My first stab at a meta crossword

[BrianMac]

Well the boredom finally started getting to me today, so I fired up the constructing software to try my hand at a meta puzzle. It normally takes me a week or so to construct a puzzle that I think is worth submitting anywhere, but I blew through this from the theme, to the construction, to the cluing in just a few hours. It is rife with inelegance - too many three-letter-words, abbreviations, crosswordese - so I hope you will forgive that. I would say it's on the easy side of a MGWCC week 1, so it won't really tide you over until Thursday. Nonetheless, I thought I would offer it up in case anyone is as bored as I am.

The answer to the meta is a 10-letter word that everyone could use these days. If you happen to take a stab at it, you can PM me the answer, but I'm afraid I don't have any prizes to offer. I hope you enjoy it.

forums/NameTags.puz

forums/NameTags.pdf

[BarbaraK]

Fun! Thanks!!

I did indeed have to backsolve 67A. 54A too, though that one was easier.

[FrankieHeck]

Thank you, Brian! A *THREE*-meta day!

[Hector]

Wow, that is awesome!

[MajordomoTom]

submitted a guess

[MajordomoTom]

ok, what did you use to create your puzzle and the .puz file?

preferably an Android compatible app

[Laura M]

Impressive! Thanks for sharing!

[LesY]

ok, what did you use to create your puzzle and the .puz file?

preferably an Android compatible app

+1 to this question - Brian, any Apple-compatible constructor software recommendations?

Look forward to solving the puzzle later today!

[BrianMac]

ok, what did you use to create your puzzle and the .puz file?

preferably an Android compatible app

+1 to this question - Brian, any Apple-compatible constructor software recommendations?

Look forward to solving the puzzle later today!

I use CrossFire, which can run on Windows or Mac. It is very user-friendly and not to expensive (around $50 I think). There is also Crossword Compiler, but I don't think that is available for Mac (at least it wasn't several years ago - perhaps it is now?). You can still run Crossword Compiler on a Mac, but you need to get special software that allows you to run Windows operating system on a Mac. That process is a little bit of a chore, but I was able to figure it out, so I'm sure you could too. Crossword Compiler seems more popular among "real" constructors, perhaps it's more powerful, but I find CrossFire more intuitive and fun to use.

[Joe Ross]

Link to BrianMac's First Stab at a Meta Crossword in Excel Form

[LesY]

ok, what did you use to create your puzzle and the .puz file?

preferably an Android compatible app

+1 to this question - Brian, any Apple-compatible constructor software recommendations?

Look forward to solving the puzzle later today!

I use CrossFire, which can run on Windows or Mac. It is very user-friendly and not to expensive (around $50 I think). There is also Crossword Compiler, but I don't think that is available for Mac (at least it wasn't several years ago - perhaps it is now?). You can still run Crossword Compiler on a Mac, but you need to get special software that allows you to run Windows operating system on a Mac. That process is a little bit of a chore, but I was able to figure it out, so I'm sure you could too. Crossword Compiler seems more popular among "real" constructors, perhaps it's more powerful, but I find CrossFire more intuitive and fun to use.

Thanks, Brian! Peter (pgw) said the same thing re: Crossword Compiler. I'll investigate level of effort for that one; if I'm not up for the tech challenge I'll likely use CrossFire. Thanks again!

[Al Sisti]

Very nice job! Looking forward to more of these... now that you've primed the pump.

[BrianMac]

Thanks, Brian! Peter (pgw) said the same thing re: Crossword Compiler. I'll investigate level of effort for that one; if I'm not up for the tech challenge I'll likely use CrossFire. Thanks again!

This is the software I bought: Parallels Desktop.

[ChrisKochmanski]

Very much enjoyed!

Admit, I haven’t thoroughly backsolved for 67A yet.

Also, I haven’t yet PMed anyone, so I’ll need to figure that out before I send you my answer. I’ll also have a question for you, that might be giving something away if I posted it here.

Hmm ... I suggest you stay bored. We’ll need more of your fun puzzles!

[MajordomoTom]

and my guess was confirmed correct. Thanks - very entertaining. Now the madness begins - as all of us try our hand at constructing these.

[Cindy]

Well the boredom finally started getting to me today, so I fired up the constructing software to try my hand at a meta puzzle. It normally takes me a week or so to construct a puzzle that I think is worth submitting anywhere, but I blew through this from the theme, to the construction, to the cluing in just a few hours. It is rife with inelegance - too many three-letter-words, abbreviations, crosswordese - so I hope you will forgive that. I would say it's on the easy side of a MGWCC week 1, so it won't really tide you over until Thursday. Nonetheless, I thought I would offer it up in case anyone is as bored as I am.

The answer to the meta is a 10-letter word that everyone could use these days. If you happen to take a stab at it, you can PM me the answer, but I'm afraid I don't have any prizes to offer. I hope you enjoy it.

forums/NameTags.puz

I cannot open it on my iPad. Any suggestions.

[BrianMac]

I cannot open it on my iPad. Any suggestions.

Hmmm. What app are you using? It works for me with Puzzazz on my phone and iPad.

[Cindy]

I cannot open it on my iPad. Any suggestions.

Hmmm. What app are you using? It works for me with Puzzazz on my phone and iPad.

I have puzAzz. It when I click the link it asks if I want to download. When I try, nothing happens.

[Cindy]

I cannot open it on my iPad. Any suggestions.

Hmmm. What app are you using? It works for me with Puzzazz on my phone and iPad.

I have puzAzz. It when I click the link it asks if I want to download. When I try, nothing happens.

Got it. Twelve step process. Lol.

[BrianMac]

Got it. Twelve step process. Lol.

Great! I was worried I would have to change the clue to 45-Across.

I've added a PDF to the original post for anyone else who's having problems with the .puz file.