DT GK construction query

[Strix]

I don't know if any others have noticed or maybe I am wrong. It seems that the way the crossword is being constructed, largely, is that either the across or down clues are being done first ( and they tend to be the simpler ones to answer) and then a computer is being used to fill, partially, the remainder based on the letters available. By which I mean the compiler is finding "cyber"words that fit those spaces and then finding a definition/clue to use. Hence the mistakes and Americanisms.
I do hope I am wrong.
Strix

[shaneystar2]

I have no idea .
But one thing I will say ..I think that Kate Mepham is doing a sterling job considering it is not a even year since her father died and she stepped into his shoes.
I wish people would stop criticising her . If people are not happy with the crossword then buy another paper and stop moaning .
Mepham Media Services provide not only crosswords but lots of other puzzles for various publications not just the Telegraph .
Pretty obvious that they use computer generated stuff ..I doubt very much that they sit there with a pencil ,paper and a couple of dictionaries .
The mistakes are very probably down to the proof readers as was explained to me by Mr Mepham himself when I once queried something with him .As for Americanisms ..they are a fact of life and have been part of our common language for years .

[Celtigra3]

I agree with ShaneyStar - I still think the Telegraph Sat Xword makes one think and I have learnt plenty of new words. The MoS big one seems mainly to rely on the names of sports people and films which are easily found - with Kate and her father before her, you have to search.

[JoolsTwo]

I agree with shaney and celtriga - I love the Telegraph crossword. Ofcourse there are going to be mistakes, it is compiled my human beings. They use machines to help and I for one enjoy the research to find the answers I don't know. And hopefully I learn something new each time I do the crossword. (whether I then remember is another thing) :-)

[Strix]

O.K., O.K., I am not sniping at Kate Mepham or her family - I know of their other contributions to quizzes & puzzles and even her father made mistakes.That is not my point. I also accept that with nearly all general knowledge questions there are disputes and ambiguities. However it is a very seldom that you will find a fault with a weekday Telegraph or Times cryptic. I, too, love doing the GK and look forward to doing it every week; I just like the clues and answers to be accurate. Abstruse and esoteric I can deal with. Autodidact I am not trying to be.

[POINCIANA]

I like the way she finds a nice easy answer, then compiles a clue that has one searching all over, like this week's 'ROOSTER' and last week 'WORLD' and many others I can't recall offhand, but which amused me at the time. I think she does a good job with this and with Herculis.

[Aquagility]

While I enjoy easy to middling cryptics, I'm adicted to Kate's GKs. And the current level suits me fine - don't want something which can be done in the train, but nor do I want to spend all day on it.

Bravo, Kate!