Mephisto 2589 General

[foxspur]

Could I make a polite (and partly selfish!) request to those posing questions, and I hope I'm not being too picky. There was an instance this week when 16 questions were put into one mega ask. I fully understand the frustrations with the Mephisto crossword but would just request that people limit themselves to asking three or four at a time - the reason being that it's almost impossible not to look at all the 16 answers, when all one may want is a steer on one or two. Hope this doesn't upset anyone, I'm most appreciative of all the help I get every week.

[Quizmonster]

I agree, Foxspur. A similar thing happened recently with multiple answers requested. I provided an explanation for one clue and suggested, "See how far you get with that bit of help." But others came along and just answered all the rest! I could have done that, as my completed grid was already on its way to the paper. Of course, this IS a question and answer site, so one cannot fault people who give answers...after all, that's what I had just done. I'm with you, however, in believing there's a case for saying, "Enough is enough."

[foxspur]

Thanks for your support, Quizmonster. The puzzles are supposed to be part fun, part torture!

[stultus]

Foxspur.... agreed also. As one that struggles to complete the mephisto, but enjoys the challenge not to mention the feeling of achievement when it's completed, I don't want too much info, just the occasional steer. I like the way that K often gives an answer, but leaves the questioner with the problem of working out "why".

[kayakamina]

Hi foxspur

I hesitated before providing all those answers on this week's Mephisto as I thought the request was a bit cheeky and OTT.
I then reminded myself that, no matter what I personally thought of the excesses of the posting, this was a question and answer site.
I do not agree in principle to the notion, as espoused by some , that certain crosswords are 'protected' and no specific questions and answers should be posted.
The Listener puzzle probably has a stronger case than others with it's statistics etc, but no Listener solver I have spoken to has not discussed clues with their friends and family before deadline.

As stultus has commented, I provide an answer on Mephisto etc but leave the questioner to solve the wordplay as I believe they learn more, and get more satisfaction, through finalising the logic themselves.
I will,of course, provide a breakdown if asked and I sometimes parse the answer to assist the puzzler.

To each his own.

[foxspur]

Hi K
A thoughtful answer as always. I don't wish to be a censor, of course, and as you know I wasn't suggesting that any crossword should be protected, merely that questioners should be sensitive to the needs of other solvers - if I'm ever not please feel free to tell me so. In fact this week was so tough I could have asked about 22 questions!!!!
Regards
Fox

[foxspur]

Also, thanks to stultus - sorry I didn't include you.