What is apterous?
The first thing to say is that apterous is definitely not Countdown. It is not endorsed by Countdown, Channel 4 or anyone important at all. However, it is a game with rounds including numbers, letters and conundrums. This may sound familiar. You can play against your friends over the Internet, or other people's friends if you don't have any of your own. To play, just register and then log in. If you're having problems, head over to our FAQ and, if that doesn't work, please do email me and I'll do my best to help.
Current Duel Leaders
| # | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Armstrong | — |
Format: 4 rounds of 45 seconds.
[Vote for the next Duel's format]
Latest Pencils
Top Dog
| # | Player | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Sullivan | 85% |
These are the finest bones dug up lately,
in Mr Dog's opinion (patent pending).
Discussions
6
10
0
Apterous is weird
Brainstorm by Eoin Jackson. Status: Unconfirmed.
It is though. It is also deep and layered and full of mysteries. Case in point: https://www.apterous.org/viewuser.php?user=20 da fuq? Has anyone else unearthed any oddities or Easter eggs they'd like ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
12 2 0
Miscellaneous Knowledge Quiz
Announcement by John Carpenter. Status: Unconfirmed.
Dear members, Here is a quiz which I composed. Good luck to all who attempt it. The answers are given below it. 1) In which year did Neil Armstrong land on the moon? 2) Which Cosmologist wrote: A ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
8 0 0
COLIN XVII- 29-30 January 2022
Announcement by Ben Wilson. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello apterous! For the seventeenth time, this coming January will see Countdowning in Lincoln (well, North Hykeham but same thing)! All are welcome as always, please see the c4c thread- http://www.c4countdown.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=14849 ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
8 0 13
September 2021 dictionary update
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
The following updates will come in shortly, probably from Wednesday. There has been quite a bit of disruption in the dictionary and its interpretation lately so there are a number of other changes that ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
18 1 6
"Dark mode" option: turn the game window black and text white
Game feature request by Philip Aston. Status: Unconfirmed.
In a multimedia world where people are staring at their screens at midnight with no lamps on, I think it would be a cool idea to have an option to toggle "dark mode" – change the game's background and ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
45 1 43
Tournament licence
Website feature request by Charlie Reams. Status: On-going.
A small number of people run most of apterous' many excellent tournaments, and currently they spend a lot of time waiting around for me to approve them. I suggest a system in which people with a reasonable ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
42 6 16
Showing shorter possible words after letters rounds
Game feature request by Jonathan Dyke. Status: Unconfirmed.
For beginner players specifically, I think it would be very helpful to show possible solutions shorter than the maximum. Quite often the maximum is an extremely obscure word, and it would be useful to ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
20 1 2
ZoomDown Series 4 - Now seeking applicants
Announcement by Paul Anderson. Status: Unconfirmed.
We're back this coming Tuesday 7th September with a brand new series of highly social Countdown over Zoom. We welcome Stephen Read as our new lexicographer, and also Graeme Cole who'll be aiming to fill ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
14 0 18
Numbers Guide.... Trying to give some players an insight into numbers techniques I use.
Brainstorm by Graham Harrison. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hi everyone, So as you all know... I'm a numbers guy. I wouldn't say i'm a genius with numbers AT ALL.....I'm just REALLY fast with times tables...... and please make no mistake... NO intention to patronise ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
9 3 8
Buttons next to notes in numbers rounds
Game feature request by Piaras Last-Name. Status: Unconfirmed.
A few days ago I played a user that had a lot of difficulty typing in the notes during numbers rounds, who told me that they had to spot the solution almost immediately in order to have enough time to ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
4 5 0
New character idea: Sir Trevor McDonald
Game feature request by Philip Aston. Status: Unconfirmed.
This ticket was created by the Character Spindlomatic, which you should use to create your own characters! https://www.apterous.org/spindlomatic.php --------------------------------------- I suggest the ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
2 0 1
Everything Counts IX
Announcement by Andy SC. Status: Unconfirmed.
Sign-ups for the latest Everything Counts are open - https://www.apterous.org/to_tourney.php?tourney=3750 If you have any questions please do ask. All details are in the link. [Read more] [More miscellany]
37 3 16
New collectable - Max thief
Game feature request by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
Suggestion for new collectable - max thief - when you deny your opponent a max game by stealing the conundrum :) (only if you're not on a max game too (I wish!)) [Read more] [More feature requests]
15 0 3
Lexplorer's "Stems to..." and "Stems from..." labels to say "Add a letter" and "Remove a letter"
Website feature request by Graeme Cole. Status: Unconfirmed.
When I look up a word in Lexplorer, and I want to see what letters I can add to it to make another word, I always have to stop and think whether "Stems to..." or "Stems from..." is the one I want. And ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
23 0 3
CHUF
Brainstorm by Chloe Lavan. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello, I wanted to post a message of thanks for those that have participated in the CHUF tourney. The final is between Thomas Carey and Hazel Drury so will announce the winner in due course! Thanks to ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
30 0 3
New character idea: Derek Trotter
Game feature request by Martyn Simpson. Status: Unconfirmed.
This ticket was created by the Character Spindlomatic, which you should use to create your own characters! https://www.apterous.org/spindlomatic.php --------------------------------------- I suggest the ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
15 0 0
Calling all parkrunners!
Announcement by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
I've created a Countdowner parkrunners group on Strava - if you're an apto parkrunner, and on Strava, please join up! https://www.strava.com/clubs/c4cparkrunners You might also be interested in the ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
40 0 4
New Item - An Adder
Game feature request by Adam Finlay. Status: Unconfirmed.
Feel free to come up with a better item for this, but thought it was worth implementing the following: An item for when the answer to the numbers game is solved by adding up all the numbers. Exhibit ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
12 0 1
CO:LON is back! - 9 April 2022
Announcement by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
Sign up: https://www.paypal.me/FionaTitcombe/10GBP After a frustrating two year absence, CO:LON is back in the FOCAL Calendar for 9 April 2022, hosted by George Armstrong and Fiona Titcombe. With a new ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
25 0 5
Sean Lock (1963 - 2021)
Announcement by Philip Aston. Status: Unconfirmed.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown player, comedian and panellist Sean Lock has very sadly passed away today. He appeared on the Countdown spin-off series right from the very beginning in 2012 and his deadpan ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
News
21 September 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Jack Worsley's 1124 - 0 Mocktorun win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
- Elizabeth Beer tied the high score for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Thomas Carey commented on AptoLeague: S10 Premier League. [+4 others]
- Elliott Mellor tied the record number of maximums for Octolock Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Simpatico Jones commented on Jim Bentley's game with Apterous Prune.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Matthew Tassier commented on Weakest Link Numbers Tournament 2021: Round 5 - Touch Junior. [+3 others]
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Tal Lessner's 200 - 0 game with Apterous Prune received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×2]
- Johnny Canuck tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Adam Latchford commented on AptoLeague: S10 Division 3. [+1 other]
- Brendan Whitehurst tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Elliott Mellor tied the record number of maximums for Octorock Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Anthony Endsor tied the high score for Nice Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Fiona T commented on Ryder Cup 2021: Sign-up page.
- Edward Ashcroft tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Fi Thorne commented on AptoLeague: S10 Division 6. [+1 other]
- Hazel Drury tied the high score for Nasty Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Johnny Canuck tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to George Armstrong, who lasted 11 rounds with a target of 7. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Elliott Mellor with a score of 98 from 101.
20 September 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
- News: Dave Robjohns has been crowned champion of Aegilopsists (2021)!
- New: apterous History: August 2021.
- Tal Lessner tied the high score for Hyper Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Stu Harkness commented on Hazel Drury's game with Apterous Prune.
- Dave O'Donnell tied the high score for Junior Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Matthew Brockwell's 141 - 131 game with Ronan M Higginson received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Ronan M Higginson commented on his game with Matthew Brockwell. [+1 other]
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S10 Division 5.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S10 Division 4.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: S10 Division 2.
- Chris K tied the high score for Nice Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Darren Godfrey's 200 - 180 game with Rachael Montgomery received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Ben H tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Matthew Tassier commented on Tom Cappleman's game with Apterous Caesar. [+1 other]
- Tom Cappleman tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Johnny Canuck tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Darren Godfrey tied the high score for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Johnny Canuck tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Ian Volante tied the high score for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Dan Byrom tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Carlo Harrison tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- J Bartram commented on Weakest Link Numbers Tournament 2021: Round 1 - Junior.
- Andy SC commented on Everything Counts IX: Sign-up page.
- Tom Cappleman tied the high score for Nice Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Mervyn Tong tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Mervyn Tong tied the record number of maximums for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Dave Robjohns tied the high score for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Sam Shepherd tied the high score for Touch Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
14 September 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Ronan M Higginson's 196 - 0 Goatblind win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
7 September 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Callum Todd's 250 - 0 Hypergoat Letters Attack win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
6 September 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
2 September 2021
- News: A total of 35 Duel Necklaces were awarded for August 2021.
1 September 2021
- News: The Duel for August 2021 was won by Elliott Mellor!
31 August 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Matthew Brockwell's 153 - 128 15 Rounder win against Neil Collins! This week's vote is now open.
30 August 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
27 August 2021
- News: Elliott Mellor has been crowned champion of Weakest Link Mayhem 2021!
24 August 2021
- News: Game of the Week was won by Jack Worsley's 1103 - 0 Mocktorun win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
23 August 2021
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
This website is not endorsed by or affiliated with Channel 4, the makers of Countdown, or any person associated with the aforementioned in any way whatsoever at all, never has been, never will be, and moreover is proud not to be. Yep.
Page generated in 0.4532 seconds. It's 17:31:13 on Tuesday 21 September 2021 here at Apterous Towers. Design and all good stuff copyright © Charles Reams 2008–2021. In memory of Phillip Harcort Collinge, never forgotten. Some graphical and aesthetic elements by Matt Morrison and Jon O'Neill.