Content

Contents

What is Cross words Deluxe?   Computer Advantage

Hardware/Software req.             Cell and Word cursors

Using the menus                           Using the mouse

Using the keyboard                     Showing clues

Opening a new book                   The puzzle Index

Progress indicator                       Timer

Auto Checking                               Fonts

Printing


What is Cross Words Deluxe?

 Cross Words Deluxe (c) is a software application that allows you to solve crossword puzzles on your computer.  The application uses special puzzle books prepared by Strategic Solutions.  The evaluation copy comes with a book of 25 puzzles.  The registered version comes with 100 puzzles in your choice of

Easy, Standard, Challenging or Mixed.

  As you solve puzzles, your work is automatically saved to disk so that whenever you come back you can pick up right where you left off.  And if you want to take the puzzles with you when you leave the computer, you can make printouts (up to four per page) of the puzzles with or without your work in

progress.


Computer advantage

  Cross Words Deluxe (c) has many advantages over standard puzzle books.  For one thing,  you can easily peek at a single word with out 'accidentally' seeing the other words.  You can also have the computer show you which answers are incorrect without actually seeing the correct answers.  If you prefer, you have the computer automatically check your answers each time you complete a word!

  Unlike paper puzzle books, you can erase your answers when you are through so that you or a friend can solve the puzzle all over again.

  One BIG advantage in a computerized puzzle book is clue assistance.    You fill out the puzzle by moving a cursor around and typing.  As you move the cursor into a cell on the crossword, the clue for both the Across and Down words are highlighted.  In the Show All Clues and list modes you can also click the mouse on a clue to find where the word is in the puzzle.  This clue assistance totally eliminates the need to scan back and forth between the puzzle and the clues.

  The final and perhaps best reason for computer crossword puzzles is that they are just plain fun!  Play them on your home computer for a relaxing evening or load in on your laptop to fill time on that next business trip.


Hardware/Software requirements

Cross Words Deluxe (c) is a windows application.  It should run on any configuration supported by windows.  It is recommended however that you have a 386 or better and a VGA monitor.  The application automatically takes maximum advantage of your displays resolution. This means that it will work on an EGA but may be difficult to read in All Clues Mode.  It works well on a standard VGA and great on Super VGA.


Cursor
Cell and Word Cursors

  Cross Words Deluxe (c) maintains a cursor on one cell of the crossword. This is independent of  the mouse cursor maintained by windows.  In addition to the cell cursor, a word cursor will be highlighted.  The word cursor is either the horizontal (across) or vertical (down) word which contains the cell cursor.  As you type, the character will be placed at the cell cursor and then  the cell cursor will move to the next character in the word cursor.  When you fill out the last character in a word, the word and cell cursors will move to the next word in the same direction (unless you turn off 'Automatic tab to next word').

  You may move the cell cursor by pressing any of the four cursor keys.  If the cell cursor moves another word, the word cursor will move with it.

  You may move to the next word in the same direction by pressing tab or the previous word in the same direction by pressing shift-tab.  You may also move the word/cell cursors to any word at random by clicking on a cell with the left mouse button or by clicking on the clue.  You can toggle the word cursor between an across word and a down word by pressing enter or clicking the right mouse button anywhere on the window.


Menu

  To select a pull down menu, hold down the Alt key and press the first letter of the menu name.  You may also select a menu option with the mouse or move the cursor to the menu by pressing F10.  For more detailed instructions, read your windows manual or on-line help

File

   Open Puzzle book

   Save Work

   Next page

   Prev page

   Index

   Erase page

   Print

   Print setup

   Exit

Solve

   Solve Word at cursor

   Check all words

   Check Word at cursor

Options

   Show all clues

   Show one clue

   List clues Top and Bottom

   List clues Side by Side

   Uppercase Clues

   Gray background

   Automatic checking

   Sound

   Timer

   Fonts

Help

   About Cross Words..

   Help on using help

   Help Index


Mouse
Using the mouse

Clicking on a cell

Single clicking the left mouse button on a crossword cell moves the cursor to that location.  The appropriate clue will be displayed for the new cursor locations.

Clicking on a clue

When all clues are shown,  single clicking the left mouse button on a clue move the cursor to that location.  If will also change the cursor orientation (across or down) to that of the selected clue.

Orientation

You may also change the orientation (across or down) by clicking the right mouse button anywhere in the crossword window.


Opening a new puzzle book

Allows you to open a different installed puzzle book.  The dialog box contains two lists.

Puzzle books

Allows you to choose a book in the current directory.   You may double-click on a book to open it or you may single-click on it and then press the OK button.

Dirs and drives

Allows you to change the default drive or directory of puzzle books.  Each time you click in this list, the left list will display the puzzles at that location.  The path shown at the top of the screen will change to reflect the new location.


The Puzzle Index

 The puzzle index is a list of all puzzles in the current book.  The solve time to-date and percent complete

is listed for all puzzles. You may move to any puzzle by double-clicking on the puzzle or by single

clicking and then pressing the OK button.


Progress Indicator

The progress indicator is located on the status line.  It tells you what percentage of the words you have filled in correctly. If you enable automatic checking, the indicator will always be kept up to date.

If you turn off automatic checking you will need to used the check all words feature to measure your progress.  Any time a change is made with the automatic checking off, the progress indicator become invalid and will show question marks for the percent complete.


Printing

The print dialog box allows you to select multiple options before printing.

Print range

Allows you to specify a range of puzzles to print.  A valid range is one of the following:

Entire puzzle book

Selects the entire puzzle book for printing

Current puzzle

Selects only the current page for printing

Range of puzzles

Selects a range of puzzles to be printed.  If you choose this option, you must specify a range in the From and to boxes

Answers

Allows you to specify what answer information will appear in the printed puzzles. Valid answer settings include:

None

Leave all the cells empty

Work in progress

Displays the progress you have made so far (right or wrong!).  This option allows you to continue solving your puzzle on paper should you leave your computer.

Correct answers

Show the correct answers to the puzzle in the cells.

Page layout

Allows you to change the layout of the puzzles on the page.  There may also be several printer specific layout options on the setup dialog box.  These include paper size and orientation.

Margins

Contains four data-entry fields for Left, Right, Top, and Bottom.  This fields allow you to specify page margins in inches.  This may be useful if you wish to put your puzzles in a book.

Puzzles per page

Allows you to specify 1, 2 or 4 puzzles per page


Open puzzle book

Opens a new puzzle book. (See Opening a new puzzle book)


Save work

Saves your work in progress.  Your work is also saved anytime you change puzzles, books or quit Cross Words Deluxe (c)


Next page

Displays the next page (puzzle) in the current puzzle book

You may also go to the next page by pressing <Page-Down>.


Prev page

Displays the previous page (puzzle) in the current puzzle book.

You may also go to the previous page by pressing <Page-up>.


Index

Displays an index of puzzles in the current book.  You may select a puzzle to jump to.  You may also get an index list by pressing <Alt-I>.

(see The Puzzle index)


Erase Page

Erases all work from the current puzzle.   This allows someone else to work the puzzle without the benefit of your progress.  You will be prompted to confirm this action before the puzzle is erased.


Print

Allows you to print one or more puzzles (see Printing)


Print setup

Allows you to specify the destination for printing puzzles as well as the size and orientation of the paper supply.


Exit

Exits from Cross Words Deluxe (c).  Your current work in progress will be saved along with the name of the current book and the current puzzle number.   The next time you start Cross Words Deluxe (c)  you will resume right where you left off.


Solve word at cursor

Fills in the correct answer for the word at the word cursor.


Show correct words
Check all words

Checks all words in the puzzle. For each correct word, the clue for the word will be crossed off and the progress indicator will be updated to reflect the percent of the puzzle completed.   Any incorrect characters will be displayed in red.


Check Word at cursor

Checks the word at the cursor.  If the word is correct its corresponding clue will be crossed off.  The progress indicator will be updated to reflect the percentage of the puzzle complete.


Sound

Toggles sound on and off.  A little tune is played when you complete a crossword puzzle or show the about box.  A check mark beside the menu option indicates that sound is on.


Shows all clues
Show all clues

Puts the display in the show all clue mode (see @Showing clues@ ).  This mode allows you to see all the clues on the screen at the same time.  On a hi-resolution monitor this mode works very well.  In lower resolutions the amount of information displayed may make the display difficult to read.  If you find this the case then select one of the other three modes.


Show One clue

Shows the clue for the words at the cursor.  In this mode the puzzle and clue will be displayed in large fonts.  This provides maximum readability on any monitor.


List clues Top and Bottom

Displays the puzzle with two list boxes.  One list box contains the Across clues and the other contains the Down clues.  As you scroll around the puzzle, the clues for the words at the cursor will be shown in the list.


List clues Side By Side

This mode is the same as the other list mode except that the lists are shown side by side.


Uppercase Clues

Toggles between all uppercase clues and mixed case clues.  The advantage to uppercase clues is that they are more easily read on lower resolution monitors.


Gray background

Toggles the background color between gray and white.  This may improve readability on some displays


Automatic Checking

  Auto-checking is an optional feature that provides instant feedback about the words you are typing.  Each time you type a character, Cross Words Deluxe (c) checks the Across word and The Down word.  If the word is correct, the clue will be crossed off and the  progress indicator will be updated.  Likewise, if a correct word is changed, the clue will no longer be crossed off and the progress report will be corrected.

  If you use this feature, you may wish to turn off automatic tab to next word.  This will allow the cursor to stay on the current word until you move it off thus giving you a second chance at solving the word.

  True crossword lovers may consider this mode cheating but novice users may find this kind of help just the touch to make solving crosswords enjoyable.


Automatic tab to next word

Toggles automatic tabbing.  When this option is on, the cursor will automatically tab to the next word when you fill in the last character of the word.  With this option off, you must use the tab or arrow keys to move to the next word.  You may find it useful to turn this option off when you turn on 'Automatic Checking'.


Timer

The timer is an option that will keep track of how long you took to solve each puzzle.  When enabled the time spent on the current puzzle will tick on the status line.  Each time you switch to another puzzle the time for that puzzle will be displayed.

The time spent on each puzzle will also be displayed in the puzzle book index along with the percent complete.

Pausing the timer

At times, you may wish to pause the timer.  This can be accomplished in several ways.

Any time a dialog box (Print, Index, about etc..) the timer will pause.  The timer will not pause when a help screen is displayed.

The timer will also pause if you minimize Cross Words Deluxe (c) to an icon.  This is convenient if you need to leave the computer momentarily or answer the phone.

Of course the clock will also stop if you turn off the timer or quit.


Fonts

The font selection dialog box allows you to customize the font selection to your own tastes.  You may specify fonts for The characters in the puzzle, the small numbers shown in the puzzle, the clues and the status line.  You may set them all to the same font or each to a different font.  Since Cross Words Deluxe (c) allows you to scale the window to any size, you specify only the font family, not a font size.

  To select a font, press the select button next to the font you wish to change.  A list of fonts we be displayed for your selection.  You will only be allowed to pick from True Type fonts. Each time you pick a font, the puzzle will be updated so you can see the outcome before closing the font selection dialog box.


About cross words
About Cross Words ..

Shows the product name and author.  Will also play a little tune if sound is on


Help on using help

Opens a windows help dialog that explains how to use help


Help index

Opens a windows help dialog that shows you the index of help available for Crosswords.


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Cross Words Deluxe Ordering information
Cross Words Deluxe Registration and Ordering information

This program is COPYRIGHTED to the Strategic Solutions with all rights reserved.  You may evaluate Cross Words Deluxe, for a period not to exceed 30 days, for the purposes of determining its usefulness. If you find this product of value and continue to use its service then you are required to register it with Strategic Solutions. This registration fee, when paid, entitles you to full usage and support of this product.

If you find Cross Words Deluxe (c) a useful addition to your software library, please register with Strategic Solutions.  When you register, you will receive a copy of the software without the registration prompt. You will also be entitled to receive user support directly from Strategic Solutions.

       CLICK HERE FOR PUZZLEBOOK REGISTRATION/ORDER FORM

If you have already registered, thank you for your support.  It's nice to know that there are people who believe in the try-in-before-you-buy-it shareware concept!

Additional copies of Cross Words Deluxe (c) and puzzles may be ordered directly from Strategic Solutions. Each puzzle book is filled with exciting new challenges.

When you register or purchase additional copies of the application, you are entitled to pick any puzzlebook free.

Puzzle books

Each puzzle book contains 100 new puzzles.  You may order Easy, Medium (standard) or Hard (challenging) or mixed puzzle books.

Subscriptions

Get 12 issues of crosswords delivered to your home.  Each month you will get a new puzzle book jammed with 100 new crosswords just waiting to be solved.  In addition you will receive a bonus puzzle book each month of 25 puzzles only available to monthly subscribers.  A cross words subscription makes a great gift!  You may change the type of puzzles you receive at any time during your subscription.

To order new books, print and fill out the order form and mail a check or money order to:

          Strategic Solutions

          7908 Firefly

          Fort Worth, Texas 76137

          Care of Crosswords division

If a printer is not available place your order on a sheet of paper.  Include which books you wish to receive (see order form), your name, address and the total.


Cross Words Deluxe Order Form
Cross Words Deluxe Order Form and Registration (CWDSW20)

Please fill your name and address.

  Name     _____________________________________________

  Address  _____________________________________________

  City     ____________________________   State __________ Zip _________

  Phone (optional)  (____) ____-__________

Is this your first order (registration)?   ___ Yes   ___ No

Where did you get your evaluation copy? ___ BBS ___ CD ROM  ___ Vendor

    ___ Friend  ___ Other     Name of source ___________________________

Please indicate the quantity of each puzzle book desired.

 Easy puzzle books         ___  #1  ___ #2  ___ #3

 Standard puzzle books     ___  #1  ___ #2  ___ #3

 Challenging puzzle books  ___  #1  ___ #2  ___ #3

 Mixed puzzle books        ___  #1  ___ #2  ___ #3

 Subscriptions       ___ Easy      ___ Standard    ___ Challenging       ___  Mixed

                                  Price   Qty   Total

 Registered Cross Words Deluxe    $20.00  _____ $_______

   (Choose one free puzzlebook)

 Single puzzle books               $7.50  _____ $_______

 Any three puzzle books           $20.00  _____ $_______

 Twelve puzzle books              $60.00  _____ $_______

 Twelve month subscription        $60.00  _____ $_______

 Sub total                                      $_______

 Texas residents add 6.75% sales tax            $_______

 Total                                          $_______

 Disk size           ____ 5 1/4  (360k) ____ 3 1/2 (720k)

 NOTE: Prices are effective Jan 1 1993 and subject to change.

Send check or money order payable to:

          Strategic Solutions

          7908 Firefly

          Fort Worth, Texas 76137

          Care of Crosswords division

Comments

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________


Support Policy

          _______

     ____|__     |                (R)

  --|       |    |-------------------

    |   ____|__  |  Association of

    |  |       |_|  Shareware

    |__|   o   |    Professionals

  -----|   |   |---------------------

       |___|___|    MEMBER

Stategic Solutions provides user support to registered versions via mail, telephone, and CompuServe Information Service (R). for 3 months after registration.

Strategic Solutions will answer questions and fix serious bugs during the three month period. For problems involving a specific hardware or software environment or feature, we may choose not to modify the program. In that case, if a problem is reported within three months after purchase,then we shall offer to refund the user's purchase price.

If a program bug prevents you from evaluating Cross Words Deluxe during the first 30 days (prior to registration), Strategic Solutions will attempt to assist but is not under obligation to resolve issues beyond our control.

   Phone     : (817) 232-8781

   CIS       : 71321,2745

   Address   : Strategic Solutions

               7908 Firefly

               Fort Worth, Texas  76137

You may share Cross Words Deluxe with others for the purpose ofevaluation as long as it's unaltered and distributed in its entirety.

Strategic Solutions is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.  The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.


Keyboard
Using the Keyboard

 Enter key

 Toggles the clue direction between Across and Down.  A single across word or down word is highlighted to indicate the current direction.   When a character is typed in the highlighted word, the cursor will move to the next character in that word or, if the cursor is on the last character in the highlighted word, the cursor will move to the first character of the next word in the same direction.

 Tab key

 Moves to the first character of the next word in the same direction (e.g. if an across word is highlighted, the cursor will move to the next across word, if the cursor is on a down word, the cursor will move to the next downword.

 If all clues are displayed, the clue for both the across and down word will be highlighted in the clue section.  If only a single across and down clue is displayed, the clues will be refreshed for the new word.

Pressing Shift-Tab will move the cursor to the previous word in the same direction.

 Arrow keys

 The four arrow keys will move the cell cursor in the specified direction.  If the cell cursor moves to another word, the word cursor will also move


Showing clues

  When working a crossword, you have four options for how the screen will be displayed.

Showing all clues

  Showing all the clues has the advantage of seeing all clues at any point in time and allows you to select a clue with the mouse for navigation in the puzzle.

Showing a single clue

  Showing a single clue (one across and one down) reserves more space for the puzzle thus allowing you to work the crossword puzzle in a smaller window or on a lower resolution display.

List clues Top and Bottom

  List clues top and bottom shows the clues in two list boxes.  The clues for the across words are shown in the top list and the words for the down clues are shown in the bottom box.  As you move the word cursor

around the puzzle each list is automatically scrolled to reveal the clue for the words at the cursor.  The clue list boxes are slightly different than other list boxes in windows.  Unlike other list boxes, you may not use the arrow keys and page keys for scrolling.  Rather, the arrow keys move the puzzle cursors and the

page up/page down keys select the next/previous pages in the puzzle book.  You may still use the scroll bars on the list for scrolling.

List clues Side to Side

  List clues side to side is the same as List Top and Bottom except for the placement of the lists.  The list on the left shows the across words and the list on the right shows the down words.