How to Create Your Own Crossword Puzzle

Initially, crossword puzzles were hand-made but open the invention of a software program in 1997, crosswords puzzles can be made by an individual on the computer. The easiest way of creating a crossword puzzle, then, would be doing it in a computer.

The first thing to identify when making a crossword puzzle, it is intention. Is the crossword puzzle intended just for personal use? Or is it made for friends and family? Crossword puzzles are also given as gifts, nowadays. The reason for answering these questions, it to make sure that you will be acquiring or purchasing the appropriate software that would cater to these needs.

American crossword puzzles have a set of standards that they need to follow. There are several grid sizes for a crossword puzzle: 13×13, 15×15, 17×17, 19×19, 21×21, and 23×23. The most common crossword size would be 15×15 and is generally accepted as the standard size.

You also need to remember that crossword puzzles are symmetrical. The number of black boxes in the left corner should also be the same with the number of black boxes in the lower right corner. Also, two letter words are not allowed and three letter words should not appear frequently in the puzzle.

Another rule is that unkeyed words or words whose letters are not interlocked with an across and a down word are not allowed. So every letter square should be a part of an across and a down word. Another rule is about word duplication. There are words in an expression should not share with another word used in a puzzle.

If you intend to have the crossword published, then you have to be familiar with the number of black boxes that publishing companies allow to appear in the crossword. With Simon & Schuster, they prefer that about one- sixth of the total number of grid squares in black.

There are publishers who do not declare any specific number. But normal number of black boxes would be about one-sixth. If they see that there are too much black boxes in the puzzle, they may think twice of buying or publishing the puzzle.

There are crossword puzzle makers who draw up a list of theme words or phrases first. Then they would be sorted out according to their length. This practice makes it easier for the crossword makers to think of words and develop questions or hints about the words.

There are also different practices for some crossword makers. Once they have identified the theme and have come up with some long words, they would fill in the grid with the words and then think about the clues afterwards. While there are some who would create the clues first before completing the grid.

In the process of completing the puzzle, there would be times when you would have to encounter weird and unacceptable words. This is perfectly normal. You can use entertaining words to make your crossword witty and fun.

If you have decided to create a crossword puzzle with the help of a software, then there are free crossword puzzle makers which you can try using. There are crossword making software which could be purchased in a lower rate. There are software for making crosswords for publishers.

If you intend to have your crosswords published, then it would be best to avoid using them or publishing them on your own. Avoid using them even in your personal page since they can affect the publisher’s interest. Most publishers would like to buy puzzles where they can have all rights. And also, there are some crosswords who are experiencing trademark problems.

Try to avoid using words with trademark in your crossword puzzles.

May 28, 2009 · Filed Under Crossword Puzzles

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The Difference Between Laser and Inkjet

Are you one of that who is meaning to buy a printer but is very much torn because of the technologies you see around you?

Where will you be using your printer? Would you like an inkjet or a laser printer?

Inkjet printers.

Inkjet printers are categorized into three; 3-colors, 4-colors and photo printing. It can be noted that the 4-color inkjet printer is the most popular and widely used by many.

The 4-color inkjet printer has two ink cartridges. One for holding the black ink and the other for the color ink.

3-color inkjet printers only holds one type of ink at a time. if you have this kind of printer, you need to switch ink colors whenever you need to print something in black or in colored. Ever since 4-color inkjet printers became popular, this kind of printers is not used much anymore.

Photo inkjet printer is the most complicated printer out of these three because it uses additional colors. These colors can be light cyan, light magenta, green, and red. The purpose of using these additional colors is to get the best photographic quality outputs.

Laser printers.

Laser printers comes in two kinds; monochrome and color printer. Monochrome laser printer is more popularly used than color printer.

Inkjet or laser printer.

Laser printers are generally faster than inkjet printers. They also offer speedy printing, good quality prints with the lowest price. These printers use toner cartridges as opposed to the inkjet printers which use ink cartridges. Color laser printers are best used for offices or other kinds of printing that have graphics or photos.

If you are planning on buying a printer for home use, color laser printers are not the best option. There are high quality inkjet printers that will suit your needs too and they do not cost as much as color printers.

Before buying the printer of your choice, take into account the purpose it will serve you. Consider the initial and the maintenance costs first.

Take into account quality. There is nothing wrong with buying a printer that is cheap but gives good quality prints. But there is definitely something wrong with an expensive printer having poor quality prints.

Try to not overpay too much for a printer with so many features that you will not be in need of. do your research and get to know some of the printers available in the market.

May 27, 2009 · Filed Under Computer Technology

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The Lighter Side Of Laptops

This article is about three general categories of light weight laptops. If focuses on thin-and-light laptops, the ultraportables and the tablet PC. The article also provides the reader with basic information about what features usually accompany these categories of laptops.

No matter how convenient, and sometimes absolutely indispensable, it is to be able to take your work around with you travel, at times you can’t help but wish that they’d think of making those laptops a little lighter to carry around.

Well, the good news is that they’ve already thought of that and done something about it too. Today, laptops come is weights as light as two pounds, which makes them an absolute pleasure to carry around.

Lightweight laptops can be broadly classified into three.

Generally a preferred choice among lightweight laptops, the thin-and-light laptops offer powerful mobile processors, are approximately 1 inch in thickness and weigh almost 4 to 6 pounds. The display is usually a widescreen of 12 to 14 inches. They come with a 40 to 80 GB hard drive, an optical drive, networking features like LAN, modem, WiFi and an optional Bluetooth. Popular models among others are the Sharp M4000 and the Toshiba Satellite M55-S325.

The Ultraportables are a good choice for people who need to get their work done between frequent travel. They weigh less than 4 pounds and are less than 1 inch in thickness. With a screen smaller than 12 inches, they also some with a 30-60 GB hard drive, networking options, a touch pad and a small keyboard. Popular models among others are the SONY VAIO VGN-SXP and the IBM ThinkPad T41.

A lot similar in size and weight, to the ultraportable counterpart is the Tablet PC. You can make hand-written notes and navigate using a stylus on its screen. Amazingly small weights, as low as 2 pounds, make this a popular choice among laptop consumers.

However, you might want to keep in mind that what you gain with the portability of lightweight laptops, you might have to give up in terms of keyboards that are less easy to work on, smaller displays and fewer features.

May 26, 2009 · Filed Under Computer Technology