Instructions for the use of Cross.

Purpose:
     This program is intended to generate word search programs for
educational use.  The program takes a list of words and clues and
transforms the words into a word search puzzle.  The main intent
of the program is to have the student solve the puzzle on the
computer, although a hard copy of the puzzle can be printed and the
puzzle solved in the traditional manner.  No two word search
puzzles for the same list of words will be the same.  The clues are
asked in a different order for each puzzle so that a group of
students in a computer lab will have the same words and clues, but
not the same arrangement of letters in the word search puzzle nor
will the clues be presented in the same order.  In order to search
for a word a clue concerning the word must be answered correctly. 
The word and clue lists provided with the program are meant as
examples of what the program can do.  If you register (see
Register.txt) a registered copy of the program will be sent to you
along with a companion program which you can use to create your own
list of words and clues.  The program will run on Windows 3.0 and
higher and requires at least a 80386 coprocessor.

Installing the program on your computer.
     Start Windows and click on File in the upper left hand corner of
Program Manager.  Click on Run in the File menu and type and enter
a:\install.  If the files are located on a different drive other than
A drive substitute the appropriate drive/path for a:\.  Install will
copy the cross files to your hard drive, create a program group for
cross, and create icons for the program.

Using the program.

     To start the puzzle making process for the first time choose
New Puzzle from the Word Search menu or press F2. Click on the file
you want to retrieve and then choose OK or doubleclick on the item.
Pressing the Alt-F key and using the arrow keys to move around the
file list works as well. The computer will then start to make a puzzle.
While a puzzle is being developed a dialog box will be displayed
informing you as to the number of times the program has cycled
through the word list.  If a puzzle contains a large number of words
or a number of long words it will take the computer a while to make
the puzzle.  Be patient.
    Cancel may be pressed at any time if it appears that the computer
is unable to make a puzzle out of the set of words chosen.  All
word lists provided with this program will work sooner or later. 
The puzzle will be unique.  In order to search for a word in the
puzzle a question about the word must be answered to place the word
on the Word List.
     To obtain a clue choose New Clue from the Word Search menu or
Press F3.  The sample word lists provided with the program are all
chemistry related.  Lists that you create after registering(see
register.txt)  and obtaining the word/clue list creator program
will be of your own design for any discipline you choose.  Enter
the answer in the dialog box and click on OK.  If the answer is
correct the word will be added to the Word List.  If the answer is
incorrect the word is not added and the user is notified and given
another chance until either the answer is correct or cancel is
chosen.  Once a word is added to the word list it can be searched
for.
     To select a word from the puzzle place the mouse cursor on top
of the first letter of the word, drag the cursor over the rest of
the word, and release the left mouse button on the last letter in
the word.  Blue words have already been found.
     When all clues have been answered correctly and all words
found the computer will notify the user that the puzzle has been
solved.

To save a puzzle at any stage or to print out a puzzle use the file
menu.

The File menu.

Open

     This menu item is used to retrieve a puzzle that has been
saved.  Choosing this item will cause a file dialog box to appear. 
Click on the file you want to retrieve and then choose OK or double
click on the item.  Pressing the Alt-F key and using the arrow keys
to move around the file list works as well.  If you want to delete
a file click on delete while the file is in the choice box.  You
will be asked for confirmation when deleting a file.


Save

     This will save a puzzle solution to disk.  If you have not
named the solution previously you will be asked for a file name. 
Use a continuous word of 8 letters or less when presented with the
file save as dialog box.

Print

     You may choose Print solution or Print puzzle and clues. 
Print solution will print the puzzle as it appears in the window. 
You may also have unsolved clues printed out if you desire.  The
clues will be printed on a separate sheet of paper so be sure the
printer is ready when asked.  Print puzzle and clues will print the
puzzle as it appears in the window along with all clues.  The clues
will be printed on a separate sheet of paper so be sure the printer
is ready when asked.  Choose this option if you want the puzzle
solved in the traditional manner with paper and pencil.

Exit or Alt-X

     This will quit the program.  If the puzzle that is currently
be worked on has changed in any way you will be asked if you want
to save any changes.


Notes:

     The best way to learn about the program is to use it.  Help
is available by pressing F1 or choosing Index from the help menu. 
If you do not know how to use Windows help then choose Using Help
from the help menu.

I hope you enjoy the program.  If you have any problems my E-mail
address is  ALLENT@mail.firn.edu.

Timothy J. Allen