Rich Norris, editor of the Los Angeles Times crossword, wrote to the Cruciverb-L mailing list about the new online crossword. Rich has been in touch with the programmers, who promise fixes and improvements by the end of this week. Rich writes:
“Some aspects of their game, as they call it, may be different from other software you’ve used, but the bottom line is that the solving experience should be smooth and enjoyable. After Christmas, if you continue to find the game inadequate or buggy in any respect, please use the feedback link at the site and let them know. Be specific.”
The feedback link via the Help button is this email address: latimes-support@arkadium.com.
For now, I’m sticking with the option of downloading the .puz file from Cruciverb.com (which has a “today’s puzzle” link on the main page as well as a month of archived puzzles) and solving in Across Lite, Black Ink (Macs only), Crossword Solver, or another crossword-solving program. These applications can all be used to solve via keyboard or to print out the crossword.
If you’re using a computer that doesn’t have a solving app installed on it (such as when you’re using someone else’s computer), you can still solve a .puz file by dragging it onto Derek Slager’s page, which generates the puzzle right in your browser for online solving. (The only requirement is that you use an HTML5-compatible browser: Google Chrome 4+ or Mozilla Firefox 3.6+. Either browser is a free download.)
Another option is solving on sister newspaper site chicagotribune.com, which still has the uclick interface. (I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Trib switch to the new L.A. Times version soon, though.)
And still another option, the actual newspaper.
I usually do the LAT the old-fashioned way too — in the paper. Even there I’ve noticed a few glitches lately. For at least the past couple of days the contructor’s byline has been missing. Not sure if that’s true for just the LA paper or the syndicated puzzle too.
A couple of things:
1. You must register (for free) before you can access .puz files on cruciverb.com
2. Another option is to keep the Across Lite folder on a flash disk. Just drag .puz files onto ACROSSL.EXE and it opens them.
“For at least the past couple of days the contructor’s byline has been missing.”
In my paper (NYPost) the byline is always missing … even on Sundays.