Computaword Vol.1

Sinclair User

Gilbert Factor 2/10

CROSS WORDS Memory: 48K Price: £6.95 Work Force appears to be attempting the impossible with its Computaword, with predictable results. It is difficult to think of any advantages a computerised crossword might have over the simple but much-loved printed variety and Computaword fails to demonstrate any. Not only would you have difficulty in taking it on the train but it presents all kinds of other obstacles, such as the time it takes for the grid to display, the difficulty of consulting clues, and the laboriousness of entering answers. All of those difficulties could be abolished by using paper and pen. The program might have offered a crossword which was more intelligent than an ordinary one but that is not the case. Computaword accepts incorrect answers; if you ask it for help it fills-in the whole crossword rather than answering one clue; and, to top it all, it even plays Congratulations after it has supplied the correct solution for you. There are 10 puzzles which adds to the variety but also to the total amount of loading time needed before you can play. The crosswords are straightforward but difficult to solve, so that the program would not even be suitable for introducing newcomers to crosswords.

Read it at Sinclair User Magazine Online

ZX Computing

Lasting Appeal 70%

Graphics 30%

Originality 30%

Playability 60%

Use Of Machine 40%

Value 50%

James Walsh

Computaword Vol 1 is a digest of ten crosswords to be solved with the aid of a number of rather advanced functions provided by the computer. To start with, a grid is drawn up and each clue can then be attempted. It may display all up or all down clues, or just one clue at the bottom of the screen. As you battle your way through, the puzzles get harder and harder. The first couple are reasonably easy, whilst the latter ones are more of the Einstein variety. Each attempted solution may be checked without giving away the answer but each puzzle may be simply and easily saved to tape or copied to printer. The signal to give up will cause the display of grid plus all the answers. Verdict: Computaword has been reasonably well put together, utilizing a number of ways in which a computer can improve upon the basic crossword puzzle. Unfortunately, I feel rather more could have been done to put it out as a real challenger to the orthodox crossword puzzle. The program does its job in producing a computer crossword puzzle but a lot of potential has been left unharnessed. All things considered though, it is still worth thinking about.