Possible Problem or Issue - 31 Sec Solve time?

[pcuser]

I've just finished reading this post from start to finish. Is it even possible to write a program that can solve a puzzle automatically. If so, then these speeds make sense as computers are fast enough. However, I can't believe many people can write or even know how to write code for this purpose. As far as using a spreadsheet to solve them, I wondered if one could do so when I learned how to solve these puzzles on this site. However, even if you created a spreadsheet that could do it, it would still require time to input data from the clues to allow the spreadsheet to work, thus defeating the intent. When I considered a spreadsheet, I thought of it as an intellectual challenge to myself, not as a way to get a leg up in competition. I have found that my times and depth of understanding has dramatically improved as I do more puzzles. I also don't understand someone being perturbed about fast times as there will always be someone better out there and I do these puzzles for myself, not to impress anyone else. I guess that's just me however.
pcuser

[bobcat1]

I haven't played to long but I have found some puzzles for which a number of answers work, but the site only accepts one. So there is a lack of info in the clues in some cases

[Laura]

I know this issue was raised a few years ago, but I'm seeing quite a few average solve times that are absolutely astounding! It takes an average of 30 mouse clicks to solve a puzzle and for a very fast reader, it would take each question about 2 seconds to read.

I've solved a few in about 80 seconds (very few ), but am wondering what the secret is for the consistent low scores.

[DumperDimple]

I just solved a 4x4 puzzle in 59 seconds, my first ever under one minute (although I've come close before).

No cheating, just logic, and luck, because if the clues come in a convenient order it makes it quicker to solve.

Definitely doable.

[Laura]

I wasn't talking about individual puzzles — since that post a few months ago I actually did one in 40 seconds, but that's because I had done the same puzzle less than an hour before. My solve time on some puzzles has lowered quite a bit and I'm not hooting anymore when I solve a puzzle under 80 seconds.

My question was about average solve times of 30 and 40 seconds. And individual game solves of 14 seconds. (Interestingly we haven't seen those since the new puzzles were introduced — they don't have such discernible patterns.)