Whenever I attempt a crossword puzzle I always seem to end up with a crossed-out, corrected and re-corrected mess! How pleasant, therefore, to solve a crossword on a computer screen where mistakes can be painlessly erased.

The Crossword Puzzler package comes with Word-Play, a crossword presentation program, Xword-Gen, a program which allows crosswords to be prepared and saved on tape, plus four sample crosswords.

The crosswords are clearly and crisply presented on the screen, even at the maximum size of 15 x 15. However, I was disappointed that the crossword generator only took in raw data, so that the crossword still have to be designed on paper first. And there is no printout facility.

Solving a crossword is a little tedious, as Word-Play always requires explicit answers to questions (Y or N with no defaults). It also encourages cheating, as it asks if you want the answer even before you've had a go!

Grumbles aside, all attempts are recorded, so competitive and educational crosswords are possible, and it all makes a very pleasant change from space invaders.

P.D.