I wanted to disable the reminder screens which come up enerytime you delete a letter in a word or try to blacken a square after entering letters. I found the constant coaching to be tedious and time consuming. I do like the dictionary feature and the ability to format the puzzles according to the stylesheets of various publishers. For the experienced constructor, or anyone plannning to publish, this wouldn't be their primary tool. But it does have some features which make it a good compliment to your other helpers.
The solve feature which draws on the dictionary is very handy but unfortunately the dialogue box partially hides the grid which is very annoying. The latest version does allow you to import words into the database which is a big plus. Couldn't get the 'Trim Word' to work. Any time you toggle between doing black squares and letters it defaults to 1 Across. No templates. Have to define the grid every time. Can't export the puzzle

draws from a dictionary of 60,000 words when filling puzzles. This database includes a number of brand names which are well known to North Americans but not necessarily familiar to those in other countries. Nonetheless, I found the fills were more than adequate and the absence of obscure entries and 'crosswordese' was a pleasure to behold.

One of the features that I found to be of great assistance was the grid templates included with the program. Of course, one can always copy a grid from an existing puzzle but CrossWorks comes equipped with an extensive library of patterns (over 140 different patterns). Apart from the standard square grids, there are also many specialty shapes such as flowers, crosses, and numerals. Just select a pattern, hit the build button et voilà!

Here's an example of a decorative grid that CrossWorks filled automatically.
Place your cursor over the grid to see the fill. N.B. If your browser is not Java-enabled, click the left mouse button to view the finished product.

Created with Crossword Weaver

Once you've filled the puzzle grid then you have to wrestle with the clues, right? Wrong! CrossWorks automatically includes clues for most of the entries and even has a number of alternate clues that can be custom selected. However, if you want to write your own clue(s) or edit those provided, this is easily done. The program is very accommodating. Incidentally, though some of the stock clues were rather pedestrian, most were acceptable.

With minimal effort you now have a completed puzzle. At this point you can print it out or import it (via the clipboard) into another Windows application such as an HTML editor for inclusion on a Web page or other electronic publication (newsletter, etc.). Now you can go impress your friends!

• System Requirements:
  IBM PC or Compatible with a 386 processor or higher
  Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 or higher
  8 MB of memory (RAM)
  About 5 MB of disk storage
  A mouse or other pointing device

• Ease Of Use:
  Basically, a point-and-click operation (and type in the words) that allows you to create standard crosswords (North American style), cryptics and free-form crosswords. Includes a number of themed word lists such as animals, colors, sports, etc. Custom themed word lists are easily created but it won't import existing word lists from other applications. Once word lists are created, they can be saved separately. Unfortunately, the main dictionary is not expandable.

• Help File
  This software comes with a great help file that clearly explains the mechanics of the program as well as including an introduction to crossword styles and standards. For those who prefer a hard copy, a spiral bound User's Manual and Reference Guide (approx 100 pages) is available.

• Multi-Language Capabilities:
  CrossWorks supports words from any Roman-alphabet language. (No symbols or numbers.)

• Handy Features:
  Creates puzzles up to 23 columns by 23 rows.
  Lets you change fonts, grid size & position, margins, number of columns, etc.
  Multiple levels of undo and redo.
  Exports your puzzle to other Windows programs.
  Pattern-drawing tools with seven types of symmetry.
  Includes over 140 different blocked grid templates.