Possible to get the CSW15 dictionary on an older version of Zyzzyva?

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Sean Pardue

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Sep 15, 2016, 11:04:54 AM9/15/16
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Hi there,

I run an older Macintosh operating system (Snow Leopard 10.6.8) and Zyzzyva version 2.2.3. Does anyone know of a way to get the complete CSW15 dictionary? I managed to find a .txt file of it online which I added as a custom dictionary through the custom lexicon setting but this one I downloaded had no definitions so it isn't much use. Any ideas?

Thanks, Sean.

JG Miller

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Sep 15, 2016, 6:22:14 PM9/15/16
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You can easily get the CSW15 word list with definitions from Collins Zyzzyva 5.0.3.  Using lexicon CSW15, do a search of type “In Lexicon”, CSW15.  Then do File, Save As, and select Word and Definition.  Voilà.

 

Jim

 

 

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Sean Pardue

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Sep 20, 2016, 8:37:40 AM9/20/16
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Oh wow, what a simple solution. You wouldn't believe the extents I went to, including merging a text file I managed to get of the CSW15 sans definitions with a CSW12 file with definitions, in alphabetical order still. It was nightmare (I used a computer programme obviously but still!). I didn't know of the save as feature, thank you! I feel silly now.

Now for my next question, is there a way to keep my existing cardbox using the new lexicon? As I found it didn't automatically transfer over before.

Sean.

Richard Blakeway

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Sep 20, 2016, 8:45:20 AM9/20/16
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Check where the Zyzzyva data directory is, under Edit-Preferences-General.

To move your cardbox to the new lexicon copy anagrms.db from quiz/data/CSW12 to quiz/data/CSW15 under the zyzzyva data directory.

Rick

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Sean Pardue

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Sep 20, 2016, 1:27:32 PM9/20/16
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Brilliant, don't think I could fathom sitting down and being quizzed on 2/3000 alphagrams at once! Thanks for your response.
.
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Sean Pardue

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Sep 20, 2016, 5:06:24 PM9/20/16
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I've got a new issue now and can't make heads nor tails of what's going on. Generally I am quite computer literate so beginning to feel frustrated at being stumped by these seemingly innocuous problems over and over.

I installed the new lexicon and it worked perfectly, for all of a few hours that is. Now there is a backslash showing after each word and no definition being shown. Example; searching for words of 3 letter length just brings up AA\, AB\, AE\ etc. I deleted the dictionary and put it back in with the original text document that worked perfectly hours before and no dice. I can't figure out why it would have worked earlier and not now. I don't think I changed any settings. I am choosing to load both lexicons but only use the CSW15, I've also experimented with only loading the CSW12 lexicon. There is no issue with the CSW12. I understand I'm getting further and further down the rabbit hole here so if I have to sort this one out by myself I can accept that just I'd chance you guys seeing as it could be a common issue or setting I have unknowingly changed. There are no backslashes when I view the file in text editor either but regardless of this the file actually worked perfectly earlier so it's not a problem with the text file.

EDIT: This is only when I use the search function, in my cardbox and quizzes the words and definitions display fine. Suggestions?

JG Miller

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Sep 20, 2016, 5:28:27 PM9/20/16
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In Zyzzyva Preferences/Word Tables/Edit, are you using the “\” symbol anywhere?

 

If that’s not the problem, maybe something to do with the encoding of the file?  Please post your definitions (or formerly definitions) file as it is now.

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

 

From: collins...@googlegroups.com [mailto:collins...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean Pardue


Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 2:06 PM
To: Collins Zyzzyva <collins...@googlegroups.com>

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Sean Pardue

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Sep 21, 2016, 6:05:53 AM9/21/16
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Hi Jim, thanks for replying. I'm not using that symbol anywhere in the word tables menu. I don't have any parameters for the CSW15 dictionary in there. Here's a link to view it from my google drive (which I will edit out once you've got it.) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7xdjd7Qeca1LUg0THpNanRIUGdEeF9NUTlzRzEyRncyUUJz/view?usp=sharing .Thanks for your time.

Also, I've noticed if I search by length the backlashes appear in every single result but if I search using anagrams, probability, playability etc. then I get the original words with definitions without the slashes. Not sure what this means, if anything.

JG Miller

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Sep 25, 2016, 9:26:08 PM9/25/16
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Sean,

 

I tested the file you uploaded in both Zyzzyva 2.2.3 and Collins Zyzzyva 5.0.3.  I loaded it as a Custom lexicon, and then did both Anagram and Word Length searches on the Custom lexicon.  Everything is normal.  If this was not your setup that got you the “\” symbols, please describe how yours is different.  If it’s the same setup, I suggest starting over, reinstall Zyzzyva and get a fresh copy of the definitions file.  It seems like something got corrupted on your system, based on the fact that it was working correctly for you for a couple hours.

 

Jim

 

 

Sean Pardue

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Sep 27, 2016, 6:31:15 AM9/27/16
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Jim, when you uninstalled Zyzzyva did you simply trash the application icon or were there more steps? I did a fresh install like you but have the same problem, however it still remembered my settings from before i.e custom lexicons, tile / background colours etc.

JG Miller

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Sep 27, 2016, 10:00:33 AM9/27/16
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To delete everything, including your saved quizzes and all that, delete the .zyzzyva or .collinszyzzyva directory from your home directory.  There are registry settings too.  On Windows, delete the key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Piet Depsi

Or

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Spurious Software

Or

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Twilight Century Computing

 

Jim

 

 

 

Sean Pardue

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Nov 20, 2016, 6:31:31 PM11/20/16
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I managed to remedy the situation by building the lexicon databases again. There must have been an error with the first run, all working perfect now. Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way.
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