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1990-05-02
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w1Computer Cryptogramsw0
(c) 1990 RWare Inc.
Disclaimer:
Robert's ShareWare makes no claims to the fitness or accuracy of this
documentation and the described program, and disclaims any liability to
any damages that may result from using this program.
This program is ShareWare
This program and the included files are distributed ShareWare Concept.
This means you try the program and your are not out the money if you
don't like it. You are free ( and encouraged ) to give anyone a copy
of the the UNREGISTERED versions of the program and the included files.
If you like this program I urge you to register it. By registering,
you get a version of the program without an opening screen and 1000
new cryptograms. It doesn't cost much, and it encourages the author to
produce more low-cost shareware.
Registering Computer Cryptograms
Registering is easy and only costs $10. By registering, you get a copy
of the registered version of Computer Cryptograms and 1000 new cryptograms.
on 360k 5.25 diskette.
Fill and this form and send to:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWare Inc.
1510 Silver Creek Circle
Norman, Oklahoma 73071
Name :_______________________________________
Address :_______________________________________
_______________________________________
City :_________________________ State:_______
Zip :_________________
CPU: 8088/86 ( ) 80286 ( ) 80386 ( ) 80486 ( )
DOS version:_________________________
Do you own Windows? Yes ( ) No ( )
Do you own OS/2? Yes ( ) No ( )
_____________________________________________________________________________
What is a Cryptogram?
A cryptogram is simply an English phrase that has been encrypted using a
simple letter subsitution cipher. For example: THE BIG YELLOW CAT is
may be transformed to QTR YUV WRXXPD ESQ where Q is subsituted for T, T for
H, R for E, ect. You can break the code by watching the frequency of certain
letters and how they are grouped. Cryptograms are alot of fun to solve,
and a nice way to induce the 'ah-ha' experience.
What is Computer Cryptograms?
You may have seen cryptograms in puzzle magazines. Computer Cryptograms
is a program that allows you to solve cryptogram without erasing holes
through the pages in a puzzle book. The Shareware demonstration version
of Computer Cryptograms comes with 75 cryptograms. When you run the program,
you are prompted to pick a set of cryptograms from the available cryptogram
files, they have the file extensions '.CRG' After selecting a set, the display
shows the current cryptogram in a box, the top displays the filename of the
current set of cryptograms and the number of the current cryptogram, and the
lower portion of the screen shows the unused letters and the key. The key is
stored in the file, so the program and the .CRG files must reside on a
non-write protected disk so that they may be updated. This means you may
abandon a cryptogram and try it again later without starting over.
Commands:
To try a subsitution simply press the letter that is in encrypted phrase
and then the letter of the substution. The substituted letter will appear over each
occurence of the letter in the cryptogram and in the key.
<F1> Clear Key. Clearing the key will erase all of the substitutions so
you can start with a clean slate.
<F2> Next Cryptogram. This places the next cryptogram in the set in the
window.
<F3> Another Set. This allows you to select another set of cryptogram by
showing you a directory of all the cryptogram files.
<F4> While solving a cryptogram, you may want to back up. Pressing <F4>
undo's the last subsititution or <F1> command.
<Esc> Quits Computer Cryptograms so you can work.
Tips for solving Cryptograms
Look for letters with a high frequency. The letters E, T, O, I, U, and S
have a high frequency in English.
Look for single letter words. These word are most likely 'A' or 'I' and less
frequently 'O'.
Try common two letter words like 'IS', 'IT', 'TO', 'OF', 'AN', and 'AS'.
Try common three letter words like 'THE' and 'AND'.
Look for apostrophies. These shorter words are most likely contractions
such as 'IT'S', 'I'VE', 'ISN'T', 'DON'T'. Longer words probably indicate
possesion as in 'WILLIAM'S'. An apostrophy on the end indcates that the last
letter is an S.
Look for doubled letters. In the middle of words they are most likely vowels
such as 'TOOL', 'CHEER', The vowels A, I, and U are rarely doubled. In
other positions try the consonants L, S, F, T, M and N as in 'ALL', 'GRASS',
'EGG', 'OFF', 'LETTER', 'COMMON' and 'INN'.
Look for common English suffixes like '-TION', '-ING', '-ER', '-Y', '-LY'.
Look for common consonant groupings like 'TH', 'SH', 'CH', 'TR',
Look for common vowel groupings like 'IE', 'OU', 'AI'.
A word is most likely to end in E, S, or Y.
Y is most likely to start or end a word.
Q is very close to almost always follwed by a U.
Vowels tend to be in the middle of words, Consanants are most likely to
start words.
About the program:
Computer Cryptograms was written entirely in Borland Turbo Pascal v5.5 by
Robert Mashlan.
If you should encounter any bugs or has suggestions for this program,
send them to
Robert Mashlan
CIS: [71160,3067]
USPS: 1510 Silver Creek Circle / Norman OK 73071