Troubleshooting for Constructors 

If you are having trouble with the software as you construct:
    REFRESH the screen you are using.
    CLEAR OUT YOUR CACHE. This means the workspace used by 
    your own browser on your own computer.  It has nothing 
    to do with the database workspace on my PAIR server, 
    where the puzzles are kept.
These two fixes will eliminate most problems.    

Q. Entering definition words was somewhat frustrating as there was no
way I could find to delete letters. For instance, if I wanted to change
killers to killed, I couldn't then delete the "s."

A.  The definitions page (DEFN, step 3) is in a standard HTML form.  You
can use the delete key, backspace, or cut and paste, whatever you like.
Also remember that before you leave the definitions screen, you must
save your work by clicking "GO."   You can save as many times as you
like. 

By the way, the answers in the grid (QA, step 2) work the same way as a
typewriter (remember those?). Use the spacebar to blank out a letter, or
use the backspace to delete. 

Q. Since I could not edit my definitions, my workaround was to return to
the previous screen and then start over again on the now blank
definition page.  However, this meant losing the good along with the
bad.

A. Remember to save your work before you leave the definitions screen
each time by clicking "GO." Then click Back, Forward, Refresh to get the
last saved copy.  

Make sure you Refresh and Clear Out the Cache to eliminate any other
problems.  As the Members' Forum shows, I learned this the hard way.
See Constructing a New Puzzle - Initialization Step (Sue Gleason,
December 4, 2003): "I have found my problem. My cache is full!  I
suspect anyone who has had difficulty using my constructor HTML forms
(the initialization and definition steps) needs to expand or clear the
cache (in Internet Explorer, click Tools; Internet Options; Temporary
Internet Files; Delete Files). 

Q. I've experienced a few anomalies with the letter distribution chart.
It told me I had letters available that in fact were already used. 

A. This problem may result from looking at old versions due to the
Refresh/Cache business. 
I cannot overemphasize the importance of periodically clearing the cache
and refreshing the page.

Q.  I couldn't actually test-solve my puzzle as I was unable to bring it
up on screen once completed.

A.  Clear the cache! Clear the cache!  Refresh! Refresh!  Okay, now
enter your userid and password on the main page,  click "Constructors
Page," then click Develop and Go, then click the X under step 7, Test.

About 1,000 puzzles have been entered by the members using this
software. I have made continuous improvements to make it easy for people
who construct or solve regularly.