The Enigma FAQ

FAQ = “Frequently Asked Questions”

Q. I PRINTED AN ENIGMA FROM THE PDF, BUT I CAN'T MAKE A BOOKLET FROM IT CAUSE THE SPINE ISN'T CENTERED. WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

A. The problem is that Adobe Acrobat™ is scaling the page for you. The solution is to deselect the “fit to paper” option - it's counter-intuitive, but it works!

Q. WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR SENDING IN SOLUTIONS TO THE ENIGMA?

A. Send your solutions after the first day of the month and before 11:59 p.m. of the last day of the month which follows the month of publication. For example, for the June issue, send your solutions after July 1st but before 11:59 PM on July 31st. Send solutions by email to wampahoofus@puzzlers.org or by postal mail to William P. Michaels, 330 Zion Rd., Hillsborough NJ 08844.

Q. WHO DECIDES IF MY SOLUTION IS CORRECT AND WHERE DO I SEND MY SOLUTIONS:

A. wampahoofus@puzzlers.org is the arbiter and final judge of solutions (aka sols).

Q. CAN I FIND OUT IF AN ANSWER IS CORRECT BEFORE SENDING IN MY FINAL LIST?

A. Yes. You may check with another member who will confirm or deny your solution if they have solved the puzzle. You may ask the editor@puzzlers.org or the solutions czar (wampahoofus@puzzlers.org) if your answer is correct. Please be patient when asking for help. Our editors and other volunteers have a lot to do, like live their lives and work at their jobs, so try to get a confirm from another member whenever possible. If you look at the people who submit solutions regularly (found in the back of The Enigma every issue), you have a good idea who to email for confirmations. Members are also very helpful in giving hints if you are stuck on a puzzle. Contacting members also helps you to get to know other people in the organization.

Q. WHAT DO ALL THE NUMBERS AND ASTERISKS AND STUFF MEAN AT THE START OF A PUZZLE?

A. Puzzle types are named first (ACROSTICAL ENIGMA, CHARADE, ENIGMATIC REBUS, and many other types). The explanation for the “tagging” of a puzzle (the asterisks, carats, numbers) is found before the first flat in every issue under the title “PENETRALIA”.

Q. WHAT DO THE LETTERS IN THE ENIGMA NUMBERING SIGNIFY?

A. The type of puzzle determines the way it is numbered and where it is placed in The Enigma. In any issue, puzzle types that are numbered but not lettered are: “Flats” (the most numerous puzzle type in any issue,) “Anagrams”, and “Ambigrams.” When a flat is unusual for some reason, it is designate with the letters “KU” and does not count towards a “Flat Complete” when you submit answers – although they are great fun to solve as a rule. “Forms” (“Pyramid,” “Hourglass,” and the like) carry an “F” designation, straightforward “Crypts” carry a “C”, and “Extras” (Anaquotes, Anaquip, and Cryptic Crosswords, for example) are marked with an “X”.

The four groups (Flats, Forms, Crypts, and Extras) are sections in the solutions lists that the solution editor tots up to announce how many of each type of puzzle a solver solved. You can be noted in the solvers as having a “Complete complete” meaning you solved every puzzle in the edition; and as a “Flat Complete” solver if you solve all of the flats (except KUs, which are not counted) in an edition.

Q. It's the 10th of the month and I haven't seen my Enigma yet. Who do I contact?

A. We don't know. You see, one person makes a master copy, other people make printed copies, and another person prints labels saying who gets a copy each month. Then “In God [and the US Government] we trust” as it goes to the to delive it all over the world.

So, the posibilities are:

• The Enigma is just not ready yet (check out NPL-Folk).
• The master copy was delayed getting to or at the printers' garage.
• You're no longer a member.
• The US Postal Service has it and is writing all sorts of

notes about the sols and kudos in the margin.

• Some government agency (homeland insecurities?) is puzzling over the flats, crypts, and cryptograms trying to ensure you're not a terrorist threat.
• Your spouse pulled it from the mail and buried it on your desk under the pile of wedding thanks you's you've been meaning to sign and send for five years now. In other words, you did get it already .

Did you check the website to see if there is a new copy for this month ready? Stuff happens and The Enigma has, on some occassions, been late cause of child birth, conventions, travel plans, visiting and absent relatives, broken printers, new editors, old editors, etc. ad nauseam. But, you can expect it on the web first on most occassions.

Did you check the label on your previous edition? Did it have red text like LAST ISSUE! RENEW NOW? If it did, you should contact treasurer@puzzlers.org and discuss renewing.