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SlavicG's blog

Messaging during rounds
By SlavicG, history, 3 years ago, In English

How I got Sabotaged In GR17

  • I was participating in the Global Round, submitting my ordinary wrong answers on pretest 2 on problem A when I got a notification that I got a Codeforces message (it was around 20 minutes into the round). Didn't give it much thought and immediately opened it to find the following message:

  • Now, because of this, I couldn't submit the solution to the problem anymore, since it would be considered cheating, even though I had quite high chances of finding the edge-case myself. So, I had to participate the whole round with ~400 points less than I could have gotten myself, which is quite frustrating. I know they didn't have bad intentions, but let's be fair, cheating is bad in any manner.

The Problem

  • The same way I got the undesired external help, how many other people have gotten it? For how many was it actually undesired? And what if others submitted the solution and replied with help to another problem as well?

Possible Solution

  • Cheating is almost impossible to stop, but we can at least reduce it. I suggest just totally removing the possibility of messaging during a round (2-3 hours of not being able to message on codeforces shouldn't be that big of a deal) or at least make it available for a smaller subset of people (maybe based on rating, or trust factor). At least it would make cheating harder, and stop cases where people randomly "help" without you even asking for it.

MikeMirzayanov is there any reason why messaging on codeforces wouldn't be blocked during the contest period?

  • Vote: I like it
  • +588
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (21)
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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +38 Vote: I do not like it

It is a good suggestion, upvoted.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +76 Vote: I do not like it

why no one message me :(

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +38 Vote: I do not like it

Or you could've just submitted the correct solution to A and send $5 paypal to the person that helped you. \s

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +182 Vote: I do not like it

Wow, sorry to hear that! You were so honorable. :)

One solution (minimally disruptive) would be to "snooze" or "hold" the incoming messages for people who are registered for the ongoing round, and then release them after the round ends.

That way people who aren't participating in the round can converse freely, and even message people who are participating. But people who are participating don't have any possibility to accidentally open any messages while competing.

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    2 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Maybe some people got late on the contest, they aren't participating anymore and they want to discuss about some problems idk, its better idea to just ignore messages during contest.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +32 Vote: I do not like it

During times when mostly all the contests are spoilt by these cheaters, you are an inspiration. Respect++!!

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -27 Vote: I do not like it

`how did you send a message to yourself?

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

    They have shown just the picture of recipient, the sender's picture is on the left.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

I wonder how someone could read your WA submission.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +19 Vote: I do not like it

    I think it was just a guess, since it's the case most got wrong in the round and it's not that easy to catch

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
      ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

      I see. I would like to have a feature which make my messaging off during contests.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

King take a bow. This was such a great spirit of contest

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

Not every one has this kind of integrity! You are a real contestant!

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

Not every heroes wear caps,some don't solve a problems for other's fault

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +62 Vote: I do not like it

Such an honorable act

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -50 Vote: I do not like it

Alternatively, you could make turning messages off an opt-in thing. Some people might still want to message during a contest without being cheaters (eg. to tell their coach/friend/etc that they solved a problem). In my opinion it might be better to do it this way.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +74 Vote: I do not like it

    (eg. to tell their coach/friend/etc that they solved a problem).

    Why the hell do you need to tell your coach/friend/girlfriend/hubby/blabla. that you have solved the fucking problem A ! in between a contest ?

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      idk that was the first example that came to mind, i know it's stupid

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

good idea, upvoted , also you gotta admit that is a shitty corner case that just makes your life miserable

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

I think the other person was trying to accuse you of cheating if you didn't help him on the other problems.

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