The gold standard, of course, is The New York Times. This customizable difficulty has created an access point by which new, young players can ease themselves into this fun, maddening hobby. Most online puzzles come with tools that check your work automatically or manually, depending on your preference. It's neater, for one - no more cross-outs or smudged erasing when you've made a mistake - and readers no longer have to wait a whole day to check their answers.
The shift to new media over the past 30 years has only broadened the crossword puzzle's appeal.
