Listener 4218 - System Analysts by Stick Insect

[TheBear69]

I feel this is an extraordinary feat, especially constructing clues which are valid cryptic clues AND provide all of the thematic hints; the end result is a thing of beauty.

On the other hand, I doubt 16 clues (many of which are relatively easy) is going to be enough to satisfy the Listener addicts.

I do cringe whenever I see the word 'line' (mis)used in the instructions; I realize Chambers supports the use of line=curve, but the mathematician in me knows a line is straight.

[perseverer]

I think the number and position of dots reflects the original aspirations of the analysts, and the official website agrees with the Wiki page.

[crosswhit99]

Yes, the dots represent the specific locations analysed in the system, with analyst 1's final path determined by the cells that show the theme. Although I've completed the lines I only have the one hint (TSM). Can someone please drop me a line as to how the other 3 (6) orientations are seen - thank you !

([email protected])

[crosswhit99]

ASAG, we no longer have a problem- it was just a matter of revolution for resolution !

[aldanna]

I raked in Himself to help with the grid and we finished this with enthusiasm yesterday. I just cannot imagine the logic that went into this intricate construction. So clever - and not too hard for us goats either.

[contendo]

Like others I think the clue construction is a real tour de force. I managed to cold-solve them all, the last to yield being 7, which has a nice subtle twist to it. I've got the hints but am still puzzling over the final stage. References which seem to be relevant in Wikipedia don't really give me the thematic lines.

[contendo]

Aha! Got there. I was pursuing the wrong series

[Coalminers]

Do you think the lines should intersect as shown on Wiki, or do you think it doesn't matter?

[tenflags]

Clues done, Grid filled, can't see the hints yet. Think I have understood the instructions to find correctly and can see some words but nothing that screams at me yet. Time to recheck.

[contendo]

Coalminers - They don't intersect on Wiki.

[tenflags]

reflecting on it I see where I went wrong now.. all good.

[Coalminers]

Yes, I suppose you're right contendo. But then, if we reproduce what's on Wiki, then one of the thematic lines doesn't pass "through" the first cell.

[Cruncher]

Only finished 4217 yesterday lunchtime so my earlier posted optimism was a little premature. Glad this wasn't quite as daunting as suspected and the grid fitted together nicely and the theme was beautifully worked. Lovely birthday treat for me today

[jim360]

By luck my first attempt at entering the grid entries was the exact mirror image of the correct final grid, But then I did have to sort through (the first few letters of) the four wrong messages before I found the correct hint. It was bemusing as everything fell into place... Remarkable construction. Gold Cup contender?

[trux]

Greetings from far-flung place (only muggy Bangkok so relatively close in this context, I suppose). A magic puzzle with apparent simplicity of so few clues, so brilliantly formulated, leading to most aesthetic finish of surprising accuracy (probably)....myriad thanks to Stick Insect.

[Ruthrobin]

Spectacular Jim360 - you saved the day with your 'Comets' - Brilliant! That really was a victory. Do let us all know when you appear in the UC quarter finals! (And she knows your name now 'Him'!)

[Philoctetes]

Well done, Jim (though I think the classicists didtheir bit). How much more can your heart take?

[jim360]

I'd have felt better about nearly losing if I'd got all those gimmes in the first half - fancy not shouting out "genetics" or "Hobbes"! - but thankfully I got my act together when the pressure was on, eh? Thanks all and see you in the quarters - two matches guaranteed, that.

There's a funny story about that start on the sum "1+2+3+...+1000". It's simply the 1000th triangle number, or using the formula, 1000*1001/2. "Which is just... what? I can't seem to work that out! Argh!!!! Tell you what I know that 1+2+...+10 is 55, so I'll just buzz in, say 55, and shove a few zeros in somewhere...". True story of my thought process. Though by the time I opened my mouth I think the answer might suddenly have come to me.

[contendo]

And here was I thinking you'd added them all up in your head, Jim. Well done. We'll all be rooting for you in the quarters.

[teuchter2]

Just signing in to say well done again to Jim. It was certainly an exciting contest. I quickly found the relevant article and thus drew my lines without too much head scratching. I feel there was less cold solving in this puzzle than people seem to be suggesting, as there had to be a certain repetition of letters, which helped when one got down to the last few clues. Altogether a very entertaining offering though.