CrossWorks comes with the entire Merriam Webster Crossword Puzzle Dictionary. This is a definite time saver when writing clues. The program will automatically display the clue editing window each time a word is completed in the grid. If desired, this feature can be turned off until the entire grid is completed.

Also, the database can be customized and new words added to the dicionary list. To me, this is an essential element of any construction program. New words, names and topical terms constantly enter the language and any word lists require constant updating to keep puzzles current and entertaining.

The puzzle interface is basically 'point-and-click' and type. The 'Solve' feature offers possible words that will fill an empty light or one with crossing letters. However, when looking for variations of words (ending in 'S', ING, etc) the word must first be truncated with the 'Trim Word' feature. In other words, if you had a four-letter entry partially filled thus: N       S, it won't find NABS or NAGS unless you remove the S. Likewise, it won't display any definitions for plural words in the clueing window.

I found the wordlist to be lacking in the original version of the program but upgrades have greatly improved the search capabilities. When looking up a possible fill for: E    Y            , the 'Solve' feature was able to find: ELYSIAN, ELYSIUM, ELYTRON, ERYOPID, and ERYTHRO. It's also possible to add to the word list any time that you discover an omission.

There is now an 'auto-fill' feature which will fill in all the words in an empty grid. Users can type or import word lists, and CrossWorks will maintain them separately but combine them 'on-the-fly' to create any number of puzzles on its own.

Here's an example of a puzzle that I made using CrossWorks. The majority of the clues are stock (from the clueing window) but several are original substitutes when those supplied by the program were too mundane or obvious.
Place your cursor over the grid to see the fill. (If your browser is not Java-enabled, click the left mouse button to view the solution.)

Created with Crossworks by Homeware

Once the grid is filled, you can select the 'Commission' feature. This highlights any entries which are not clued. When all the entries are clued, the 'Commission' option displays the number of words in the puzzle, the Average Word Length (AWL), and the percentage of black squares (vital stats for puzzle editors).

Now it's time to print the puzzle. CrossWorks allows you to automatically format the printed puzzle according to the guidelines of various publishers. These style sheets may be out of date but this can be addressed in future releases and upgrades. Also, bear in mind that a lot of publishers now prefer submissions to arrive in electronic form.

Fortunately, constructors can now export the puzzle in TIF and JPEG format. CrossWorks exports blank and filled puzzles and clues with a simple 'point and click' of the mouse.

• System Requirements
  Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 or higher
  4 MB of memory (RAM)
  15 MB disk storage for full installation (3MB minimum)
  A mouse or other pointing device