# Crossword Puzzle Software recommendation **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 11, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452 "2003-12-11T23:09:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/1 "2003-12-11T23:09:38Z")
Back on October 1 2000, a writer named Peter St. Onge posted an amusing article about crossword puzzle construction. You may read the story at [http://www.thehollandsentinel.net/stories/100100/fea\_puzzle.html](http://www.thehollandsentinel.net/stories/100100/fea_puzzle.html) St. Onge tells of a neurosurgeon who creates crossword puzzles - mostly for kicks - using software that costs under $100. It’s a complete program and I’d like to buy it - or something like it - but the writer doesn’t seem to be at the Holland Sentinel anymore, and he does not name the software. So, can anyone recommend a truly professional program for the creation of crossword puzzles? ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/2 "2003-12-12T00:45:47Z")
**twickster** is a professional cruciverbalist; maybe mentioning her name will bring her into this thread… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/3 "2003-12-12T02:05:37Z")
Nope, didn’t need to be called – but can’t help, sorry. The stuff at work is custom written, and I don’t have anything on my machine at home. [Here’s](http://crosswordtournament.com/links/index.htm) a listing of various software options – and a link to a newsgroup at the bottom. Perhaps someone there would be able to help. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/4 "2003-12-12T03:14:38Z")
Thank you both. I’ll make a lot of use of your referrals, Twickster. ---
**Author:** ![improbably\_blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8dc957/32.png) [@improbably\_blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/improbably_blonde)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/5 "2003-12-12T06:02:20Z")
Allow me to recommend a paperback book on their construction by Mike Miller **Beyond Crossword Puzzles** Prentice-Hall. ---
**Author:** ![improbably\_blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8dc957/32.png) [@improbably\_blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/improbably_blonde)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/6 "2003-12-12T06:04:07Z")
And here’s a great way to fill in those tough corners of the grid. [http://dictionary.langenberg.com/](http://dictionary.langenberg.com/) ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/7 "2003-12-13T17:57:44Z")
Dear Improbably Blonde, Thank you so much!!! For the book and the wealth of online references. As my wife was getting into her car to go to BordersBooks, just this minute, I called out to her to get the Beyond Crosswords book. Sadly, I can’t buy any xword software at the moment. Made the mistake of mentioning it to my wife and the idea has swooped into the family’s “Oh what a great idea for a Christmas gift for dad!” thing. Instead of Improbably Blonde I think your name should be Ineffably Thoughtful. Thanks again, and I hope the Holidays find you healthy, happy and much loved. Antiochus ---
**Author:** ![improbably\_blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8dc957/32.png) [@improbably\_blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/improbably_blonde)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/8 "2003-12-14T15:14:07Z")
Glad to oblige! And I got a new sig. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/9 "2003-12-14T15:31:08Z")
Am I missing something or are you looking for stuff like [this](http://dmoz.org/Games/Puzzles/Crosswords/Creation_Software/), or more specifically [this](http://www.crauswords.com/) ? ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-software-recommendation/218452/10 "2003-12-14T18:22:20Z")
Dear don’t ask, I guess some of each! Thank you. Antiochus