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WSTUDY.TXT
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1996-10-03
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MUSINGS ON WORD STUDY SOFTWARE
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January, 1996
There exist a small number of word study software packages designed to help
serious Scrabble (tm) players improve their competitiveness. They take a
number of different approaches ranging from generating custom word lists, use
of "flash cards" and mnemonic devices to increase the player's knowledge
base, and even practice word construction games and exercises. Some players
swear by the program they use, while others totally disdain any study system
at all.
I will put forth the thesis that beginning to near-expert players can to an
extent benefit from a software word study system. It can help hone pattern
recognition skills and greatly augment the working "game vocabulary" with
regular use, not to mention increase confidence. At a certain level of
skill, though, a point of diminishing returns may be reached. If word study
becomes an obsession to the extent of limiting enjoyment of playing the game
itself, then its utility must be questioned.
An expert level player might be advised to limit the time spent on word
study systems, or any word study at all, and instead divert some energy to
relaxation activities. A hot, calming bath and a good night's sleep before
the tournament might well be much more effective than an intense word study
session. Yoga or meditation exercises may help.
In competition, consistency is at least as important as skill level. In any
given tournament, the least skillful participant playing at his best can
defeat the most skillful one playing at her worst. A migraine headache,
indigestion, a hangover, sleep deficit, or even just distraction from noise
or glaring lights... these are the great equalizers. Any factor that tends to
break the *concentration* is much more significant than skill. The human part
of the equation would thus seem to outweigh all other considerations.
Having minimized the importance of word study software for *expert*
competitors, let me mention that I am the author of the WORDY and WAK
software packages described in the files WORDY.AD and WAK.AD elsewhere in
this archive. A number of other word study packages are reviewed in Steven
Alexander's excellent Scrabble (tm) FAQ (see the file, INFO.TXT).
It will be interesting to see whether computer word study aids raise the
overall level of competition and put at a disadvantage those players not
using them. In the chess world, almost all serious competitors use computer
databases to improve their game. Can Scrabble (tm) lag behind?
Your comments and feedback on this topic are welcome.
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M\Cooper
PO Box 237
St. David, AZ 85630-0237
------------------------------------------------
E-mail: thegrendel@theriver.com
Web: http://personal.riverusers.com/~thegrendel/