If you think the rules of empathy should be changed so that the plural and singular of the same word are considered the same, that all punctuation should be ignored, and that 'the' and 'a' should be dropped from phrases when they exist as a single word, vote yes here.

(Example: “Carrot”, “carrots”, “the carrots”, and “A Carrot!!!” would all count towards the same answer, “carrot”)

Yes! (I'm voting in my own poll.)

I vote for that. That, to me, is what this game is all about.

That's what I have wanted all along. I vote YES!!!

Yes, I agree 100%

OK. I agree. Done.

Thanks Richard!:)

Sorry Salla.

I recalculate last game (christmas). Salla Lehtonen was winner. After recalculation is winner Tasmanian Devil. Reason was word [present]. Before recalculation there was two words - [present] (17 points) and [presents] (31 points).

Hey! Thanks, Richard, this is going to be a lot more accurate as to how we are thinking the same thought…

Yeaaaaaaaa

Heh. So this should end the debate. Every solution had it's supporters, none had much more than others. Richard did his choice. It was not what I hoped for, but is not that bad either. Downsides are mostly philosophical. Parser (or what ever that spelling checker is) seems now rather efficient. It has it's obscurities, but people will most probably get extra points because of that, if anything. That should not produce too many complaints, should it?

Very sympathetic of you to make the change for this game Richard :-D

Richard is well known for his graciousness in accepting people's suggestions all across the site!

I hope more newcomers will consider joining as Members to help pay for this terrific site!

Hey, that's excellent! Thanks Richard!

vote no

sure why not

Yes. And “The” should be ignored so that “Godfather” and “The Godfather” and effectively the same answer.

No, Judy, it won't be more accurate “as to how we are thinking the same thought.” That was the whole debate.

Rex, I disagree. It will be more accurate. With the recent change, the difference NOW is the program just won't be so particular (or “nit-picky”, if I may use that term) as to how that thought is expressed and conveyed.

ya lets make it so easy no one has to think then the game can be really lame

I know you and Judy disagree, but I don't think you could be more wrong and didn't appreciate her re-opening the can of worms, so to speak (not cans of worm), in a gloating manner.

did we ever agree on capitals, or no capitals?

the reason i ask is b/c on the harry potter empathy game i did not receive points for Hogwarts b/c i used a capital, i looked in the books, and Hogwarts is spelled with a capital, but i see everyone else did not use capitals….hmmmm…so r we doing capital for the states….states is a name of a place, should automatically be capitalized….lol..but so should have Hogwarts….?????

Capital or not, it doesn't matter. Are you sure you spelled hogwarts the same way the other spelled it? And are you sure you did not get any poimts for it?

I think the mysterious “I wrote down a word ending on 's', did get the points for it, but it isn't highlighted in the word-list”-bug may be the answer here, because I spelled Hogwarts with a capital 'H' and it isn't highlighted in my list, too.

all capitals are converted to small letters, and all spaces are removed. So I don't fully understand what are you talking about…

Yeah it wasnt highlighted….hmmmmm….my points would have been alot higher with the Hogwarts points, oh and ive learned to double check my spelling…