[TAG] Talkback:135/bishee.html

[Samuel Bisbee-vonKaufmann]

On Sun, 4 Feb 2007, Thomas Adam wrote:
> On Sat, Feb 03, 2007 at 06:59:14PM -0500, Samuel Bisbee-vonKaufmann wrote:
>
>> If you have any input on making the puzzle better, sub-topics of
>> FOSS/Linux that you would like to see, etc. then please let me know. I am
>> always open to suggestions.
>
> How exactly are you determining the questions?  Do you have a stock list
> of questions you're somehow arbitrarily using each month, or do you have
> some other method of working?
>

This is more easily explained if I recant my whole process:
(1) Create the grid in a spreadsheet file.
(2) Write the answers into the spreadsheet. This, as you can imagine, is 
the hardest and most time consuming part.
(3) Write the clues based on the answers. Sometimes I will already have a 
clue in mind for an answer, sometimes not.
(4) Check for errors. *shifty eyes*

As you can see I am creating all clues and answers fresh for each issue. 
The only "list" I might use is a wordlist when I need to apply regexp to 
my vernacular, but my brain does not want to do so itself. Most of the 
non-software/technical names that you will see in the geekword are a 
result of this; for example, 1D in LG #133. However, I try to limit my 
usage of wordlists to near zero, preferring the classic art and feel of 
writing purely from the brain (many crossword puzzle authors these days 
would call that "insane").

> I've been casually glancing at the crossword, and intrigued by some of
> the clues, insofar that they're occasionally hit and miss, but that

Could you please give me an example?

> could be just me.  (Why so many people use `echo ... | sed | awk` when
> awk can do it all is beyond me.
>

I think this is because sed tends to be synonymous with string replacement 
on the command line. I only do it in the puzzle because I want people to 
be made aware of both programs. In the future I will see if I can just use 
both programs elsewhere in the puzzle, allowing more concise clues. 
However, I would not consider using `sed | awk` "wrong", but just a 
different, potentially longer, approach.

Thanks for the input,

--
Samuel Kotel Bisbee-vonKaufmann | "A computer once beat me at chess, but
   Boston University, Undergrad. | it was no match for me at kick boxing."
   OFTC.net, Network Operator    | -Emo Philips