"I Really Don't Need This!" - September 13, 2019

[tim1217]

On shore.

[Dukael]

I think the app I use downloads unlocked versions of these puzzles. Can we get the WSJ to provide locked versions?

[Bob cruise director]

I think the app I use downloads unlocked versions of these puzzles. Can we get the WSJ to provide locked versions?

What do you mean by locked and unlocked versions?

[Bob cruise director]

Good Friday afternoon muggles

First we welcome our two newest muggles: b_burd here in the blog and Malcolm P over on the WSJ comments page.

A very novel approach from Mr. Gaffney however 64 of our muggles decoded it to be on the shore and one muggle is keeping Isaac company for now.

[PeterLeea1a]

Ah--shore.

[Jim and Anita]

Like others, we have been searching for an elegant mechanism to confirm the answer we found but decided that may be a bridge too far. Happy to join the sunset cocktail crowd on shore.

[STL-D]

On shore with a little help from my friend. To be fair, the clue wasn't "famous" celebrity.. Likely I'm out of touch (again).

[sharkicicles]

That was a fun one.

[JPMalone]

Just not seeing it again this week

[Al Sisti]

On the shore!

I'll have a Smiling Irish Bastard, please.

Sorry, I'm busy today (see what I did there?).

[jenirvin]

A very timely puzzle for me - and the reason I was off the grid last weekend. Can't say more without spoilers, just this - on shore!

[bunella]

Back after a bit of an absence and on shore. Hope somebody else brought the pretzels while I was stuck on the ship

[Dukael]

I solved the puzzle this week using an app, which has access to the full solution. Thus it can check to see if my fill is correct or I can reveal letters that I cant figure out. Most weeks it doesn't help aside from verifying that I filled the grid correctly. This week ....

Anyway, for contests and such most people provide a "locked" version of the puzzle, where you cannot use the app to verify or reveal answers.

[Joe Ross]

I solved the puzzle this week using an app, which has access to the full solution. Thus it can check to see if my fill is correct or I can reveal letters that I cant figure out. Most weeks it doesn't help aside from verifying that I filled the grid correctly. This week ....

Anyway, for contests and such most people provide a "locked" version of the puzzle, where you cannot use the app to verify or reveal answers.

Write to Matt Gaffney at crosswordcontest@wsj.com & crosswordcontest@gmail.com. I'm sure he'd be interested to know which app & other details.

[Joe Ross]

This may be the gentlest push in the proper direction, rather than a spoiler:

Had my meta answer solidified by my 25 y.o. Marine son, of all people, even if it was via his girlfriend. The terra beneath my feet feels that much more firma.

[Bob cruise director]

Back after a bit of an absence and on shore. Hope somebody else brought the pretzels while I was stuck on the ship

No one brought them!!! And we missed you

[Bob cruise director]

I solved the puzzle this week using an app, which has access to the full solution. Thus it can check to see if my fill is correct or I can reveal letters that I cant figure out. Most weeks it doesn't help aside from verifying that I filled the grid correctly. This week ....

Anyway, for contests and such most people provide a "locked" version of the puzzle, where you cannot use the app to verify or reveal answers.

From what I can see on line, this sounds like a third party product where they solve the puzzle and publish the app to subscribers. Is this correct?

[Bob cruise director]

I solved the puzzle this week using an app, which has access to the full solution. Thus it can check to see if my fill is correct or I can reveal letters that I cant figure out. Most weeks it doesn't help aside from verifying that I filled the grid correctly. This week ....

Anyway, for contests and such most people provide a "locked" version of the puzzle, where you cannot use the app to verify or reveal answers.

Write to Matt Gaffney at crosswordcontest@wsj.com & crosswordcontest@gmail.com. I'm sure he'd be interested to know which app & other details.

Joe

These may be some of the apps referenced. https://www.maketecheasier.com/best-and ... thusiasts/

It sounds like a third party solves the puzzle and publishes them to subscribers. If they are quick enough, they can charge more for contests.

[Scooby]

Still out at-sea. No land in sight...huhuhu

[Julie O]

so lost at sea, I think because I assume I know where land is, and must be passing by the actual beach as I keep looking for it.