This
is one of the rave reviews of our program Crossword Weaver, the leading crossword
puzzle construction software.
Puzzle
Maker
by
Stan Tishler
Crossword
Weaver is a crossword puzzle construction program. I've used similar programs
in the past, but this is by far the best. Everything is adjustable--the size
of the squares, the size of the numbers, the shape of the puzzle (it will
make symmetrical designs or not), the clues (these can be imported into a
word processor as regular text), the title, etc.
You
can add words of your own by placing them in the puzzle and then letting the
program complete the construction. You can also set up a theme file and instruct
the program to construct a puzzle using as many of your theme words as it
can fit. I designed the puzzle on this page with our users group in mind.
Watching the program fill in the words was fascinating as it went from section
to section, trying combinations until it got the right combination. When it
couldn't, it told me which of my words wouldn't fit, and allowed me to place
them elsewhere or remove them entirely. If I didn't like a section of the
puzzle, I could simply erase it.
Crossword
Weaver has a large vocabulary--more than 50,000 words--and more than 50,000
stock clues. Some clues were too esoteric for my taste; these were easy to
change. The program is available from the manufacturer, Variety Games Inc.
(800-229-3939) for $39.95* plus shipping and handling. It works with Windows
3.x and Win95, 98, NT and requires 5-7 MB of disk drive space.
If
you like crossword puzzles, this program is a gem. You can use Crossword Weaver
to create your own puzzle using your own words, or you can let Crossword Weaver
build a puzzle out of a combination of your words and its own. Or you can
just sit back and watch the program design a puzzle for you.
*Changed
to reflect current pricing.
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