Like some glasses

Earlier this month I called Rich Norris Mr. Saturday. Today's puzzle (answers) is by Byron Walden who could make the case for Mr. Saturday Jr. with 79% of his puzzles appearing on the hard day. He's still 85 Saturdays behind Mr. Norris, but he's on his way.

His puzzle today was fittingly difficult. I got stuck for a long time because "like some glasses" seem to want to be THREED and I read threed as an adjective. Was it some hip way of saying tri-focal or something? Nope, it's 3-D. Ahhh.

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I continue to get questions about my database. People want to know how I got the data, what computer language I use (C#), if it's an official NYT database (no), and so on. One of the most common questions is, why are my results different than ones on Cruciverb.com?

Cruciverb calls itself the Crossword Constructors' Community Center. It provides support for authors and editors and probably every constructor you know hangs out there. Like xwordinfo.com, it has a database of puzzle answers and various stats. Check it out and support them with a donation. The big difference is that they index nine different publishers while I only do the NYT. Still, I provide some unique advantages, other than being free, that I hope complements that site.

Here's an example. If you look up the word SABRINA on Cruciverb, you'll see five different references, but only one from the New York Times.

Look up SABRINA on my site and only you only see NYT references, but you'll find three instead of just the one Cruciverb shows. We both have this one, but I also include this Trip Payne rebus entry (Cruciverb doesn't find rebus clues) and this entry from 1994 (Cruciverb only goes back to 1997.

Comments

[JJF]

THREED was my last entry in the grid. I had the same experience. It just didn't look right. Maybe THREAD? Maybe even THNEED (we've been reading "The Lorax" to our son lately). But THREED? Ah, yes...THREE-D. That's one of the fun moments in solving crosswords. You have the right letters, you're still puzzled, then it hits you. Cool puzzle!

Good comparison of the databases. I find both very useful.

[PhillySolver]

I wish someone had CAPTIONED NON-U. I thought it might be the opposite of hoi polloi as described by a SAMOAN.

I think your data base is great and tells me the most useful information about my puzzle focus. Cruciverb provides some additional ways to waste time (or FourD).

[Orange]

Jim, I find it hard to use your database for anything other than your selected categories (most frequent constructors, etc.). Can you post a tutorial on how to search for a specific answer, clue, lower-frequency constructor, or puzzle? Usually I can figure out such things, but your database's interface somehow clashes with my brain. Help!