Comments on: Puzzle #89: “Emerald Isle”

By: keeper

keeper — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:48:49 +0000

Aye. I’m still finding that my solvers are pretty much split — I’ve gotten very nice encouragement for both the new “hard” level and the old moderate difficulty level — so I’m keeping both sets of clues for now and letting folks take whichever one(s) they like.

As far as “forgetful” goes, just keep doing your crosswords. They’re a lot like doing a set of 25 mental sit-ups to keep yourself fit. Certainly it helps keep my whole household from getting soft.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:41:30 +0000

Well it took both sets of clues for me, but I like the “Tuesday” clues usually. I am getting old and forgetful.

By: Tuning Spork

Tuning Spork — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:07:29 +0000

“A Brit’s ‘cuppa’” is very likely easier than “Word with yellow, rose, or Texas” as well.

Yes, and it was appreciated as “Brit’s cuppa”, thankfully, gave me one of the first answers that I entered. With the harder clue the puzzle would have been much harder (if not impossible) to unlock.

I believe it was Will Shortz who once said that the goal of a constructor is for the solver to win. Those little “gimmies” (to a crossword addict) that are scattered about the grid of a challenger are often the only footholds we have. I understand your choices.

I’ll still look forward to feedback from my “silent majority”…”

So do I. The thing about comments, I’ve found, is that too few people are willing to chime in first. They’ll read comments if they’re there. But, if the button says “0 comments”, they’ll just do the puzzle and move on.

The truth, unfortunately, is that most people mistakenly think that they have nothing to say. Oh, well.

By: Dan F.

Dan F. — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:41:51 +0000

Spork, thanks for the heads-up on Amy’s blog! I usually check in periodically and solve the ones marked Thursday and up… so obviously I would vote for more challenging puzzles.

Today’s took 6:27, which for me is solidly Saturday. Great work as always, but I didn’t love the crossing of two WTF answers (for me), 24A and 25D.

By: keeper

keeper — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:12:29 +0000

Spork: I’m quite pleased that you enjoyed it. I rather figured that the hard clue for 25D would prove sadistic enough for your tastes. I agree that there are several clues where it is a toss-up whether the “easy” or “hard” version is harder — “A Brit’s ‘cuppa’” is very likely easier than “Word with yellow, rose, or Texas” as well. The goal — not necessarily an easy one — was to make sure that both versions were equally interesting, and that having both sets of clues would make for a puzzle that was even easier than either one on its own.

I’ll still look forward to feedback from my “silent majority” to see whether they were pleased or terrified (or both) by the harder version, and if they found that they benefited from having two alternatives.

By: Tuning Spork

Tuning Spork — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:44:31 +0000

And it’s a half an hour later and I tried the easy version. Took me 7:35 so I’d call it a Wednesdayish.

No spoilers I hope, but I think “Steam-powered car eponym” at 27A is definately a tougher clue than “Big name in hand-tools”.

25D had me stumped on both versions.

By: Tuning Spork

Tuning Spork — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:56:10 +0000

Woo hoo! Definately a Friday! In fact, I timed myself at 37:45 which is actually more like a Saturday time for me. Loved it! Bravo!