The '''NASPA Zyzzyva FAQ''', as with everything [[NASPA Zyzzyva|Zyzzyva]]-related, was originally written by [[Michael Thelen]] and then transferred to NASPA in 2014.
== Why is the program called Zyzzyva? General ==
Michael Thelen writes: I wanted to pick a fun word that was somewhat unique. I knew "zyzzyva" was one of === Why is the most improbable words to be played in a SCRABBLE game, and I liked the sound of it. Later on, after I had picked the name, I realized that since "zyzzyva" was also the last word in alphabetical order (it has since been replaced by "zzz"), I could call program called Zyzzyva "the last word" in word study. I wish I could say I was smart enough to come up with that slogan from the start.? ===
Michael Thelen writes: I wanted to pick a fun word that was somewhat unique. I knew zyzzyva was one of the most improbable words to be played in a SCRABBLE game, and I liked the sound of it. Later on, after I had picked the name, I realized that since zyzzyva was also the last word in alphabetical order (it has since been replaced by zzz), I could call Zyzzyva the last word in word study. I wish I could say I was smart enough to come up with that slogan from the start. === Why is Zyzzyva available for free? ===
Michael Thelen writes: I created Zyzzyva because I wanted a program for studying SCRABBLE words. There are several programs available, but all of them either lack features I wanted or do not run on Linux. I therefore took it upon myself to create the program I wanted, and Zyzzyva is the result.
NASPA adds: We appreciate Michael’s efforts in developing Zyzzyva and are committed to continuing to make it freely available to the SCRABBLE community. For licensing reasons, however, and the need to support proprietary word lists, Zyzzyva is now closed-source.
== When = I love Zyzzyva so much that I would like to send you giant piles of money. How can I do that? === Michael Thelen originally wrote: That is so nice of you! I try 'm always very happy to claim receive donations of any amount. NASPA writes: You can support Zyzzyva development and our other activities by [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/join.pl joining] NASPA or activate [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/renew.pl keeping] your membership current. If you are feeling philanthropic, why not consider a licensedonation to our [https://www.naspafoundationforyouthliteracy.org/ Foundation for Youth Literacy]? === When will NASPA Zyzzyva be available for my platform? === NASPA Zyzzyva is currently available for the Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. When NASPA took over Zyzzyva development, the iOS version was already two iOS updates obsolete, and the necessary changes are not trivial. Development of a NASPA Zyzzyva app for Android and iOS - sharing the same code base as the desktop version - is underway. == Supported Word Lists == === How do I do use word lists added in the latest version of NASPA Zyzzyva?=== When you install a new version of NASPA Zyzzyva, it does not change the list of lexicons to include any newly added word lists. Follow these instructions to make a word list available in NASPA Zyzzyva: * Choose Edit > Preferences > Load Lexicons > Edit... and check the lexicons that you want to use.* Rebuild databases when prompted. This step may take several minutes if you have many lexicons installed. When it completes, you’re done!** If not get prompted , you can choose Tools > Rebuild Database... to log into start the process. === Where can I find word lists to use with NASPAZyzzyva? === If the word list is not [[Zyzzyva#Current_Version | included]] in NASPA Zyzzyva, you may be able to load a text file version of the word list as a custom lexicon. It depends on the word list, but you should in general ask the copyright holder for permission to use an electronic copy of the word list. If you need help formatting it for use with Zyzzyva, please feel free to contact [mailto:zyzzyva@scrabbleplayers.org us]. == Using Zyzzyva == === How do I resolve this issueprint a list of words? ===
Make sure that you are connected to the InternetThere is no print functionality built into Zyzzyva. If soYou can, Norton Antivirus or however, right-click (Control-click on a similar utility may be blocking Zyzzyva from accessing the InternetMac) on any word list (e.g. To resolve the issue, you will need to turn off Search results) and save it in plain text format. Then manipulate the firewall within Norton. Once you claim or activate your Zyzzyva licenselist and print it from a text editor program, you can turn the firewall back like Notepad onWindows.
== How can I transfer my Zyzzyva data from one computer to another= When viewing search results, what are the hypehn marks at the beginning or end of certain words? ===
You Those marks denote inner hooks - they mean that either the first or last letter of the word can transfer all your data be dropped to a new computer by copying your data directoryform another valid word, depending on where the hyphen appears. You can find out where your Zyzzyva data directory is by opening If the Preferences window in Zyzzyva and looking hyphen appears at the Data Directory setting. Make a copy beginning of this directory, and move it to wherever you likethe word, on then the new computerfirst letter can be dropped. Then, after you install Zyzzyva on If the new computer, open hyphen appears at the Preferences window and change end of the Data Directory setting to point to wherever you put your data directory from word, then the original computerlast letter can be dropped.
The transfer should work regardless of the operating systems used on the two computers. For example, you should be able to transfer your data directory from a Windows computer to a Mac, or vice versa.=== Why did Zyzzyva mark all my answers as missed when I actually got them all correct? ===
== How can I change Zyzzyva only marks all responses as missed if you actually entered all the location correct responses, but also provided an incorrect response. The reason for marking all responses as missed is because (currently) Zyzzyva has no other way of my data directory? ==marking the question as missed without marking at least one response as missed. So instead of picking a random response to mark as missed, it marks them all.
Here are general instructions for changing the location of your data directory, including how to find your directory in the file browser This only happens if it is a hidden directory called ".zyzzyva". Since Zyzzyva 2.1.0, you have the default data directory has no longer been a hidden directory called ".zyzzyva"'Mark question as missed after an incorrect response' setting activated, but instead a regular directory called "Zyzzyva"not 'End question after an incorrect response'. HoweverTechnically, it could also happen if you have used a previous version, your data directory may still be called ".zyzzyva". Below are instructions if you want to change it. Be sure to follow these directions closely because manually manipulating the Zyzzyva data directory can be potentially dangerous to your data if you're End question after an incorrect response' setting activated, but not careful. You should probably read 'End question after all correct responses', and the incorrect response is the full instructions before taking any action so last one you're familiar with what steps are requiredgive.
# Open Zyzzyva == Cardboxes and find out what your data directory is. It can be found by clicking the Preferences button (with a wrench and screwdriver), and looking at the Data Directory setting in the General section. Copy and paste or write down this location.# '''IMPORTANT:''' Close Zyzzyva. We don't want Zyzzyva mucking around with your data directory while you're moving it.# Find the location of your data directory in the file browser. You will need to enable viewing hidden directories, or else the ".zyzzyva" directory will not be visible.#* On Windows:#** Choose Tools->Folder Options from the menu.#** Open the View tab.#** Enable the "Show hidden files and folders" option under "Hidden files and folders", under "Files and Folders".#* On Mac OS X:#** Follow these [http://guides.macrumors.com/Viewing_hidden_files_on_a_Mac instructions]. #* On Linux:#** Open a console and "cd" to the directory above your data directory. Use "ls -A" to verify that the ".zyzzyva" directory exists.# '''Optional but a very good idea:''' Make a copy of the ".zyzzyva" directory by right-clicking it and choosing "Copy" and then "Paste" (on Windows), or "Duplicate" (on Mac OS X). This will act as a backup in case anything goes wrong.# Rename or move the ".zyzzyva" directory to whatever you like. We suggest simply renaming it to "Zyzzyva" (without the dot). Remember where you moved it and what you renamed it to.# Open Zyzzyva again. It will probably complain about missing databases, but tell it NO, do not create databases.# Open the Preferences window again, and click the Browse button next to the Data Directory setting. Use the file browser to find the new location of your data directory.# Restart Zyzzyva, just to be sure it is using the new data directory. If it doesn't complain about missing databases, everything should be okay. If it does complain about databases, retrace the above steps to figure out where you went wrong.Quizzes ==
== Can I keep my Zyzzyva data on a USB thumb drive= How does the Cardbox system work? ===
Absolutely. This may be a good option for anyone wanting to use The basic idea is that you must first tell Zyzzyva on multiple computers without having which words you'd like it to copy data directories back and forthkeep track of. Simply copy your data directory onto You generally do this by performing a search, then right-clicking the USB drive (using the process described in [[#How can I transfer my Zyzzyva data from one computer search results, and choosing Add to another?]])Cardbox. Then open the Preferences window Zyzzyva keeps track of those words and change automatically quizzes you on the Data Directory setting ones it thinks you need to point see each day. When you miss a word frequently, Zyzzyva will show it to you more often. A more detailed explanation is given in the data directory on the USB driveHelp documentation.
=== How do I print retain my quiz statistics and cardbox data when I want to study a different word list of words? ===
Unfortunately there's no print functionality built into Zyzzyva yet. The best you can do Cardboxes are separate for right now is right-click (Control-click on a Mac) on any each word list (e.g.You can, however, Search results) import quiz statistics and save it in plain text format. Then manipulate the cardbox data from one word list and print it from a text editor program, like Notepad or Wordpad on Windowsto another.
== How does * Choose File > Cardbox.* Select the Cardbox system work? ==Lexicon - for example, NWL2020 - and Quiz Type - usually Anagrams.* Choose Import...* Select the lexicon from which you want to import data - for example, NWL2018 - and click OK.
The basic idea is that you must first tell Zyzzyva If the word list from which words you'd like it are importing data is subject to keep track of. You generally do this by performing a searchlicensing restrictions, then right-clicking the search results and choosing "Add to Cardbox". Then Zyzzyva keeps track of those words and automatically quizzes you on the ones it thinks you will need to see each dayhave a valid license installed. When you miss a word frequently, Zyzzyva will show it Choose Tools > Manage Licenses to you more often. A more detailed explanation is given in check the Help documentationstatus of your license.
=== How do I remove all my cardbox data? ===
Do the following:
* Open a Search tab.
* Do a search that will find all possible words in your cardbox. Probably something like ": Length: Min 2, Max 9".* Right-click the search results and choose "Remove list from Cardbox".
<br/>
All your cardbox data will be removed from the system, but your historical quiz data will be retained.
== When viewing search resultsPortability of Zyzzyva Data == === How can I transfer my Zyzzyva data from one computer to another? === You can transfer all your data to a new computer by copying your data directory. You can find out where your Zyzzyva data directory is by opening the Preferences window in Zyzzyva and looking at the Data Directory setting. Make a copy of this directory, and move it to wherever you like, on the new computer. Then, after you install Zyzzyva on the new computer, open the Preferences window and change the Data Directory setting to point to wherever you put your data directory from the original computer. The transfer should work regardless of the operating systems used on the two computers. For example, you should be able to transfer your data directory from a Windows computer to a Mac, or vice versa. === How can I change the location of my data directory? === Here are general instructions for changing the location of your data directory, including how to find your directory in the file browser if it is a hidden directory called .zyzzyva. Since Zyzzyva 2.1.0, the default data directory has no longer been a hidden directory called .zyzzyva, but instead a regular directory called Zyzzyva. However, if you have used a previous version, your data directory may still be called .zyzzyva. Below are instructions if you want to change it. Be sure to follow these directions closely because manually manipulating the Zyzzyva data directory can be potentially dangerous to your data if you're not careful. You should probably read the full instructions before taking any action so you're familiar with what steps are required. # Open Zyzzyva and find out what your data directory is. It can be found by clicking the Preferences button (with a wrench and screwdriver), and looking at the Data Directory setting in the General section. Copy and paste or write down this location.# '''IMPORTANT:''' Close Zyzzyva. We don't want Zyzzyva mucking around with your data directory while you're moving it.# Find the location of your data directory in the file browser. You will need to enable viewing hidden directories, or else the .zyzzyva directory will not be visible.#* On Windows:#** Choose Tools->Folder Options from the menu.#** Open the View tab.#** Enable the 'Show hidden files and folders' option under 'Hidden files and folders', under "Files and Folders".#* On macOS:#** Follow these [https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/show-hidden-files-on-a-mac/ instructions]. #* On Linux:#** Open a console and 'cd' to the directory above your data directory. Use 'ls -A' to verify that the .zyzzyva directory exists.# '''Optional but a very good idea:' marks at '' Make a copy of the beginning .zyzzyva directory by right-clicking it and choosing Copy and then Paste (on Windows), or Duplicate (on macOS). This will act as a backup in case anything goes wrong.# Rename or end move the .zyzzyva directory to whatever you like. We suggest simply renaming it to Zyzzyva (without the dot). Remember where you moved it and what you renamed it to.# Open Zyzzyva again. It will probably complain about missing databases, but tell it NO; do not create databases.# Open the Preferences window again, and click the Browse button next to the Data Directory setting. Use the file browser to find the new location of certain wordsyour data directory.# Restart Zyzzyva, just to be sure it is using the new data directory. If it doesn't complain about missing databases, everything should be okay. If it does complain about databases, retrace the above steps to figure out where you went wrong. === Can I keep my Zyzzyva data on a USB thumb drive? === Absolutely. This may be a good option for anyone wanting to use Zyzzyva on multiple computers without having to copy data directories back and forth. Simply copy your data directory onto the USB drive (using the process described transfer Zyzzyva data from one computer to another). Then open the Preferences window and change the Data Directory setting to point to the data directory on the USB drive.
Those marks denote "inner hooks" - they mean that either the first or last letter of the word can be dropped to form another valid word, depending on where the hyphen appears. If the hyphen appears at the beginning of the word, then the first letter can be dropped. If the hyphen appears at the end of the word, then the last letter can be dropped.== Word Probability ==
=== How does Zyzzyva calculate the probability of a word? ===
There isn't a handy formula, but it's basically a straight calculation of the number of possible combinations to get a particular set of letters from a full bag, including blanks. Separate combination values are calculated for drawing zero, one, or two blanks, and then the numbers of combinations are added together to get the total number of ways of drawing a word.
=== Are you sure the probability calculation is accurate? It seems unintuitive to me. ===
Yep, it really is correct. The calculation of probability is notorious for violating human intuition. One useful guideline to remember is that doubled or tripled letters make a particular letter combination much more improbable than you might think. That's because the number of ways to draw two identical letters out of the bag is generally much lower than the number of ways to draw two different letters out of the bag.
=== Are you really sure about the probabilities? I need to see more examples. ===
Consider BAILERS versus BELIERS. BAILERS is a fair amount more probable than BELIERS because of the doubled Esin BELIERS. However, it seems intuitive to say, "If BEILRS has been drawn from a full bag, then there are 9 As and 11 Es in the remaining pool. The E is the more likely draw, which means BELIERS should be more probable than BAILERS."
While it is true that drawing a single E is more likely than drawing a single A, the math for calculating the probability of a word is more complicated than that. You can't just start calculating with the assumption that BEILRS has been drawn; those letters themselves factor into the calculation, and they are not independent events. In this case, we can reduce the difference between BAILERS and BELIERS to the difference between drawing AE or EE when drawing two tiles from the bag.
E1 E2 = EE
As you can see, AE is drawn 4/6 times, while AA is drawn only 1/6, and EE is drawn only 1/6 as well. Even though A and E are equally likely to be drawn if you are only drawing one tile, if you're drawing two tiles , it is much more likely to draw one of each than to draw duplicates.
As another example, consider a bag where E is more likely than A, as is the case in the full SCRABBLE bag. Consider a 6-tile bag containing AAEEEE, with tiles labeled A1, A2, E1, E2, E3, E4. There are 15 possible ways to draw two unordered tiles:
Complicating the math even further is the fact that Zyzzyva calculates probabilities using a full 100-tile bag including two blanks. That may account for differences (usually minor) with other probabilities you may have seen calculated elsewhere, many of which use a 98-tile bag with no blanks.
== Why did Zyzzyva mark all my answers as missed when I actually got them all correct? Licenses ==
Zyzzyva only marks all responses as missed if you actually entered all the correct responses, but also provided an incorrect response=== Do I need to claim or activate a license? ===Access to [[OTCWL2014]] and [[OTCWL2016]] is restricted to current NASPA members by Hasbro. The reason Members needed to claim a license for marking all responses as missed each device where Zyzzyva is because (currently) Zyzzyva has no other way of marking the question as missed without marking at least one response as missed. So instead of picking a random response to mark as missed, it marks them allinstalled.
This only happens if you have the 'Mark question as missed after an incorrect response' setting activated, but The word lists currently shipping with NASPA Zyzzyva do not 'End question after an incorrect response'. Technically, it could also happen if you have the 'End question after an incorrect response' setting activated, but not 'End question after all correct responses', and the incorrect response is the last one you giverequire a license.
You will only need a license if you need to upgrade quiz statistics and cardbox data from [[OTCWL2014]] or [[OTCWL2016]] to another word list or if, in fact, you want to use [[OTCWL2014]] or [[OTCWL2016]] in NASPA Zyzzyva. == = When I love Zyzzyva so much that try to claim or activate a license, I would like do not get prompted to send you giant piles of moneylog into NASPA. How can do I do thatresolve this issue? ===
Michael Thelen originally wrote: That is so nice of Make sure that you! I'm always very happy are connected to receive donations of any amountthe Internet. NASPA writes: If you are feeling philanthropicso, why not consider Norton Antivirus or a donation to our [https://www.naspafoundationforyouthliteracy.org/ Foundation for Youth Literacy]? == How do I use my word list licence on more than one device? == NASPA word list licences are valid for simultaneous use on at least ten different devices. If you need to use yours on more, please contact us at [mailto:info@scrabbleplayers.org info@scrabbleplayers.org]. == When will the current version of Zyzzyva similar utility may be available for my platform? == As of 2016-08-23, blocking Zyzzyva Release 3from accessing the Internet.1.0 is available for Windows, OS X, and Linux. When NASPA bought Zyzzyva, To resolve the iOS version was already two iOS updates obsoleteissue, and the necessary changes are not trivial. Further information on the effort to port Zyzzyva you will need to turn off the iOS and Android platforms is available [http://wwwfirewall within Norton.icontact-archive.com/-eBE1BTTRFaArP3qIeNvGIJdyP44w01W?w=3/ here]. == Does Zyzzyva run on the new Mac OS 10.13 (High Sierra)? Zyzzyva silently fails to launch when I try to run it. == You can fix Once you claim or activate your installed copy of NASPA Zyzzyva 3.1.0 by following these steps: # In Finder, in the Go menulicense, choose Go to Folder…# Enter /usr/lib and click Go.# Select the file named libz.1.dylib and copy it to the Clipboard.# Navigate to the folder where Zyzzyva is installed.# Control-click the Zyzzyva application icon and choose Show Package Contents.# Open the Contents folder and then the Frameworks folder.# Paste the file that you copied onto can turn the clipboard, and click Replace when promptedfirewall back on.
== Where can = How do I find lexicons to use with Zyzzyvamy word list license on more than one device? ===
It depends on the lexicon, but you should in general ask the copyright holder for the lexicon that you NASPA word list licenses are interested in valid for permission to simultaneous use an electronic copy of the liston at least ten different devices. If you need help formatting it for to use with Zyzzyvayours on more, please feel free to contact usat [mailto:info@scrabbleplayers. If you are a NASPA member, you can unlock [[OTCWL2016]org info@scrabbleplayers.org], OTCWL2014, [[CSW2015]], [[SSWL2016]], SSWL2015, and [[OSPD5]] for free with authentication.