there being a massive thread on it.. somewhere.

But I think it's fair to say this was a great decision. I don't think there is need to pick on every teeeeeny tiny bit of the rules. There will still always be some grey areas, and we can't all be happy altogether. It's difficult to get the balance. I think I'd struggle if I was the rule maker.

I'm just glad that PMs aren't allowed. The £ vs zzz's.. shouldn't matter (though I see your point). But remember, the general rule is that symbals are allowed and letters aren't. If they allow zzz's for a drawing where someone is sleeping, then they ARE allowing letters. Surely this would be contradicting the rules and people will abuse that and there will be complications.. especially with the newer players who don't know the rules properly. So it only makes sense to cut off letters full stop. And to disallow symbals and numbers too, would just make the game waaaaay too difficult. So that's where the line has been drawn. I'm happy with it :D

What I mean is that £1 is no bigger a clue than 1p, and one is allowed and one isn't.

What I find contradictory is that the cent sign is allowed but the penny sign isn't. It's equitable to allow the £ sign if you allow the $ or € symbols but to allow 'c' for cent but not 'p' for penny seems odd to me.

The cent sign is ¢, not (technically:P) a c...

And Nerdy, the no letters rule is already contradicted by exceptions that already exist.
As is the "no non-artistic clues" rule.

If you think it's strange that the 'c' (as part of the symbol) in ¢ is allowed but the 'p' for penny isn't, then 's' for dollar would be strange as well then :P Someone voted to skip me for doing the dollar sign... S without the line going through it at first. Easy mistake, 'cause it started off as a letter.

Must. Remember. To. Do. The. Line. FIRST.
Or at least draw the pound sign! Which would make more sense considering I'm a UK'er, heh.

I hate to agree with hinty (muahahahaa! :P) but I'm with him on that one.. the ¢ sign isn't just a c, just like the dollar sign isn't just an s. The p for penny is just a letter on its own. But I gotta admit, I do feel a tiny bit guilty when I skip people for doing a 'p' on a penny, especially when they generally follow the rules. :|

It would be funny if they allowed € and £ but not a ¢ or a $ (purely because they have letter-like characteristics about them). That would create so much drama. I think I'd need an idiots guide handbook on the rules of iSketch to keep on my desk :D Like I said, the lines have to be drawn somewhere, and I think they've done well to find that balance.

Very different £1 is allowed 1p isn't.

Wow! Is this a sign that im getting old... because, ive never heard of anyone using a p as short for penny????(must be something those people that just loooooooove to use letters made up)... I always thought you used a "1" and the "cent" symbol when making a sign for a single penny in real life and on iSk(if youre lazy and looking for easy points).


I can, however, see why people would feel the need to draw letters for certain words (not saying the rules should allow for it though). Example: if you were told to draw a compass in real life, you'd no doubt put N, E, W and S on it.

NoHints... couldnt you draw a map and put the little compass symbol at the bottom? Even if its not as elaborate as BB's example(i.e. circle with a cross with arrows inside)???? Ive drawn this and most people get it. Works for north, south, east, west too.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

HOORAY! For the "slight" change of the rules. I love it. If things are gonna be done artistically then I think symbols should be gone too.(I know Im asking too much of some people). I can draw a dollar bill in place of a dollar sign. I can draw a quarter, dime, nickle, and penny and point to the penny for cent/penny. I dont even have to put any drawing or symbol on them as long as I use the right colours and sizes. Anyway, Ive done this and people were able to guess what it was.

I agree... PM's should not be allowed in drawing time, I often see confused newbies madly guessing and getting frustrated. Although I have written a few myself :smile:. For the new players it would be frustrating "why am I getting skipped for using letters when others aren't?"

Wow! Is this a sign that im getting old... because, ive never heard of anyone using a p as short for penny????(must be something those people that just loooooooove to use letters made up)... I always thought you used a "1" and the "cent" symbol when making a sign for a single penny in real life and on iSk(if youre lazy and looking for easy points).


In the UK we use 25p for example as the way of showing that amount of money. It's the only way we write it.

was a good move, but how are some of the others going to know about it?

True.. Most of us don't even read the rules (or didn't, when we first started playing iSketch. Not that I did that.. Lalalalaaa..). However, I'm sure if you skip someone (for example, a regular player), and they argue it or if they are confused about it, we can tell them that PMs are no longer allowed, and direct them to the rules link.

I'm sure it'll spread over time :)

As for the newbies, they won't have known about PMs being allowed before, anyway (if they are new after the rule change).

LOL Deano, every room we are in I shall ask you in open chat......
"Hey Dean - have you seen the change to the rules about PM's??"
:D

*waves to Nerdy*

Yes! good move on the rules eh?
We are counting on you regulars (and good debating guys) to help to spread the word, by voting and by telling the newbies gently the writing times are over!!
I think its way more important to get the novels off the canvas than wonder about a p or a c, (but that is me)

Hmmmmmm is it possible to draw a compass without letters



NoHints... couldnt you draw a map and put the little compass symbol at the bottom? Even if its not as elaborate as BB's example(i.e. circle with a cross with arrows inside)???? Ive drawn this and most people get it. Works for north, south, east, west too.


I'm quite capable of drawing a compass on iSketch. I was talking about if you were asked in REAL LIFE. A normal person would draw a compass with letters in the same way they would draw a clock with numbers.

Actually, I've been skipped by an admin for a Chinese symbol before (a made up, Chinese looking symbol, not a real one. Trying to signify chinese-ness - not trying to give out a word - as if I could do that)

Well technically the admin is wrong there, then ;)

And if you have trouble drawing a compass:
(0/\/\9@$$
I mean, symbols are allowed after all

And if you have trouble drawing a compass:
(0/\/\9@$$
I mean, symbols are allowed after all

Ummm....

"Drawing" individual letters: Rendering any letter/s within the word individually using any kind of symbol, icon, code, color, hint, stress, etc. is not allowed."

I've been told you can us @ to mean "at" when giving syllables though, so technically if you do that it's ok, but using it to mean the letter A isnt ;)

And again: my compass drawing skillz are perfectly adequate thank you.

Damn. Chinese characters it'll be then!

On a serious note, I'll have a hard time remembering I can't do PMs any more :(

On a serious note, I'll have a hard time remembering I can't do PMs any more :(

Not if you play in a room with me :twisted: :razz:

This rule change is a long time coming - players have always run the risk of getting skipped if they did a PM in a draw (and on occasions when someone has warned - they have often been at the receiving end of either abuse or slaps). Now this will hopefully make things crystal clear.

To Clau:

I can also see that Forums such as these can spread the message to players - but could it also not be possible to highlight this when you initially log on... say in BIG BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS that the rules have now changed and could everyone please look at them? Just a thought :razz: - and no, I cba to put this suggestion to Feedback :razz:

About that compass...
A compass including the letters has bee added to the disallowed draws section of the rules. This should help with that debate when it happens at the game.

To Clau:

I can also see that Forums such as these can spread the message to players - but could it also not be possible to highlight this when you initially log on... say in BIG BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS that the rules have now changed and could everyone please look at them? Just a thought :razz: - and no, I cba to put this suggestion to Feedback :razz:

I think its a great idea, I just want them to be NEON letters and v. annoying flashing. And that they keep popping up every 5 minutes, to remind everybody.
Oh and every time you are drawing, the colour changes of the letters, and you get music to go with that: some very upbeat 'house' music to give you a subtle reminder.
Great idea.

I think its a great idea, I just want them to be NEON letters and v. annoying flashing. And that they keep popping up every 5 minutes, to remind everybody.
Oh and every time you are drawing, the colour changes of the letters, and you get music to go with that: some very upbeat 'house' music to give you a subtle reminder.
Great idea.

LOL!! :twisted:

I will leave it to you then to have a word in the big bosses ear :razz:

Oh and every time you are drawing, the colour changes of the letters, and you get music to go with that: some very upbeat 'house' music to give you a subtle reminder.
Does this mean you're volunteering for DJ ? :eek::biggrin:

Ohhhhh yes, I have some pretty annoying music in my cd collection. Great!
'DJ C' comes to the house? or how is that called? heh

Who decides on the rule changes?

Who decides on the rule changes?

Only guessing, but I would think Rob does, ( he might chat to feedback about it, or feedback poss tell him what requests keep being made, maybe admins tell him/advise what is and isn't needed).

I'm sure admin's must have been pi**ed off with the no letters but pm's are ok rule,
as a player I certainly welcome this new rule.

edit: I would like to see it say no letters but numbers are allowed, I am forever getting warned for using numbers.

If words like that were allowed then draws like this would be allowed:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/words.jpg

I can, however, see why people would feel the need to draw letters for certain words (not saying the rules should allow for it though). Example: if you were told to draw a compass in real life, you'd no doubt put N, E, W and S on it.

I'm sorry I know this is suppose to be a serious thread and discussion but i absoloutly cacked myself laughing for ages at this ..ty NH for making me laugh on a crappy day may i please request that you draw with this much expertize from now on :biggrin:

Yesterday I was playing in Science, and I had to draw "Atomic Mass Unit", and for the last word, I drew 5N, 3m/s and $7, and in each example I circled the unit, ie Newton, m/s and dollars. One player warned me, and then an Admin (who I think was on invisible) skipped me completely.

I thought that if x + y = z is acceptable for equation, N and m/s and $ should be acceptable for unit. Of course if I was drawing "Newton", then the N would be a tad dodgy.

Sorry Iambic, if chemical symbols arent allowed in there, physics symbols shouldn't be either. They are letters after all.

There's other ways to draw force, in the case of 5 newtons, i'd do a 5 with a small flexed muscular arm next to it; i don't often get many hits on that but some people get it.

m/s is a bit longer but just as easy. For the m part just draw a long line labeled 1000 and then a small line labeled 1. That suggests metric and most people will assume meter. Seconds is a clock with all 3 hands and pointing to the seconds hand.

$ is a matter of debate, see this thread.

Yesss of course if the word was "Newton" I wouldnt draw an N...but for the word 'unit', I think it would be just as legit to draw 5N or 3m/s or $7, and circle the units than drawing x+y=z.

Of course, its all up to interpretation ;)

I think it would be just as legit to draw 5N or 3m/s or $7
The $7 would be fine. The Greek letter Ω is also a unit - as far as I know, using it as a symbol is allowed (along the same lines as π).

Does anyone know if there are also plans to clarify the wordmapping rule, as it was discussed in another thread here? If not, I think there should be.

To quickly review: My understanding is that the current definition ("Indicating part of a different word to reveal the secret word") is a little ambiguous. It seems to suggest that you can't draw a ladder for the word lad. (Part of a different word, ladder, used to reveal the secret word, lad). But as the other thread revealed, this instance is only against the rules if you used lines and arrows to "indicate" the specific part/syllable of the other word that helps reveal the secret word.

Not usually a problem, but I've been voted on for it before. It helps to have a clear rule to point to, as it will when people point out the letters rule change, neon green caps and tambourine-playing notwithstanding.

Yep, that rule is really general. We were given an "isketch definition" of word mapping here (http://www.isketchforum.net/showpost.php?p=112438&postcount=75) but I'm not sure where it came from, or why it's not in the rules anyway, since it exists (probably because its quite complicated and sounds like a laywer talking).

And anyway, technically the written rule on the site would be the official one, regardless of what we're told elsewhere.

Yes! good move on the rules eh?
We are counting on you regulars (and good debating guys) to help to spread the word, by voting and by telling the newbies gently the writing times are over!!
I think its way more important to get the novels off the canvas than wonder about a p or a c, (but that is me)
Ok I think I'm usually pretty good in my perception of the rules but now I''m getting a bit lost :rolleyes:

Does this mean you want us to vote for PM's?:eek:

I didnt think the rules had actually changed as such .. weve all known the risks of writing a PM all along but its a RISK not a rule isnt it?

/Bell walks off in Confuzzlement

Hi everyone :) Just wondering if Greek letters are strictly allowed. We use them all the time in science, but recently I was skipped for drawing alphabet as alpha+beta while in Expert.

I didnt think the rules had actually changed as such .. weve all known the risks of writing a PM all along but its a RISK not a rule isnt it?

The wording of that particular rule was altered to:

" Never use letters - whether or not they are related to the puzzle..."

and it appears the intention of the change was to try and stop confusion around Private Messages, including the responses/arguments/slaps/and even votes to boot that follow someone getting warned for writing one.

I think it's a good move :biggrin:

There's really not many uses of letters which aren't related to the word which isn't PM, so I don't really see what else it would be referring to...

On Greek letters, sense/net said that using them as symbols is allowed, ie for maths related things. That implies that using them as letters isn't (although it brings up the question again of p being used as a symbol for pence).

Anyway, I wouldn't take what people in Science allow as a good idea of what's supposed to be allowed. I've seen people say complete nonsense rules in there.

Ok I think I'm usually pretty good in my perception of the rules but now I''m getting a bit lost :rolleyes:

Does this mean you want us to vote for PM's?:eek:

I didnt think the rules had actually changed as such .. weve all known the risks of writing a PM all along but its a RISK not a rule isnt it?

/Bell walks off in Confuzzlement
Actually many players seemed to not be aware of the risk of writing PM on the canvas either due to not reading the rules or only absorbing the part that said PM's are allowed and not the part saying it's a risk.

I think the main point is that the votes will stand, it is NOT vote abuse, and jumping down the throats of players who vote on PM's is not in the spirit of the game. Just use common sense while drawing and voting and all will be good. :smile:

Thanks for the reminder :) I came home from michigan.. and i asked someone if anything had changed, and they were like "no more PM" and i was like ..*gasp* ...pm.. withdrawl.. but in reality no, they aren't really that necessary :) you can wait just a few moments to get what you have to say out :) I actually /clap this rule!

/clap

I have often voted to skip someone because of letters only to find out that they were a 'secret' pm to a certain member in the room. So I am very pleased with the change here. I prefer not to do pm's myself.

There are ways I think of acknowledging someone in the room, like drawing a heart in the corner or similar, or just plain wait until yr turn is over.

There is too much confusion for those of us looking on if PMs are allowed.

As far as the 'p' goes for pence ... I guess the line has to be drawn somewhere because then we can use 'c' for cents ... F for farenheit and C for celsius. Whereas the dollar and pound symbols are clearly that, just symbols.

My 2 cents or is it 2 pence worth anyway!

Interesting thread!

As far as the 'p' goes for pence ... I guess the line has to be drawn somewhere because then we can use 'c' for cents ... F for farenheit and C for celsius. Whereas the dollar and pound symbols are clearly that, just symbols.


Actually that's an incorrect premise. The £ symbol is actually an 'L', a pretty fancy L true, but an L nonetheless; it stands for Libra, the Latin word for 'pound'. Traditionally, the abbreviation for British money was LSD, Librae Solidi Denarii, which we translated as Pounds, Shillings, and Pence. Before decimalisation, the symbol for the words penny or pence was 'd'. When decimalisation was introduced in the UK, a decision was made by government to keep the word 'penny' as an official denomination but to use the symbol 'p' in relation to currency instead of the old 'd'.

However, no additional graphical devices were used on the 'p'. Unlike the cent... putting a stroke through the letter 'c' was done so that when currency was discussed in print it would not be confused with the simple letter but it's still a letter nonetheless.

As for the dollar symbol... there's some debate over where that comes from but it's generally accepted that it's based on the Spanish abbreviation Ps for the word 'peso', as written in old Spanish. It was certainly used that way by British settlers in North America when they traded with Spanish settlers further south - long before the USA existed per se. And as it's an abbreviation, no matter how old or fancy, the $ is actually also based on letters. And so is the Euro - € is just a fancy 'E' after all.

So they're all letters but only one is against iSketch rules, the British penny.

So they're all letters
Not really, no. They may have started roots as letters but they're recognised symbols and if the 'p' for a pence was modified like the others, it'd be a symbol too.

The history of the letters is fascinating, and a very good point. I did find it interesting to read. However, I'm more with Facey's view on this. I've felt that if 'p' for penny was changed to a symbol, whereby for example there was a stroke going through it (like in a cent or dollar), then I think it would be allowed. 'p' is clearly a letter, the others aren't (at least when you compare it to the standard letters of the English alphabet), but their history shows they are/were initially letters. I doubt this is something that the creator of iSketch would even take into consideration. So I think it's understandable as to why 'p' isn't allowed. But that's just my opinions on it. I think it's a good decision.. it would probably cause more confusion if it was allowed. :/

Great and interesting discussions here people and very friendly as well! :smile:

As far as iSketch is concerned, I think anything that is drawn as a simple letter such as the p you've mentioned is likely to get votes. The other more symbolic looking indicators are used a lot and accepted more. The best thing to do is find another way besides the p to indicate your word and realize votes would not be out of line if they happen when the room sees a p on the canvas.

If the rules included every nuance of what is or isn't a symbol, a letter logo, a chemical symbol or equation, the rules would be so long many would not read them at all let alone remember all the fine details.

Cheers everyone, have fun at the game!

p on the canvas.

Eww. Can we have that limited to Adult and User Invite rooms please? :idea:

Eww. Can we have that limited to Adult and User Invite rooms please? :idea:

So that would be all rooms except chat teens ?? :razz:

I am just reading this thread for the first time. What a discussion!! Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the new rule, I was always annoyed when people would take half the draw to write a message to a player when they could just wait 30 seconds.. =D And now no more fights with n00bs about voting!

P.S. NoHints, those drawings made me laugh SO much. Hahahahahah. =D

Hey everyone ... I personally would say that any letter that has 'morphed' into a symbol is perfectly fine but any letter that remains a letter should not be. Just to draw a clear line.

If letters such as p and c (cents) are allowed, then new players will start arguing that S for superman (for the word hero) is allowed ... - as that is also technically a symbol - so really drawing a line at what is perceived straight letters rather than symbols (even if they were once letters) there becomes a clear demarcation mark for everyone to know when to vote and when not to. Perhaps depending on the room there isn't a clear demarcation?

But really it's down to whether its providing a fair game or not.

However as always, this is just my opinion and I really loved reading the opinions of others in here.

Just been pondering on the 'c' for cents sometimes here we write it as a c but with a line through it much like the $ symbol. So perhaps we could do something similar with the p for pence and make it a symbol? Just an idea. Probably a dumb one, but just a thought that has popped into my mind.

Just one more clarification please:

In the past, the drawer has been able to give the lines representing the number of letters, and write the first two letters - IF they have used the HINT button for this already.

I am assuming this is now a violation?

It talks about giving spaces....

"Illegal use of hints: As artist, only after you have clicked on the HINT button can you freely give the number of letters in the puzzle or draw spaces representing the letters in the puzzle."

but doesn't mention the letters.

Yeah, that rule doesn't seem to be there anymore. It was a pointless one anyway.

Writing dashes, adding the first two letters is allowed ONLY if all three hints have been revealed first and you cannot write anymore than the hint reveals. Although you should keep in mind that writing on the canvas will still risk votes. Any writing on the canvas risks votes so don't bite the heads off of the voters please.

How is it allowed if the rule has been deleted from the site?

Writing dashes, adding the first two letters is allowed ONLY if all three hints have been revealed first and you cannot write anymore than the hint reveals.

But that can be disputed as well, since nowhere on the rules page does it say anything about having to reveal all three hints first, and it doesn't say the first 2 letters are allowed to be written under that condition either. Quote:

"...only after you have clicked on the HINT button can you freely give the number of letters..."

"time flies (example)
Giving the lettercount without (or prior to) clicking on the HINT button"

But I'm not saying this to argue with Sierra's post in a narky way. I think if you read the rules as a whole now after the change, it all becomes somewhat consistent:

1. If you've clicked the button just once, the letter dashes are already visible, so drawing them on the canvas doesn't really give away anything that isn't already there. (*cough, majority of the time, see bottom of post)

2. It doesn't say you have to click it any more times, and the rules only mention revealing the lettercount, so those extra clicks only give away letters, which under the current rules you shouldn't be writing anyway.

3. The end result of combining 1 & 2 implies you can click hint once, then draw the dashes on the canvas, and later hints can reveal letters at the top via the button, but they are still forbidden on the canvas.

So there's one possible interpretation based on some logical reasoning, and I certainly can't say if that was the intended meaning since I have nothing to do with the officialdom. Just some food for thought...

(*cough, letter spaces on the canvas can reveal the number of letters per syllable in a word if someone draws them in conjunction with the --/--/-- convention.)

As with many of the rules there is a certain common sense element involved. Strictly speaking writing any letters that are part of the word is against the rules. That said, if those letters have previously been revealed and paid for in points by using the hint button an admin is not likely to skip you.

Very true BB :) I don't think too many people would be pedantic enough to vote on the 2 letters on the canvas if they've already been given by hints.

I do think the idea of drawing the letter spacings after only one hint is given would be received much less forgivingly in practice though, and I don't think I would ever actually do it, but the rules could be interpreted that it's kosher was more my point :P

Heck, playing in an English Expert room only a couple weeks ago with well-known players with years of iSketch experience, someone had already given the 3 hints... but as soon as they started drawing the letter dashes the three skip-votes were dished out in a fraction of a second. When they subsequently asked why they were skipped, "Read the rules!!" was the response from these same regulars.

I don't think too many people would be pedantic enough to vote on the 2 letters on the canvas if they've already been given by hints.

Ummmm.... actually I can't think of one time I've seen someone use the letters after hint rule (when it was a rule) and not been voted on.

Just reading through this thread for the first time I was amazed at all the do's and dont's on the different symbols/letters.

I'm so glad that the no PM rule is now inforce because when I first started the game I would always hit the violation button when I saw someone starting to use letters then they would freak at me saying that it was only a PM ... well guess what, I'm not a mind reader and didn't know it was your dumb PM all I saw was letters and letters are not allowed ... grrr

BTW, have I mentioned that I LOVE iSketch?? :)

Ummmm.... actually I can't think of one time I've seen someone use the letters after hint rule (when it was a rule) and not been voted on.

Doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I've seen plenty of people 'get away with it' (no skip votes), and also others getting skipped for it. I've voted by mistake a few times :embarrassed:

/me thinks Valley LOVES iSketch :razz:
Have to say, you have mighty good taste :P

The comment was saying that no one would be pedantic enough to vote for it, and I was merely saying that people are (and more often than they aren't).

Most people didn't even know that rule existed.

Just to clarify my previous post, I was referring to dashes and two letters being written when I said three hints. Sorry for being unclear. Anything written BEYOND what the hint button has revealed is against the rules.

Pound:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/Javaranks/pound.jpg

Atomic Mass Unit
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/Javaranks/atomicmassunit.jpg

Penny
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/Javaranks/penny.jpg

Celsius / Fahrenheit
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/Javaranks/celsiusfahrenheit.jpg

Euro
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/Javaranks/Euro.jpg

Dollar
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/Javaranks/dollar.jpg

Thank me later ;)

I prefer a sad dog being taken away for pound, personally.

Chemical symbols are not allowed, as they are almost always abbreviations of the word.

There is an easier way of drawing the elements. All you need to do is draw the number of the element as it appears on the periodic table.

e.g. Hydrogen = #1, Helium = #2, Lithium = #3... etc.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/db1986/Blue_Heart.jpg

You could even use them as parts of other words such as "lithosphere" below:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/db1986/Lithosphere.jpg

There is an easier way of drawing the elements. All you need to do is draw the number of the element as it appears on the periodic table.

e.g. Hydrogen = #1, Helium = #2, Lithium = #3... etc.

You could even use them as parts of other words such as "lithosphere" below:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/db1986/Lithosphere.jpg

Silly, not all of us know that.... I'm sure about 4% of the people playing know that :rolleyes:

Yes, but the 4% of us that do know that are the ones who will be guessing words like lithosphere :P I'd assume :p

lol, hydrogen, helium, lithium, berrylium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon...and thats where i stop :P :D unlesssss sodium and magnesium.then aluminum and then i stop :P :D just a btw ;) for science peoples..

It was just a suggestion if you happen to come across the science room :)

Ah science room yes.

I suppose this is fair. It does make things awkward sometimes though :]

And I suppose that using £1 is for "pound" is no different from using 1p for penny. There's lots of odd examples, lines need to be drawn somewhere...

Actually, 1p is allowed in the rules, I know as I have been told off by an admin before for voting against it.

An admin with a type of flower in their name...

I wouldn't take being warned by an admin as confirmation that something's not against the rules.....

I've been warned by an admin for voting on someone who was breaking about 3 rules at once. I guess they're all allowed too...

I prefer a sad dog being taken away for pound, personally. LMAO! I daresay that might cheer the dog up! (Sorry, it had to be said)

I wouldn't take being warned by an admin as confirmation that something's not against the rules.....

I've been warned by an admin for voting on someone who was breaking about 3 rules at once. I guess they're all allowed too...

There is no such thing as a omnipotent admin, isketchers have, for a long time, had running 'battles' with admis, for reason justified or otherwise (mainly otherwise, mind you, the cry of, 'I was banned for nothing!' is often just lies). The best way to deal with this is to know who the good ones are and who the 'act first', think later ones are. If you hang around the site enough you'll work out who these are and know who to avoid. That said, they could be sat there in their invisibility cloak waiting to stealth attack you... meh, the game's not costing anything... not asking so much to pay in unwarranted warns, is it? lol

The rules state. Symbols used in grammar,math etc are allowed

Mathematical formulas are allowed.

I did a blackboard and showed a math `formula ` for the word Chalk

Is that okay ??????

Lets not name names here. Some admins like to stay anonymous. PLease remove that post, anyone or Rem. Thanks.

not actually a secret are they !

not actually a secret are they !
How exactly are they not a secret? People can play iSketch for years and still not know many Admin names. The reason, because a lot of the existing Admins do not wish to be named. That is their choice. The only way we have to ensure that privacy is respected is by not allowing anyone to name any Admin.

If you object to this policy then that's your choice but this policy is set by Peter and until otherwise stated will be enforced.

oooohherrr !

calm down

All bow to Peter . There are several ist on the internet they are not secret !

yeah, but the lists dont exist here.

oooohherrr !

calm down

All bow to Peter . There are several ist on the internet they are not secret !

There may be several lists on the internet, but a) they don't have to be posted here b) as mentioned, some admins prefer anonimity and c) they're not necessarily all correct anyway

How is it that members who sign up here, don't care to follow the rules of the site? It always amazes me.

oooohherrr !

calm down

All bow to Peter . There are several ist on the internet they are not secret !

I can tell you one thing that isn't a secret at all: a lot of players claim to know the names of the isketch admins. Every once a while a "secret" list appears and everyone goes "wooohoooo"! But as far as I could see so far: the lists were never ever complete, they only showed about 20-30% of the real admin names, they sometimes included names that weren't but guesses. Believe me: These lists are crap!

I can tell that because I AM an admin - and I don't mind telling, since I can't join the game as admin for the moment due to job reasons. Otherwise it is of great respect to not name the admins names. We really try hard to keep iSketch a nice place and we are willing to help, it is sometimes of importance that misbehaving players do not recognize us at first glance.

So: thank you for contributing to making iSketch a wonderful, unique and clean game!

I play virtually everyday and it is nt a nice place for many reasons. The most obvious and most unbelievable is allowing people to call themselves FAT**** or SMELLYC*** or some other vulgar obscenity. The rudeness from players is beyond belief the arrogance of players who constantly criticise everyones drawing efforts.

Play in any room for long enough and someone will spoil the `nice` place.

I completely agree with your opinion on vulgar usernames, but unfortunately this is the way that some people are and how they act. This is why iSketch has a voting system; if you are offended by anyone, use your vote. The admins on iSketch can't be in every room all of the time, and they cannot be held responsible for the actions of players, but voting attracts the admins' attention to deal with such troublemakers.

There's also an /ignore feature, if you feel offended by anything that they say. Some people say that they shouldn't have to use it, but believe me, it has helped me numerous times in the past. Otherwise you could find yourself on the receiving end of a vote by someone else who may be offended by your fighting in public.

iSketch also has a facility to create your own room, so you can normally avoid such troublemakers by being able to police your own room.

As bruehlberg said, the admins try their best to keep these troublemakers at bay, so iSketch can be as fun and a happy place for everyone :)

I play virtually everyday and it is nt a nice place for many reasons. The most obvious and most unbelievable is allowing people to call themselves FAT**** or SMELLYC*** or some other vulgar obscenity. The rudeness from players is beyond belief the arrogance of players who constantly criticise everyones drawing efforts.

Play in any room for long enough and someone will spoil the `nice` place.

Along with the suggestions by db, you also have a language filter that you can select under "Settings" that will block all chat and room names containing pre-selected rude names. Since iSketch is a multi-national, multi-language, multi-cultural game we can't block every possible combination of letters that might be offensive, but the language filter is a start.

And iSketch is a free game in a social setting. Admins (like me!) are there to enforce the rules of fair play. That alone takes up most of our attention. As in any social setting, the decorum of the people is their own responsibility - some people just don't know how to behave in public. The truly rude ones usually get shot down by their peers or escorted to the door when they totally cross the line.

Past experience suggests that when a player uses an offensive username (with very few exceptions) they are usually there for trouble and will be booted out before long any way!

Past experience suggests that when a player uses an offensive username (with very few exceptions) they are usually there for trouble and will be booted out before long any way!

Hehe yes, agreed. I've heard that you can use your vote if you find a username offensive, makes sense really, if you are offended. Make sure you explain why you voted though, it might not be apparent straight away to anyone else in the room.

Even if their name is Moron (that's what the username changes to if someone tries to log in as "Admin" :xD:) or Moderator, iSketchMod, iSketchMoron, it usually means they're not legit :)

Even if their name is Moron ..... it usually means they're not legit :)

Oh I dunno...some morons are pretty legit! Just watch how they behave...they qualify their name, mostly! :lol:

./flirt spam

Change in rules: When a user is drawing a accurate draw that deals with sleeping feedback has explained to me that drawing ZZZ's are allowed.

This won't prevent some people voting on them, which as far as I know, is also OK.

True, when I get sleeping draws I will not draw ZZZ's because I do not want votes against me.

If I hear another player try and tell me Z isn't a letter, I shall go insane!
/me must have missed that meeting....

This is how I try to remember it:

Z is a letter, Zzzzz is a symbol.

Very Nice....

They removed the "ZZZ" example from the rules section just over a year ago, I think.

I'd still consider it against the rules though, as it still says "Never use letters - whether or not they are related to the puzzle".

Don't see why they'd allow it; pretty poor decision.

They removed the "ZZZ" example from the rules section just over a year ago, I think.

I'd still consider it against the rules though, as it still says "Never use letters - whether or not they are related to the puzzle".

Yes, the ZZZ example hasn't been quoted in the rules for a while now. Since the rule change I've been quite weary about voting for ZZZ, usually I don't bother.

Don't see why they'd allow it

Agreed. As ZZZ is an onomatopoeia, why is it allowed if other onomatopoeia like "buzz", "moo" and "quack" aren't allowed?

Ok great nice to hear all of this now what should i do when isketch says "you have to enable Javascript" !!!!??? Not a single day logging in without a love letter message! Just work properly damn it! I need a quick response.Thank You! Merci bien Grazie etc....

All I can say is email feedback, I don't know what your problem is. info@isketch.net

Ok great nice to hear all of this now what should i do when isketch says "you have to enable Javascript" !!!!??? Not a single day logging in without a love letter message! Just work properly damn it! I need a quick response.Thank You! Merci bien Grazie etc....

I have always found feedback is very quick to respond to me when it's a technical issue. I have always put 'technical issue' or 'technical problem' in the subject line so that it doesn't get confused with complaints from other players who may have been blocked or banned or whatever.