If you’re reading this, you’ve found our new site at cheatwords.net.
So what happened to the old “Scrabble Helper” site at scrabblehelper.net?
Well the nice people who make the Scrabble game contacted me.ย They were happy with the concept of the site, and recognised the passion ofย Scrabble fans like me.ย However they didn’t like the fact that I had ‘Scrabble’ in the domain name, as they believe it could confuse people into thinking that scrabblehelper.net was an official site.
I certainly didn’t intend to confuse people or to use the name Scrabble against their wishes.ย So I have moved the site to the new name of Cheat Words at cheatwords.net.
Sorry for the very short notice of the move, however the makers of Scrabble wanted the change to happen very quickly.
[Edit: more details in the comments below!]
I’ve always enjoyed playing Scrabble and have loved using your site. Our “house rules” always allowed us to use a dictionary when playing and so your site has qualified in our new rules. I understand moving to a new site, but why would you go to a place with “cheat” in the name? It implies that we are playing unfairly and I don’t like it. I’ve enjoyed using your site, but will not be moving to your new sit.
This is a site that is a helper or a cheat depending on how you play and the rules you play by. But if you don’t disclose using it, it’s a cheat. Period. So if you’re complaining about the name change and you don’t tell your opponent you use it, then I say welcome to the world of delusion/hypocrisy/rationalization.
Thanks for the feedback. I will take it on board.
To explain a little, I was only given a week’s notice that I needed to change the name of the site, so I had to move quickly. Most of the names I could think of had already been taken, or were so similar to other sites that they would cause confusion.
I thought a long time about whether “cheat” had too many negative connotations. I always liked the fact that the old site was a “helper”.
As part of my descision I realised that with only one week notice, many people would not see the notice notifying of the change, so I would have to rely on people finding the site from google. So I looked at what people were searching for on google, and most people use the word “cheat” when searching for a helper site. So with a bit of pragmatism I chose “Cheat Words” for the new name.
I realise that some people won’t like it. Whether using a helper is cheating is really down to how you use it, when you use it, and what your house rules are. So the label can be off putting.
What I will say is the name of the site doesn’t have to be set in stone. I had to make this change very quickly, but now the site has moved we can think about the best name for it. If you want to make suggestions, feel free to email me or to leave them in the comments here. If we can come up with a better name I am happy to consider changing it. (Any future name change could be done in a much better way without breaking bookmarks, because I wouldn’t be forced into rushing it!)
Thanks for your understanding. This move has been very frustrating and stressful for me. I just want to get the site back to a stable footing where it can still be useful for everyone!
Hi, Richard–
You sound like such a nice person. Between the post and that first comment, your explanation comes across as thorough and clear and even kindly worded. I’m frustrated on your behalf because of the name change situation but just now I benefited from it. I didn’t know you had a blog! Now I do… Also, because of the announcement about the name change, today I happened to read the words of warning about cheating and a few hours ago, although I was able to find an unusual bingo I could play in a game due to the “helper”, I decided not to use it. Noticing the warning made me more aware and conscious of my play… I think “cheat” is an unpleasant name but perhaps many of us object to it because at times we ARE cheating!! Whether we are taking advantage in order to cheat, or getting some justifiable help, is important to consider. Of course, it is just a game, but there are chances even during a game to act with a sense of fairness and integrity. I think we each have to decide what feels right to us–I think in certain games where one player is far better than the other, getting a little assistance feels fair and right to me. But, recently, I was beaten by someone who clearly could never have beaten me in a fair game–their board strategy showed they were fairly inexpert–but they kept playing words that were very unusual (albeit in a sloppy manner) and ultimately found enough of those esoteric words to win. Even though this evened up the odds, which I’m theoretically in favor of, it felt wrong. Maybe because it didn’t help ME. Being beaten by this person who’d lost 18 games and only won 3, affected my ELO rating–and wounded my sense of fairness–and pissed me off when I thought of it, for days! (Showing that I take this game far too seriously.) Anyway, in games and online, even though it doesn’t always feel like real life, real people and real feelings are involved and I admire your stance towards fairness, and your considerate manner. I’ll try to emulate that in future game situations.
I also am GRATEFUL for getting to use such a clean, clear, quick website! For FREE!
I don’t see how there’s anything about any of that to complain about.
But thanks for apologizing about it, anyway! And thanks for creating and maintaining the site.
I ditto the jokey comment about creating a dating assistance site as well. You’d obviously do a wonderful job, at that too.
Gratefully–Heidi
Thanks for your kind words ๐
Would they get mad at you if you used a domain that contained a portion of their name? For instance, http://www.ScrabWords.com? A perfect blend of Scrabble & Words With Friends, yet obviously wouldn’t confuse the public about representing the trademarked name? I’ll give you the domain for free if you can use it (I just bought it so no one else could take it while we talk about it). Let me know.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think that would work. They have said I shouldn’t use the Scrabble name, or anything ‘confusingly similar’. I am not a lawyer, but I suspect that another name beginning ‘Scrab’ might fall foul of that. I don’t want to take any risks, so I don’t think I can have my site associated with that domain. Thanks for your kind thoughts, but I’m afraid I shall have to decline.
I agree with previous comment that ‘cheat’ has such a negative tone but totally understand why. Perhaps something like ‘wordhelper’ or ‘wordfinder’ or wordstrategy’ if any of those are available? Just a suggestion … I’m a lover of words and this has helped me greatly ๐
Agree… lose the ‘cheat’. ๐
WordHelp.net ?
WordGameHelp.net ?
I like this one!
I totally agree with the previous comments that the word “cheat” really makes me feel like a fraud! Which I am not! I honestly only make use of this “helper” when I am really, really stuck!
I tried entering “cheatwords.net” , but the only site that comes up is “cheatwords”. What gives if this is your new site? Scrabble Helper still comes up though.
I agree w/debbie how abiut “word helper”?
I like word helper as well.
http://www.wordhelper.com and http://www.wordfinder.com and http://www.wordstrategy.com suggested above are all taken.
http://www.wordgamehelp.com is also taken.
Available as of right now:
http://www.wordgamesupport.com
http://www.wordgameshelp.com
http://www.wordplayhelp.com
Marlene
Agree – Don’t like having a cheat. A helper is better – And it looks better if you people see you using it.
I suggest wordshelper.net
I figure if people are upset about the name of the site changing then they probably felt bad about using scrabblehelper in the first place. I, personally, don’t care if you call it cheatyourassofftowin.net or anything else I am going to use it.
LOL – totally agree!! the name of ANYTHING does not connotate its personality, usefulness, intention, etc.. if it did we would think longer and harder about the names we determine for our children.
Well, as soon as I saw the word “cheat” I decided that there was no way I was going to use it.
I left the old “Scrabble Helper” open, no problem, even saved it to Favorites. Won’t be moving to your new site. Sorry. Also will NOT be able to recommend it anymore, “Hey Aunt Margaret, I know a great CHEAT site to help you with “Words with Friends.”
Really? A forced name change is enough to cause you to be this ungrateful for the help you’ve already gotten?
Its just a freaking name…a word.
Semantics!
Did you just hear yourself? That was some amazing rhetoric! It’s not embezzlement unless you call it that… it’s borrowing?
Hmm of the 3 that Marlene listed, I vote (as if it matters lol) for http://www.wordplayhelp.com/
“A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
Well what ever you call it thank you for having it. It has helped me out of a few Word Blocks here and there…
I love scrabble, but I am not a very good player, I would be wiped off the board all the time without your help. Don’t care what you are called although ‘helper’ might have been better as I really don’t want to cheat. However I can’t do without you what ever your name.
I’m fine with the name, and it’s amusing that people are offended by it. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck……
If they weren’t cheating they wouldn’t feel bad about using it.
Here’s a good way to look at it for those people who are offended or just don’t like the connotations behind the name….remember when you took a test in school and the teacher allowed you to have one page of notes to help you on the exam? I believe they called it a “cheat sheet”, though you weren’t really cheating at all because the teacher gave you permission to have it. Well, cheatwords is the same concept….it’s just a “cheat sheet” for Scrabble or whatever word game you are playing.
Thank you!
Following on from these suggestions I’ve just registered wordhelper.org as well.
Both cheatwords.net and wordhelper.org will continue to work going forward, but I’ll need to decide which is the “main” name for the site.
I’ll try to set up a poll so that people can vote on which is their favourite (once I figure out how to set up a poll!)
OMG! Cheat is only a word…this site can be based on the individuals perception. Give this guy a break please. If you’re not cheating then you wouldn’t feel bad about using it. Love u Developer…whoever u r.
I don’t care what it is called I love the site. Now that I have it book marked how do I get rid of the big red notice:
IMPORTANT!
This site has moved to cheatwords.net
The notice will be removed in two days time (which is also when the redirect from the old site will end). The old URL will stop working then. Sorry it’s so large and intrusive, but it was very important to make sure that everyone saw it!
Let’s be honest, no dictionary will ever be able to scramble (scrabble) the letters for you so fast, it will take a normal person ages to find the right word giving the right points, and there are many words you will never even dream of looking up in a dictionary, because you DON’T KNOW them. So this site helps you cheat big time! It’s an awesome site for beating your fiercest opponents. It’s cheating, but it’s great!
And if you are honest and only use it when you are well and truly stuck….
Welll..
It’s still cheating!
If you want to be honest, tell your opponent you are using this site, or don’t use it.
Quite simple I think.
I agree with every one who doesn’t like the word cheat. And to Nini – yes it’s only a word but you said it yourself – it’s based on the individual’s perception – and I’m guessing that 99.9% of everyone’s perception negative. I just looked the word up in the dictionary and there isn’t one positive description to this word so I’m not sure how anyone’s perception can be anything BUT negative
Please change the name to word helper and remove any reference to cheat. I play the game with my family and I would not condone cheating, and this implys that we are. We use the tool to enhance our vocabulaty and think outside the box.
You mean you don’t use it to game some higher scores than you’d be capable of without cheating?
With most games and most common rules, this IS cheating. You put in your letters and it tells you what words you can make. MUCH different than using a dictionary to find words (which is still technically against the rules of most games). Just because you SAY that you aren’t cheating, doesn’t mean that you aren’t.
some people are never happy. they would “cheat” when it was called “helper” but not now? I think the site is brilliant, and the fact its changed names is not even relevant.
go confess your “helper” sins, I’m sure you will feel better.
Oh lordy lordy lord.
A wonderful website, tainted by those I love dearest – the scrabblers! Scrabble is a passion of mine, and I could use any anagram website, but this is a wonderful clean, sensible, site that has made my most difficult letters that much more enjoyable, and the words I have now taken on board and attempt to use in every day use, would not be possible without this lovely website. Cheat! Not at all. Help. As it always said. Therefore, why not ‘anagram helper’ or ‘the word aid’, ‘the better letter’ or even ‘theareyouplaingtheofficialscrabbleofwhichthisisnotacheatbutaveryhelpfulwebsitehelper’ – anyway – lots of choices. Thanks all
I appreciate the help you have given and really am not all that concerned about what you call it. I have my own “rules” for using the site ie: If I don’t know the word, I don’t use it. I am somewht dyslexic so I don’t really view using the site as “cheating”, just a friendly little helper ๐
Love your site but hate the name. It’s a real put off from using it. I see helpwords.net is available. Just a tip anyway.
To Richard — thanks for creating a great site, and my condolences on the loss of the current domain name due to corporate “encouragement” (which if they only gave you a week, really borders on harrassment in my book.) I will continue to use your site with the name change. Kudos to you for getting a new domain name and orchestrating the change as quickly as you did.
Why did you even change it. It is a lot of effort and cost for them to get a court order to take the name. You could have probably arranged a settlement that was financially beneficial or at least gave you way more transition time
Thanks for your site! The name doesn’t bother me a bit. Whatever you have to call it is great!
well, I (CAPITAL I) think you are a genius, I use the site daily and I’m so sorry that the change has caused you stress. Although I don’t enjoy cheating, I also feel it’s my prerogative to get help when I need to move the game along. Now, here’s my next idea for you: why not start a dating service for those of us single players who want to explore relationships with other word lovers? Feel free to completely ignore this suggestion and just accept my assessment of your vast mental capacity.
LOL, love the idea of a word-game dating site! I’ve been on my fair-share of dating sites over the years, and I agree it’s very hard to find people with similar interests!
I’m not sure it’s within my capabilities to set one up. I think the problem with starting a dating site (like starting a social-network site) is that no-one wants to join unless there’s already loads of people on the site. Kind of a chicken-and-egg problem. I think it’s only solvable by people with very large marketing budgets (with doesn’t include me!)
I like wordhelper.org better than cheatwords.net.
I agree with the “Cheat” name. How about “WordFriend.net”
All I can say is wow. I am astonished with the negative feedback. Did you even read the reason why the name was changed under very short notice? Get a grip and realize that this is the same site, with the same benefit. If chocolate was changed to cheatlate I bet you would still eat it so just relax and enjoy to wonderful benefit of this website and stop complaining about something so frivolous.
Thank you for this amazing website!! I use it to learn new words and I appreciate it quite a lot! The name change is wonderful!
I like the name change. I fully accept the fact that when I use your site I’m cheating. Call a spade a spade! The new name forces us to think a tiny bit about what we are doing before we do it. Keep cheat words!
It would be even better if cheat words could view our game boards and find all the possible combinations for us!
You can set up a poll using surveymonkey.com…free surveys…..love the site no matter what the name!
Sorry to hear of the cease-and-desist issue. I wish they’d spend less time on copyright protection and more on getting the kinks out of the Kindle Fire version (which has more bugs than the Smithsonian entomology wing), but that’s another issue. Thanks for keeping the site up and running, whatever the name. I suffer from a couple of spinal conditions and between the chronic pain and the medications, my mind isn’t as clear as it used to be. I’ll stare at a rack knowing there’s something there, but my brain just can’t see it. That’s where your site helps out. I never use a word I don’t know, only the “obvious” one that my addled mind wasn’t seeing. It’s been a big help. Thank you!
Thanks to everyone for your kind words.
I woke up on Monday this week feeling rather overwhelmed by the whole business. Then I cautiously opened my email, wondering what new problems I might face. But instead of problems, scores of wonderful messages from people offering moral support and thanking me for the site.
Thank you all so much. It’s great to have a reminder of why this site exists. I work on the site on my own, part-time, fitting around my other work. I set it up as an experiment and a way of trying to put up something cool. Then over 5 years it’s got more and more popular, and started making me a little money through the adverts, which helps pay the bills.
But it’s all about the people. Without you guys it would just be a footnote on a corner of the internet, sitting there doing nothing.
Thanks guys, you’re all lovely ๐
I also do not like the word cheat. How about something like word assist or word helper
My sister and I both agree to use the scrabble helper and in doing so, if I use a word I don’t know, I look it up, so my vocabulary has increased. I don’t see it as cheating if both people use the site – as for cheatwords – a rose by any other name……….
I’ve set up a poll on the front page to vote for your preferred site name.
I’m also looking at the visitor statistics to check how people are finding the site. I had to turn off the redirect from the old domain yesterday (for legal reasons), and the early statistics suggest that we’ve lost about half the users of the site at that point.
It must be very frustrating for people not to be able to find us again, so I’m keeping a very close eye on what people searched for on google to find us.
So the poll is only half the story – that of the 50% of users who’ve already found us. The other half of the story is the users trying to find us again. So I’m trying to balance it all to keep everyone happy!
When the results are in I’ll share the decision and the reasons behind it.
Thank you for keeping the site going! I don’t care what you call it, I will still continue to use it when needed! Yes I’m a cheat, when I want to be! No great shakes! Are my opponents bothered? No, they use it themselves! Do I win every game because of it? No! Assistant, helper, cheat – whatever you wish to call it, we use it because we can and we want to! What’s the big deal in the name change?! None! Some people really should get over themselves!
It’s a fabulous site, not even the need to register as a user and it’s FREE! So thank you very much for making this site available and long may it continue!
I imagined this website in my head so many times whilst playing Words With Friends.
I kept thinking “If only there was something I could use to help me figure out what to use here!”
Finally, I gave in and a quick google search for “scrabble helper” gave me this site.
Quite honestly, I don’t really care what the name of the site is. I think ‘cheatwords’ is actually very to-the-point and possibly too blunt. I can understand that seeing the name makes you “feel” like a cheater but if the sites name changed, it wouldn’t change what your intention was in the first place; TO CHEAT.
Whether you use it to cheat or as a helper, doesn’t change your intention. Some will use it to cheat. Some will use it as a helper.
Either way, kudos to you for making this site.
You should 301 redirect the old site to this site – so that people can find you – it also causes google and other search engines to “move” your site….
Use this code – or google your own:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^scrabblehelper.net$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.scrabblehelper.net$
RewriteRule (.*)$ http://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L]
Obviously replace “newdomain.com with your chosen new site domain when you decide what that is.
Hi Greg,
I did do a 301 redirect until the deadline the lawyers gave me. Unfortunately I have to stop using the domain, and that would include leaving the 301 redirect in place, so I had to take it down ๐ I have told Google about the move through Google Webmaster Tools, but I don’t know how much effect that has without the redirect.
I will continue to use it :p