We wish to personally thank you for downloading CrissCross'em™, the unlimited puzzle generator and vocabulary builder! Here's the basics to get you started:
I What is CrissCross'em™?
CrissCross'em™ is essentially a crossword puzzle game with a twist.
First, CrissCross'em™ can generate a virtually unlimited number of puzzles. And no two games will ever be the same! Second, you can use the puzzle to build your vocabulary. It contains approximately 5000 words, including over 3500 SAT*-type words. As in all crossword puzzles there are clues across and down. However, you can access an additional hint for each “SAT” type word-- in the form of a contextual sentence. Finally, CrissCross'em™ is extensible. You can easily create fun puzzles using any topic that piques your interest-- history, sports, trivia or whatever!
II Installing CrissCross'em™
You'll need System 7.0 or later and at least two megabytes (2 MB) of hard disk space. Create a new folder on your hard drive and call it “CrissCross'em.” Place your CrissCross'em™ disk into the floppy drive and double click on the icon named CrissCross'em.sea. You will be asked to name your destination folder. Select CrissCross'em, the folder you have just created. Now press the “Extract” button. Several new files will be revealed in your new folder. Your folder should now house files: CrissCriss'em™, MasterLevel, EasyLevel, and Cairo 18. Move the file “Cairo 18” into your System Folder. This action brings up a dialog box asking you if you wish to place the file into the “Fonts” folder. Press the “OK” button at this point.
Now boot CrissCross'em™ by double-clicking on the CrissCross'em™ icon.
III After double-clicking the icon CrissCross'em™ you'll see a blank screen containing three menus: File, Edit and Options. Now you need to decide what type of puzzle you would like to create. There are really only two basic types of puzzles you can create, but there are several ways to “tailor” them. The files MasterLevel and EasyLevel in your newly created folder probably gave you a clue.
At this point you might like to install the EasyLevel word set to create your first puzzle. Installing this word set can be accomplished in one of two ways. The File menu contains commands (the menu items) that can initiate each method. Perhaps the simplest way to install the EasyLevel word set is to select the command “Install Word Set...” from this menu. Selecting this menu item leads you directly to a standard file dialog, from which you can select your choice of word sets. The puzzle and clues will magically appear in moments. You may tailor your word set choice by selecting the “Install Options...” command.
Selecting this command displays a dialog box with some preset choices. Pressing the OK button after choosing the first radio button (“A word set I will select”) leads to the same file dialog box as the Install Word Set... command mentioned above. However, you may tailor you file (word set) choice by selecting the check box “Mix-in EasyLevel words.” Making this choice will create a puzzle consisting of words from your selected word set as well as words from the EasyLevel word set.
The second radio button (“MasterLevel words starting with...”) offers the choice of creating a puzzle with words starting with the same letter (or letter grouping)-- a great way to learn new vocabulary words quickly. The adjacent popup menu activates once this radio button is selected. Pressing OK after selecting a letter automatically creates the puzzle. Like the first choice, you may mix-in EasyLevel words with this option as well.
Heres' a couple of more items:
(1) The startup music and title screen may be bypassed by pressing the space bar immeditely after starting CrissCross'em™. Release the spacebar when you see the menubar.
(2) When you enter letters directly onto the puzzle, the letters may not fill in the “Down” direction, especially if previous entries have all been “Across.” In order to ensure placement “Down”, press the Option key when you click the first letter location. All subsequent entries will fill “Down.”
(3) There's no way to print the puzzles— the "Print..." command does not operate. Also, you cannot make up you own puzzles with this copy— the "Make Game File..." command does not operate. Please see info below in order to enable these commands.
We wish you endless hours of fun with CrissCross'em™.
Sincerely,
Larry Jacobson, Principal Developer
This is as good time as any to pay your "shareware dues" if you really like the product. Just sent me $15 and I'll send you complete documentation and a full working disk. You'll be able to print out puzzles to your hearts' content and even make up your own crossword puzzles— it's really easy. Make up one on trivia, another on sports or historical events or even one in French! As a bonus we'll give you another word set to use. Also, we'll provide you with free technical support. Here's where to send the money: Synaptic Solutions, Larry Jacobson, P.O. Box 872, Mill Valley, CA 94942 You may call me @ (415) 381-2545.
