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NOTICE

This is a BETA TEST version for the new OWL2 dictionary. While the basic functionality has not changed, some minor code updates have been made to support the larger dictionary files, and to (eventually) support running on CDROM. Please test this program thoroughly in a non-critical environment before using. Be sure to read the installation instructions as there are now TWO(2) disks required to run WordJudge.

Also, please note that the dictionary is brand new and there may be minor errors that will be updated over time by the NSA. Currently "MUNCHABLES" is not in this release (but will be shortly).

WordJudge v1.5

Author: John Babina

Tournament Word Judging Software

Click here to download and install WordJudge 1.5

What is WordJudge?

WordJudge is a FREE Scrabble® tournament Word Judging program. It replaces the need for a large number of human word judges.

Is it reliable?

WordJudge was written from the ground up to be as reliable as possible.

Previous versions have been used since 2003 in hundreds of tournaments, including the Nationals in 2004 and 2005.

To date, no word judging problems have been reported.

What word list(s) does it use?

WordJudge is currently only available for North American play. It uses the OWL2, the latest approved dictionary from the NSA (as of 2006). It will adjudicate all NSA acceptable words from 2-15 characters in length. The list was directly received from from John Chew, member of the NSA Dictionary Committee, to attain the highest accuracy.

Is WordJudge approved by the NSA?

As of 2004, the NSA has including new rules allowing for electronic word judging at tournaments. As of 2005, "WordJudge" has been specifically mentioned in the NSA rulebook as the only sanctioned word judging software. listed as an "approved" program, the NSA has announced they will be using WordJudge exclusively at the 2004 Nationals in New Orleans. Can I offer WordJudge for download on my website or distribute/sell WordJudge through some other medium (CD, Floppy, etc.)? No. While WordJudge is free to use and download, you cannot offer it for download on a third party website, distribute it in an archive, or sell it without express written permission from Versimedia, Inc.

You may however offer a link to Metagrams.com on your website showing users where they may download WordJudge.

What if I find a problem?

First, even though it has been well tested...

Caveat Emptor ("Use at your own risk").

While I have made every attempt to make this program as safe and reliable as possible, and I feel highly confident that the program is error free... something can always go wrong. I make no warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy of this program.

Lastly, if you do find a problem, please contact me immediately and report as much information about the problem that you can.

Current Version Notes:

The latest version is WordJudge v1.5. Installation has changed slightly from previous versions as WJ now comes on TWO (2) disks OR CDROM.

40x25 screen mode should now work properly on most laptops. This vastly improves screen readability. To try this mode, type "./start40" after the disk has booted up. (Instructions are displayed on the screen after bootup).

About Word Judge:

Before reporting errors, please read the list of known problems (mainly computer hardware issues; IE: the program not running on a particular machine). You can report problems, errors or make suggestions to me at john@babina.com.

WordJudge runs on Intel based computers and laptops (also referred to as PC's). It installs on two floppy disks or CDROM for ease of use. Any old Pentium class laptop should work fine -- I suggest looking around eBay (www.ebay.com) for a used laptop. With a little searching you should be able to find one for under $50 that will work fine.

REQUIREMENTS: 8 Megs of Ram, Pentium Processor, Working Internal Floppy Drive (avoid laptops with external floppy drives)

NOT REQUIRED: Windows Software and/or a hard drive are NOT required.

Known Hardware Problems:

WordJudge may not load on sub-notebooks that have external USB based floppy drives (such as the 3 pound Sony Vaio). This is a OS problem and a technical issue due to the storage size of the floppy drive. I hope to fix this problem in future versions.

WordJudge CDROM version is currently designed for IDE based CDROM drives. It may not work on SCSI CDROM disks.

WordJudge has an option to try and run in a larger font size than the standard 80x25 to improve readability. This may not work on all computers and may cause inexpected visual results. If you try one of these options and the screen becomes garbled, just turn off your computer and reload the software.

Common Questions:

Question: "How do I quit WordJudge when I am done or get to Windows?"

Answer: Just turn off the computer. WordJudge runs under an operating system called UNIX -- you will not hurt any data on your computer (for example Windows or DOS) by turning off your computer when WordJudge is running. Also, even if there was a way to "quit" WordJudge, you would not be able to access Windows or DOS without rebooting.

Question: "Why would I want to have computer word judging?"

Answer:

PROS:

* Less money spent on human word judges & more for prize funds
* More accurate results & less need for second opinions
* Stops people from sneaking extra thinking time in a tight game by challenging a play.
* Quieter playing room -- less commotion over challenges.

CONS:

* People must get up from their seats -- more playing room required
* Computer equipment required (although the cost is minimal now)

Question: "I don't have a computer and they are expensive... what do I do?" Answer: Any old laptop will do -- even one with a broken hard-drive will work since WordJudge is completely self contained on a floppy disk. You should be able to buy a computer on eBay for under $50 which will do the job.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (CD VERSION)

Download the following files (you must be logged in to access them). Read the README file for installation instructions.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (FLOPPY VERSION)

  • Get TWO (2) new, blank, formatted floppy disks. I highly suggest using brand new disks, as PC Floppy disks are notorious for having errors or problems.

  • Microsoft Windows is needed for downloading and creating the WordJudge disk, but NOT required for running WordJudge. If you don't have a Windows based PC available, you can create the WordJudge floppy disk on a friends computer. (You do not need to create the WordJudge disk on the laptop it will be running on.)

  • Create a folder on your Windows Desktop, preferably called "Word Judge". This is typically done by pressing the right mouse button while on the Desktop and selecting NEW->FOLDER.

  • IMPORTANT: If you are running an Antivirus program, YOU MUST DISABLE IT while creating the floppy disk. The reason for this is that some Anti-virus programs do not like programs that write directly to the floppy drive.

    If you are using Norton Antivirus (from Semantec), you should be able to temporarily disable Autoprotect by clicking the right mouse button on the Norton Antivirus icon in the bottom right corner of your desktop. A menu should popup with an option to disable it. (You can turn it back on the same way when you are done.)

  • Download the following three files and save them in the new "Word Judge" folder you created. To download these files, hit the right mouse button on the filename and choose "Save As..." in the menu that appears. Make sure to keep the filenames the same as they are written below.

    Sorry, you must have an account and be logged in to download the files. Once you are logged in, the files will appear here.

    NOTE: WJ1.5 now requires TWO (2) disks to install. You will need TWO new, blank floppy disks to install Word Judge.

  • Place a blank, formatted 1.44 floppy disk into the floppy drive (most brand new floppy disks come pre-formated.)

    NOTE: THIS DISK WILL BE ERASED SO MAKE SURE THE DISK IS NOT IMPORTANT!

  • Open the "Word Judge" folder on your desktop by double clicking on it.

  • You should see a program called "Rawrite", double click on it. If all goes well, the Raw Write program should start running. If you get an error message, double check that you have followed the above instructions correctly. Common problems are not downloading all of the files, putting them in the incorrect folder, or accidently changing the names of the files.

  • Once the program has loaded, click on the icon labeled "..." to the right of the IMAGE FILE box. A new window should open... now select the image file "wjudge15_20060123.img" by clicking on it once (it should highlight). Make sure your floppy disk is in the drive, then click the button labeled WRITE.

  • The disk creation process should take approximately 2 minutes. When the program is done, WAIT UNTIL THE FLOPPY DRIVE LIGHT TURNS OFF before removing the disk. If you do not, you can ruin the disk and will have to start over.

  • Remove the disk you created (if you have not done so) and label it "Word Judge v1.5".
  • Now you need to create the dictionary disk. Place another new, blank disk into the drive (do not use the one you just created). Click on the icon labeled "..." to the right of the IMAGE FILE box. Now select the image file "owl2_20060404.img" by clicking on it once then click on the button labeled WRITE.

  • Again, this will take about 2 minutes. Wait until the program finishes AND the floppy light is off. Remove the disk and label it "OWL2 - 1/23/2006".
  • You can now close the Rawrite program.

  • Your disk should now be ready. NOTE: You CANNOT run WordJudge from Windows. Do not try to open the floppy disk from your desktop, you will only see garbage or get an error message.

    To run WordJudge, place the floppy disk in the drive and reboot your computer. You can typically do this by going to the Start Menu button in the bottom left corner and choosing "Shutdown" then "Restart". Alternatively, you can "Shutdown" your computer and then power it back on.

    The program takes about 1 to 1.5 minutes to boot. You also need to follow a few onscreen instructions (simple things like hitting return, or entering a few characters).

  • When you are done using WordJudge, you can simply power the computer off or remove the floppy disk and press the "Control-Alt-Delete" keys at the same time to reboot your computer. Since WordJudge runs under its own operating system, turning off your computer while running WordJudge will NOT hurt your hard drive or data.

     

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