"(D)coding" by benchen71
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
"(D)coding" by benchen71
Welcome to...
benchen71's Metas on a Tuesday (MOAT)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? It's always hard for the meta crossword constructor to anticipate how difficult a meta puzzle will be. I think this is easier? he says, with a quizzical expression. Ah well, time will tell. Note that the answer to the meta is an adjective, an ironic adjective at that. Good luck!
PM me with your submissions or submit online. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
(D)coding - Online Form
(D)coding - PUZ
(D)coding - PDF
(D)coding - Excel
Nudges are available here.
The solution is available here.
benchen71's Metas on a Tuesday (MOAT)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? It's always hard for the meta crossword constructor to anticipate how difficult a meta puzzle will be. I think this is easier? he says, with a quizzical expression. Ah well, time will tell. Note that the answer to the meta is an adjective, an ironic adjective at that. Good luck!
PM me with your submissions or submit online. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
(D)coding - Online Form
(D)coding - PUZ
(D)coding - PDF
(D)coding - Excel
Nudges are available here.
The solution is available here.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Oct 03, 2021 5:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
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Might just be me, but I think this ain't no sandcastle
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
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- Location: Melbourne, Australia
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It's my revenge for not having solved the last two MEOWs! Bwahhahahahhahaa!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Actually, I think my puzzle is eminently solvable. I know that as the constructor it is very hard to view the puzzle from the perspective of the solver, but I always include hints in the title / grid that point the way to the solution. More so, I think, than other meta creators. For example, I did not think "Thorough Enough" gave enough indication as to what to do. And I feel the same about this week's MMM and Pandora - I have no idea what to do with either of them.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
- woozy
- Posts: 2245
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2020 12:40 am
Not getting no nothing.
I guess I should change my signature, and start promoting this meta: Hungry Little Creature. I was going to sent it to people for testing but I dropped the ball on it.
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- Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2019 10:09 am
I'm with you on this week's MMM, Pandora, and MOAT. No idea on any of them.benchen71 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:01 pmActually, I think my puzzle is eminently solvable. I know that as the constructor it is very hard to view the puzzle from the perspective of the solver, but I always include hints in the title / grid that point the way to the solution. More so, I think, than other meta creators. For example, I did not think "Thorough Enough" gave enough indication as to what to do. And I feel the same about this week's MMM and Pandora - I have no idea what to do with either of them.
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
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I'm going to resist the urge to offer nudges early. But I don't want people sitting their tearing their hair out. So if you don't see anything immediately, come back to it in a day or two. Nudges will come out Saturday morning Aussie time; that might be Friday afternoon for some of you!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
- RPardoe
- Posts: 736
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:09 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
I’m sure it is. However, I find I am still learning and getting used to your meta style and personality. As I am more familiar with Matt’s, Jay’s and Will’s style, those puzzles were eminently solvable for me (and I have done so for all three.)benchen71 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:01 pmActually, I think my puzzle is eminently solvable. I know that as the constructor it is very hard to view the puzzle from the perspective of the solver, but I always include hints in the title / grid that point the way to the solution. More so, I think, than other meta creators. For example, I did not think "Thorough Enough" gave enough indication as to what to do. And I feel the same about this week's MMM and Pandora - I have no idea what to do with either of them.
I have looked for the hints you have provided, but when the road is wide open before me, many things look like a hint. Look at any of the other threads and the various rabbit holes solvers have felt were certain were hints to the solution. I’d be happy to discuss via PM what I have tried to help show some of my thinking. PM me if you are interested.
Right now, not seeing anything. MEOW comes out tomorrow. WSJ the day after. Think this one goes on the back burner until the nudges come out.
- whimsy
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- Location: Hopkinton MA
Doing as Post #8 suggests -- wringing myself out and planning a return a bit later --
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
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Here's the current list of solvers:
sus
So, yes, it looks like "(D)coding" is on the harder side. But it is solvable! Nudges coming in 48 hours...
sus
So, yes, it looks like "(D)coding" is on the harder side. But it is solvable! Nudges coming in 48 hours...
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
- Darth
- Posts: 760
- Joined: Sat May 15, 2021 6:51 pm
- Location: Champaign, IL
Storm troopers, don't let those obsidian towers rising from the lava fields intimidate!
- Attachments
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- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
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24 hours until nudges...
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
I know it's early, but it's nearly bedtime Friday night here in Australia and I'd prefer everyone has a good chance to take another look at "(D)coding", especially if you've been able to make it through the WSJ meta. So here are the nudges:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hopefully, I'll wake up Saturday morning with lots of PMs to sort through.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hopefully, I'll wake up Saturday morning with lots of PMs to sort through.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
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- Posts: 1739
- Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2019 10:09 am
Well, I can tell you who you WON'T be getting a PM from (hint: he's me.)benchen71 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 7:13 am I know it's early, but it's nearly bedtime Friday night here in Australia and I'd prefer everyone has a good chance to take another look at "(D)coding", especially if you've been able to make it through the WSJ meta. So here are the nudges:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hopefully, I'll wake up Saturday morning with lots of PMs to sort through.
This meta is impenetrable to me. The MOAT worked!
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
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OK, here's one final nudge:
5.
5.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
- oldjudge
- Posts: 1641
- Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2019 4:16 am
- Location: Pasadena, CA
After five spoilers I still have no idea, but more importantly, with no spoilers, how was anyone supposed to figure out what you have disclosed so far? Matt did a mea culpa in his write up of last week’s MGWCC when one probably wasn’t necessary because he is concerned with maintaining the solver’s trust. He is the gold standard of meta constructors. Perhaps you should think about maintaining the solver’s trust in your puzzles.
- woozy
- Posts: 2245
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2020 12:40 am
Sorry. I'm pretty certain I will never get this.
I guess I should change my signature, and start promoting this meta: Hungry Little Creature. I was going to sent it to people for testing but I dropped the ball on it.
- benchen71
- Posts: 2492
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
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I will take the criticism. But this was only my 4th or 5th meta puzzle ever. So I am still learning, too. I thought that the placement of ZERO and ONE carefully balanced on the appropriate side of the central entry would be enough to get you onto the right track.oldjudge wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 11:03 pm After five spoilers I still have no idea, but more importantly, with no spoilers, how was anyone supposed to figure out what you have disclosed so far? Matt did a mea culpa in his write up of last week’s MGWCC when one probably wasn’t necessary because he is concerned with maintaining the solver’s trust. He is the gold standard of meta constructors. Perhaps you should think about maintaining the solver’s trust in your puzzles.
I would appreciate a bit of grace from solvers. If you don't get the mechanism straight away (even with nudges), then put the puzzle aside and wait for the next one (which will be easier, I promise.) There have been plenty of metas by others in recent weeks which I didn't get, even after nudges came out. I didn't take it personally, or get angry with the meta creators.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
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- Posts: 673
- Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2020 1:48 pm