Good idea Aquagility .. in my view it has now reverted to the level of difficulty as provided for so many years by Michael Mepham. My view is therefore B.
I think it is maybe just a little too difficult now - we used to be able to do a fair amount without reference to books and internet. But now find that most of it has to be researched. So I would go for - (A)
I have to agree with JJ. I could only answer about 4 clues without reference this week. And I still haven't completed it. I have to rely on the internet far too much now and the reference books seem to be obsolete. I'll go for A but I also think it shouldn't be too easy!! BB
Torn between A and B . One time you just typed in the key word(s) and the answer popped up , now as JimJools says a lot of the answers are a bit deeper than that . Not being that bright myself I rely heavily on the search engines for the answers , also the OneAcross site . Definitely not a 'C' .
I go for option B.
KM seems to delight in obscure clues to mundane answers, as well as a few really difficult ones.
I would get bored if I could do it without research, or, of course, without the assistance of all you generous ABers.
Over the last couple of weeks have struggled to answer the questions out of my general knowledge and am having to do more and more research , which is a good thing in its own right, but does spoil the pleasure of breaking the back of any crossword over a cup of coffe without resorting to reference books and the internet. So A for me I'm afraid.
In my opinion, as an Oxford MA and retired magazine editor, it has become much more difficult than in the Mike Mepham era - unless one is prepared to resort more and more often to electronic aids.
With substantial backing from my wife, together we regularly complete dtgk (Sat.) and Herculis (Mon.). We both use scanned copies of the puzzle. My wife relying on her superior intelligence and reference books and myself relying on Google and Answerbank. After the dtgk of 24/3 and 31/3 my wife is about to lose interest so I must record a vote for A, and another one for my wife, also of course , A
I'll choose B.
I think she is doing a grand job.
It's slightly more difficult than it used to be but that doesn't warrant an A. It would be boring if you didn't have to do some research.
I agree with JimJools.My test for difficulty is how much can I do without reference to books , Internet etc.
With Michael's about 50/60%;higher on a really good Saturday morning;Not so now
My vote is A
I know that I am a New Boy here, but have to go for A. If the questions are too deep for normal mortals, I just cant be bothered. It's great to get the brain working, but if its just googling and researching, then I would rather go and wash the car.