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- &CWH01**** Crossword Creator Quick Start ****
- Welcome to Crossword Creator. This help screen is a quick overview
- and a mini-tutorial. Even if you are totally unfamiliar with the
- program, you should be able to follow these basic directions.
-
- Crossword Creator's user-interface is consistent and intuitive. Once
- you learn a few simple keyboard (or mouse) operations, you'll be able
- to apply them everywhere in the program. For the rest of this
- discussion, we'll assume that you'll be using the keyboard to operate
- the program. If you have a mouse and use it frequently with other
- programs, Crossword Creator's operation will already be familiar.
-
- You should think of CWC as a specialized word-processor, designed
- specifically for making crossword puzzles. The major difference is
- the ability to type VERTICALLY, as well as HORIZONTALLY. The
- program's major functions are accessed through the MENU SYSTEM. Most
- of these functions display a DIALOG BOX that will prompt you for
- additional information. MESSAGE BOXES may also appear when errors
- occur, or when CWC wants to inform you of something.
-
- To design a puzzle, you must complete two major tasks: typing the
- puzzle words as they would appear in the completed crossword (the
- "solution"), and providing a clue for each of those words (up to 4
- lines per clue). To type in words, simply press the letter keys on
- the keyboard as you would in a word-processor. The PLUS ("+") key
- toggles the typing direction. To enter clues, place the CURSOR on any
- letter of a word and press Ctrl+C. A dialog box will accept your
- text.
-
- The menu system is composed of two parts: the ACTION BAR, and the
- PULL-DOWN menus. The ACTION BAR is displayed along the top line of
- the screen. Each word in the action bar is associated with a group of
- related functions. To select a group, press the ALT key together with
- the CAPITALIZED LETTER in the action bar word. For example, to select
- the "File" group, press Alt+F.
-
- When an action bar group is selected, a PULL-DOWN menu will appear.
- Each word in the pull-down menu is associated with a specific function
- to be performed. To select a function, press the CAPITALIZED LETTER
- in the pull-down word. To execute it, press ENTER. For example, to
- perform the "Print" function, press P, then ENTER.
-
- If a pull-down word ends with "...", it means that a DIALOG BOX will
- follow. A dialog box may contain any number of objects, depending on
- what kind of information is needed by that function. Some of the
- objects you may see are INPUT BOXES, CHECK BOXES, LIST BOXES, RANGE
- BARS, RADIO BUTTONS, and PUSH BUTTONS.
-
- INPUT BOXES accept text that you type. CHECK BOXES allow you to turn
- "options" on and off by pressing the SPACEBAR. LIST BOXES and RADIO
- BUTTONS let you make a single choice from a set of available choices
- by pressing ENTER or the SPACEBAR. RANGE BARS use the LEFT/RIGHT
- ARROW keys to specify a value. PUSH BUTTONS cause some action to be
- taken on the dialog box as a whole when you press ENTER or the
- SPACEBAR.
-
- All dialog boxes and message boxes will contain at least one push
- button. The word inside the push button indicates the action that
- will be taken when you "press" it with the ENTER key or the SPACEBAR.
- For example, "OK" would accept your input (or acknowledgement) and
- complete the function, where "CANCEL" would simply exit without doing
- anything at all. Pressing ESC is equivalent to pressing the "CANCEL"
- button.
-
- As you work within a dialog box, use the TAB/BACKTAB keys to hilite
- individual objects (for MESSAGE BOXES, use the LEFT/RIGHT ARROW keys).
- A hilited object is said to "have the INPUT FOCUS", meaning that your
- keyboard input will affect it. Only one object at a time can have the
- INPUT FOCUS, so you will have to move it from object to object. When
- you are finished with all of the objects, press one of the PUSH
- BUTTONS at the bottom of the dialog box.
-
- The F1 function key is the universal HELP key. You can display
- CONTEXT-SENSITIVE help information for any dialog box by pressing F1.
- If you want to browse through the entire HELP file, press Shift+F1 to
- display a LIST BOX of help topics, then select the subject you want to
- read about. The ESC key is the universal QUIT key. Pressing it will
- get you out of any dialog or help screen, except MESSAGE BOXES which
- can only be dismissed by pressing one of the push buttons.
-
- Read the "CONFIGURATION" help topic, next.
- &CWH02Features And System Requirements
- FEATURES
- --------
-
- - Windowed, "industry-standard" user-interface featuring pull-down
- menus, dialog boxes, and mouse support.
-
- - COMPLETE documentation available on-line. Context-sensitive HELP.
- No manuals required.
-
- - Automated puzzle design using an advanced "auto-placement" function
- that helps you position words in the puzzle. Word placement can be
- "freeform" or constrained to a pre-defined "template".
-
- - WORDFIND interface. Search dictionary files for words with unique
- letter-patterns. Invaluable for serious puzzle designers.
-
- - Foreign language support. Custom "language" files can be translated
- into any language that uses the PC's character set and alphabet.
-
- - Prints puzzles in the traditional format, complete with numbered
- boxes and an indexed clue list. Solutions, too. Supports
- dot-matrix, daisy-wheel, ink-jet, and laser printers.
-
- - Desktop publishing utility, CWDTP.EXE, for creating "plain ASCII"
- puzzle files, suitable for importing into DTP applications.
-
- - Interactive CONFIGURATION for selecting screen colors, printers,
- etc. Eliminates the need for a separate "installation" program.
-
- - Identification of "orphaned" clues whose target words are not being
- used in the puzzle.
-
- - Type horizontally AND vertically.
-
- - Edit ACROSS and DOWN clues simultaneously.
-
- - Line-oriented UNDO function.
-
- - Create puzzles up to 36 letters wide by 23 letters high, with up to
- 300 words and clues. Clues can be up to four lines in length, 33
- characters per line.
-
-
-
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- -------------------
-
- - IBM PC or compatible computer
- - DOS 2.0 or higher, 320K minimum memory
- - color or monochrome monitor
- - one floppy disk drive, hard drive optional
- - Microsoft-compatible mouse optional
-
- - printer optional (Since CWC prints TEXT, not graphics, the best
- results are obtained from printers that support
- the IBM character set. But any sufficiently
- capable printer may be used including dot-matrix,
- daisy-wheels, ink-jets, and lasers. PostScript is
- not supported.)
-
-
- Read the "Printer Compatibility Issues" help topic for a discussion on
- using printers with Crossword Creator.
- &CWH03Installation And Startup
- INSTALLATION
- ------------
-
- Crossword Creator is not copy-protected and does not require a formal
- "installation" before you can use it. Simply copy the distribution
- files onto another floppy or to a directory on your hard disk. The
- only ESSENTIAL files are CWC.EXE, CONFIG.CWC, and a language file
- (*.CWL), but you will probably also want a HELP file (*.CWH) and a
- printer definition file (*.CWP).
-
- Once you get the program up and running, the first thing you should do
- is execute the CONFIGURATION function. This is where you select a
- printer, specify a path name to your puzzle files, set screen colors,
- etc. This function will rebuild your CONFIG.CWC file with the options
- you select.
-
- Crossword Creator is distributed on two 5.25", 360K floppy disks, or
- one 3.5", 720K micro-floppy disk. In the latter format, "Disk #1" and
- "Disk #2" are the same physical disk. The following files should be
- present on your distribution disk(s):
-
- Crossword Creator PROGRAM disk
- ------------------------------
- . CWC.EXE - the Crossword Creator program
- . CONFIG.CWC - a sample configuration file
- . REGISTER.CWC - registration/upgrade instructions
- . README.CWC - miscellaneous notes (please read!)
- . ENGL.CWL - English version language file
- . ENGL.CWH - English version help file
- . *.CWP - 80-column printer definition files
- . *.PUZ - sample puzzle files
- . *.CLU - sample clue files; paired with *.PUZ
-
- Crossword Creator SUPPORT disk (registered owners only)
- -------------------------------------------------------
- . CWHPRINT.EXE - a program to print help files
- . CWDTP.EXE - a desktop publishing utility
- . *.CWP - additional printer definition files
- . *.PUZ - additional puzzle files
- . *.CLU - additional clue files; paired with *.PUZ
-
-
- STARTUP
- -------
-
- To start Crossword Creator, type "CWC" at the DOS prompt and press
- ENTER. CWC.EXE must be in the CURRENT directory unless you have a
- PATH command that allows DOS to find it. CONFIG.CWC and a language
- file must also be in the current directory unless you use the DOS
- environment variable to indicate a specific directory.
-
- Several optional parameters may be specified on the DOS command line
- when you start Crossword Creator. The general form is:
-
- CWC [puzzle name] [/L=language name] [/A] [/BW]
-
- If you specify a puzzle name, CWC will load that puzzle for you on
- startup. The "/A" tells CWC to assume that your WORDFIND dictionary
- files are ALPHABETICAL. Use "/BW" if you are using a monochrome
- monitor with a color video adapter. This forces CWC to use its "black
- and white" color scheme for maximum contrast.
-
- If you use "/L=", you must supply the PRIMARY part of a Crossword
- Creator language filename, for example, "ESPA" (do not use the ".CWL"
- extension). The program will read that language file on startup. You
- CANNOT run CWC without a language file. The default is "ENGL", so you
- do not have to use this option to run in English.
-
- examples:
-
- CWC movies (loads MOVIES.PUZ)
- CWC /bw demo1 (loads DEMO1.PUZ, forces black and white colors)
- CWC /l=espa /a (reads ESPA.CWL, assume WORDFIND alphabetical)
-
- Read the "Environment Variables (CWC= and WF=)" help topic for
- complete instructions on setting up the DOS environment.
-
- Read the "Language Files (*.CWL)" help topic for more information on
- using Crossword Creator language files.
- &CWH04Screen Layout/Landmarks
- +-------------------------------------------------+
- | Action Bar |
- +-----------------------+-------------------------+
- | Puzzle Box | Reference Box |
- | | |
- | +---------------------------+ |
- | | | |
- | | Dialog or Message Box | |
- | | | |
- | +---------------------------+ |
- | | |
- | | |
- | +-------------------------+
- | | Status Box |
- +-----------------------+-------------------------+
-
- This graphic represents the layout of Crossword Creator's main screen.
- Other help topics make references to these general areas, so use this
- picture to orient yourself.
-
- The ACTION BAR is the "control center" for the MENU SYSTEM. The group
- names of the puzzle functions are listed in the action bar, and the
- pull-down menus descend from there.
-
- The color of the action bar and the pull-downs is defined by the
- MenuFore=/MenuBack= configuration keywords. On color monitors, the
- color of the hilited function in a pull-down is defined by
- MessFore=/MessBack=. On monochrome monitors, the hilited function is
- shown in reverse video.
-
- The PUZZLE BOX is where you edit your puzzles. You cannot move the
- cursor outside of the puzzle box boundaries, nor can you type in other
- areas of the screen. The DOS filename of the current puzzle is
- displayed in the top boundary.
-
- The color of the letters in the puzzle is defined by the
- PuzzFore=/PuzzBack= keywords, and the color of the unused, blank area
- is defined by WorkFore=/WorkBack=.
-
- The REFERENCE BOX displays a summary of the basic keyboard and mouse
- edit actions. Use it as a "quick reference".
-
- The color of the reference box is defined by the WorkFore/WorkBack
- keywords.
-
- The STATUS BOX contains status information about the current puzzle.
- The values are updated continuously, so you always get
- up-to-the-minute data.
-
- "MEM=" displays two values separated by a vertical bar. On the left
- is the total number of bytes of unused memory in your system. On the
- right is the number of unused characters available for the text of new
- puzzle clues.
-
- "CLU=" displays two more values. To the left of the bar is the number
- defined by the MaxPuzClues= configuration keyword. To the right is a
- count of the actual number of clues defined in the current puzzle.
-
- The current typing direction is displayed in the top-left corner, and
- the row and column position of the cursor is displayed in the
- top-right corner.
-
- The color of the reference box is defined by the WorkFore=/WorkBack=
- keywords.
-
- DIALOG BOXES and MESSAGE BOXES are not fixed areas. They can open up
- anywhere, but generally these boxes appear in the center your screen.
-
- The color of a dialog box window is defined by the DlogFore=/DlogBack=
- keywords. The color of the literal headings and labels in the dialog
- is defined by DLitFore=/DLitBack=, and the color of the variable
- information is defined by DVarFore=/DVarBack=.
-
- The color of a message box is defined by MessFore=/MessBack=.
-
- Read the "CONFIGURATION" help topic for instructions on how to change
- the screen colors.
- &CWH05Keyboard Operations
- Crossword Creator is, essentially, a specialized word-processor and a
- good deal of your time will be spent typing on the keyboard. Since
- this tutorial is not intended to be a primer on computers, we'll
- assume you already know what the keyboard is, how it works, and what
- all the keys do. We will, however, need to hilite some special
- keystrokes and explain the naming conventions CWC uses when it refers
- to the keyboard.
-
- One of the first things you should notice in CWC is the large,
- rectangular REFERENCE BOX labelled "Keyboard/Mouse Editing" that takes
- up almost the entire right-half of the screen. The keystrokes (and
- mouse movements) listed in this box summarize the basic keyboard
- operations available to you when you are editing a puzzle design -- a
- "cheat sheet".
-
- Although these keystrokes are undoubtedly familiar, you are probably
- only used to thinking of them in a HORIZONTAL orientation, as in a
- word-processor. But in Crossword Creator, everything applies to the
- VERTICAL orientation as well. When you consider that crossword
- puzzles contain both ACROSS and DOWN words, the necessity for this
- dual nature becomes obvious.
-
- The PLUS KEY ("+") toggles the program back and forth between the
- ACROSS typing direction and the DOWN typing direction. Each time you
- press this key, the orientation reverses. The current typing
- direction is displayed in the STATUS BOX, just beneath the REFERENCE
- BOX. Experience has shown that newcomers find this "sideways" typing
- a little disorienting at first, but you will adapt quickly.
-
- In addition to the standard QWERTY keystrokes, as you surely know, the
- PC keyboard can generate dozens of "special" keystroke combinations.
- For example, the Ctrl+Alt+Del sequence that reboots the computer.
- Crossword Creator uses several special combinations, many of them as
- menu "accelerators". What's important is that you interpret these
- keystrokes correctly when you read about them in the HELP information
- or see them displayed on the screen.
-
- CWC uses a simple notational convention to describe multi-key
- keystroke combinations -- Alt+F, for example. Notice that the keycap
- names are joined together with a "+", indicating that you should first
- press and hold down the ALT key, then press the F key. Likewise, if
- you see the combination Ctrl+Right, you should press and hold down the
- CTRL key, then press the RIGHT ARROW key.
-
- It may seem silly to explain such "obvious" details, but these subtle
- keyboard techniques can be frustratingly difficult if the ground rules
- are not laid down explicitly. Don't dwell on them too long. An hour
- or two at the keyboard and you'll have everything under your finger
- tips.
-
- Read the "Menu Operations" and the "Mouse Operations" help topics for
- basic instructions on using those parts of Crossword Creator's
- "user-interface".
- &CWH06Menu Operations
- Crossword Creator, like all computer programs, is simply a collection
- of related functions that help you accomplish a specific task. In
- that sense, CWC can be thought of as a "toolbox" for building
- crossword puzzles, and to use those tools you must interact with the
- MENU SYSTEM.
-
- Every "tool" built into CWC is listed in the menu system. To use one
- of those functions, you simply select it from the menu and ask the
- program to execute it. When the function is complete, you can select
- another tool, and so on.
-
- The way that you use the functions, and the sequence that you use them
- in, will be unique to your needs; Crossword Creator imposes no
- pre-defined structure on your work. As you become more familiar with
- the program, the location of the various functions in the menu system
- will become second-nature to you and, as you'll see, the menus are
- flexible enough to assist the novice without hindering the expert.
-
- The menu system is composed of two parts: the ACTION BAR, and the
- PULL-DOWN menus. The ACTION BAR is displayed along the top line of
- the screen. Each word in the action bar is associated with a group of
- related functions. To select a group, press the ALT key together with
- the CAPITALIZED LETTER in the action bar word. For example, to select
- the "File" group, press Alt+F.
-
- When an action bar group is selected, a PULL-DOWN menu will appear.
- Each word in the pull-down menu is associated with a specific function
- to be performed. To select a function, press the CAPITALIZED LETTER
- in the pull-down word. To execute it, press ENTER. For example, to
- perform the "Print" function, press P, then ENTER.
-
- There are also other ways to manipulate the menus. For example, you
- can also use the ARROW keys to scroll vertically and horizontally
- through the functions. When you find the one you want, just press
- ENTER. Or, if you change your mind and decide not to do anything,
- press ESC and the pull-downs will disappear.
-
- As you will notice, some menu functions have a special keystroke
- combination listed to the right of the function name. These are
- called menu "accelerators" because they are a short-cut way of
- executing a function WITHOUT going through the menu system.
-
- You can use the accelerator keystrokes whenever the menus are in a
- neutral state, that is, when no pull-downs are displayed. When you
- press the accelerator keystroke, the associated function will be
- immediately executed. As you begin to memorize these "accelerators",
- you'll find that your interaction with CWC as a whole will speed up
- considerably.
-
- If you see a function name that ends with "...", it means that you
- will have to supply further information in a DIALOG BOX before that
- function will execute. Functions that do not use a dialog box are
- executed as soon as you initiate them.
-
- Lastly, if you want a detailed explanation about any of the menu
- functions BEFORE you execute them, you can use the HELP key. First,
- select a function using the techniques described above. Then, instead
- of pressing ENTER, press F1. The HELP window for that function will
- be displayed.
-
- Read the "Keyboard Operations" and the "Mouse Operations" help topics
- for basic instructions on using those parts of Crossword Creator's
- "user-interface".
-
- Read the "Dialog And Message Box Operations" help topic for a complete
- explanation of how to manipulate those objects.
- &CWH07Dialog And Message Box Operations
- Crossword Creator's user-interface is based on the concept of
- "windows". A window is a rectangular box that "pops-up" on top of
- your work, asks you for some information, and then disappears.
-
- The WINDOW has been adopted as "the" user-interface object by almost
- all leading software manufacturers. CWC's user-interface was
- re-engineered in Version 4.00 specifically to follow these "de facto"
- industry standards.
-
- The most common use for a window is to display a DIALOG BOX or a
- MESSAGE BOX. In general, DIALOG BOXES are a way for you to give
- information to the PROGRAM -- an INPUT. MESSAGE BOXES, on the other
- hand, are a way for the program to give information to YOU -- an
- OUTPUT.
-
- When you see a dialog box or a message box, you should notice that it
- contains (or more correctly, is composed of) one or more dialog
- OBJECTS. One simple kind of object is a line of text, an error
- message, perhaps. But there are many other, more powerful objects
- that have been designed for specialized uses. Some of the objects
- you'll see in Crossword Creator dialogs are INPUT BOXES, CHECK BOXES,
- LIST BOXES, RANGE BARS, RADIO BUTTONS, and PUSH BUTTONS.
-
- INPUT BOXES allow you to input freeform text, for example, the clues
- that you provide for the words in your puzzle. You can think of an
- input box as a "mini" word-processor because you can type words,
- delete and insert characters, move the cursor, etc. When you've
- finished typing, press ENTER to signal the end of your input.
-
- CHECK BOXES allow you to select a subset of "options" from a larger
- list. "Give me that, but NOT that", for example. Or, "Do this to all
- of the items I've checked." A single check box has only two states:
- ON and OFF. Pressing the SPACEBAR toggles these two states.
-
- Like check boxes, RADIO BUTTONS also allow you to select from a set of
- available choices. The difference is that you may select only ONE
- item from the group -- they are all mutually exclusive. The term
- RADIO BUTTON is borrowed from the design of old-style car radios.
- Remember the station selector buttons ? When you pushed ONE in, all
- the others popped out -- a single choice. To "push in" a radio
- button, press the SPACEBAR.
-
- A LIST BOX is another "single choice" object, but it is used in place
- of radio buttons when the number of possible choices is quite large;
- more than could comfortably be displayed together on the screen. For
- this reason, list boxes are usually SCROLLABLE. To make a selection,
- hilite your choice using the ARROW keys or the PGUP/PGDN keys, then
- press ENTER.
-
- Sometimes you need to specify a single numeric value that falls within
- a specific range. For example, "Pick a number between 1 and 100." In
- this situation, a RANGE BAR is the easiest object to use. Simply use
- the LEFT/RIGHT ARROW keys to slide the "range pointer" over to the
- desired value.
-
- PUSH BUTTONS are a special class of radio buttons. They are the
- "control panel" for the entire window because pushing one of them
- causes some action to be taken on the dialog box as a whole.
-
- All dialog boxes and message boxes will contain at least one PUSH
- BUTTON. The word inside the push button indicates the action that
- will be taken when you "push it" by pressing ENTER or the SPACEBAR.
- For example, "OK" would accept your input (or acknowledgement) and
- complete the dialog, where "CANCEL" would simply exit without doing
- anything at all. Pressing ESC is equivalent to pressing the "CANCEL"
- button.
-
- As you work within a dialog box, use the TAB/BACKTAB keys to hilite
- individual objects (for MESSAGE BOXES, use the LEFT/RIGHT ARROW keys).
- A hilited object is said to "have the INPUT FOCUS", meaning that your
- keyboard input will affect it.
-
- Only one object at a time can have the INPUT FOCUS, so you will have
- to move it from object to object. If you press the PgDn key, the
- INPUT FOCUS will move immediately to the first push button in the
- dialog.
-
- Read the "Keyboard", "Mouse", and "Menu Operations" help topics for
- more instruction on Crossword Creator's user-interface.
- &CWH08Mouse Operations
- Crossword Creator has built-in support for Microsoft-compatible mice.
- If the appropriate mouse software is installed on your system and a
- mouse is indeed attached, CWC will recognize it automatically.
-
- As with the "Keyboard" topic, this tutorial will not tell you how to
- install a mouse, nor explain how it works. If the terms BUTTON,
- CLICK, DOUBLE-CLICK, PRESS, RELEASE, and DRAG are unfamiliar to you,
- spend some time with your mouse's owner's manual and practice these
- techniques. It will be well worth your effort.
-
- CWC's mouse support is extended primarily to the MENU SYSTEM and the
- DIALOG BOXES. In addition, there are some simple short-cuts you can
- use while editing your puzzle.
-
- To operate the menus, place the mouse cursor on top of one of the
- words in the ACTION BAR. PRESS BUTTON 1; a PULL-DOWN menu will be
- displayed. DRAG the mouse cursor over the function names in the menu
- until the one you want is hilited. RELEASE the button; the function
- will be executed.
-
- Inside a DIALOG or MESSAGE BOX, the mouse simultaneously moves the
- INPUT FOCUS and manipulates the OBJECT. With "selection" objects like
- RADIO and PUSH BUTTONS, and CHECK and LIST BOXES, just CLICK BUTTON 1
- on the item you want to select. If a list box displays a SCROLL BAR
- on one side, you can scroll forward and backward by CLICKing BUTTON 1
- inside the SCROLL BAR or on the ARROWHEADS at each end.
-
- With RANGE BARS, move the mouse on top of the "range pointer", PRESS
- BUTTON 1, DRAG the pointer to the desired value, and RELEASE the
- button. With INPUT BOXES, CLICK BUTTON 1 anywhere inside the edit
- box, then move the cursor or type your text as needed.
-
- There is also a special mouse operation that applies only to the HELP
- dialog, the scrollable text window that is invoked by the F1 function
- or by selecting a HELP TOPIC to read. This dialog does not have any
- push buttons, and it is not obvious how to dismiss the dialog using
- the mouse. The way to do it is to CLICK on the DIAMOND symbol in the
- top-left corner of the window. This is equivalent to pressing a
- "CANCEL" button.
-
- Note that all of these mouse operations are accomplished with
- BUTTON 1. This is a LOGICAL identification and does not always mean
- the left-most button. Mice have different numbers of buttons, and
- most allow you to specify which PHYSICAL BUTTON is BUTTON 1. If you
- have problems using your mouse, check your owner's manual first.
-
- There are three more short-cuts you can use with the mouse while you
- are editing your puzzle. First, CLICKing BUTTON 1 anywhere in the
- puzzle will move the cursor to that position. CLICKing BUTTON 2 on
- any WORD in the puzzle will automatically execute the EDIT CLUES
- dialog box. Lastly, CLICKing BUTTON 1 on the PLUS SIGN "(+)" in the
- STATUS BOX will toggle the typing direction.
-
- Read the "Menu Operations" and the "Keyboard Operations" help topics
- for basic instructions on using those parts of Crossword Creator's
- "user-interface".
- &CWH09Registering With PC HELP-LINE
- PC HELP-LINE believes that no one should have to pay for software
- before they have a chance to try it out for themselves. But if you
- like Crossword Creator and want to use it on a regular basis, you have
- an obligation to register the program with PCHL.
-
- Registration establishes you as a customer of PC HELP-LINE and
- entitles you to the CWC Support Disk (Disk #2), discounts on future
- upgrades, news about upcoming products, technical support, and other
- privileges.
-
- The registration fee is $20 U.S. dollars. Overseas customers should
- add an additional $7 to cover postage. A registration form is
- provided in the REGISTER.CWC text file. Simply print out the form,
- fill in the information, and return it to PC HELP-LINE with your
- registration fee.
-
- Comments and suggestions for enhancements are always welcome at PCHL.
- If you have an idea for a new feature or a new way to do something, or
- even if you find a bug (gasp!), PCHL wants to hear about it.
-
- Thank you for supporting shareware and PC HELP-LINE products.
- &CWH11NEW - Start From Scratch
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: none
-
- The NEW function clears the current puzzle and erases all clues from
- memory. You're left with a "clean slate".
-
- If you have made changes to a puzzle already in memory, but have not
- saved your work, NEW will warn you. Even if you choose NOT to save
- your changes, your disk files are safe. NEW erases memory, NOT disk
- files.
- &CWH12OPEN - Retrieve Your Puzzles
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: Ctrl+O
-
- The OPEN function reads a puzzle file and its corresponding clue file
- into memory so you can edit or print an existing crossword.
-
- A dialog box is displayed containing a LIST BOX of all the available
- puzzles. Select a puzzle name, press "OK", and CWC will load the
- puzzle into memory.
-
- CWC will only look for puzzles in the directory named by the
- PuzDirName= keyword in the configuration file (CONFIG.CWC). If no
- path name is supplied, CWC will look in the CURRENT directory.
-
- Read the "CONFIGURATION" help topic for more information on the
- PuzDirName= keyword.
- &CWH13SAVE - Save Your Work
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: Ctrl+S
-
- The SAVE function takes the crossword data currently in memory and
- writes it to disk.
-
- If the puzzle was previously loaded from disk using the OPEN function,
- SAVE overwrites that disk file with the new version. If the puzzle
- has been built from scratch (an "UNTITLED" puzzle), CWC will execute
- the "Save As" dialog box so can enter a puzzle name and title.
-
- CWC will write all puzzle files into the directory named by the
- PuzDirName= keyword in the configuration file (CONFIG.CWC). If no
- path name is supplied, CWC will write into the CURRENT directory.
-
- Two files are always created; a ".PUZ" file and a ".CLU" file. The
- first contains an image of the puzzle itself. The second contains the
- text of your word clues. These files are always paired and will have
- the same primary DOS filename. For example, MOVIES.PUZ and
- MOVIES.CLU.
-
- Read the "SAVE AS" help topic for instructions on how to change a
- puzzle's title, or save it under a new name.
-
- Read the "Puzzle / Clue Files (*.PUZ / *.CLU)" help topic for a
- complete description of the internal structures of the puzzle and clue
- files.
- &CWH14SAVE AS - Change Puzzle Name/Title
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: none
-
- The SAVE AS function is identical to the SAVE function, except that
- you are given the opportunity to rename the puzzle and/or change its
- title.
-
- A dialog box is displayed containing two INPUT BOXES; one for the
- puzzle name, and another for the puzzle title. If you wish to change
- this information, simply type over it. When you press "OK", CWC will
- save the crossword data to disk.
-
- Note that if you change the puzzle name, the original disk files will
- NOT be disturbed. This provides you with a convenient method for
- copying puzzles, or saving different versions of the same puzzle.
-
- In addition, SAVE AS will warn you if you are about to overwrite an
- existing puzzle having the same name as the one you supplied in the
- input box.
- &CWH16PRINT - Print Your Puzzles
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: Ctrl+P
-
- The PRINT function formats and prints the puzzle currently in memory.
-
- A dialog box is displayed containing a set of RADIO BUTTONS for
- selecting the output format, and a LIST BOX of all the available
- printer definition files. Default values will already be selected for
- both of these objects, but you may, of course, change them. To begin
- printing, press "OK".
-
- As the puzzle is formatted, Crossword Creator calculates the number of
- print columns that will be required to reproduce the crossword on
- paper. The actual calculation is:
-
- If HighestClueIndexNbr < 100, then PuzzleBoxWidth = 3
- If HighestClueIndexNbr >= 100, then PuzzleBoxWidth = 4
-
- NbrColumnsRequired = (PuzzleBoxWidth * NbrPuzzleLettersWide) + 1
-
- Even though the maximum puzzle width is only 36 letters, many more
- columns are required to print the outlines of the puzzle boxes and
- other details that are not shown when editing a puzzle on the screen.
-
- The number of AVAILABLE print columns is specified by the
- MaxPrintCols= keyword in the printer definition file you've selected.
- If this is less than the calculated number required, CWC presents you
- with three choices: cancel the print routine, truncate the puzzle to
- fit and continue printing, or ignore the warning and print the puzzle
- anyway.
-
- Depending on your printer, trying to print a too-wide puzzle will
- probably result in garbled output. Most printers will perform an
- automatic carriage-return if a print line is too long, throwing off
- CWC's line spacing and "wrapping" the extra characters to the next
- print line.
-
- If you get a "Puzzle is too wide" warning and your printer has a
- condensed-print mode, try using a different printer definition file.
- Crossword Creator supplies both NORMAL and CONDENSED drivers for all
- printers that support condensed printing.
-
- Read the "Printer Definition Files" help topics for complete
- documentation on MaxPrintCols= and the other printer control keywords.
-
- Read the "Printer Support List" help topic for a list of the printers
- supported by Crossword Creator.
- &CWH18DOS SHELL - Execute DOS Commands
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: none
-
- The DOS SHELL function temporarily suspends Crossword Creator in
- memory, and presents you with the DOS command line.
-
- Use this function when you need to execute some DOS commands without
- exiting the main program. Theoretically, you could run another
- application, but remember that CWC is still consuming memory and you
- will have a lot less RAM to work with.
-
- To get back to Crossword Creator, issue the DOS command EXIT.
- &CWH20EXIT - End The Program
- Menu: FILE Accelerator: none
-
- The EXIT function terminates Crossword Creator and returns you to DOS.
-
- If you have made changes to a puzzle in memory, but have not saved
- your work, EXIT will warn you.
- &CWH21UNDO - Restore A Changed Puzzle Line
- Menu: EDIT Accelerator: Ctrl+Backspace
-
- The UNDO function allows you to reverse the effect of a recent puzzle
- edit action.
-
- UNDO works on a line-by-line basis. As long as you have not moved the
- cursor off of the edited line, your action can be UNDOne. Once you
- move to another line, however, your edit action becomes permanent.
-
- For example, your current typing direction is ACROSS, and the cursor
- is on row three, column five, of your puzzle. You accidentally press
- Ctrl+End which erases all the letters to the right of the cursor. As
- long as the cursor remains on row three, UNDO can restore the line.
-
- A puzzle "line" as far as UNDO is concerned can be either a row or a
- column, depending on the current typing direction. So, as long as you
- do not move the cursor PERPENDICULAR to the typing direction, UNDO
- will work.
-
- Your edits will also become permanent if you execute one of the menu
- functions. The only exception is the AUTO PLACE function. Even after
- successfully placing a word in the puzzle, UNDO can still remove it if
- you do so BEFORE moving the cursor off of that line.
-
- Read the "Keyboard" and "Mouse Operation" help topics for a
- description of the available puzzle edit actions.
-
- Read the "AUTO PLACE" help topic for a complete explanation of the
- AUTO PLACE function.
- &CWH23EDIT CLUES - Enter Your Puzzle Clues
- Menu: EDIT Accelerator: Ctrl+C
-
- The EDIT CLUES function allows you to input the text of your puzzle
- clues.
-
- A dialog box is displayed containing a pair of 4-line INPUT BOXES, one
- for ACROSS words, another for DOWN words. To the right of each input
- box is a CHECK BOX titled "DELETE".
-
- In Crossword Creator, puzzle clues are DEPENDENT on puzzle words.
- This means that you cannot input a clue BEFORE its corresponding word
- has been placed in the puzzle. Likewise, if you wish to delete a clue
- from the puzzle, you must do so BEFORE removing its corresponding
- word.
-
- To edit a clue you must first select a word, then execute the
- EDIT CLUES function. Selecting the word you want to work with is
- easy; just place the cursor on ANY LETTER of the word. Then, press
- the Ctrl+C "accelerator" combination or use the menu system to execute
- the function.
-
- When the dialog box is displayed, you may see the clues for TWO words.
- If the cursor was at the intersection of two words, CWC will display
- both the ACROSS clue and the DOWN clue. If the cursor was NOT at an
- intersection, you will still see both INPUT BOXES, but only one of
- them will be useable.
-
- Four lines are available for each clue. Since each line is a separate
- dialog object, there is no "word-wrap"; it is up to you to break the
- lines between words. CWC will automatically "squeeze out" leading
- blanks on each line and "close up" the entire clue if you leave a line
- completely blank.
-
- If you wish to delete a clue, it is not necessary to blank out all the
- text; simply CHECK the "DELETE" BOX. Press the SPACEBAR to toggle the
- state of the check box on and off. The ON state is indicated by an
- "X" in the check box.
-
- When you are finished editing a clue, press "OK". CWC will make the
- changes you requested and update the clue count in the STATUS BOX.
- Continue editing until you have supplied a clue for every word in the
- puzzle.
-
- Read the "REVIEW CLUES" help topic for an explanation of how to check
- for "missing" and "orphaned" clues.
-
- Read the "NEXT ACROSS" and "NEXT DOWN" help topics to learn about a
- quick way to step through all the words and clues in your puzzle.
- &CWH25NEXT ACROSS - Edit The Next ACROSS Clue
- Menu: EDIT Accelerator: Ctrl+Right
-
- The NEXT ACROSS function moves the cursor to the next ACROSS word in
- the puzzle and executes the EDIT CLUES dialog box.
-
- You will probably find this useful when entering the text of your
- puzzle clues. Instead of manually jumping from word to word,
- NEXT ACROSS will step you sequentially through each ACROSS word in the
- puzzle.
-
- The NEXT DOWN function provides the same capability for DOWN words.
- &CWH26NEXT DOWN - Edit The Next DOWN Clue
- Menu: EDIT Accelerator: Ctrl+Left
-
- The NEXT DOWN function moves the cursor to the next DOWN word in the
- puzzle and executes the EDIT CLUES dialog box.
-
- You will probably find this useful when entering the text of your
- puzzle clues. Instead of manually jumping from word to word,
- NEXT DOWN will step you sequentially through each DOWN word in the
- puzzle.
-
- The NEXT ACROSS function provides the same capability for ACROSS
- words.
- &CWH28AUTO PLACE - Let The Program Do The Work
- Menu: EDIT Accelerator: Ctrl+A
-
- The AUTO PLACE function will build a puzzle automatically as you
- supply words to the program.
-
- To be honest, AUTO PLACE will probably be of little interest to the
- puzzle "craftsman" who always insists on building a tight,
- symmetrical, lexically correct crossword. AUTO PLACE caters, instead,
- to the novice designer who cares little for symmetry, is short on
- time, and probably has a very specific list of words to work from.
-
- AUTO PLACE works like this. First, you give CWC a word, indicating
- whether you want it to be an ACROSS word or a DOWN word. The program
- then scans the PUZZLE BOX, looking for places where your NEW word can
- be properly intersected with EXISTING words.
-
- When a potential location is found, CWC shows it to you and asks if
- you would like to have your word placed there. If you say "yes", it's
- done. If you say "no", the search continues until another place is
- found, and so on. If Crossword Creator can't find a place for your
- word (or you pass up all the opportunities), you can try it again in
- the other direction, or skip that word temporarily and try another.
-
- CWC cannot AUTO PLACE a word into a blank puzzle, so you will have to
- type the first word in yourself. After that, though, new branches and
- intersection possibilities should spring up quickly. Even so, not
- every new word will always fit the first time. You may have to skip
- around in your list, trying words in a different order, maybe even
- typing some in manually to create new branches.
-
- Remember that the AUTO PLACE function is not a magic wand. It is
- extremely unlikely that you will be able to build even a medium size
- puzzle without any manual intervention. AUTO PLACE will mainly help
- you find potential intersections that have been overlooked.
-
- AUTO PLACE uses two dialog boxes. When you first execute the
- function, a dialog box is displayed containing an INPUT BOX for typing
- words, a set of RADIO BUTTONS for selecting the placement MODE, and
- another pair of INPUT BOXES for specifying the placement LIMITS.
- Simply type in the word you want to place, choose a MODE, set your
- LIMITS, then press either "ACROSS" or "DOWN" to indicate the placement
- direction.
-
- AUTO PLACE will then dismiss the first dialog box and begin searching.
- As each potential location is found, CWC will display another, smaller
- dialog, asking for your confirmation.
-
- An important feature of AUTO PLACE is the placement MODE. CWC
- supports two modes, FREEFORM and TEMPLATE. FREEFORM is the simpler of
- the two. In this mode, CWC will search the entire PUZZLE BOX looking
- for potential intersections. This kind of placement has a high
- "hit-rate", but it will ultimately produce a randomly-organized,
- asymmetrical puzzle.
-
- TEMPLATE mode, on the other hand, forces AUTO PLACE to constrain its
- search to a shape you have drawn in the PUZZLE BOX. You draw the
- shape by typing CWC's special "template character", the UNDERSCORE.
-
- For example, suppose you want to design a symmetrical puzzle that has
- a consistent letter pattern. Instead of typing LETTERS into the
- puzzle box, draw the PATTERN you want to follow using the UNDERSCORE
- key. As you type in the template characters, you'll see shaded boxes
- appear, indicating the boundaries of your custom "template".
-
- When your puzzle template is complete, try placing a word in TEMPLATE
- mode. As you'll see, CWC will only propose placement locations that
- lie within the shape you've defined.
-
- This kind of placement has a much lower "hit-rate" than FREEFORM, but
- it allows you to "tune" the AUTO PLACE function to your exact
- specifications. You may even find it useful to keep your own
- "library" of puzzle templates to use as starting points for new
- crosswords.
-
- Setting the placement LIMITS is another way to customize AUTO PLACE.
- By default, CWC searches the entire PUZZLE BOX, but you can confine
- AUTO PLACE to a smaller area by specifying an upper limit value for
- rows and/or columns. This is especially useful for building puzzles
- with specific dimensions. AUTO PLACE will NOT suggest word locations
- that fall outside of the boundaries you establish.
- &CWH31REVIEW CLUES - Show Missing/Orphan Clues
- Menu: PUZZLE Accelerator: Ctrl+R
-
- The REVIEW CLUES function helps you identify and correct errors in
- your clue definitions.
-
- Even in a small crossword, it's easy to skip a word and forget to
- supply a clue. It's also common to "orphan" a clue by inadvertently
- deleting or misspelling a puzzle word. REVIEW CLUES will find these
- errors for you so you can correct them.
-
- In addition, you will also be able to "preview" the clue index numbers
- without actually printing the puzzle. This is useful when you want
- one puzzle clue to reference another, for example, "Opposite of 12
- across".
-
- When you execute REVIEW CLUES, the first thing CWC does is format the
- puzzle, just like the PRINT function. Then, a dialog box is displayed
- containing the puzzle words, the text of their corresponding clues,
- and the index numbers that will appear in the clue list when you
- actually print the puzzle.
-
- Clues are presented a page at a time, beginning with the ACROSS clues,
- followed by the DOWN clues. Press "CONTINUE" to view each subsequent
- page. If you see "*** missing ***" flashing on the screen, it means
- that no clue has been defined for that word.
-
- After the last page of DOWN clues, CWC will display any "orphaned"
- clues it may have found. These are clues that were once legitimately
- defined, but their corresponding words are no longer part of the
- puzzle.
-
- For example, suppose you type the word "DOG" into your puzzle and
- define its clue to be "Man's Best Friend". If at some point you erase
- the word "DOG" from your puzzle without first deleting "Man's Best
- Friend", you've "orphaned" that clue. But it's easy to get it back.
- Simply retype the word "DOG" back into your puzzle and the connection
- to "Man's Best Friend" will be restored.
-
- If some orphaned clues are identified AND you never press "CANCEL"
- while paging through them, CWC will give you a chance to "clean house"
- at the end. A message box will be displayed asking if you want to
- delete all the orphaned clues that were found. If you press "OK", the
- clues will be discarded. If you press "CANCEL", they will be
- retained, thus giving you the chance to "hook them back up" if need
- be.
-
- REVIEW CLUES is a handy function to perform just before you save the
- final version of a puzzle.
- &CWH32WORDFIND - Find Just The Right Word
- Menu: PUZZLE Accelerator: Ctrl+W
-
- WORDFIND is a shareware program developed by Castle Oaks Computer
- Services. It allows you to search through disk-based dictionary files
- looking for words that match a letter-pattern you specify. This can
- be quite useful for puzzle designers who need to find a word with just
- the right combination of letters.
-
- Crossword Creator's built-in, dialog box interface can read WORDFIND's
- "Xnn" dictionary files DIRECTLY, without the need for Castle Oaks'
- stand-alone search program. This allows you to conveniently lookup
- words from INSIDE CWC, instead of exiting to DOS and running a
- separate program.
-
- When you execute WORDFIND, a dialog box is displayed containing a
- single INPUT BOX. To search for words, type a letter pattern in the
- INPUT BOX. A pattern may contain letters of the alphabet or a
- question mark ("?"). For example, B??L??S. Since there are seven
- tokens in this pattern, CWC will search through WORDFIND's "X7"
- dictionary file (the one that contains all seven-letter words) and
- display those that match the pattern.
-
- Once you have supplied a pattern, press the "OK" button to begin
- searching. CWC will display the matching words in a paged, columnar
- format. At the end of each page you may continue searching by
- pressing "CONTINUE", or you may begin a new search by typing in a
- different pattern and pressing "OK". You can stop searching in the
- MIDDLE of a page by pressing "CANCEL". Pressing "CANCEL" at the END
- of a page will exit the dialog.
-
- Two of the words displayed, in this example, would be BALLADS and
- BOILERS. Notice that where a LETTER was specified in the pattern, the
- words also contain a matching LETTER in that position. Where the
- pattern contains a QUESTION MARK, any letter will do.
-
- Remember that to use this function, you must already own a set of
- WORDFIND's "Xnn" dictionary files. In addition, you must also tell
- Crossword Creator where to find them on your system. This is done
- with a DOS "environment variable".
-
- Before you start CWC, supply a path name using the "WF=" environment
- variable. For example, SET WF=C:\DATA\WORDFIND\. Crossword Creator
- will then look for the WORDFIND files in that directory. If you do
- not supply a path name in the DOS environment, CWC will look only in
- the CURRENT directory.
-
- One further point. By default, CWC will search the entire dictionary
- file from beginning to end, looking for matching words. But suppose
- your pattern, like the example, contains "leading letters" like the
- "B" in position one. If the dictionary files are alphabetical (and
- they should be if you have not modified them), it would obviously be a
- waste of time to continue searching for matches once you've passed by
- all the "B"-words.
-
- If you want Crossword Creator to perform more intelligently with
- "leading letter" patterns, start the program with the "/A" switch (for
- ALPHABETICAL) on the DOS command line. With this option turned ON,
- CWC will automatically stop searching when these "alphabetical
- boundaries" are passed.
-
- Technical support for WORDFIND is provided by Castle Oaks, but you may
- purchase copies of the dictionary files directly from PC HELP-LINE.
- Crossword Creator Version 4.00 supports WORDFIND Version 3.1 file
- formats. If you already own a different version of WORDFIND, check
- with Castle Oaks about compatibility. PCHL will make every effort to
- support future changes in WORDFIND's dictionary files.
-
- Read the "Environment Variables (CWC= and WF=)" help topic for more
- complete instructions on setting up the DOS "environment".
-
- Read the "Installation and Startup" help topic for a complete
- description of all the available DOS command line switches.
-
- Read the "ABOUT CWC" help topic for more information about
- PC HELP-LINE and Castle Oaks Computer Services.
- &CWH34CONFIGURATION - Customize The Program
- Menu: PUZZLE Accelerator: Ctrl+F
-
- In order for Crossword Creator to run properly, you need to supply the
- program with a few important pieces of "configuration" information.
- This data is stored in a special file called CONFIG.CWC and contains,
- for example, the name of the directory where your puzzle files are
- located.
-
- Earlier versions of CWC came with a separate "installation" program,
- or required you to build CONFIG.CWC yourself with a text editor. Now,
- the configuration file can be created and maintained from inside the
- main program. That is the purpose of the dialog box.
-
- When you execute CONFIGURATION, a dialog box is displayed containing
- several different dialog objects. When you have finished working with
- all of the objects, press the "CONFIG.CWC" button. This will cause
- CWC to write out a new configuration file containing the information
- you supplied.
-
- All the new settings will take effect immediately, with the exception
- of the MENU colors and MaxPuzClues. To make these settings effective
- you must EXIT Crossword Creator and start the program again.
-
- The titles that identify each object are the actual keywords used in
- the configuration file. Here's what each object is used for:
-
-
- PuzDirName - An INPUT BOX. Type the DOS directory name where you
- want CWC to look for your puzzle files. If you have
- only floppy drives, you might want to supply just a
- drive ID. If you leave this entry blank, CWC will look
- for puzzle files in the CURRENT directory.
-
- MaxPuzClues - An INPUT BOX. Type the maximum number of clues that
- CWC will allow you to define in a single puzzle. The
- program will allocate EXACTLY this many "slots" in
- memory to hold the clues you supply, so give yourself
- enough room.
-
- Colors - A set of RANGE BARS. Use the LEFT/RIGHT ARROW keys to
- specify the foreground and background screen colors for
- each of the seven pairs of objects. Colors are
- identified by a number between 0 and 7.
-
- 0=black 1=blue 2=green 3=cyan
- 4=red 5=magenta 6=brown 7=white
-
- PrinterDef - A LIST BOX. Select the name of the printer definition
- file that best supports your printer. Hilite your
- choice using the UP/DOWN ARROW keys, then press ENTER.
- The box is scrollable, so if you don't see your printer
- right away, it may just be further down on the list.
-
- Config.cwc - A PUSH BUTTON. Press this button if you want your new
- settings to take effect. The configuration file will
- also be updated. The SPACEBAR or the ENTER key may be
- used to "press" a push button.
-
- Cancel - A PUSH BUTTON. Press this button to EXIT from the
- dialog without doing anything. Any changed settings
- will be ignored.
-
- Read the "Installation and Startup" help topic for an explanation of
- the different ways to start Crossword Creator from DOS.
-
- Read the "Configuration File (CONFIG.CWC)" help topics for complete
- documentation on the configuration file keywords and their valid
- values.
-
- Read the "Printer Support List" help topic for a list of the printers
- supported by Crossword Creator.
-
- Read the "Dialog And Message Box Operations" help topic for a complete
- explanation of how to manipulate dialog and message box objects.
- &CWH41HELP TOPICS - An On-Line Manual
- Menu: HELP Accelerator: Shift+F1
-
- The HELP TOPICS function is a "Table of Contents" for the HELP file.
-
- A dialog box is displayed containing a LIST BOX of all the available
- help topics. The topics are listed in alphabetical order. Selecting
- a topic will automatically display a scrollable text window containing
- the corresponding HELP information.
-
- To dismiss the text window, press ESC, or CLICK the mouse on the
- DIAMOND symbol in the top-left corner. The LIST BOX will be
- redisplayed and you may select another topic to read. Press "CANCEL"
- to dismiss the LIST BOX and return to your edit session.
-
- Many of the help topics listed are the ones that would be invoked
- automatically by the F1 function if you were using a dialog box or the
- menu system. But there are also many other topics that provide
- valuable documentation on the more technical aspects of Crossword
- Creator.
-
- For example, there are detailed descriptions of all the file formats,
- including CONFIG.CWC and the printer definition files. A list of
- ERROR MESSAGES with explanations is provided, descriptions of the
- command line parameters, and more.
-
- As you have time, browse through these topics. Even if you don't read
- every word, you will at least find it beneficial to know what
- information is available. Crossword Creator's HELP file is its
- PRIMARY documentation, and making it available on-line should increase
- not only that information's accessibility, but its usability as well.
-
- Read the "Help File Print Utility - CWHPRINT.EXE" for instructions on
- producing a printed manual from this HELP file.
- &CWH42ABOUT CWC - Author/Copyright Information
- Menu: HELP Accelerator: none
-
- CROSSWORD CREATOR is a product of PC HELP-LINE
- Copyright 1988-90
-
- Registration Fee: $20.00
-
- PC HELP-LINE
- 35250 Silver Leaf Circle
- Yucaipa, CA 92399
- United States
-
-
- PC HELP-LINE is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
-
-
- Sales/Technical Support Hours:
- ------------------------------
- M-F 6pm - 10pm, Pacific time
- S-S 10am - 2pm, Pacific time
-
- Telephone: 714-797-3091
- Compuserve ID: 72357,3523
-
- ======================================================================
-
- WORDFIND is a product of Castle Oaks Computer Services
- Copyright 1988-90
-
- Registration Fee: $15.00
-
- Castle Oaks Computer Services
- P.O. Box 36082
- Indianapolis, IN 46236-0082
-
-
- WORDFIND dictionary files are available from both Castle Oaks and
- PC HELP-LINE.
-
- Technical support for WORDFIND is provided by Castle Oaks.
-
- ======================================================================
-
- The PC version of Crossword Creator was written using the Microsoft
- BASIC Compiler, version 6.0. The development work and system testing
- were conducted on both a Zenith SupersPort 286 laptop and an XT-clone,
- running MS-DOS 3.2.
-
- Additional BASIC functions were provided by these products:
-
- String space management from "Mach2", by MicroHelp, Inc.
- File/directory routines from QuickPak, by Crescent Software
- Window/mouse support from QuickWindows, by Software Interphase
-
- Many thanks to these talented developers.
- &CWH50Configuration File (CONFIG.CWC) 1 of 2
- If you use a "CONFIG.SYS" file when you boot DOS, you are already
- familiar with the concept of a configuration file. In fact, Crossword
- Creator's configuration file and DOS's configuration file are exactly
- alike in principle. They differ only slightly with respect to the
- number of recognizable keywords, and in the syntax of the commands.
-
- Each keyword that CWC recognizes in the configuration file provides
- some information that the program needs in order to operate correctly.
- In some cases, the program contains a default value for the keyword if
- it is not supplied, and in other cases you must explicitly provide the
- information.
-
- This concept is also similar to DOS -- in most cases you will need to
- supply keywords only for the options you wish to change; the program
- will supply default values for the options that are NOT changed.
-
- Now, we need some definitions. A "keyword" is the name of a
- configuration option that CWC recognizes. The keywords must be
- spelled exactly as they are documented or the program will not
- recognize them as keywords. Each keyword must end with an equal sign
- ("="), and may not contain any intervening blanks. Keywords are
- case-insensitive, meaning you may use capital letters, lower-case
- letters, or a combination of both.
-
- A "keyword value" is the information you are supplying that
- corresponds to a particular keyword. Crossword Creator will use this
- NEW information instead of the default value that is coded in the
- program. Keyword values must begin with a slash ("/"), and are also
- case-insensitive. They must be typed to the RIGHT of a keyword, and
- they must not contain any intervening blanks.
-
- Each line in the configuration file may contain a comment, be
- completely blank, or contain ONE keyword followed by its keyword
- value. Comments may also be typed to the RIGHT of a keyword value on
- the same line as long as there is at least one intervening blank
- between the value and the comment.
-
- A comment line is, by definition, any line that does not contain one
- of the recognizable keywords. You will probably find it helpful to
- document your configuration file by using comment lines.
-
- For example, these lines would be considered valid in a Crossword
- Creator configuration file:
-
- PuzDirName=/c:\puzzles
- PRINTERDEF= /HPLJET1
- maxpuzclues=/50
-
-
- These lines, however, are invalid and would be ignored:
-
- PuzDirName =/c:\puzzles (intervening blank before the "=")
- PRINTERDEF=/ HPLJET1 (intervening blank before the value)
- maxpuzclues=50 (keyword value does not begin with "/")
-
-
- As you can see, each keyword is meant to supply a particular kind of
- information so the NATURE of each keyword value is different, but the
- general syntax rules apply to all the keywords and their values.
-
- Part 2 lists all the keywords that may be placed in the Crossword
- Creator configuration file, the nature and/or range of their
- respective values, and an example of how each might be used.
- &CWH51Configuration File (CONFIG.CWC) 2 of 2
- PuzzFore= PuzzBack= The values for these keywords define the
- WorkFore= WorkBack= foreground and background colors used in
- MenuFore= MenuBack= the program.
- MessFore= MessBack=
- DlogFore= DlogBack= Valid values are numbers between
- DLitFore= DLitBack= 0 and 7.
- DVarFore= DVarBack=
-
- 0 = black 1 = blue
- 2 = green 3 = cyan
- 4 = red 5 = magenta
- 6 = yellow 7 = white
-
- example: MENUFORE=/7
- MENUBACK=/2
-
- default: COLOR MONOCHROME
- Fore Back Fore Back
- ---- ---- ---- ----
- Puzz 1 7 7 0
- Work 7 1 0 7
- Menu 0 3 7 0
- Mess 7 4 7 0
- Dlog 0 7 7 0
- DLit 1 7 7 0
- DVar 5 7 7 0
-
- PrinterDef= Names the printer definition file to use.
- Do not specify the ".CWP" suffix.
-
- example: PRINTERDEF=/HPLJET1
-
- default: none (cannot print puzzles)
-
- PuzDirName= The path name where puzzles are to be loaded from and
- saved to.
-
- example: PUZDIRNAME=/C:\PUZZLES
-
- default: none (use the CURRENT directory)
-
- MaxPuzClues= Specifies the maximum number of clues that can be
- defined for a puzzle.
-
- Valid values are 1 to 300.
-
- example: MAXPUZCLUES=/100
-
- default: 200
-
- Read the "Screen Layout/Landmarks" help topic for a visual map of
- Crossword Creator's color scheme.
- &CWH52Printer Definition Files (*.CWP) 1 of 5
- In the same way that the configuration file allows certain attributes
- of Crossword Creator to be controlled externally, printer definition
- files allow the program to support a much broader range of output
- devices than was possible in earlier versions.
-
- If you have used a word processor, you are probably familiar with
- printer definition files or printer "drivers". The concept is simple.
- The application program is not written to support a SPECIFIC set of
- printers because the addition of each new model would require a change
- to the program itself. Instead, the program uses a GENERIC interface
- and the specifics of how to use each particular printer are contained
- in the external printer definition files.
-
- For example, suppose a program like Crossword Creator wants to print
- some numbers as superscripts. To accomplish this, the program needs
- to know what combination of special characters it must send to the
- printer in order to "turn on" that particular feature.
-
- To learn what that combination is, the program reads the printer
- definition file, locates the sequence of characters that will enable
- superscript printing, and sends those characters to the printer. From
- then on, every printable character that the printer receives will be
- printed as a superscript.
-
- Of course, the program may not want to leave the printer in
- superscript mode forever so it will also have to find out how to "turn
- off" superscript printing. And how to turn bold facing on and off.
- And how to control spacing. And what character set to use. And on
- and on and on.
-
- As you can see, the information needed to effectively drive a printer
- can be quite extensive. Word processors require fairly complex
- printer definition files, often so complex that mere mortals like us
- cannot even read them, let alone create new ones from scratch.
- Fortunately, Crossword Creator's printer information requirements are
- not so demanding and even a novice should be able to get the hang of
- them with a little practice.
-
- You can think of CWC's printer definition files as "configuration
- files" for printers. The rules for creating them and the syntax of
- the commands are exactly the same as those described for CONFIG.CWC in
- the CONFIGURATION topic. The only differences are the names of the
- recognizable keywords, and the nature of the keyword values.
-
- Part 2 describes the general format of a printer definition file.
- &CWH53Printer Definition Files (*.CWP) 2 of 5
- This topic may get a little technical so if you feel yourself getting
- in over your head, don't panic. Creating a printer definition file
- requires a good understanding of the ASCII character set, the various
- notations by which those characters can be represented (particularly
- the decimal notation), and, of course, knowledge of your particular
- printer's features and corresponding control sequences.
-
- It is beyond the scope of this topic to explain these concepts fully.
- If they are not familiar to you, you may wish to refer to the
- documentation or owner's manual for your printer, your DOS manual, a
- BASIC language manual that discusses the "CHR$" function, or a book on
- microcomputer concepts.
-
- Crossword Creator already comes with a full complement of printer
- definition files and it is likely that your printer is already
- supported. The files themselves are fully commented and are excellent
- examples of what can be done if you ever want to customize the
- original definitions, or need to create a driver for a printer that is
- not currently supported.
-
- A list of supported printers can be found in the "Printer Support
- List" help topic. If you are a registered owner of Crossword Creator
- and have a printer that is not yet supported, PCHL will be happy to
- create a printer definition file for you if you send us a copy of the
- documentation that explains the printer's control sequences.
-
- In a printer definition file, each keyword value describes the
- sequence of characters that must be sent to the printer in order to
- invoke the function described by the keyword. Each character in the
- sequence is represented by a three-digit number between 000 and 255
- that corresponds to the ASCII decimal value of that character. Each
- three-digit number must be preceded by a slash ("/"), and there may be
- no intervening blanks between any of the numbers and slashes in the
- sequence.
-
- Many spreadsheet programs use a similar method to send a
- "setup string" to the printer prior to actually printing the
- individual cells. If you think of each command in the definition file
- as an optional "setup string", you will get the idea.
-
- Here are some valid lines that might be found in a printer definition
- file:
-
- BoxTLCor=/218
- SpecialNumbersON=/027/069
- SpecialNumbersOFF=/027/070
- SpacingNormal=/027/065/012
-
-
- Let's look at the last example in detail. It is derived from the
- documentation on Epson printers that describes how to set vertical
- spacing in increments of 1/72 of an inch. To set this kind of
- spacing, the manual instructs you to send the ESC character, followed
- by a capital "A", followed by a character whose decimal value
- represents the number of "n/72" of an inch that you want for vertical
- spacing.
-
- By referring to a table of ASCII values, we see that the ESC character
- is represented by a decimal value of 27, and that a capital "A" is a
- decimal 65. In this example we are defining the sequence that will
- return the printer to its normal line spacing of 6 lines per inch,
- which is equivalent to 1/6 or 12/72 of an inch. Voile! We have the
- information necessary to construct the sequence.
-
- Every keyword value in the printer definition file is constructed in
- the same way. Some sequences will require few characters, some will
- require many. It all depends on the scheme that was used by the
- manufacturer of the printer, and that is the beauty of external
- printer drivers. The program does not have to know EXPLICITLY how to
- talk to every kind of printer; but it knows IMPLICITLY by referring to
- the information contained in the printer definition file.
-
- Part 3 is the beginning of a list of all the keywords that may be
- placed in a Crossword Creator printer definition file, an explanation
- of their use, and whether the keyword is required or optional.
- &CWH54Printer Definition Files (*.CWP) 3 of 5
- PrintDest= This keyword specifies the device where printed
- output will be sent. It may be a printer port, a
- communications port, a disk file, etc.
-
- Note that this keyword is an exception in that the
- keyword value is NOT an ASCII character sequence.
- It is the name of the device or file to which
- Crossword Creator will direct its print output.
-
- - REQUIRED -
-
- example: PRINTDEST=/LPT1
- PRINTDEST=/C:\CWC\SPORTS.PRT
-
- ContinuousForms= This keyword specifies whether or not the printer
- uses continuous forms.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- Valid values are "Y" or "N".
-
- example: CONTINUOUSFORMS=/N
-
- default: Y
-
- MaxPrintLines= This keyword specifies the maximum number of lines
- that may be printed on a single page. When
- "manual paper feed" has been indicated by
- "ContinuousForms=/N", CWC pauses after printing
- this many lines to allow a new page of paper to be
- setup in the printer.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- Valid values are 1 to 168.
-
- example: MAXPRINTLINES=/45
-
- default: 60
-
- MaxPrintCols= This keyword specifies the maximum number of
- characters that may be printed on a single line.
- A warning is given BEFORE printing if a puzzle
- requires more than this many columns.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- Valid values are 1 to 145.
-
- example: MAXPRINTCOLS=/137
-
- default: 80
-
- SeparateCluePage= This keyword indicates whether or not to send a
- form feed to the printer just prior to printing
- the puzzle clues.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- Valid values are "Y" or "N".
-
- example: SEPARATECLUEPAGE=/Y
-
- default: N
-
- Part 4 continues the keyword list.
- &CWH55Printer Definition Files (*.CWP) 4 of 5
- PuzzlePrint= This sequence is sent ONE TIME at the beginning of
- the print job. It is handy for selecting special
- fonts or printer modes that will be in effect for
- the entire puzzle.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- CluePrint= This sequence is sent ONE TIME just prior to the
- printing of puzzle clues. This would be a good
- place to change fonts if necessary.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- EndPrint= This sequence is sent ONE TIME as the very last
- sequence in the print job. You might want to send
- a printer RESET code or a FORMFEED character here.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- SpecialNumbersON= This pair of sequences is used just before and
- SpecialNumbersOFF= immediately after printing a row of clue numbers
- in the puzzle. They are intended primarily for
- selecting SUPERSCRIPT mode or some similar font
- that can print small numbers.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- SpecialLettersON= This pair of sequences is used just before and
- SpecialLettersOFF= immediately after printing a row of letters in the
- solution. They are intended primarily for
- selecting a special font.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- SpecialTitleON= This pair of sequences is used just before and
- SpecialTitleOFF= immediately after printing the puzzle title.
- Again, they are intended primarily for selecting a
- special font.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- SpacingWholeBox= This trio of sequences is tricky, and they must be
- SpacingTHalfBox= defined precisely to achieve the highest quality
- SpacingBHalfBox= output. The WHOLEBOX value should set vertical
- line spacing so that successive print lines will
- have no gaps or "white space" between them, nor
- will they overlap.
-
- The tops and bottoms of the characters should just
- barely touch. This will ensure that the lines and
- other boundaries of the puzzles will look
- continuous when they are printed.
-
- The THALFBOX and BHALFBOX values also set vertical
- spacing. The optimum values are dependent on the
- design of the printer's character set, but in
- general each should be about HALF the incremental
- value specified by WHOLEBOX, and their SUM should
- be EQUAL to the WHOLEBOX value.
-
- - REQUIRED -
-
- SpacingClues= This sequence sets the vertical line spacing to be
- used when printing the puzzle clues.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- SpacingNormal= This sequence sets the vertical line spacing to
- the value you want the printer to remain in at the
- end of the print job. You may not have to use
- this sequence if you always RESET the printer with
- the ENDPRINT value.
-
- - OPTIONAL -
-
- Part 5 continues the keyword list.
- &CWH56Printer Definition Files (*.CWP) 5 of 5
- BoxTLCor= The rest of these sequences define the character
- BoxTRCor= set that will be used to print the puzzle boxes.
- BoxBLCor= Each keyword corresponds to a ONE CHARACTER
- BoxBRCor= component that is part of a puzzle box.
- BoxTopBot= Therefore, each value should contain a single
- BoxSide= ASCII decimal value.
-
- BoxLTee= The IBM character set has a very rich collection
- BoxRTee= of box-drawing characters and you will get the
- BoxTTee= best results with printers that support that
- BoxBTee= standard. Other printers will have to use the
- BoxCross= plain ASCII characters "+", "|", and "-" to
- draw the puzzle boxes.
- BoxLFill=
- BoxRFill= The first four CORNER characters are used to draw
- BoxCFill= the extreme corners of a complete puzzle. The
- BoxSpace= next two characters are used for the TOP/BOTTOM
- and SIDES of individual puzzle boxes.
-
- The TEE characters are used instead of CORNERS
- where two boxes intersect on the edge of a puzzle,
- and the CROSS character serves the same purpose in
- the middle of a puzzle where four boxes intersect.
-
- The FILL and SPACE characters are used to fill in
- and around puzzle boxes that contain no letters.
- The LEFT fill overprints the left boundary of a
- box, the RIGHT fill overprints the right boundary,
- and two CENTER fill characters are printed
- side-by-side between the left and right
- boundaries.
-
- - REQUIRED -
- &CWH57Puzzle / Clue Files (*.PUZ / *.CLU)
- CWC uses very simple data file formats so advanced users can
- manipulate them with word processors, or other software, external to
- the program. All of these files are stored as pure ASCII text. If
- you edit any of the files with a word processor, be sure to save them
- as NON-DOCUMENT to eliminate any formatting characters.
-
- PUZZLE files have an extension of ".PUZ", and are simply an image of
- the puzzle itself. Each file contains 23 records (one for each puzzle
- row). Each record contains 38 characters; a beginning quote, 36
- letters (one for each puzzle column), and an ending quote.
-
- example: (CATS.PUZ)
-
- " PUPPY "
- " U "
- "YARN "
- " R "
- .
- .
- .
- etc.
-
- CLUE files have an extension of ".CLU", and have the same PRIMARY
- names as their corresponding PUZZLE files. The first record in a CLUE
- file is a HEADER record. It contains the puzzle title and a count of
- the total number of clues defined in the puzzle.
-
- Following the header is a record for EACH clue. A clue record
- contains the word itself, followed by the text of the clue for that
- word. The actual number of clue records is exactly equal to the count
- stored in the header record. The character fields are, again,
- delimited by quotes and separated by a comma.
-
- example: (CATS.CLU)
-
- "Felix's Feline Follies",3
- "YARN","Cats ~ball it up~"
- "PUPPY","worst enemy|but man's best friend"
- "PURR","familiar feline sound"
-
- Notice that if the clue text contains imbedded quotes, they are
- represented as TILDES in the file. They are translated into real
- quotes when the file is loaded.
-
- The words themselves, obviously, are never longer than the maximum
- dimensions of an actual puzzle. The clue text can contain up to four
- "segments" of 33 characters each. Each segment represents one clue
- "line", and each line is separated by the "|" character.
-
- CWC makes no distinction between ACROSS words and DOWN words in its
- clue file format. Therefore, if the same word is defined in both
- directions in the puzzle, it CANNOT have two different clues.
- &CWH58Help Files (*.CWH)
- The format for HELP files is similar to the clue files. Each topic in
- the file consists of a TITLE record, followed by up to 80 lines of
- text.
-
- The first six characters of a TITLE record must contain "&CWHnn",
- where nn is a "help index" value between 01 and 99. The rest of the
- record contains the title that will be displayed by the HELP TOPICS
- function in Crossword Creator. The title may be up to 40 characters
- long. The actual text records may be up to 70 characters long.
-
- example: &CWH99My New Help Topic
- Here is the text for the new help topic I added. This
- will make it easy for me to remember something I
- discovered.
-
- If you wish to enhance the HELP information provided with CWC, simply
- load the file into your word processor or text editor and make the
- changes you want. Make sure, however, that all of the HELP records
- for a particular topic are PHYSICALLY CONTIGUOUS in the file because
- the HELP routine will stop reading records as soon as it finds the
- next TITLE record. CWC will automatically present the HELP text in a
- scrollable window, so the information can be as lengthy or as brief as
- you want.
-
- Crossword Creator uses about 70 of the available 99 index numbers. If
- you add topics of your own, start with 99 and work backwards. That
- will minimize your chances of overlaying an existing topic.
- &CWH59Language Files (*.CWH)
- Crossword Creator can support foreign languages. All the on-screen
- text has been externalized into files that are read when the program
- starts up. LANGUAGE files have a primary filename that identifies the
- particular language. The extension name for a LANGUAGE file is
- ".CWL".
-
- The default language is "English", but you can instruct Crossword
- Creator to load other language files if they are available (refer to
- the "Installation And Startup" help topic for instructions on how to
- use the "/L=" command line parameter).
-
- The format of a language file is relatively complex and modifications
- should probably only be attempted with the aid and/or supervision of
- PC HELP-LINE. Technical support will NOT be extended to problems
- related to language files that have not been tested and approved by
- PCHL.
-
- If you have a need for a language that is not currently supported, and
- are willing to provide the translation skills necessary to do the job,
- contact PCHL for assistance in getting started. It is important that
- the language file specifications be adhered to exactly, but they are
- easy to follow and available for the asking.
- &CWH60Environment Variables (CWC= and WF=)
- DOS maintains an area in memory called the "environment" that can be
- used as a kind of reference guide by application programs like
- Crossword Creator. You can see the information stored in the
- environment by issuing the DOS command "SET". Some things you might
- notice are the "COMSPEC" variable which contains the path name to
- COMMAND.COM, and the "PATH" variable which contains the path name you
- specified in your last PATH command.
-
- Crossword Creator's variable name is "CWC" and it is used to specify
- the directory path name where the program should look for CONFIG.CWC,
- help files (*.CWH), language files (*.CWL), and printer definition
- files (*.CWP). Without this directory name, Crossword Creator will
- only look for these files in the CURRENT directory.
-
- If you use only floppy disks this may be of no consequence. But on a
- hard disk system the Crossword Creator program may be stored in a
- different directory than its support files. Or, for example, you may
- choose to define more than one CONFIG.CWC file and place them in
- different sub-directories.
-
- To set the variable, issue the DOS command:
-
- SET CWC=[path name]
-
- In place of "[path name]", type the name of the path where Crossword
- Creator's support files are located. Make sure there are no
- intervening blanks anywhere except the required one between "SET" and
- "CWC=".
-
- example: SET CWC=C:\PROGRAMS\CWC
-
-
- Crossword Creator uses a second variable, "WF=", to specify the
- location of WORDFIND's dictionary files. If you already have a copy
- of WORDFIND installed in another directory, you will find this more
- convenient than keeping a second copy of the "Xnn" files in Crossword
- Creator's directory.
-
- example: SET WF=C:\UTILITY\WORDFIND
-
-
- To remove a variable from the environment issue the SET command
- without any characters after the equal sign:
-
- SET CWC=
-
- The use of Crossword Creator's environment variables is entirely
- optional. They are provided merely as an aid in tailoring the program
- to your needs. You may want to refer to your DOS manual for more
- information on using environment variables and the SET command.
- &CWH61Printer Compatibility Issues
- If you can't get Crossword Creator to produce sharp, square boxes and
- continuous lines on your printer, you may have a compatibility
- problem. The following facts about PC printers should help you
- determine the best way to use your printer with CWC.
-
- When a printer manufacturer advertises a particular model as "IBM
- compatible", they usually mean that the printer recognizes the same
- control code sequences as IBM printers. For most word processing and
- spreadsheet applications this is quite sufficient because only the
- standard alphanumeric ASCII characters are required by these kinds of
- programs. But letters and numbers are only a subset of the symbols
- that make up a printer's "character set".
-
- When IBM introduced the original PC, they endowed it with a special,
- proprietary character set that included a nice set of line and box
- drawing characters, and programmers used them to good advantage in
- their software to spruce up their screens. Crossword Creator uses
- them, for example, to draw the frame boundaries around the windows and
- dialog boxes. All "IBM compatible" computers can reproduce these
- characters on the screen, BUT NOT ALL PRINTERS CAN REPRODUCE THEM ON
- PAPER.
-
- That's the rub. Your printer may be IBM "control code" compatible,
- but not IBM "character set" compatible. Now as far as Crossword
- Creator is concerned, character set compatibility is much more
- important than control code compatibility. A printer definition file
- can be built for any printer, no matter how complex its control codes
- are (witness the HP LaserJet's definition files), but if your printer
- can't reproduce the IBM character set, you just won't be able to
- produce the best possible output.
-
- Which is NOT to say that you can't use an "oddball" printer AT ALL.
- You CAN use the standard ASCII characters "|", "-", and "+" to draw
- boxes, they'll just produce rougher looking output. In fact, drivers
- are provided for printers that don't support EITHER level of IBM
- compatibility, like the DIABLO 630 standard for daisy-wheels and the
- Epson RX-80 dot-matrix. Some printers even have their OWN box drawing
- characters that are different from IBM's, but Crossword Creator can
- still use them effectively to print good looking puzzles.
-
- The point is, CWC can use ANY characters that your printer knows how
- to draw, but it can't give IBM CHARACTER SET COMPATIBILITY to a
- printer that doesn't already have it.
-
- If you're in doubt about your printer's capabilities, try this simple
- test. Startup Crossword Creator, and when you get to the
- copyright/intro screen, press Shift+PrtSc on your keyboard. If the
- Crossword Creator logo prints out just like it appears on the screen,
- your printer is IBM "character set" compatible. If you get italic
- characters or something else besides the double-outline boxes, you'll
- probably have to use the standard ASCII characters to draw your
- puzzles.
-
- One last important point. Crossword Creator uses a printer technique
- called "overprinting". This means that the program "layers" different
- characters on top of each other by making multiple "passes" on a
- single line of print.
-
- To accomplish this, CWC sends a "carriage return (CR)" character to
- the printer WITHOUT an accompanying "line feed (LF)" character. This
- causes the printer's printhead to return to the left margin, but does
- NOT advance the paper. Another layer of characters is then printed on
- top of the existing line.
-
- Printers equipped with an "auto line feed" feature can defeat CWC's
- overprinting because they insert a LF character after every CR
- character received. Since the paper is advanced before CWC has
- finished its overprinting, your output will look VERY STRANGE. The
- most obvious symptom of this problem are puzzles that look
- "double-spaced" and are regularly broken up by horizontal lines of
- "white space".
-
- There is virtually no way that Crossword Creator can adapt to or
- correct for an "auto line feed" problem because it occurs "behind the
- program's back", at the hardware level. Check your owner's manual.
- This feature is usually enabled/disabled by positioning a hardware DIP
- switch somewhere on the printer.
-
- Read the "Printer Support List" help topic for a list of the printers
- supported by Crossword Creator.
- &CWH62Printer Support List 1 of 2
- This list was last updated on 09/01/89.
-
- If your printer is not explicitly supported, you still have two
- options. First, check your owner's manual to see if your printer
- EMULATES any of those listed. If so, you can probably use THAT
- driver. Second, PCHL will build custom drivers free of charge,
- provided you have REGISTERED your copy of Crossword Creator.
-
- All printer definition files have an EXTENSION name of ".CWP". The
- naming conventions used in the PRIMARY part of the filename are as
- follows:
-
- The FIRST two characters are an abbreviation of the
- manufacturer's name.
-
- The LAST character is a numeric digit. Every printer will have
- at least a type "1" definition file, with a MaxPrintCols= value
- of 80. If multiple drivers are provided for the same printer,
- they will be numbered sequentially, beginning with "2", and the
- MaxPrintCols= value will be larger, as well.
-
- The five (or fewer) characters in the MIDDLE are an abbreviation
- of the printer's model name.
-
- example: EPFX86E1
- |~|~~~~|
- | | | type "1", 80 columns
- | |
- | | model name, FX-86e
- |
- | EP, Epson manufacturer
-
-
- Read the "Printer Definition Files" help topics for complete
- documentation on MaxPrintCols= and the other printer control keywords.
-
-
- Manufacturer CWP Name Model Name / Description
- ============ ======== =======================================
- PC HELP-LINE CWDTP special driver for use with CWDTP.EXE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- all DABLO631 any, DIABLO 630 standard printers
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- Epson EPFX86E1 FX-86e
- EPFX86E2
-
- EPLQ8501 LQ-850
- EPLQ8502
-
- EPLX8001 LX-800
- EPLX8002
-
- EPPLAIN1 early FX, no IBM character set
- EPPLAIN2
-
- EPRX801 RX-80
- EPRX802
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- HP HPDJET1 DeskJet Plus
- HPDJET2
- HPDJET3
-
- HPLJET1 LaserJet Series II
- HPLJET2
- HPLJET3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- IBM IBGRAPH1 Graphics Printer, Proprinter
- IBGRAPH2
-
-
- Part 2 continues the printer support list
- &CWH63Printer Support List 2 of 2
- Manufacturer CWP Name Model Name / Description
- ============ ======== =======================================
- NEC NEP22001 P2200, P6/P7 Pinwriters
- NEP22002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- Panasonic PAKX1081 KX-P1080, KX-P1090
- PAKX1082
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- Sanyo SAPR2411 PR-241
- SAPR2412
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- Tandy TADWP221 DWP-220
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- Toshiba TOP13511 P1351
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- Star STGM10X1 Gemini 10-X
- STGM10X2
- &CWH64Error Messages 1 of 3
- When Crossword Creator encounters an error, it informs you with a
- MESSAGE BOX. The text of the message will describe the NATURE of the
- error, name the DEVICE or FILE involved (if any), and show the error
- NUMBER.
-
- Common error messages are listed alphabetically below, along with the
- possible causes and remedies. If you encounter an error that is not
- listed, or if you cannot resolve a documented error yourself, contact
- PC HELP-LINE Technical Support.
-
-
- Can't load language file; insufficient memory
- ---------------------------------------------
- You don't have enough memory in your system to run CWC. The
- minimum memory requirement is 320K. You need to make more memory
- available to CWC.
-
- Number: 248
-
-
- COMMAND.COM not available
- -------------------------
- CWC could not create a DOS SHELL because it could not locate the
- DOS command processor. This is usually only a problem with
- floppy-based systems. Put your original boot disk back in the
- drive and try again.
-
- Number: 252
-
-
- Device (device name) disk is write-protected
- --------------------------------------------
- The disk drive named in the message has been write-protected.
- Remove the write-protect tab, or use another disk.
-
- Number: 70
-
-
- Device (device name) drive not ready
- ------------------------------------
- The disk drive named in the message was not on-line and
- available. Make sure it is powered up, and that the drive doors
- are fully closed.
-
- Number: 71
-
-
- Device (device name) not ready
- ------------------------------
- The device named in the message was not on-line and available.
- Make sure all your peripherals are powered up and ready.
-
- Number: 24, 25, 57, 68
-
-
- Device (device name) out of paper
- ---------------------------------
- CWC is trying to use the printer, but it is out of paper. Try
- printing again after you've put in more paper.
-
- Number: 27
-
-
- Disk (device name) is full
- --------------------------
- The disk drive named in the message does not have enough free
- space to store the data you are trying to save. Use a new disk,
- or delete some existing files to free up more space.
-
- Number: 61
-
-
- Part 2 continues the error message list
- &CWH65Error Messages 2 of 3
- File (drive\path\filename) access error
- ---------------------------------------
- CWC attempted to alter or delete a "read-only" file, or violated
- a network access rule. Use a different drive\path\filename.
-
- Number: 75
-
-
- File (drive\path\filename) input past EOF
- -----------------------------------------
- CWC tried to read past the end of a file. Report this error to
- PCHL.
-
- Number: 62
-
-
- File (drive\path\filename) not found
- ------------------------------------
- The file named in the message does not exist. Check that the
- drive, path, and file names are spelled correctly. You may also
- have forgotten to use CWC's environment variables, or used them
- incorrectly, causing the program to look for its support files in
- the wrong directory.
-
- Number: 52, 53, 64, 76
-
-
- File or device I/O error
- ------------------------
- No explanation. CWC encountered an error it was not expecting.
- Report this error to PCHL.
-
- Number: 1-255
-
-
- Language file (drive\path\filename) contains an invalid PCHL language
- code
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- All CWC language files are assigned a unique code by PCHL, once
- they have been thoroughly tested for compatibility. The language
- file you are trying to use has either not been tested, or has
- been corrupted in some way. Report this error to PCHL.
-
- Number: 251
-
-
- Language file (drive\path\filename) incompatible with this version of
- CWC
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- All CWC language files contain a "version number" that
- corresponds to the internal version of CWC.EXE. The format of
- the language files has changed with each new release of Crossword
- Creator. You are trying to use a language file that is in the
- wrong format. Contact PCHL to obtain a "matched" set of CWC
- program and support files.
-
- Number: 253
-
-
- Mach2 (memory type) Error
- -------------------------
- This is a special "out of memory" error. It usually indicates
- that CWC did not (or could not) allocate enough memory for
- LANGUAGE, HELP, or CLUE data. Report this error to PCHL.
-
- Number: 244, 245, 246, 247
-
-
- Maximum clues exceeded
- ----------------------
- You have exceeded the upper limit on the number of puzzle clues
- imposed by the MaxPuzClues= configuration keyword. Save your
- puzzle, increase the MaxPuzClues= value, and exit the program.
- Start CWC again and reopen your puzzle. This should enable you
- to create more clues.
-
- Number: 250
-
-
- Part 3 continues the error message list
- &CWH66Error Messages 3 of 3
- No HELP available for this topic
- --------------------------------
- A "header" record for this topic was found in the HELP file, but
- there was no accompanying text.
-
- Number: 243
-
-
- No PRINT destination specified
- ------------------------------
- You have not selected a printer definition file, or the *.CWP
- file you are using has no destination specified by the PrintDest=
- keyword. You must select a printer definition file to use BEFORE
- printing, and the PrintDest= keyword in the file must specify a
- device name or a file name. To select a default printer, update
- your CWC configuration file (CONFIG.CWC) by executing the
- CONFIGURATION function in CWC.EXE.
-
- Number: 255
-
-
- No puzzles found
- ----------------
- No puzzle files were found in the directory specified by the
- PuzDirName= configuration keyword. Check that the drive and path
- names are spelled correctly. To use a different directory,
- update your CWC configuration file (CONFIG.CWC) by executing the
- CONFIGURATION function in CWC.EXE.
-
- Number: 254
-
-
- Out of MEMORY
- -------------
- CWC could not allocate enough memory to run properly, or all
- available memory has been consumed by the text of puzzle clues.
- The minimum memory requirement is 320K. You need to make more
- memory available to CWC.
-
- Number: 7
-
-
- Out of STRING SPACE
- -------------------
- The text of puzzle clues has consumed all of the memory allocated
- for that purpose, approximately 40K. This is an absolute limit.
- Decrease the length of your puzzle clues.
-
- Number: 14
-
-
- Pattern requires at least 2 tokens
- ----------------------------------
- The WORDFIND search pattern you specified is less than 2
- characters long. The minimum word length is 2 letters, so you
- must specify a pattern containing at least that many tokens.
-
- Number: 242
-
-
- Too many words in the puzzle
- ----------------------------
- Your puzzle is too complex for CWC to format properly. You will
- have to remove some words from the puzzle in order to continue.
- Report this error to PCHL.
-
- Number: 249
- &CWH67Help File Print Utility - CWHPRINT.EXE
- PC HELP-LINE no longer supplies a typeset manual for Crossword
- Creator. Instead, the complete documentation has been made available
- on-line via the HELP TOPICS function.
-
- However, PCHL recognizes that not everyone suffers from DOCUPHOBIA.
- So, for those of you who really WANT to curl up in your favorite
- easychair with a copy of CWC's manual, you can easily produce one of
- your very own.
-
- CWHPRINT.EXE is stand-alone program that will read a Crossword Creator
- HELP file and print a custom manual, complete with numbered pages and
- a Table of Contents. It recognizes the same "/L=" command line
- parameter and the same DOS environment variables as CWC.EXE, so if you
- run CWHPRINT.EXE from the same directory as you do the main program,
- it should have no trouble finding your HELP files.
-
- The program formats the manual for a generic text printer at 59 lines
- per page, 80 columns per line. Printer definition files are not
- needed because there is nothing "printer specific" about the output.
- CWHPRINT.EXE will work with any printer that uses continuous forms or
- a cut-sheet feeder.
-
- Crossword Creator's documentation comprises some 60 pages, so be
- prepared.
-
- Read the "Installation And Startup" and the "Environment Variables
- (CWC= and WF=)" help topics for complete explanations of CWC's command
- line parameters and DOS environment variables.
- &CWH68Desktop Publishing Aid - CWDTP.EXE
- Crossword Creator's puzzle output cannot be used directly by desktop
- publishing programs like PageMaker and Ventura Publisher. It IS
- possible to "print to disk" in CWC, but the printer control codes
- imbedded in the output never import properly and CWC's "overprinting
- tricks" do not translate well.
-
- CWDTP.EXE is a stand-alone program that can read a specially-formatted
- puzzle file that has been "printed to disk", and produce a plain ASCII
- text version of the crossword. This "fixed" puzzle file can then be
- easily imported and manipulated by DTP applications.
-
- Instructions for using CWDTP.EXE are contained within the program.
- Simply run it and follow the directions.
-