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THE NEW PUZZLE FACTORY - VERSION 2.0
USER MANUAL
Copyright 1991 Michael X. Watman
BEFORE USING THE NEW PUZZLE FACTORY SOFTWARE, BE SURE TO
READ THE "SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT" ON THE NEXT PAGE!
Software License Agreement
The New Puzzle Factory software is licensed to users only on the terms
set forth below. Your use of this software acknowledges that you have
read this agreement and agree to its terms.
Michael X. Watman hereby grants to you a nonexclusive license to use
this software, subject to the terms and restrictions set forth in this
software license agreement.
This software, as well as its documentation, is copyrighted. You may
not copy or otherwise reproduce the software or documentation except
as expressly stated herein.
You may make copies of the software for distribution to others for
evaluation purposes only, as long as you include all files contained
on the original diskette and as long as any fee charged is expressly
for the cost of the media only and is limited to an amount not to
exceed ten (10) dollars and as long as the evaluation period is
limited to thirty (30) days.
Upon payment of a single-user registration fee of twenty (20) dollars
to Michael X. Watman, you may make as many backup or working copies of
the software and its documentation as are required for your own use on
one computer at a time, provided you include all files contained on
the original diskette and reproduce all copyright notices on all such
copies; you may transfer this license together with the original and
all duplicate copies of the software, provided the transferee agrees
to be bound by the terms of this license agreement; and you are
entitled, if desired, to purchase from Michael X. Watman any future
updates to this software at reduced prices.
This software is licensed on an "as is" basis except as excluded or
limited by law. Michael X. Watman and his suppliers and dealers make
no warranties, either expressed or implied, as to the merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose of this software and will not be
liable for any damages resulting from any defect in the software.
- Page 2 -
The New Puzzle Factory
The New Puzzle Factory turns your sets of questions and answers into a
wide variety of puzzles. You can easily produce crossword, acrostic,
hidden-message, two types of scrambled-word, and four varieties of
word-find puzzles, as well as regular worksheets. Numerous time-
saving features allow you to edit or add to your sets of questions and
answers and store them on diskettes or your hard disk for future use.
About This Manual
The major portions of this manual, which follow these few introductory
sections, are arranged in roughly the same order as that found in the
"Main Menu" screen of the program.
Indented paragraphs, such as this, contain more detailed or
technical information. If you wish, you can skip over them
until you need or want further details.
System Requirements
To use The New Puzzle Factory you must have a PC-compatible computer
with at least 384K RAM, DOS 2.0 or later, either one or two floppy
disk drives (or a hard drive) and a printer using continuous-form
paper.
Other than normal keyboard characters, your printer must be
capable of printing a "box" using the following parts (with
their ASCII codes shown in parentheses: upper-right corner
(191), lower-left corner (192), horizontal line (196),
lower-right corner (217), and upper-left corner (218).
These are the ASCII codes from IBM (R) character sets 1 and
2. (IBM is a registered trademark of the IBM Corporation.)
Before Getting Started
If you have one or more floppy disk drives and want to store your
worksheet files (sets of questions and answers) on a separate
diskette, you will need to prepare a blank, formatted diskette
following the directions in the operating manual for your computer.
Although The New Puzzle Factory is capable of handling up to 120
worksheet files per diskette, the program diskette itself does not
have enough space to store the maximum number of files.
If you are a registered user and have a hard disk drive, you can
install The New Puzzle Factory on either the root directory or any
subdirectory. You must copy all the files contained on the software
diskette to the chosen subdirectory. See your computer operating
manual for ways to make a subdirectory and copy The New Puzzle Factory
files to it.
- Page 3 -
See "[J] - CHANGE WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE OR DIRECTORY" for more
information on using separate data diskettes, drives, and
directories.
Getting Started
If you have one or two floppy disk drives:
Follow the directions in your computer operating manual to start and
"boot" it with its DOS diskette. Be sure your printer is on before
attempting to print any puzzles. When ready, replace the DOS diskette
with The New Puzzle Factory diskette. Type PUZZLE and press the
[ENTER] key. (The [ENTER] key is shown as [RETURN] or as a broken
left-arrow on some computers.) After the title screen appears, you
must press a key to reach the main menu. (Pressing the [ESC] key at
this time will exit the program and return you to DOS.)
If you have a hard disk drive:
Follow the directions in your computer operating manual to start the
computer. Be sure your printer is on before attempting to print any
puzzles. Change the directory to the one containing The New Puzzle
Factory program files (see your computer operating manual for
instructions on how to use the "CD" command). Type PUZZLE and press
the [ENTER] key. (The [ENTER] key is shown as [RETURN] or as a broken
left-arrow on some computers.) After the title screen appears, you
must press a key to reach the main menu. (Pressing the [ESC] key at
this time will exit the program and return you to DOS.)
The Scheme of Things
In general, you will first enter a worksheet (group of questions and
answers) into the computer's memory, either by typing it in directly
or by retrieving an old one from your diskette or hard disk. You can
then print one or more of the many available puzzles. Along the way,
it will be possible for you to review, revise, edit, or add to your
worksheet in a variety of ways.
General Information
When The New Puzzle Factory requests you to press a single letter on
the keyboard, do not press [ENTER] afterwards. When you must type
responses into "boxed-in" areas (such as titles, questions, and
answers), you must press [ENTER] after completing your entry.
All the entries you type are automatically converted to capital
letters. Double quotation marks are automatically changed to single
quotation marks.
- Page 4 -
When typing into a boxed-in area, you can use certain keys
or combinations of keys to perform editing functions.
These are listed below, with a brief explanation of their
functions.
Cursor (arrow) keys move the cursor one space in the
indicated direction.
[BACKSPACE] moves the cursor to the left one
space, erasing as it goes.
[TAB] moves the cursor to the extreme
right of the current line.
[SHIFT][TAB] moves the cursor to the extreme left
of the current line.
[CTRL](right arrow) moves the cursor to the first letter
of the next word, stopping at the
last position in the box if no words
remain.
[CTRL](left arrow) moves the cursor to the first letter
of the current or previous word,
stopping at first position in the
box if no words remain.
[INSERT] inserts one space at the current
position, moving all the following
characters to the right one space.
[DELETE] deletes the character at the current
position, moving all the following
characters to the left one space.
[CTRL][E] erases all characters from the
current position up to the last
position in the box.
[HOME] moves the cursor to the first
position in the box.
[END] moves the cursor to the last
position in the box.
Warning messages will appear on the screen if you direct the program
to do anything which might cause a change to or loss of any new or
revised worksheet in the memory or any worksheet you have stored on
your diskette or hard disk. Just follow the directions to either
continue with the desired action or cancel it.
Whenever "[ESC]=GO BACK" appears on the bottom of a screen, pressing
that key will return you to the previous screen. Don't worry, if you
get lost, you can usually just press [ESC] to find your way back!
- Page 5 -
MAIN MENU
The top line ("status line") of this and all following screens shows
the drive and directory currently being used for worksheet files as
well as the file name of any worksheet currently in the memory.
When you first start The New Puzzle Factory, you will be
"Using CURRENT DRIVE/DIRECTORY". This message will change
if you specify a drive or directory using the option "[J] -
CHANGE WORKSHEET DRIVE OR DIRECTORY" in the main menu. The
"Worksheet in memory" portion of the status line will show
"(NONE)" if there is no worksheet in memory, "-?-" if there
is a worksheet in memory which has not yet been saved on
your diskette or hard disk, or the file name of the
worksheet if it has already been saved on disk.
Select the option "[A] - START A NEW WORKSHEET" to begin your first
worksheet using The New Puzzle Factory.
[A] - START A NEW WORKSHEET
WORKSHEET TITLE
Type the title that you want to appear at the top of the puzzles you
will make using this worksheet. Any keyboard characters are permitted
in titles.
Once a title has been entered, The New Puzzle Factory
considers a worksheet to be in the memory, even if you
have not entered any questions and answers.
ANSWERS
You will be shown the "ITEM #" you are working on at the top of the
screen.
Type the answer, using any keyboard characters except for the digits 0
through 9. The length of each answer is limited to 19 characters and
each answer must contain at least one letter.
Answers may include spaces and punctuation marks, although
these will be automatically omitted in parts of certain
types of puzzles when they are printed.
Pressing [ESC] at this point will return you to the main menu without
saving the current question and answer item.
- Page 6 -
QUESTIONS
Type the question which goes along with the current answer. Any
keyboard character may be included in questions.
Press [ENTER] to start the next item. Pressing [ESC] before you
[ENTER] a question will return you to the "Type Answer" portion of
this section.
When you have finished entering all your questions and answers (and
while the program is asking for your next answer), press [ESC] to
return to the main menu.
Each worksheet can contain a maximum of 50 items.
[B] - GET AN OLD WORKSHEET
Use this option to retrieve a worksheet file from your diskette or
hard disk and place it into the memory without re-typing.
You will be shown a list of worksheet file names currently
on the disk.
[C] - SAVE THE CURRENT WORKSHEET
Use this option to save the worksheet currently in memory on your
diskette or hard disk.
Type a file name for the worksheet, using only letters, up to a
maximum of 8 characters.
You will be shown a list of worksheet file names currently
on the disk. The maximum number of worksheet files that
The New Puzzle Factory can display is 120, although the
maximum number which can be stored depends on the type of
diskette you are using. See the section "[J] -CHANGE
WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE OR DIRECTORY" for ways to store
worksheets on different floppy disks, disk drives or
subdirectories. Worksheet files stored on disk have the
extension ".WKS" automatically added by The New Puzzle
Factory program. Do not include the ".WKS" when you type
a worksheet file name!
[D] - ERASE AN OLD WORKSHEET
Use this option to remove a worksheet file currently stored on your
diskette or hard disk.
Any worksheet currently in the memory will not be erased by this
option. Only worksheet files on disk will be affected.
- Page 7 -
[E] - ADD QUESTIONS TO THE CURRENT WORKSHEET
Use this option to add answers and questions to the worksheet which is
currently in memory. Proceed as you would in the "[A] - START A NEW
WORKSHEET" section.
The program will display the next "ITEM #" at the top of
the screen.
[F] - REVIEW OR EDIT CURRENT WORKSHEET
This option lets you review items in the worksheet currently in memory
and make any desired changes or corrections. When you use this
option, each item will be displayed toward the top of the screen.
Various actions can be performed by pressing one of the letter keys
indicated at the bottom of the screen:
[N] The next item will appear on the screen.
[P] The previous item will appear on the screen.
[D] The item currently on the screen will be erased from the memory.
[I] Choosing this option will allow you to insert a new item BEFORE
the one currently displayed on the screen. You will be prompted
for the new answer and then the new question. Pressing [ESC]
before [ENTER]ing both the answer and the question will move you
back through this process without saving the new item.
[Q] The question for the current item can be changed, but the
corresponding answer will remain the same.
[A] The answer for the current item can be changed, but the
corresponding question will remain the same.
When you have finished reviewing or editing the items in your
worksheet, press [ESC] to return to the main menu.
If the worksheet is one which has been retrieved from your
diskette or hard disk, the changes you made will not be
saved until you use the "[C] - SAVE THE CURRENT WORKSHEET"
option.
[G] - CHANGE TITLE OF CURRENT WORKSHEET
Just enter the new or revised title when prompted.
- Page 8 -
[H] - CHANGE ORDER OF ITEMS IN CURRENT WORKSHEET
This option will randomly change the order of items in the worksheet
currently in memory. It will not change the order of items on a
worksheet file which has been saved on your diskette or hard disk
unless you save the revised worksheet after using the proper option.
[I] - PRINT A PUZZLE OR REGULAR WORKSHEET
This main menu option will not function unless you have a worksheet in
the memory and that worksheet contains at least two items (questions
and answers).
Your printer must be on and must be using continuous-form paper.
The New Puzzle Factory will automatically print an answer sheet for
each puzzle or regular worksheet.
Note that you may go back to the main menu and edit or add
questions, change the title of the worksheet, or change
the order of items in a worksheet and then return to the
puzzle menu to print different puzzles using the same or
modified worksheet questions and answers.
Detailed descriptions of the ten types of printed puzzles and
worksheets can be found in the "PUZZLE MENU" sections which follow
the next main menu choice.
[J] - CHANGE WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE OR DIRECTORY
This option changes the drive or directory that The New Puzzle Factory
uses to get, save, or erase worksheet files.
When the program is first started, it is set to store
worksheets on whatever drive (floppy disks) or drive and
subdirectory (hard disks) contain the program files
themselves. "Using CURRENT DRIVE/DIRECTORY" will appear on
the top, status line.
Type the new worksheet data drive and/or directory you wish to use and
then press [ENTER].
If you have one floppy disk drive:
You may remove The New Puzzle Factory program diskette at
any time after the title screen has appeared and replace it
with a data diskette for your worksheet files. (Just be
sure the disk drive is not running when you change
diskettes!) You do not need to use option "[J] - CHANGE
WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE OR DIRECTORY" before you insert or
switch worksheet file data diskettes. The New Puzzle
Factory can handle up to 120 worksheet files on each data
diskette, depending on the diskette space available.
- Page 9 -
If you have two floppy disk drives:
You may store worksheet files on either The New Puzzle
Factory program diskette (usually in drive A:) or a
worksheet file data diskette (usually in drive B:). At the
beginning of each session using this program you should
first be sure the correct diskette is in the drive you want
to use and then choose option "[J] -CHANGE WORKSHEET DATA
DRIVE OR DIRECTORY" at the main menu to tell the program
which DRIVE you want to use. See the appropriate section
of this manual for details on this option.
You may switch to different data DISKETTES (only when the
disk drive is not running!) without re-using option "[J] -
CHANGE WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE OR DIRECTORY", as long as you
continue to use the SAME DRIVE as previously specified.
If you want to change the DRIVE you are using, you must
first be sure the correct diskette is in the desired drive
and then choose option "[J] - CHANGE WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE
OR DIRECTORY" to tell the program which drive you now want
to use.
The New Puzzle Factory can handle up to 120 worksheet files
on each data diskette, depending on the diskette space
available.
If you have a hard disk drive:
You may create one or more subdirectories for storing
worksheet files (sets of questions and answers). At the
beginning of each session using this program or whenever
you want to change data subdirectories, you should select
option "[J] -CHANGE WORKSHEET DATA DRIVE OR DIRECTORY" at
the main menu to tell the program which subdirectory you
want to use. If you do not specify a subdirectory, The New
Puzzle Factory will store your worksheet files on the
subdirectory which contains the program files themselves.
The New Puzzle Factory can work with up to 120 worksheet
files on each subdirectory.
PUZZLE MENU: [A] - ACROSTIC-STYLE PUZZLE
In an acrostic-style puzzle, the person completing your puzzle will
enter answers to questions, letter by letter, into numbered blanks.
The person will then transfer these letters, using the numbers from
the answer blanks, onto a puzzle sheet. When completed, the puzzle
sheet forms a saying of your choice.
- Page 10 -
To start this option, you must type in the saying which will be the
ultimate result of the puzzle.
Any keyboard characters (letters, numbers, punctuation
marks, spaces,...) may be entered into the saying, but only
the letters in the saying are matched to the letters in the
worksheet answers. Best results occur if the worksheet has
the maximum of 50 possible questions and answers and the
saying is a long one. Shortening the saying will, however,
produce good results with fewer than 50 questions and
answers.
The longest possible saying results if you completely fill
each line in the saying box, breaking words without
hyphenation.
Press [ENTER] only when you have finished your saying. A second
"saying" screen will then appear. Follow the directions in the prompt
line at the bottom of the screen to either edit the saying or print
the completed puzzle.
PUZZLE MENU: [B] - CROSSWORD-STYLE PUZZLE
This option produces an open-grid crossword puzzle; that is, the
answer boxes are in the form of discrete squares rather than in a
"joined" grid.
This arrangement permits the use of a wider-range of
printers and saves a bit of wear and tear on printer
ribbons.
The New Puzzle Factory is able to place a maximum of about 25 to 35
words into crossword puzzles. The time it takes to construct a
puzzle varies from about 10 seconds to 1.5 minutes, depending on the
number of items in the worksheet file and the speed of your computer.
As the program places words into the puzzle, you will be advised of
how many answers are "placed" and "unplaced". If you're not satisfied
with the results, you can use [ESC] to try again (which sometimes
produces better results) or to get back to the puzzle or main menus.
The New Puzzle Factory attempts to place answers starting
with those having the greatest number of different letters.
If a word will not fit into the puzzle at first, the
program may try to use it again after other words are
successfully placed. This is the reason for the longer
delays observed at times during the placement process.
If your worksheet answers contain any spaces or punctuation marks,
these will be automatically removed from the crossword puzzle answers
when the puzzle is printed.
- Page 11 -
PUZZLE MENU: [C] - HIDDEN-MESSAGE PUZZLE
In a hidden-message puzzle, the person completing your puzzle will
enter answers, letter-by-letter, into staggered answer blanks. When
completed, a hidden message will be found by reading down one of the
columns on the page.
To start this option, you must type in the message which will be
hidden in the puzzle.
The size of the box in which you enter your hidden message
will vary according to the number of questions available in
the worksheet file being used. The maximum length is 30
characters.
Any keyboard characters except digits may be entered in
your hidden message, but only letters will actually be used
when the puzzle is constructed. For the maximum-length
message, omit all spaces and punctuation marks.
Press [ENTER] when you have finished your hidden message. A second
"message" screen will then appear. Follow the directions in the
prompt line at the bottom of the screen to either edit the message or
print the completed puzzle.
As the program matches your worksheet file answers to the hidden
message, you will be advised of how many answers are "placed" or
"unplaced". If it is not possible to construct a hidden message
puzzle using the answers in your worksheet file, you will be see a
list of letters that are "unmatched". You may then choose to modify
the message, to add any additional questions and answers which may be
necessary to finish the puzzle, or to take any other desired actions
to complete the puzzle.
PUZZLE MENU: [D] - SCRAMBLED-WORD (with questions)
[E] - SCRAMBLED-WORD (without questions)
You may choose to include the worksheet questions themselves with a
scrambled-word puzzle (option [D]), or just have the scrambled answers
themselves (option [E]).
The program will correctly scramble answers which are individual
words, phrases, or even complete sentences. In scrambled-word puzzle
answers, punctuation marks are converted to spaces, spaces remain in
the same places, and the letters in each word are scrambled as a unit.
- Page 12 -
PUZZLE MENU: [F] - WORD-FIND (with questions)
[G] - WORD-FIND (with words)
[H] - WORD-FIND (with scrambled words)
[I] - WORD-FIND (without words or questions)
All the available types of word-find puzzles hide worksheet answers
in a square of randomly-selected letters. Words will be placed
horizontally, vertically, and diagonally in both normal and reversed
order. The options listed below refer to what kinds of clues will be
printed below the word-find square.
[F] will print the set of worksheet questions as clues.
[G] will include as clues the list of worksheet answers.
[H] will include the list of worksheet answers as clues, but in a
scrambled form. (Words, phrases, or even sentences will be
correctly scrambled.)
[I] does not include any clues with the word-find square.
If your worksheet answers contain any spaces or punctuation marks,
these will automatically be removed from the answers in the printed
word-find square.
As the program places words into the puzzle, you will be advised of
how many answers are "placed" and "unplaced". If you are not
satisfied with the results, you can use [ESC] to get back to the
puzzle menu and try again.
PUZZLE MENU: [J] - REGULAR WORKSHEET
This option produces a worksheet with the questions and blanks for the
answers.
Questions and Comments
I always welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions. Please
send your correspondence to the address listed on the invoice forms
that are located on the last pages of this manual. Users of
unregistered copies of The New Puzzle Factory, must include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope if a reply is required.
- Page 13 -
REGISTER YOUR COPY OF THE NEW PUZZLE FACTORY!
Have a clear conscience! Be "legal"! Get updates at reduced prices!
ORDERING INFORMATION
You can register The New Puzzle Factory as single-user software for
your personal use or obtain a building site license for your public or
private educational institution by using the invoice form located on
the next page.
Just complete the invoice and make copies for your records and/or for
institutional use. (If you are requesting a building site license, be
sure to note the building name in the correct place on the invoice.)
Send one copy of the invoice, along with payment, to the address
listed on the form.
INDIVIDUALS REQUESTING SINGLE-USER REGISTRATIONS MUST SEND PAYMENT, IN
THE FORM OF A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, ALONG WITH A COPY OF THE COMPLETED
INVOICE. YOUR REGISTRATION WILL BECOME ACTIVE UPON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT
AND A VERIFICATION WILL BE SEND TO YOU WITHIN SEVEN DAYS.
USERS AT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS REQUESTING SINGLE-USER REGISTRATIONS
OR BUILDING SITE LICENSES MAY SUBMIT THE CORRECT NUMBER OF COPIES OF
THE COMPLETED INVOICE TO THEIR PURCHASING AGENT FOR PAYMENT (NET 30
DAYS). YOUR REGISTRATION AND/OR SITE LICENSE WILL BECOME ACTIVE UPON
RECEIPT OF PAYMENT AND A VERIFICATION WILL BE SENT TO YOU WITHIN SEVEN
DAYS.
- Page 14 -
INVOICE
SOLD TO: DATE: ____________________
attn: ____________________________
REMIT PAYMENT TO:
__________________________________
__________________________________ Michael X. Watman
55 New Rochester Road #16
__________________________________ Dover, NH 03820
__________________________________
[020-34-0641]
__________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------
QUANTITY UNIT PRICE TOTAL
______ The New Puzzle Factory software - $ 20.00 $________
Single-User Registration
______ The New Puzzle Factory software - 60.00 ________
One-Building, Educational
Institution Site License, for
Faculty and Staff Use Only, at:
____________________________________
______ The New Puzzle Factory software - 90.00 ________
One-Building, Educational
Institution Site License, for
Faculty, Staff, and Student Use, at:
____________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 2.0 TOTAL $________
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: THE NEW PUZZLE FACTORY SOFTWARE HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO AND
ACCEPTED BY THE CUSTOMER. UPON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT, SINGLE-USER
REGISTRATION AND/OR SITE-LICENSE RIGHTS WILL BECOME ACTIVE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
INVOICE
SOLD TO: DATE: ____________________
attn: ____________________________
REMIT PAYMENT TO:
__________________________________
__________________________________ Michael X. Watman
55 New Rochester Road #16
__________________________________ Dover, NH 03820
__________________________________
[020-34-0641]
__________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------
QUANTITY UNIT PRICE TOTAL
______ The New Puzzle Factory software - $ 20.00 $________
Single-User Registration
______ The New Puzzle Factory software - 60.00 ________
One-Building, Educational
Institution Site License, for
Faculty and Staff Use Only, at:
____________________________________
______ The New Puzzle Factory software - 90.00 ________
One-Building, Educational
Institution Site License, for
Faculty, Staff, and Student Use, at:
____________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 2.0 TOTAL $________
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: THE NEW PUZZLE FACTORY SOFTWARE HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO AND
ACCEPTED BY THE CUSTOMER. UPON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT, SINGLE-USER
REGISTRATION AND/OR SITE-LICENSE RIGHTS WILL BECOME ACTIVE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
