The '''NASPA Zyzzyva FAQ''', as with everything [[NASPA Zyzzyva|Zyzzyva]]-related, was originally written by [[Michael Thelen]] and then transferred to NASPA in 2014. Please note that this FAQ describes the desktop version of NASPA Zyzzyva. For information about the new NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile app, please visit [[NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile|this page]].
== General ==
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after I had picked the name, I realized that since zyzzyva was also the last word in alphabetical order (it has since been replaced by zzz), I could call Zyzzyva the last word in word study.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 NASPA involved with Zyzzyva? ===
With the release of the OTCWL2014 and OSPD5 lexicons in 2014, Hasbro, Inc. began stronger enforcement of their copyrights on the word lists. This entailed a license agreement that would bind the licensee (Michael Thelen's Boshvark Software, LLC) to prevent the leakage of those lists, which had theretofore been a part of the Zyzzyva distribution. As a result, he decided to sell the product to NASPA, and the new NASPA Zyzzyva Committee began work to change the product so that it would comply with the terms of license, and to tie its availability to NASPA membership.
Beginning with version 3.1.0, NASPA Zyzzyva includes Collins lexicons under license, allowing "bilexical" players to study the current international and North American tournament lexicons and the differences between them.
Version 3.2.0 removed protection from the NASPA tournament/club and school lexicons, and version 3.2.1 removed protection from the Collins lexicons. This meant that a license was no longer required for NASPA members to use these lexicons, except to perform a one-time decryption of any existing quiz statistics databases.
Version 3.3.0 removed all vestiges of these licensing and decryption features. As of August 2021, NASPA and its activities are neither endorsed by nor affiliated with Hasbro or Mattel.
=== Why is Zyzzyva available for free? ===
NASPA Zyzzyva is currently available for the Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Later in 2021As of version 3.3.0, there is now a version for mobile devices, the new [[too! When NASPA took over Zyzzyva Mobile]] development, the iOS version was already two iOS updates obsolete. We have reinvented it as an app will be made available for iOS and Android devices. Please see , with much the same user interface as that page for information about pre-2014 app, but built upon the same base source code as the mobile desktop versionso that it can be developed in parallel and new features added. For more information on NASPA Zyzzyva Mobile, visit http://zyzzyva.net/.
== Supported Word Lists ==
* Choose Import...
* Select the lexicon from which you want to import data - for example, NWL2018 - and click OK.
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If the word list from which you are importing data is subject to licensing restrictions, you will need to have a valid license installed. Choose Tools > Manage Licenses to check the status of your license.
=== How do I remove all my cardbox data? ===
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.
== Licenses ==
=== Do I need to claim or activate a license? ===
Access to [[OTCWL2014]] and [[OTCWL2016]] is restricted to current NASPA members by Hasbro. Members needed to claim a license for each device where Zyzzyva is installed.
The word lists currently shipping with NASPA Zyzzyva do not require a license.
You will only need a license if you need to upgrade quiz statistics and cardbox data from [[OTCWL2014]], [[OTCWL2016]], or [[SOWPODS |CSW15]] to another word list.
=== When I try to claim or activate a license, I do not get prompted to log into NASPA. How do I resolve this issue? ===
Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. If so, Norton Antivirus or a similar utility may be blocking Zyzzyva from accessing the Internet. To resolve the issue, you will need to turn off the firewall within Norton. Once you claim or activate your Zyzzyva license, you can turn the firewall back on.
=== How do I use my word list license on more than one device? ===
NASPA word list licenses 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].