The most useful feature on XWord Info is the Finder Page. It’s easy to use for straightforward searches, but there are many deeper capabilities. This video helps you get started. The tutorial barely scratches the surface of what’s possible. To keep it to 15 minutes, I don’t even mention using $c and $v for consonants… Continue reading Finder Page Video Tutorial
Category: XWord Info features
Tips and tricks for getting the most out of XWord Info.
Analyze your Puzzles improvements
We’ve made some improvements to the “Analyze your own puzzles” feature.
Updated: Analyze Your Own Puzzles
The XWord Info Analyze page (which also generates links for your test solvers) has been given a huge update.
Goodbye Pangram, Hello POW
Well, you can safely ignore this post. Now that Jeff has stopped doling out POWs, I’ve gone back to counting pangrams on the baseball cards. Every NYT constructor gets what we call a Baseball Card on XWord Info. Like real baseball cards, there’s a photo and a bunch of stats only nerds care about. Until… Continue reading Goodbye Pangram, Hello POW
Tips for Debut Constructors
Constructor notes are the best part of XWord Info. Here’s how you can make your notes shine.
Cheating at Bee with RegEx
We often get questions about using RegEx on XWord Info, most of which I can’t answer, but an intriguing question arose recently. Can RegEx be used to find NYT Spelling Bee words? The short answer is that, yes, we you can filter words in our lists that match Bee rules, but you end up with… Continue reading Cheating at Bee with RegEx
Word List Updates
Jeff Chen regularly updates the XWord Info word lists. He’s just uploaded a large batch.
Analyze your own crosswords
XWord Info started as a website mostly for curious solvers. Over the years, the site has evolved and is now equally aimed at helping constructors create their best work. We have Jeff Chen’s word list, some sample Python scripts, and a Finder page that has been used more than 13 million times. (An upcoming post… Continue reading Analyze your own crosswords
Crosswords and Computers
Crosswords used to be constructed entirely by hand. Watch Garson Hampfield reminisce about the old days. I love this guy. Some constructors still use graph paper, but almost all published crosswords now benefit from some computer assistance. The Auto-Amazing-Theme-Generator™ has yet to be invented, but software such as Crossword Compiler for PCs or Crossfire for… Continue reading Crosswords and Computers
Acrostic Quotes and Full Quotes (NSFW?)
A couple of warnings before we begin: This post contains spoilers for some older Acrostic puzzles. If you’re planning on working your way through them, avert your eyes now. This post contains a story that might imply surprising sexual conduct. Viewer discretion advised. Acrostics seem to involve a different part of the solving brain than… Continue reading Acrostic Quotes and Full Quotes (NSFW?)