The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group
Solving problems with computers
Barbara Maple

Computers can and are used to solve a multitude of problems. If you have a computer with a CD-ROM, you can take advantage of atlases, encyclopaedias and all sorts of reference books on CD-ROM.

But it's not all work, you can have fun too, even when you're using your computer to solve problems. That's what I did recently when I used my computer, the Melb PC BBS and the Internet to discover a new way to do something. The new way saved me a lot of the hassle I had been having with the traditional way, something the animals in our household are probably not as happy about as I am. You see I love to do jigsaw puzzles, but to do them entailed finding a secure hiding place that one of the cats, or the dog, or any of the other non-human inhabitants of the Maple household, could disturb.

I had completed a lovely jigsaw puzzle of the front view of a brushtail possum. (One of my other animal interests). I had my husband Len put it high up. Out of the way. Where none of the cats could get to it.

That was wishful thinking on my part. It got knocked down twice from two different spots in the house. At the moment there is still one piece missing.

Not long after the second incident, I was looking though the games area in the Files section of the Melb PC BBS when I came across JIGALO.ZIP This is the BBS file name for Jigsaws Galore, a program for solving jigsaw puzzles, on your computer!

I downloaded and installed it straight away. It is a marvellous program. There are several jigsaws that you can chose to do. There are various degrees of difficulty and you can alter the size of the pieces. (You can also cheat, but don't tell anyone, it can be our secret.)

You can also choose a jigsaw puzzle, select Auto Solve, then sit back and watch the computer do the puzzle itself!

I was so taken with the program that I wanted to register it. When I was looking at the registration information I discovered the company had a World Wide Web site http://www.delta.com/gda.com where I could find all about the company - Gray Design Associates - and its products.

I sent Mr Gray an e-mail message telling him how much I had liked his product and asking permission to quote his name and use some of the images from his web site in this article.

He responded with a hearty, Yes!

So now when my friends who don't use computers ask me why I like using computers so much I have a real life example to show them how useful a computer can be. And when my friends who do use computers ask me why I'm a member of Melb PC I can tell them how handy it is to solve problems in the most fun and fascinating way.


Figure 1. Pick your puzzle, and degree of difficulty


Figure 2. Starting the avocado puzzle (default level of difficulty)


Figure 3. The avocado puzzle in progress


Figure 4. The avocado puzzle, completed


Figure 5. Avocado again, this time with the high degree of difficulty


Figure 6. Making a custon puzzle from Ken Holmes' icosohedron image (the Buckball with variations, PC Update Feb, 1997)

I used Melb PC's BBS and Internet service to solve my problem and found a fun game in the process. And yes, my husband, Len ordered the jigsaw puzzle for me (he likes doing them too). Now we don't have to worry about the cats or the dog ruining our work.

Reprinted from the June 1997 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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