Or you may wish to read about the new developments at the Online Crosswords site.
Just follow the steps of this link, fill in your puzzle data and you'll receive the formatted datafile (ready to use with the applet) by email.
W.2. My old HTML pages can't use the new applets.
Yes, the names of the applets have changed to reflect the version change. However, all applet sizes remain the same. You only will need to change the contents of the
<APPLET CODE=...tag. Instead of xwdemo.class use xwstd.class for the standard version. Instead of xwcolor.class use xwclr.class for the party version. Instead of xwimage.class use xwimg.class for the image version.
W.3. Can I use puzzles in AcrossLite format?
The online converter will create a puzzle in proper format for you in a few seconds.
The format of puzzles which applets take is very simple: you just draw a grid as text - all vertical lines between columns are replaced by a symbol '|', all numbered squares are numbered, all blackened-out ones - marked with -1 (negative one), all non-numbered ones are marked with 0 (zero). Add width and height before the grid, and clues after, and you're done!
Below you again see a 5x5 demo puzzle grid with 3 clues across (numbered 1,4,5) and 3 clues down (numbered 1,2,3). Note the symbol '|' separating clue number and clue text.
5 5 1|0|2|0|3 0|-1|0|-1|0 4|0|0|0|0 0|-1|0|-1|0 5|0|0|0|0 3 1|Old-fashioned slogan 4|Minimum danger 5|Comes before steady 3 1|When to say "never" 2|Karma 3|Syncretistic SOLUTION N|U|K|E|M E|.|A|.|E V|I|R|U|S E|.|M|.|S R|E|A|D|Y
IMPORTANT: there should be no extra spaces or tabs or empty lines anywhere in the data file!
C.2. I made my own data files but I can't get it running:
Please check the contents of Java console (in Netscape Options -> Show Java console) for any errors. It's contents is your debugging information - to inform you if anything is wrong with your data file. Make sure the "Debug" parameter is set to "yes":
<PARAM NAME="Debug" VALUE="yes">
THE MOST COMMON ERRORS ARE:
Checking for these errors first could save you a lot of time.
C.3. When I make my own data files, I get an error:
Applet xwimage can't start: security violation: security.exit: 16
The width/height parameters in the html file are incorrect. You probably are using the demo puzzle settings:
<APPLET CODE="xwstd.class" WIDTH=160 HEIGHT=460>Please check the contents of Java console (Options -> Show Java console) for correct settings.
NOTE: Your grid can't be smaller than 5x5.
xw:Can't read Height xw:Can't read clues Across xw:Can't read clues DownThis is an exapmle of an error caused by an empty space. It means there are problems reading Height (line #2). There should be no extra spaces after the number.
C.5. What does this error mean:
xw:Can't read data at row 3 col 5There is a missing number or an unexpected symbol (or extra space) in your grid. Look up row 4 column 6.
NOTE: Row and column counts start from 0. So row 0 would be the first row in your grid.
C.6. I get "ArrayIndexOutofBounds Exception"
Applet can't start: exception:java.lang.ArrayIndexOutofBounds Exceptionor similar message (sometimes with a number) appear when you have missed a number in a grid but have given it in the clue list of your grid datafile. It is normally the highest numbered clue. Insert the missing number in the grid in your datafile.
Yes, any rectangle greater than 5x5 is acceptable.
U.2. How can I print a puzzle?
A commercial version will soon include a built-in postscript generator for printing out the puzzles - distributed free for registered users. Currently, a free postscript generator script is available here.
U.3. Is there a cheat option where people can see the answers they can't figure out?
Yes, if you provide a solution, the incorrect user input will be shown in RED color.
U.4. Can you add a timer? Could the applets be used for competitions?
These and similar options are available as custom-written applets. Please get in touch with a list of your requirements to discuss prices.
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