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===============================================================================
Wordseeker Version 1.0 (c) September 1989 R.J.M Miltenburg
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*********************************
*********************************
** **
** WORDSEEKER V1.0 **
** **
*********************************
*********************************
******************************************************
* This manual refers to : *
* *
* - WordSeeker V1.0 (Shareware / Demoprogram) *
* - WordSeeker V1.0 (Registered Program) *
* *
* All copyrights (c) 1989 R.J.M.Miltenburg *
* Rotterdam *
* The Netherlands *
* September 1989 *
******************************************************
Software Conditions.
You're allowed to copy the WordSeeker V1.0 shareware/demo program freely.
Please, feel free to distribute unlimited copies among your friends or
other computer users. You are also allowed to plac e the shareware/demo
program in your (local) BBS ( Bulletin Board System).
However, it's NOT ALLOWED, to duplicate or sell any copies of WordSeeker,
both shareware and registrated programs, for the use of making profit.
Any duplicating of the registrated WordSeeker program is restricted to ONE
copy only, strictly used as a working copy by the registrated/ authorised
user. It's NOT ALLOWED to place the registrated WordSeeker program in any
BBS (Bulletin Board System).
Ron Miltenburg
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Wordseeker Version 1.0 (c) September 1989 R.J.M. Miltenburg
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Table of contents.
1 About WordSeeker.
2 Introduction to WordSeeker.
2.1 Its Features & options.
2.2 Its User-friendly interface.
2.3 Saving your favourite configuration.
3 How to start WordSeeker?
3.1 Before you do anything else ......!
3.2 Installing WordSeeker for hard-disk users.
3.3 Installing WordSeeker for floppy-drive users.
4 WordSeeker's Main Menu.
4.1 Which items to find in the Main Menu?
5 Creating a WordSeeker screen puzzle.
5.1 Selecting a subject.
5.2 Checking your subject choice.
5.3 Please wait ..... puzzle creation in progress!
5.4 How to use your keyboard while solving your puzzle.
5.4.1 Keys to move around the screen.
5.5 Completing your puzzle.
5.6 Some screen puzzle remarks.
6 Creating a WordSeeker printer puzzle.
6.1 Selecting a subject.
6.2 Checking your subject choice.
6.3 Please wait ..... puzzle creation in progress!
6.4 How your printer puzzle will look.
6.5 Completing your puzzle.
6.6 Some printer puzzle remarks.
7 WordSeeker's Edit Menu.
7.1 Which items to find in the Edit Menu?
8 Add a new WordSeeker subject.
8.1 Entering subject description and file name.
9 Deleting a WordSeeker subject.
9.1 Selecting a subject.
9.2 Are you sure?
10 Adding new words to existing WordSeeker subject.
10.1 Selecting a subject.
10.2 Adding new words to subject.
10.3 Additional options for entering new words.
10.4 Done?
11 Deleting words from existing WordSeeker subject.
11.1 Selecting a subject.
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11.2 Deleting words from subject.
11.3 Additional options for deleting words.
11.4 Done?
12 View WordSeeker subjects.
12.1 View subject names and their number of words.
12.2 Moving up and down between pages.
13 Changing WordSeeker subject names or descriptions.
13.1 Selecting a subject.
13.2 Entering new subject description.
13.3 Input accepted?
14 Adjusting WordSeeker configuration.
14.1 The Preference Menu.
15 Selecting WordSeeker puzzle layout.
15.1 The Layout Preferences Menu.
15.2 Set screen puzzle layout.
15.3 Set printer puzzle layout.
15.4 Set maximum length of puzzle words.
15.5 Set percentage empty cells.
16 Adjust WordSeeker printer configuration.
16.1 The Printer Preferences Menu.
16.2 Set ASCII formfeed value.
16.3 Set framework style.
16.4 Set length of paper.
16.5 Set width of paper.
17 WordSeeker file options.
17.1 The File Options Menu.
17.2 Loading a configuration.
17.3 Saving a configuration.
17.4 Set drive/path.
18 WordSeeker screen colors.
18.1 The Set Colors Menu.
18.2 Selecting screen colors.
19 Setting all values to WordSeeker defaults.
20 Setting WordSeeker's alert beep on/off.
21 Quit WordSeeker.
22 Final WordSeeker tips & tricks.
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1. About Word Seeker....
WordSeeker will create wordseeker puzzles for you in a flash. Just tell
WordSeeker your wishes and there's your puzzle. Ready to be solved!
These wordseeker puzzles are rectangles or squares filled with
seemingly randomly placed characters. But on second sight these
characters form normal words. You can read this words in eight
directions:
- horizontal (forwards,backwards)
- vertical (upwards,downwards)
- diagonal (left downwards, left upwards, right downwards, right upwards)
The words hidden in the puzzle belong all to a same subject. Which
subjects? That's all up to you! You can add subjects to WordSeeker or
edit existing ones. So every WordSeeker user can create custom made
puz- zles which are composed of his own word selection. In every puzzle
there will be a number of empty cells. These cells will be filled with
characters out of words from the same subject.
If you found all the 'hidden' words, some characters will remain. These
characters form one or more words belonging to the subject. You are
only able to find these words if you complete the puzzle.
For example, if you're a computer fanatic you can create the subject
'Computer Bits & Bytes' in which you store as much as possible words
related to computing ('Diskdrive','VDU', 'Database','Pascal' and so on,
and so on ....). If you're done editing, WordSeeker will store them on
your floppy or harddisk unit. From now on you can make puzzles
consisting of words from the subject 'Computer Bits & Bytes'. Every
puzzle will be unique. In other words: if you create 1000 puzzles with
the same subject, WordSeeker will make 1000 different puzzles for you!
The more words you add to one subject the more varied your puzzle will
be.
You can solve screen puzzles with the aid of your computer. WordSeeker
can also create a puzzle on your printer. In that case the solution
will be printed on a separate page. You can solve the puzzle yourself
or give it as a present to your friends. Or what about printing a
puzzle in your local newspaper or any other printed papers.
There are virtually no limitations other than your own phantasy. You
can create up to 200 subjects, in which a maximum of 500 words can be
stored. (For the shareware/demoprogram these values are limited to 7
subjects with a maximum of 125 words each.)
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2. Introduction to WordSeeker
2.1 Its features & options.
As mentioned, with WordSeeker you can create a infinite number of
different puzzles. How the puzzle will look is up to you. WordSeeker
allows you to create the subject or select an existing one and edit its
contents.
For each wordseeker the following options are available:
- height (value range 6 - 55);
- width (value range 8 - 36);
- maximum length of words (value range 5 - 19);
- percentage of empty cells (value range 0% - 15%);
- type of framework;
For the shareware/demo version these options are limited is some ways.
2.2 Its user-friendly interface.
You can find WordSeeker options in pop-up menu's. With just two
keystrokes you can create a puzzle in standard layout to either screen
or printer. With a few keystrokes more you can change the layout to
your own preferences. WordSeeker gets you goin' as soon as you start
the program. In fact, probably you will use this manual only for
reference.
After you selected a menu item you will be asked to confirm your
choice. To cancel and return to the previous level press the 'Esc' key.
The 'Esc' key works consistent throughout WordSeeker. It will bring you
to the previous level.
2.3 Saving your favourite configuration.
If you will run WordSeeker for the first time the configuration will be
set to default values. You can easily adjust this values and save them
on your floppy drive or hard disk. Then, everytime you run WordSeeker
it will search and use your favourite configuration. You can adjust the
configuration as many times as needed.
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3. How to start WordSeeker?
3.1 Before you do anything else!
Before running WordSeeker for the first time you are recommended to
make a working copy of the WordSeeker disk and store the original in a
safe place. If you are not sure how to make a backup copy please refer
to your computer manual. Now install the program on your working disk
or hard disk by following the instructions in the next section.
3.2 Installing WordSeeker for hard disk users.
1 - Create a subdirectory on your hard disk:
- mkdir WS <enter>
- cd WS <enter>
2 - Copy all WordSeeker disk files in the new '\WS' subdirectory:
copy a:*.* c:\WS\ <enter>
Next, store the WordSeeker disk in a safe place.
3 - Run WordSeeker:
WS <enter>
3.3 Installing WordSeeker for floppy disk users.
If you already made a working copy of the WordSeeker disk no further
installing is necessary.
1 - Insert the working disk in one or the diskdrives (A: or B:).
2 - Make sure you're in the right directory and enter:
WS <enter>
After a few seconds the WordSeeker welcome screen appears and you will
be asked where it can find files it may need to create a puzzle. Enter
the path and make sure to terminate it with a backslash "\". Example:
C:\WS\.
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4. WordSeeker's Main Menu.
4.1 Which items to find in the Main Menu?
You will be welcomed with the Main Menu. Select one of the following
menu items:
1 - WORSEEKEER screen puzzle.
2 - WORDSEEKER printer puzzle.
3 - Edit menu.
4 - Adjust configuration.
5 - Quit WORDSEEKER.
All submenus will return you to the Main Menu. The only way to quit
WordSeeker is by selecting 5 from this menu. Any other method of
leaving WordSeeker may cause loss of data.
For more details on the menu items please refer to the following
sections.
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5. WordSeeker screen puzzle.
5.1 Selecting a subject.
If you selected 1 (Create a wordseeker on the screen) from the Main
Menu a list of all available subjects will be shown. Every time when
you'll have to select a subject this list will appear on the screen.
Let's take a closer look at the subject list.
A subject list comprehends one or more pages of subject descriptions.
Every page holds a maximum of 26 subjects labeled A to Z. By selecting
a letter you tell WordSeeker which subject to use for the puzzle.
Moving up and down the pages can be done with the '+' and '-' keys.
Page numbers can be found at the bottom of each screen.
If you already selected a subject, this subject will be accompanied by
a asterisk. If you like to use this subject again just press the 'EN-
TER' key as this subject is still in computer memory. If you decide to
use another subject you will have to select the corresponding letter.
If you make a invalid selection, by choosing a letter with no sub- ject
description or a invalid key, you will be alerted by a beep and nothing
will happen. If the beep gets on your nerves, please refer to chapter
20 of this manual. It will tell you how to turn the beep off.
If you don't want to make any subject selection press, as usual, the
'ESC' key to return to the main menu.
5.2 Checking your subject choice.
When you made a valid subject selection, the subject will be loaded
from your floppy or hard disk. WordSeeker inspects and checks whether
the subject contains enough letters to fill the puzzle. If not, a alert
will be shown. Press any key to return to the main menu.
WordSeeker will look at the size (length * width), the percentage of
filled cells and the length of the words of the puzzle and determines a
puzzle can be created or not. When negative, you'll will have to edit
the puzzle layout. How this can be done, please refer to chapter 15 of
this manual.
5.3 Please wait.... puzzle creation in progress.
When WordSeeker checked and accepted the subject, it will search and
select as many words as needed and places them in a randomly order.
The remaining cells will be filled with one or more words of the
selected subject. If all the words of the subject are used or no words
with a certain length can be matched with the cells which remain,
WordSeeker will search for words in the next subject in the list. If
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even that's impossible the cells will be filled with random letters
from the alphabet.
5.4 How to use your keyboard while solving the puzzle.
After WordSeeker created the puzzle it will be printed on the screen.
In one of the cells a letter blinks. This blinking letter is the cursor
which can be moved with the cursor keys on your keyboard.
If you've found a word, move the cursor to the first character of that
word and press the 'ENTER' key. Then move the cursor to last character
of the word. If the word is correct the background of that word will be
inversed. Continue until you've found all the words in the puz- zle.
5.4.1 Keys to move around the screen.
Move the cursor with the following keys:
Crsr-Up - Row up
Crsr-Down - Row down
Crsr-Right - Column right
Crsr-Left - Column left
Home - Column left & Row up
Page-Up - Column right & Row up
End - Column left & Row down
Page-Down - Column right & Row down
Ctrl+Home - to top left corner
Ctrl+Page-Up - to top right corner
Ctrl+End - to bottom left corner
Ctrl+Page-Down - to bottom right corner
Press the 'F-1' key to get a list of all words still hidden in the
puzzle. Remember that you already found all inversed words. If the list
uses more screens than one, move up and down with the '+' and '-' keys.
5.5 Completing the puzzle.
If you have found all the words in the puzzle all characters disappear.
A number of characters will be left spread around the screen. If you
read this characters sequentially you will find the puzzle solution.
If you are curious for the solution or want to cheat press the 'ESC'
key. You will be asked to confirm that you want to stop solving the
puz- zle. Press the 'Y' or 'N' key. If you choose 'Y' all characters
will disappear and you'll be able to read the solution by reading the
characters spread around the screen sequentially.
Press any key to return to the main menu.
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5.6 Some screen puzzle remarks.
Sometimes two words will use one and the same character and cross each
other, but it's impossible that two words will overwrite each other
completely.
The screen puzzles will be numbered ascending. If you work with the
shareware copy of WordSeeker the label will look like 'SW/' followed by
a number. So you'll always know how many puzzles you made so far.
If you use the registered copy of WordSeeker every puzzle will be
labeled with your registration number, a oblique line and a consecutive
number. The advantage is that every registered user will be able to
recognize his own puzzles.
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6. Creating a printer puzzle.
6.1 Select a subject.
If you select 2 from the main menu, 'Creating a printer puzzle', you
will be asked to select a subject. For details, please refer to section
5.1.
6.2. Checking your subject choice.
For details, refer to section 5.2.
6.3 Please wait.... puzzle creation in progress!
For details, please refer to section 5.3.
6.4 Printing the puzzle.
After WordSeeker created the puzzle it will be sent to your printer. A
header tells you how many words from the selected subject are hidden in
the puzzle. Underneath the puzzle a list of hidden words in
alphabetical order will be printed. If the page length doesn't allow
the printing of all words on one page, WordSeeker will print the
remaining on the next page. Next, you will be told of how many words
the solution consists and from which subjects these words come.
6.5 Completing the puzzle.
Underneath the puzzle, a separation line and the solution will be
printed. Both the puzzle and solution are provided with a number. So,
you can keep the puzzle and solution in separate places and always
match them afterwards.
If you're a registered user every puzzle will be labeled with a number
starting with your registration number followed by a oblique line and a
consecutive number. This last number will start at 1. So, you always
will be able to recognize your puzzles, because there's only one copy
of WordSeeker creating puzzles with your registration number.
If you have a shareware copy of WordSeeker the puzzle number starts
with 'SW/' followed by a consecutive number. The disadvantage is that
you can't recognize your puzzles, because a large number of shareware
copies were distributed all over the world.
After reading this it will be obvious that it's unwise (and illegal) to
supply any copies of your registered WordSeeker program to other com-
puter users.
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But, please give your shareware copy to any of your friends or co m-
puter users. If you don't have a shareware copy of WordSeeker, it
wouldn't be to difficult to get one from a computer user's club in your
neighborhood.
Or tell your friend to order his registered copy from:
Ron Miltenburg
Lange Hilleweg 17
3073 BG Rotterdam
The Netherlands
For more information on ordering see the file ORDER.TXT on your
WordSeeker disk.
6.6 Some printer puzzles remarks.
If your printer prints weird-looking puzzles, please check your printer
manual for the right configuration. After configuring your printer you
shouldn't have any problems, because WordSeeker doesn't use or send any
special printer codes. Please refer to section 14 for more details.
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7. WordSeeker's Edit Menu.
7.1 Which item to find in the Edit Menu?
If you selected 'Edit menu' from the Main Menu, WordSeeker will show
you the Edit Menu. From this menu you can edit or delete a subject or
add words to it.
The items from the Edit Menu are:
1 - Add a new subject.
2 - Delete a subject.
3 - Add words to an existing subject.
4 - Delete words from a subject.
5 - View all subjects.
6 - Change subject name or description.
In the next section the menu items will be explained in detail. To
return to the Main Menu press, as usual, the 'ESC' key.
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8. Add a new subject.
8.1 Select description and name.
If you selected item 1 from the Edit Menu you will be prompted to
supply your new subject with a description (max. 30 characters).
WordSeeker will adapt a subject name of 8 characters from this
description. If two descriptions look-alike, an extension (01 - 99)
will be added to the subject name. For example:
Description GEOGRAPHY U.S.A. = subject name GEOGRAPH
Description GEOGRAPHY ASIA = subject name GEOGRA01
Description GEOGRAPHY EUROPE = subject name GEOGRA02
You can always change a subject name to your own likes, but be careful!
If you choose a name of an existing subject, that subject will be
overwritten and be lost forever. Be warned!
If you enter a combination of subject description and name that already
exists, WordSeeker assumes that you want to ADD NEW WORDS TO A SUBJECT
and proceeds to that screen. To return to the Edit Menu, press the
'ESC' key.
If you entered correct description and name, the new subject will be
added alphabetical to the list of subject names. Then, WordSeeker
selects ADD NEW WORDS TO A SUBJECT for you. You're ready to begin
adding words to your new subject!
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9. Delete a subject.
9.1 Select a subject.
If you selected item 2 from the Edit Menu you are prompted to enter the
name of the subject you want to delete. Please refer to section 5.1 for
more details.
9.2 Are you sure?
After you entered the subject name to delete, you will be asked if you
really want to delete the subject. Enter 'Y' if you do agree, and your
subject will be deleted and lost forever. Entering 'N' returns you to
the Edit Menu.
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10. Add words to a subject.
10.1 Select a subject.
Again, you will be asked to enter the subject name to which you want to
add words. For more details, refer to section 5.1.
10.2 The edit screen.
After you entered the subject name the subject will be loaded from
disk, if not already available from memory. Subject contents are
printed to the screen and in the upper part of the screen the available
number of words of that subject are shown. On the screen you'll also
find the STA- TUS, but more about that later. Now the STATUS should be
ADD.
In the lower part of the screen you'll find 'Add words'. You can start
adding words to the subject to which they belong. WordSeeker will check
the words you enter. If the entered word already exists, nothing will
hap-pen. If it doesn't exist the word will be added to the subject word
list.
After WordSeeker added the word to the subject, a list of subject
words, including the last added word, will be shown. This word will be
proceded by a '*', and in most cases printed in the middle of the
screen.
10.3 Additional editing options.
You can also use item 3 from the Edit Menu to view the subject
contents. Just enter a character (A-Z) and WordSeeker shows you the
first available word beginning with that character. If WordSeeker
doens't find any words it will show you the words beginning with the
consecutive character. This option enables you to view all words at
ease.
We already introduced the STATUS of WordSeeker. If you add new words to
a subject the default STATUS is ADD. By preceding the word with either
'-' or '+' you can change STATUS. For example, by entering -<WORD> you
will remove that word from a subject, and the STATUS changes to REMOVE.
All further editing will be in REMOVE STATUS, until you change it again
to ADD, by entering +<WORD>. If you like to change to STATUS without
ad- ding or deleting words, just enter '-' or '+'. You will understand
that it's important to check the STATUS before editing.
10.4 Done?
If you finished editing, press the 'Enter' key. The subject contents
will be updated on disk, and you will return to the Edit Menu. If you
didn't make any changes to the subject, no updating is required, and
WordSeeker will return you immediately to the Edit Menu.
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11. Delete words from a subject.
11.1 Select a subject.
Enter the subject from which you want to remove words. Again, for more
details refer to section 5.1.
11.2 Deleting words from a subject.
The 'remove' screen is identical to that of the 'add' screen (see
section 10.2). Only the STATUS is set to DELETE.
11.3 Additional editing options.
The options are indentical to those explained in section 10.3. If you
misspelled a word, first remove the word and add it by +<WORD> (See
section 10.3).
11.4 Done?
If there are no more words to delete, add or view, press the 'Enter'
key. If you did add or delete words, a new file will be written to disk
and the previous one will be lost forever. Then, WordSeeker returns you
to the Edit Menu. If you didn't do any editing, no saving will take
place and you will return to the Edit Menu immediately.
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12. View WordSeeker subjects.
12.1 View subjects and their number of words.
If you select item 5 from the Edit Menu, WordSeeker shows you a list of
subject descriptions. The descriptions are preceded by a number,
presenting the number of words of which the subject consists. This
number tells you whether you're able to create a puzzle or not. A
subject has to hold a minimum of 20 words to make a puzzle with it.
The subject previously loaded into memory will be preceded by a '*'.
Just press the 'ESC' key to return to the Edit Menu.
12.2 Moving up and down between screens.
If there are more subjects than will fit on the screen, you can move up
and down between screen with the '+' and '-' keys. The screen holding
the subject previously loaded into memory will be the first screen
shown.
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13. Changing WordSeeker subjects or descriptions.
13.1 Select a subject.
Enter the subject name which name or description you want to change.
Refer to section 5.1 for more details.
13.2 Entering new subject description.
After you entered the subject you will be asked to enter the new
description ( max. 30 characters). WordSeeker adapts a filename from
this description and prints it to the screen. If you don't like the
adapted filename you can edit it using the 'Backspace' key. Be careful
not to choose a filename which already exists, as this filename will be
overwritten and lost forever.
13.3 Input accepted?
If WordSeeker accepts your new description and/ or filename, it will be
added alphabetically to the description list. The previous description
is removed, and the file renamed. You will return to the Edit Menu.
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14. Adjusting WordSeeker configuration.
14.1 The Preference Menu.
If you select item 4 from the Main Menu a new window with the
Preference Menu will be shown. A number of options can be choosen to
configure WordSeeker to your own preferences:
1 - Select WORDSEEKER Puzzle Layout.
2 - Adjust WORDSEEKER Printer Configuration.
3 - WORDSEEKER File Options.
4 - Screen Colors.
5 - Setting all values default.
6 - Sound On/Off.
In the next section you will find detailed information on this options.
As usual,press the 'ESC' key to return to the Main Menu.
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15. Selecting WordSeeker Puzzle Layout.
15.1 The Layout Menu.
If you choosed for item 1 from the Preferences Menu you will find the
Layout Menu, which consists of:
1 - Set screen puzzle layout.
2 - Set printer puzzle layout.
3 - Set maximum length of puzzle words.
4 - Set percentage empty cells.
In sections 15.2 - 15.5 we will explain the Layout Menu in detail. If
you don't want to set your preferences, just press the 'Esc' key to
return to the Preference Menu.
15.2 Layout Screen Puzzle.
If you did select item 1 from the Layout Menu you'll see a screen
filled with a horizontal and a vertical array of numbers. In both
arrays one of the numbers is accompanied by a star. These stars
represent the height and width of the screen puzzle. Default is set to
20 characters wide and 15 characters high. Using the cursor keys, these
stars can be moved to set the numbers (values) of your choice.
After you set the width and length of the screen puzzle, return to the
Preference Menu by pressing the 'Enter' key. The layout is adjusted
until you change it again.
Pressing F-1 causes the layout being set back to default. ( 20
characters wide, 15 characters high, remember?)
15.3 Layout Printer Puzzle.
If you did select item 2 from the Layout Menu, you can set width and
heigth of a printer puzzle. Default is set to 22 characters wide and 22
characters high. You'll see a horizontal and a vertical array of
numbers. In both arrays one of the numbers is accompanied by a number.
Using the cursor keys, these stars can be moved to set the numbers
(values) of your choice.
The horizontal array represents the width of the printer puzzle, the
vertical the heigth.
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Press F-1 to set the width and heigth to default. Press the 'Enter' key
to return to the Preferences Menu. The layout is adjusted until you
change it again.
As you will understand, the number of words fitting in a puzzle is
influenced by the width and height of the layout. If you like to create
a small puzzle, set the width and height to small. Larger WordSeeker
puz- zles are more difficult to create than small ones.
15.4 Maximum length of puzzle words.
Puzzle words are words hidden in the puzzle. The default maximum length
is set to 19 characters, the maximum length of subject words.
If you did select item 3 from the Layout Menu, you can set the maxi-
mum length of puzzle words. Why should you do that?
- Long words won't fit into a small puzzle.
- Children understand short words better.
- A lot more words will fit into the puzzle.
- It ables WordSeeker to fill the puzzle easier. Less empty cells
will remain.
Please note:
- Only those subject words which are equal or smaller in size than the set
maximum length are used for the puzzle. In fact, the number of words from
a subject which can be used will be limited, so it's possible that
WordSeeker can't create a puzzle with the given subject.
- The number of words in a WordSeeker puzzle increases. Also, more columns
can be printed. Your puzzle will look more attractive.
Setting the maximum length of puzzle words is a piece of cake. The
screen shows an horizontal array of numbers. The length which is set is
presented by a preceding star. Using the left and right cursor keys,
the star can be moved to the desired number (value). Use F-1 to set the
maximum length back to default. If you're statisfied press the 'Enter'
key to return to the Preference Menu.
15.5 Precentage of empty cells.
If you selected item 4 from the Layout Menu, you can set the percentage
of empty cells. Empty cells are the cells which are not occupied by a
character of a puzzle word.
Please note:
- The more empty cells, the more words have to be found to solve the puz-
zle.
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- The less empty cells, the more attractive your puzzle will look. That's
why the default is set to 0% empty cells! Actually, 0% is impossible,
because a puzzle can never be filled for 100%. If you use only long
words in your puzzle, the percentage of empty cells will be rather
large.
To set the percentage, move the star, with the left and right cursor
keys, to the desired number(value). Again, pressing F-1 will move the
star to his home position, the default setting. Press the 'Enter' key to
return to the Layout Menu.
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16. Adjust WordSeeker printer configuration.
16.1 The Printer Menu.
If you did select item 2 from the Preference Menu you'll find a new
window with the Printer Menu. The items from this menu are:
1 - ASCII-value formfeed.
2 - Set framework style.
3 - Set paper-length.
4 - Set paper-width.
Each menu item will be explained in detail. Press the 'Esc' key to
return to the Preference Menu.
16.2 Set formfeed ASCII-code.
Advancing the paper to the next page, the so-called formfeed, is
controlled by a special code. This special code, the ASCII-code, has to
be understood by your printer. Alas, not every printer works with the
same codes. You'll find the right formfeed ASCII-code in the manual
which came with your printer. If yours is different from the default
code on the screen, just overwrite this code by using the 'Backspace'
key and enter the right code. Press the 'Enter' key to return to the
Printer Me- nu.
16.3 Set framework.
As you'll see a printer puzzle has a framework around it. WordSeeker
ables you to choose different frameworks. The frameworks are:
1 - IBM-character set (Single lines).
2 - IBM-character set (Double lines).
3 - ASCII- character set (+ and | 's).
4 - No framework.
Maybe your printer isn't capable of printing the IBM-character sets
(menu items 1 + 2). If so, select the ASCII- character set from menu
item 3 as every printer should be able to print these characters. If
you don't like a framework at all, select menu item 4. Press F-1 to
select the default, being single-lined IBM-character set (menu item 1).
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16.4 Set paper length.
This menu item ables you to set a specific paper length. Some puz- zles
will take more than one page to print. Default paper length is set to
66 lines. Overwrite this value by using the 'Backspace' key and enter
the right value.
16.5 Set paper width.
This menu item ables you to set a specific paper width, as some
printers use different paper as others. Default paper width is set to
80 characters. Overwrite this value by using the 'Backspace' key and
enter the right value. Please, make sure the printer puzzle will still
fit on the paper.
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17. WordSeeker file options.
17.1 The File Menu.
If you did select item 3 from the Preference Menu a new window, the
File Menu, will appear. Its items are:
1 - Load configuration from disk.
2 - Save configuration to disk.
3 - Set drive/path.
Each menu item will be discussed in the next section. Press the 'Esc'
key to return to the Preference Menu.
17.2 Load configuration from disk.
If you saved a configuration, this menu item will retrieve this from
disk. You will be asked: " Load configuration (Y/N)? ". Pressing the
'Y' key loads the configuration. Please note, that the configuration
currently in memory will be erased. You will notice that e.g. the
screen colors change.
17.3 Save configuration to disk.
If you did set your favourite configuration, this menu item will save
it to disk, under the filename 'SETUP.WS'. This file will hold
information about screen colors, puzzle layout, printer configuration
etcetera. If the registered WordSeeker disk slides into your mailbox,
it doesn't contain a 'SETUP.WS' file yet. Instead, the default
configuration is used. So, that WordSeeker works on every
IBM-compatible computer, wit- hout any modification.
Saving your custom configuration has the advantage that WordSeeker
automatically loads it at start-up. Editing the configuration is thus a
one-time matter. All preferences at your fingertips! Of course, you can
always adjust and save the new configuration again.
When you're asked : " Save configuration (Y/N) ", press the 'Y' key and
a new 'SETUP.WS' file is being written.
If you're the lucky (or just unlucky?) owner of the shareware copy of
WordSeeker, the 'SETUP.WS' may be adjusted by the previous user. Ten to
one that his preferences are not yours. Just delete the 'SETUP.WS' file
(del SETUP.WS <enter>), or select item 5, 'Set Configuration to
default', from the Preference Menu.
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17.4 Set drive/path.
WordSeeker needs to know where it can find the files it uses. By
selecting this menu item you can enter the drive (e.g. A:) and path
(e.g.\ WORDSEEKER\files). Please refer to your computer manual for more
information about drivenames and pathnames.
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18. Set Screen Colors.
18.1 The Colors Window.
If you did select item 4 from the Preference Menu a window with four
colors will pop-up, the Color Window. The colors represent:
- Color of framework.
- Color of headings and footers in framework.
- Color of text within windows.
- Color of screen remarks.
18.2 Changing colors.
You can change all four colors, plus foreground/background colors.
Using the cursor keys the cursor moves to the color to change. By
pressing the '+' and '-' keys the colors change. This has the advantage
that you're able to check whether the different colors match.
As it's important that you notice any screen remarks, these remarks
flicker.
Pressing the F-1 key causes the color, marked by the '*', being set
back to default.
Experiment until you find the right color combinations. Leave the Color
Window by pressing the 'Enter' key. Colors in all windows are adjusted.
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19. Setting all values to WordSeeker defaults.
Selecting this menu item sets back all values to defaults. To pre- vent
that all values are erased by mistake, you'll be asked for a
confirmation.
If you press the 'Y' key, all values are set back to default. All
windows are redrawn to update any color changes. Any configuration in
the 'SETUP.WS' is unaffected and will be used when you start-up
WordSeeker next time.
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20. Setting WordSeeker's alert beep on/off.
If you make any mistake throughout WordSeeker you will be alerted by a
beep. If this beep gets on your nerves, please switch it off by
selecting menu item 6 from the Preference Menu.
A window will be presented with:
1 - Turn sound off.
2 - Turn sound on.
Select a menu item, or press the 'Esc' key to return to the Preference
Menu.
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21. Quit WordSeeker.
If you select item 5 from the Main Menu you will be asked if you really
want to quit. If you press the 'N' key you will return to the Main
Menu, pressing 'Y' exits WordSeeker.
22. Final WordSeeker Tips & Tricks
If you use WordSeeker's default configuration, it's likely that more
words are hidden in horizontal direction than in vertical or diagonal
direction. That's because the default width is larger than the default
height. Therefore, it's easier for WordSeeker to place words
horizontal.
You can make you own adjustments to that:
- Make square puzzels. No direction is privileged and WordSeeker has a
hard job at all directions.
- Set the maximum length of puzzle words to a smaller value. Words can be
placed easier, in both vertical and diagonal directions. A 19-character
word will never fit in a puzzle with a height of 15 characters!
In general, you'll find less words in diagonal directions. It's almost
impossible to fill corners of a puzzle with diagonal words of any
fairly size.
