Comments on: Independent 6278/Dac – and so to Beds.

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petebiddlecombe — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:54:08 +0000

A quick note about Kobi Thompson: from the e-mail I get notifying me about a comment on my post, it’s pretty certain that Kobi is in Australia.

Debut tomorrow: I’ll be doing my best to ignore any grapevine whispers and judge the new puzzle on a “blind tasting” basis. Should be possible unless the pseudonym gives the game away.

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neildubya — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:30:37 +0000

Anyhoo, I seem to remember eimi telling us that a compiler would be making their debut tomorrow but he wouldn’t name names. Shall we start the idle speculation now? My money’s on a big name Listener compiler that we’ll all recognise…

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ilancaron — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:54:37 +0000

I’ve always thought that charging for online access to a web service was money for old rope — at least once the initial development investment has been made (and presumably it has already, given that it used to be live) then the incremental cost of submitting a new grid/clues/answers via an existing script and setting the timers would be pretty cheap: pretty much automatable and left up to the editor. My bet is that this was a false economy by the Indy budget-slashers. Blah blah blah. Preaching to the choir.

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Quixote — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:32:09 +0000

As the established Sunday setter, I was trying very hard to try to persuade one of the ex bosses to get the Independent crossword back on line at about the time Eimi took over the crossword editor’s chair, but I was politely refused. The argument against doing so was one of finance – the Indy is leaking lots of money and couldn’t see anyway of bringing in profit by restoring the puzzle. I don’t want to be unduly negative but I don’t hold out much hope of restoration right now ( let alone the inclusion of Sat and Sun puzzles which were never included). Naturally I wish my colleague Eimi every success as he tries to use his new-broom powers of persuasion and I would encourage everyone to have a go. But you will need to mount a very strong case for economic benefit. Yes -it IS a shame that the Indy won’t put its puzzle on its website, but simply telling them that probably won’t work. Good luck, one and all!

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kobi thompson — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:59:10 +0000

I’d like to see the Indy online – that’s the one good thing about The Guardian’s crossword at the moment in my view.

Apart from Araucaria, that is!

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neildubya — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:06:21 +0000

…or send a mail to fifteensquared@googlemail.com

Neil

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neildubya — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:01:25 +0000

…or send an email to fifteensquared@googlemail.com.

Neil

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ilancaron — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:47:51 +0000

email me at ilan.caron@gmail.com and i’ll see if i can help?

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loonapick — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:42:11 +0000

Not in the right place I know, but can my fellow contributors help me – I am trying to upload my comments on today’s Guardian puzzle, but after logging in, cannot navigate to the appropriate place to post, because there is a dirty thick blue line at the top of the page. i have been trying on and off since 8.30 this morning, but no joy!

I don’t have access to my personal e-mails at work so don’t have Neil’s e-mail address to get help from him.

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eimi — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:58:51 +0000

I have refrained from weighing in, because I’m about as knowledgable about online availability as the next man. Actually, when the next man is Peter Biddlecombe I’m actually less knowledgable than him – nice headline, by the way.

The online version of the crossword had already ceased to exist when I took over the reins from Brian Greer in February of this year. I understand that it was rather a limited service, without any ‘added value.’ I’ll do a bit of research and get back to you, but I will offer a few comments in the meantime.

Thanks to the very positive publicity given, originally on Pete’s blog when he underwent the change and now here on this excellent site, and also I would hope to some of the new faces I’ve brought in, there does seem to be a growing interest in the Independent crossword. Hopefully the powers that be can be persuaded that this interest can be harnessed and that there is a market for a competitively-priced online version, ideally with a large archive and bonus puzzles. If enough people request it, I’m sure it can be made to happen. It would mean more work for me, but I think these puzzles deserve a wider audience.