Wednesday, September 12, 2007

One Across

Oneacross.com is a website for crossword (and other word puzzle) enthusiasts, offering helpful links to reference materials and other puzzle sites. It's main function, however, is providing answers to clues for those stuck on a tricky puzzle. I swear, I only use this site when I'm confronted with absolute stumpers, and it's extremely accurate and helpful.



Audience:

Anyone who enjoys working crossword puzzles, cryptograms, and anagrams, and needs a bit of help figuring out the last clue.

Someone looking for a myriad of links to crossword puzzle sites, crossword generator sites, crossword dictionaries and references, and more.

Someone with an unhealthy obsession with Will Shortz and/or curiosity about the hundreds of anagrams you can make using the phrase "Jesse the Body Ventura."

Content:

Very helpful to the target audience. I think the best feature is the Crossword Clue Search. You simply type in the crossword clue and the letters you have solved so far (using question marks to represent unsolved letters), and the search engine presents you with a list of possible answers, sorted by accuracy and relevance. It also tells the source of the answer - most of them come up as "known clue," and the database of the known clues must be quite large. There are similar searches for cryptograms and anagrams, though I've never used either of these.

The links to reference materials and crossword sites are very useful, as well, especially the "Puzzles" link under "Crosswords." A table gives you links to online crossword puzzles, and lists the cost (if any) to subscribe, the format, subscription length, and frequency. A crossword lover's dream.

Consistency of Design:

This website is pretty straight forward and utilitarian, with no frills. As you might suspect, most of the visual design elements are blocky and black and white, to mimic the puzzles. The only color breaking up the main page is the the blue lettering of links. The only other instances of color come from the products in the store. I do not think this is detrimental in any way; I think most visitors to the site know what they are looking for, and do not need to be distracted or entertained with more stimulating visual elements.

Ease of Navigation:

I find it very easy to navigate this site. The most important feature, the Crossword Clue Solver, is front and center on the home page. Once you've looked up a clue and you've received an answer, there is space directly above to ask about another clue, so you don't have to keep going back to the main page. In addition, your five previous searches are still displayed below, so you can recheck clues if needed and see what you've already looked up.

All of the links run across the top, with a smaller menu just underneath when you click on one of the puzzle types. Unfortunately, the Forum page is temporarily offline while they integrate it to the rest of the site, so I was not able to check and see how easy it is to post or read comment threads. The Store is also straightforward, with the different types of products listed in a sidebar menu, and the products clearly displayed in the middle of the page. Maybe now I can get that Partridge Family Crossword Puzzle Book I've had my eye on for so long.

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