What do you think?

[Physicsgirl]

On a thread started last week (see link), the 67th post read:-
"Another advanced cryptic ruined by (at least two) people who aren't up to the job; and who make ridiculous wild guesses at answers; and who then have the nerve to claim "I've done it!". Pathetic."

I found the comment quite upsetting, because I thought the discusison on this thread was harmless, but everyone is obviously entitled to their own opinion. Wondered how people felt about this
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puz zles/Question457131.html

[kayakamina]

There are a few people who are members of this site who feel it is taboo to discuss, prior to the publication of the results, certain advanced crosswords.
I can just about accept the case for the Listener which has a league table, but ,except for those persons who post questions on puzzles which are obviously beyond them, I do not have a problem with open discussion on here.

Having said that , although I do EV , Inquisitor etc I do not enter the debates because I do not need the aggro. which sometimes results.

[Aquagility]

I think one should not keep silent for the sake of a quiet life, K. These people are bullies. And if we don't attempt harder puzzles, how are we ever to get off the nursery slopes?
EV is beyond me, I know. But I admire Physicsgirl for having a shot at it.

[Physicsgirl]

A very good point, Kayakamina. For my part, I am just trying to learn more about how to do the more advanced puzzles. I would certainly class some of the EV puzzles as beyond me at the moment, but that does not deter me from trying to understand them. They are fascinating. I will be ultra careful in future in trying not to provoke the aggro you mentioned. Thank you for responding, and having noticed your prompt response to many posts, I aspire to achieve your level of crypticness!

[kayakamina]

This is what happened last time EV and the Listener were mentioned!

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puz zles/Crosswords/Question441159.html

[bridgenut]

You go for it Physicsgirl ! Don't be put off by the odd one or two people here . Wish you well and success with them ( well beyond me as well by the sounds of them ).
Regards

[Physicsgirl]

Ouch. I see what you mean, K. Also, thanks Bridgenut and Aquagility for your encouraging words.

[gribble]

I had a similar response re the listener crossword, being told by some people I shouldn't post questions about the listener, what rubbish, you carry on asking questions, people answer or they don't, try and ignore negative comments, at least on your ev thread you got many helpful people.

[Physicsgirl]

That's true, Gribble, the people on the EV thread are lovely!

[shaneystar2]

I often follow the EV threads but never contribute for precisely the same reasons as K has mentioned .In all the years I have looked and stared at the EV I have completed the grand sum of two ! I never sent them in because they were well past their sell by date once completed !
The person on your post Physicsgirl is, as far as I am concerned ,a renowned nitpicker and pedant anyway and not just about the Listener or EV or any of the other highbrow crosswords .He pounces on any little mistake you make as I have found out in the past and tends to have a somewhat superior attitude to us mere mortals who stumble along valiantly giving it a go .
You carry on dear ....we all have to start somewhere .And ..if you don't ask you will never learn .We haven't all got a mentor sitting beside us guiding us through this maze of words and cryptic conundrum like my dear old dad did for me .Good Luck !
.

[Aquagility]

Yes, count me in, Shaneystar2.

[sarumite]

Well said shaney ... I agree 100% with your comments.

Surely there are far more important matters in life to be concerned about than the discussion of crossword clues!!

Don't be deterred Physicsgirl (S)

[Physicsgirl]

I would love to have a "mentor", but sadly my grandfather was the only one who did them and I was too young to learn at that point. No parents, and no friends who complete EV. Hence, AB. Discovered cryptics and their joy last year, and have been hooked ever since. A lot of people my age don't understand this!

[shaneystar2]

Physicsgirl ..I started doing cryptic crosswords at about the age of fourteen with help from my Dad ..I am now .... rapidly counts on fingers ...... pushing bus pass age !
You are never too young or ancient to learn something new .
Mind you I am still learning how to load a dishwasher correctly according to my husband ....Haha!

[THECORBYLOON]

I have no idea what EV is but as with any requests for help, answers, clues or whatever, I will help anyone regardless of when the deadline for answering is.

It's more than a wee bit sad when folk have nothing better to do than mump about folk asking for help. No-one knows the answer to everything even with Internet.

Even I have been known to get something wrong (you'll have felt the earth stop spinning and seen the skies darken at the time)

[Ont-ice]

Having looked at your link, I note that your question heading is 'EV776.'
Surely someone as clever as Quizmonster could work out in advance that questions re EV776 are going to be discussed. Knowing that why not just avoid upsetting him/herself by not taking a look at the content.
Aim high, girl. I wish I had the 'necessary' to tackle such a puzzle.

[Physicsgirl]

Yet again, many thanks to everyone who has put their point across on this thread. It has made me feel much better. Quizmonkey is entitled to post what he wants but I shall not be deterred from continuing with EV.
I also think that there are far more serious things to get annoyed about than people exchanging ideas and comments about crosswords.