Listener Crossword 4080

[AHearer]

This week we have Hexes by Stick Insect. Very straighforward compared with last week's gem. I thought there was a little ambiguity with shading, which I took to be resolved by requiring symmetry in a representation of a character. Has this theme been used before?

[starwalker]

I agree that this was much more straightforward. I share the view on the shading - but the symmetry makes good. Because of the asymmetrical layout of the grid, I was a little concerned about the way that the SE corner became somewhat isolated. All in all, a pleasant debut puzzle.

[Zabadak]

Should give people a little gentle exercise before going back to finishing off the Shackleton expedition! I agree that character symmetry dictates shading and therefore a shared resource. I have assumed the final member "version" is not a requirement for interruptions and insertions, not least because that could only be random. A simple, unmodified entry satisfies the preamble.
Thanks to Stick Insect for letting our overheated brains a chance to cool down a bit!

[AHearer]

Zabadak, I agree, and I think the way the final member appears in the misprinted letters confirms that.

[Zabadak]

AHearer: the answer to your question is yes, in 2003. Shan't give a more precise date! A full, rather useful summery list of Listeners can be found <a href="http://www.listenercrossword.com/Text_f
iles/Puzzles.txt">here</a>

[Zabadak]

Sorry about the http jumble: it works on other sites. This is the Link http://www.listenercr...ext_files/Puzzles.txt

[Zabadak]

Good spot AHearer - clear confirmation.

[AHearer]

Thanks for that link, Zabadak. I think that's from before I started doing the Listener, so maybe it was some sort of folk memory. The treatment of the theme in the instance you cite seems to have been more intricate than here, but with a similar final revelation.

[midazolam]

Easiest of the year so far I think and great for newcomers to the listener world. No ambiguity as the misprints ensure what happens to the grid and the aesthetic nature confirms. Nice finale but too easy for listener standards.

That brings me on to what was eluded to at the end of last weeks thread, when someone (via another site) had stated that this site increased those that have gained an all correct status. Easier crosswords together with the use of available electronic aids have clearly helped solvers and it is not down to this site that tries to keep the lid only slightly ajar.

I note from "the" other forum that they are advertising the chambers hand held electronic solving dictionary by franklin in their threads (by the person who is the longest serving all correct solver). This device looks interesting and I am sure it will help all those in need of a leg up to complete these crosswords. Lets increase the number of listener solvers, and all corrects, not restrict it to a clique. (Although i do relish the stinkers!)

Perhaps this week of disturbed nights has gone to my head

[daagg]

Much more straightforward than last week, but very pleasant. I would say that the final shading was not straightforward, and certainly caused me some head scratching.

[AHearer]

I didn't see the comments in the other place, midazolam, but if there are other solvers like me out there the number of all-corrects will not be boosted much by this site. On receiving my copy of the Listener statistics for last year I was shocked to see how many silly errors I had made, usually in clues quite unrelated to the theme and thus probably not alluded to at all in this site.

I think the Listener thread here works very well. There are other puzzles for which a trawl through answers posted here could fill in about a quarter of the grid with no thought at all, but for the Listener these threads are not going to help unless one is about 90% of the way there already. I'm all in favour, though, of the occasional puzzle that might attract new solvers.

One can occasionally get abuse if one tries to stick to the Listener level of discussion on other crosswords from established Listener compilers but published in other places which crop up on this site -- but sticks and stones...

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed, AHearer. I have said much the same at the end of the last thread about what we do here. Agreed, too that it is great to occasionally have an easier puzzle - like this one. I, too, asked for my first set of 'statistics' and was ashamed of the careless copying errors and flaws in simple clues. I don't think we pose a real threat to the experts but, of course, they claim that in dire straits an 'all correct' might look in here and skew the league table by finding a hint.

[dr b]

A stroll in the park compared to last week, indeed. I did like the title.

Happy Easter to all Listener solvers.

[daagg]

AH, I think I witnessed your "abuse" on another thread. I know it's unfair, but it was very funny, especially when the correct answer was rejected because it required a misprint in the clue - which was correct. Does that sound too convoluted - it is quite late!?

[cluelessJoe]

Agreed midazolam - solving aids, more easy puzzles, and I'd add solver familiarity with techniques have upped the number of all-corrects. Indeed, it was the aforementioned Mr. Long on a post on another site who alerted me to (and prompted me to buy) the searchable Chambers CD ROM - a move which immediately drastically cut my solving time and added at least half a dozen corrects per year to my score.
As for this week's, no need for any electronic gadgets, and probably the first Listener I have cracked before dog walking time on Friday evening for many a month. Quite nicely constructed but overall a bit of a let-down. Happy Easter all.

[Jogler]

Delightful.

On the other topic - as relative newcomers who never aspired to the rarified atmosphere of the Listener, we are very pleased that technology and the chance to bounce ideas off others has enabled us to join in. We greatly enjoy the convoluted discussions that come about and we have increased our knowledge on all sorts of unlikely topics. We plan not to be in the stressed position of hoping for all clear (in the unlikely event that we could avoid the silly mistakes..) by the simple expedience of not sending in one of the early puzzles!

Happy Easter everyone.

[Clamzy]

My experience in recent times matches yours cJ better solving aids and easier puzzles.
I found this week's to be a perfect example of this trend, but as Zab said it's no bad thing to have a break. By the way last week's thread is still running and now up to 119 posts.

[kwyjibo]

The Bank Holiday ones always seem to be a bit easier, I'd have thought they should be harder as people have more time on their hands. I thought I'd seen this theme more than once previously but may have been in other puzzles.
What is the 'other site'?

[Roundhillbob]

This was an easy puzzle. One element that has not been subject to comment is the 'appropriateness' of the interruptions. All are entirely suited to the relevant name, both in the added/omitted letters and in the puzzle entries. Clever, but not essential in solving.

[cruciverbali]

Indeed Rhb, a puzzle worthy of Listener status, and not at all disppointing - the simple H-code means there is no ambiguity with the required shading.

[Ruthrobin]

And think, Roundhillbob how convenient it is for the setter, in terms of word length and symmetry, to have those individuals appropriately interrupted. History obviously had 21st century crossword compilers in mind. The other site comes up under 'crossword solver' on google. Last week, a few people had happened upon the Listener and were asking for direct answers (and receiving them) in the way we have been encouraged not to ask for or give answers.