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Weekend Setbacks and Advancements January 7, 2013

Posted by makingyourdashcount in Fun Stuff, Puzzle Project, Thoughts.
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Setbacks

After scanning two more bags of 60 pieces, it occurred to me that the scans are mirror images of the actual placement on the platen. This means that I MAY have numbered 120 pieces backwards. (The piece on the top left corner of the platen was 1, but the piece on the top left corner of the scan was 6.) Catastrophe? Probably not. It just means that I will have to either renumber them at some point, or use the actual pieces when solving the puzzle. CRIMINAL!

To date, I have input about 175 pieces. Anna was right; it takes forever. It is a tedious task for someone who gave up accounting because the details pained me. I learned early in my career that I hate tying balances and loose decimal points and here I am trying to categorize puzzle pieces, for fun.

And I am not a good planner. Although I confidently input pink choices as light, bright and rose, some pieces required magenta or coral; this could make for some mismatching when it comes time to actually place pieces. And all of those hats are not green. Some are olive and some are forest green. I only gave green, as a choice.

But there were advancements, as well.

I officially placed two pieces into the puzzle. So for the naysayers, I have touched the puzzle!

I also began inputting the puzzle’s details. My next post will detail the number of cat hats and glasses. 🙂

Wow.. the setbacks outweighed the advancements, but I haven’t given up yet, so life is good. Meow

Databasing Excitement January 4, 2013

Posted by makingyourdashcount in Uncategorized.
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This is an exciting update. As predicted, I did find my key code for my Access software. I had it in a document file with my backed up Office Professional software. Yea, for me! So I reinstalled Office and voilà, Access.

I’ve been building the database and loading it with data. So far, I’ve put in about 60 pieces. It isn’t scientific and I know that I am missing out on a lot of information, particularly when two cats share one piece. Since I have one field for fur color, for example, if there are two cats I only note the dominant one. (I probably would be better off listing the other, if you think about it, but a choice is a choice.) The same goes for accessories, clothing, eyes, etc.

Aside from their thinking that I am certifiably crazy, someone from work asked me how I could be making progress on a puzzle, if I am not yet even trying to put pieces together? I actually think that I am making tremendous progress. Once I complete this stage of the project, I will time how long it takes me to actually complete it. If you wish to act as a control group and assemble it in the traditional way, let me know!

My next update will include screen shots of my database, queries and reports. Meow