Digital Workshop

A dynamic online word search for IBWs.

http://www.interaktiv.co.uk/izones/wordsearch/WSII.htm

Some notes:

The word search builds a dynamic matrix based on the row / column values specified in the script.

This version uses a bank of about 400 words selected from the UK 'sight' words list for secondary education.

This version uses a 12x12 matrix and attempts to place 24 random words, from the above list BUT will time-out after 60 seconds to compensate for slower computers.

The word search is capable of placing words forwards and downwards including overlapping words. A backwards and upwards function is also possible but not available in this version.

If the correct letters of a word are located then the word is highlighted, the initial letter is shown, the letters of the word are connected and the word is highlighted in the word list.

It is also possible to click on an item in the word list and the initial letter in the matrix will pulse briefly to aid in discovery.

The storyboarding of this script ensures that additional features such as using clues, reading custom word banks, altering placement, specifying matrix conditions or developing a crossword version from the original code are feasible.

Enjoy,

Mack

P.S forgot to add - to stop players simply clicking every tile - correct words are only identified if NO incorrect tiles are currently selected.

This sounds very interesting but all I get is a totally black screen!

Regards

Clive Cartmel

Me too!

You need the IO Plugin installed in order to view the page; presuming you haven't got it already

Paul

That's interesting, because the IO Plugin is showing as being installed.

We live in interesting times

Hi Guys,

I hope you've all solved your problem - if not let me know and I'll look into it.

I've tested the publication under FF2 & IE7 with the latest plexus plug-in and everything ran fine.

The publication should display our standard Interaktiv splash screen before attempting to compute the word place (which runs a lot of calculations) so this should display without a problem. If you not seeing this then ensure that the latest version of Plexus is installed, that no script is enabled for our site (FF) and that the activeX control is permitted under IE.

Mack

It's running the program, Mack, but takes a long........ time to display the grid and the words.

Cheers Roxie,

Unfortunately, this type of program is very much reliant on raw processing power. The reason for the time out function is to stop the slower machines simple from going on and on.

On the build machine here - it takes about 10 seconds to place 24 words on a 12x12 matrix from a selection of 450 words - such as that used in the example on our website.

I have been rewriting some of the underlying code to offer better logic in placing words plus a few other tricks. The new versions now handles offset placement actively rather than by chance and diagonal placement is 95% finished.

I'll include a range of examples to cater for different machines and possibly an option to limit the number of words.

The finished product for schools & IBWs will have a full range of options to make the product 'usable' - but initially, this is a test to push Opus.

Regards,

Mack

Okay - updated version:

Program is now called Hide n Seek and can be found on the iZones menu or at

http://www.interaktiv.co.uk/izones/seek/Hide-n-Seek.htm

1. There are various games available
2. You can now choose word directions in all games
3. You can now choose from a selection of word limits
4. The word selection interface is completely new and mirrors the traditional style. CLICK AND DRAW A LINE THROUGH THE LETTERS!
5. The placement routine has been rewritten - is faster and more actuate.

Mack

Oops - realised that I'd only included 15 of the irregular verbs - have added the full set (170+) now