The modifications to our puzzlesI got some hints regarding the routines of crossword puzzlers last month.
Whether it was sitting down with a cup of coffee in the morning or, in previous decades, lounging with the afternoon paper, making time for the newspaper used to be a regular habit.
These days, our social media feeds and smartphones constantly bombard us with news.
However, a lot of people still set out time every day to work on the crossword puzzles. Some believe it keeps their minds active. Others simply enjoy the task and the feeling of achievement.
As readers of The Oregonian are aware, we have swapped out alternatives and rearranged puzzles. I’ve gained insight into puzzlers’ thoughts via the answers.
They struggle to resist the urge to sneak a glance at the answers, for starters.
Oh no! Take the puzzle answers to another page! Eyes stray. That person most likely doesn’t enjoy solving problems! One was said.
Another email, The New York Times crossword problem’s solution is located on the same page as the puzzle, with the exception of Sunday. It is now important to fold the paper creatively while attempting to avoid looking at the solution in order to complete the puzzle on the printed form.
According to a third, who was the brilliant mind behind the decision to place the solved problems at the bottom of the puzzle page? I sincerely appreciate you destroying my day while I was looking at the new puzzle page and unintentionally glanced at the bottom of the page.
Why we provide the solutions inverted was a question raised by certain readers. To enable people avoid seeing the answers, that is the reason.
Other readers have recommended that we transfer the answers to later pages, however for efficiency, we must streamline the page design.
Many puzzlers prefer the crossword on paper, despite the fact that we have added a lot of interactive puzzles to the online newspaper main page and atoregonlive.com/puzzles.
One reader informed me that I have a strong distaste for tackling online crossword puzzles, and it’s not only because I’m an extinct species. A tangible, hard copy crossword allows you to explore the puzzle at your own pace, quickly fix mistakes, and even put it down for a bit if necessary. The best tools for completing the puzzles are pencil and paper.
Solving the puzzles together is a habit for many couples.
Why did you decide to print each puzzle on a single page? In order for two individuals to enjoy them simultaneously, they must now be cut apart. I detest it! Someone wrote.
“The puzzle page needs to be changed,” someone else said. What a mess. Each crossword puzzle should be placed on its own page. In this manner, you can start one and your companion can start the other. It’s absurd that you have to cut that page in three parts, and you also lose the other page as a result.
Three readers sent an email, Since every puzzle is on a single page, only one person can complete their unique puzzle at a time while another is working on another. Since all of the problems are on the same page, why should they need to be printed out?
The online version of the newspaper is free for print subscribers. I suggest that you download and print the newspaper puzzle page from the internet so that each couple has one.
The Goldilocks dilemma has arisen because we swapped out a few problems. Which is correct?
According to a reader, the previous crossword puzzle was just right—some difficult but not extremely annoying. The LA Times is too easy, and the NY Times is too hard.
Inane references, show titles, and celebrity names abound in (The) NY Times crossword puzzles, according to another. I no longer squander mental energy on them.
The New York Times crossword puzzle pleased others. One reader said, “I’m glad you still have the New York Times puzzle because it’s my favorite.” However, the LA Times presents little difficulty.
One request was made by serious puzzlers: Could you kindly provide the NYT puzzle number? You may search their archives using the puzzle number, which makes it much easier to find different review sites that often publish the main paper every day.
The puzzle number has been reinserted by our page designers.
Numerous users voiced their disapproval over the removal of the Wonderword word search puzzle.
One reader commented, “As a retiree, I used this easy puzzle as cheap entertainment and to exercise my brain.” After the difficulty of the crossword puzzles, another person remarked it was a simple puzzle to finish.
We’ve revived Wonderword in response to reader feedback. From Monday through Saturday, look for the solution in the Marketplace classified ad section.
Once again, we appreciate your patience while we implement the newspaper’s updates. We are aware that readers are habitual, and we want you to make reading the newspaper a part of your everyday routine.
Reach me at oregonian.com/attbottomly.
