A Small Something

This applet helps you to solve cryptograms, like the CryptoQuote that is usually found in newspapers next to the crossword puzzle. In a cryptogram, one letter stands for another and to solve it you have to find what each of those letters are. For example, QSADRZQQSM could stand for LONGFELLOW. Notice that each L is replaced by a Q and each O is replaced by an S, etc. The traditional method of solving a cryptogram involves using a paper and pencil (and an eraser) to keep track of your substitutions. This applet makes that process much easier. When the “Edit Cryptogram” checkbox is not checked, then you can type a character over another one to replace all instances of that character with the new one you typed. If there were any other characters the same as the one you typed, they will be replaced with the one you are replacing. Confusing? Go ahead and give it a try and you’ll see that this tool can help you solve cryptograms much more easily than with paper and pencil.