Spam in the Sandwich

Nib, don't despair. Your puzzle-post from this morning has not been seized by spam gremlins, but yours truly.

The clue-list was overlong to sit snug in the forum, and I'd also prefer to have a general squiz off-site, with the chance of creating a separate upload on the blog.

SAME APPLIES TO ALL DABBLERS. Happy to host original stuff onsite, though I can't make that offer open slather. While I'm not in the business of devoted feedback - my week is too crammed - I will present any DIY Birdbrains, Storms, crosswords or other diversions if they cut the mustard. More door bitch than mentor, I suppose. Though Nib (cf your 11-AC, F--k buddy), you will need to keep things cleanish.

Don't flood me. And don't send me raw, two drafts from well-done. But if its sizzling, send it along. Maybe a Storm, a Brain, a puzzle, or if you hear about other word-nerd news, shoot them through the Email chute. I may not give you a full-blooded reply, or critical notes, but if your work crackles, it will eventually pop up.

I did a couple of puzzles, a while ago. One looks like it is worth polishing, and might be of interest to people. I even resurrected the software I used, in case I try again.

Also, this seems as good a place as any to mention another pop-culture reference to crosswords, to join those you cover in Puzzled. It's a bit more obscure, since it's in a Hellraiser comic from 1993 (#20). Hellraiser is about a puzzle box that sends people to hell; in the story 'Wordsworth' by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (who have gone on to bigger things), a man is given a crossword which also acts as a gateway to damnation.

Wow, now that's a classic comic to hunt down. Where's the Comicbook Guy when you need him?

Thanks DC for the tip. (Did I see Robyn getting dumped on How I Met Your Ma last night, coz she couldn't do a crossword in pen? My daughter had the remote - )

If we're talking crossword posts, the trick will be the software. All sorts of solutions, but I'm keen to pick the mode that suits this platform. At the very least, we can offer a link to the puzzle in question, ala Anax, and Nib's [removed] post this morning.

Long term, crossword downloads are a feature I'm keen for the website to offer. The project is on simmer.

Sure thing. I thought I'd changed that clue, whooooops. Also think a Marco alteration for 20 down is in order.

Spooner's trench for Afrikaans farmer? DA as gatekeeper (4,5)

There is a crossword book going in Borders at the moment that provides a basic three-page summary of what your cryptic chapters explained in thorough detail. $50? Bah humbug!

On another note, the mX crossword today had the clues:
2 down "Raise"
9 down "Raise"
And the fourth set of 'Sins' for 'Errs' that I have seen in under a fortnight. LOUSY.

Also, 11 across is "Half (Prefix)".
The setting leaves the answer open for Hemi, Demi or Semi.

Not sure which subject heading to include this under but congrats on the silver medal in the Archibald.

Hey, I didn't get caught in the filter (which is where my quintet for the clues of summer is lying)!

Mr.X - thought you'd been lying uncharacteristically low lately. Hope your clues get retrieved!

Thanks X, and fear not - your quintet has been retrieved. Just off to the caff now for Spanish eggs and adjudication.

(And I remain stumped as to why your posts have singled out. A techie puzzle to solve.)

It occurs to me that the letter appended as Mister's surname, while inoffensive enough, is also associated with certain red light activities...might that be it?