Static Sky's Cipher Game

Originally posted by Ian McLean
reply to post by americandingbat

 

Nope, not relevant. I'm glad you're enjoying the puzzle.

I think I'll just cite AshleyD's comment in another thread:

Originally posted by AshleyD
reply to post by Deaf Alien

 

If 'fun' = exploding brain then, oh yes. That was loads of 'fun.'

"Digital Eclipse" has been at 800 points for a couple of hours now. Sorry i'm late.

Thank you to Ian McLean for the clue. I hope more follow as I've found nothing from my first ideas. Yet still I'm determined.....Good luck to everyone. I hope you're having better luck with this one than I am. LOL.

Thank you Static Sky. Here is today's hint:

Simple counting is the only arithmetic or mathematics necessary to solve this puzzle.


Enjoy!

Thanks for the hint Ian. All I can say is, I was hoping only simple math was needed. lol. In about 90 minutes from now, "Digital Eclipse" bumps up to 900 points.

I have a feeling that it's oone of those codes where, once you figure out any tiny little bit, you know it all instantly. Now as for knowing any tiny little bit.....:bash::bnghd::bnghd:

reply to post by Static Sky


I'm still at the stage of staring at it blankly in hopes that a pattern will emerge

Reposting, with an additional hint:

Digital Eclipse

52561 43518 57046 76247
60921 60543 48847 21610
28339 58752 77007 50863

Hints

1. The puzzle itself does not contain all the information necessary for the solution.
2. Simple counting is the only arithmetic or mathematics necessary to solve this puzzle.
3. Though solvable worldwide, the United States is an important part of this puzzle.




I fear I may have hinted too much, but I suppose that's the purpose of hints. Have fun everyone, and don't get too frustrated!

reply to post by Ian McLean


Yay!!!!

Funny thing is, I had started down that path as one of my first attempts, but decided it was just too wacky.

I'll be back once I finish deciphering to give an answer and explanation



FREEDOM IS JUST CHAOS WITH BETTER LIGHTING

working on explanation now.



52561: FREmont, IA
43518: EDOn, OH
57046: MISsion Hill, SD
76247: JUSTin, TX
60927: CLIfton, IL probably also CHEbanse, IL
60543: OSWego, IL
48847: ITHaca, MI
21610: BETTerton, MD
28339: ERwin, NC
58752: LIGnite, ND
77007: Houston, TX
50863: TINGley, IA

So, the five-digit numbers are zip codes – the number of bolded numbers tells you how many letters to use from the beginning of the town name that the zip code refers to.

The only problem is with 60927, which gave me "CLI" instead of "CHA", but it's easily fixed from context


[edit on 2/8/09 by americandingbat]

reply to post by Ian McLean


Is the answer americandingbat?

Originally posted by schrodingers dog
Is the answer americandingbat?

Is this a reference to me saying the solution was "just too wacky"

reply to post by americandingbat


CONGRATULATIONS americandingbat!

900 points will find you, when Static Sky approves.

Eagerly awaiting your explantion. Again, good job!

reply to post by americandingbat


Eek, you edited your post to include the answer.

I was just thinking about the third clue ...

Well done adb!




[edit on 8 Feb 2009 by schrodingers dog]

reply to post by Ian McLean


Thanks for the puzzle Ian. It was fun, no matter how much I complained about it

And sorry, SDog. I just didn't think Ian would take my word for it that I'd solved it. He's not very good about trusting me on stuff like that

reply to post by americandingbat


Great explanation ADB. Check closer on that one zip code though - it's "60921".

This is an example of a 'public codebook' cipher. With these types of code, the cipher itself does not contain all the information necessary, but rather utilizes a 'dictionary' of information available to both the encoder and decoder. Interestingly, these types of ciphers can also be used as a form of data compression, in that the encoded cipher can be more compact, numerically, than the original plaintext.

*off to work on more cipher-making*

reply to post by Ian McLean


Ah ... that explains why it didn't quite work. I was working off a scrap envelope that I scribbled the code down on when you first put it up, and I can't read my own 7s vs 1s sometimes

Wow! Terrific job, americandingbat! As Ian said, 900 points will find you very soon.

I love the code Ian. That was none of the ideas I thought even remotely to try. I was adding in groups, across, down, then tried subtracting, even looked into square roots....right up until the second clue you offerred. Then I knew I was nowhere near it. LOL. Thank you for such a great code and explaination of where it comes from! Cheers!

As per Static Sky's encouragement, here is another puzzle for everyone to 'enjoy'. Have fun!

Baseless Worries

"2339027659 120578267918 30490166
154816531992 154775609902 6025309
56407825711" - 229199170 1913176946889

Interesting looking. Thanks once again, Ian. As of it's posted time, "Baseless Worries" is off and running at 500 points.

I hope I have better luck with this one. LOL. But I've got to say, I absolutely love the key to "Digital Eclipse". Very well thought out! And now that I look at the origional puzzle, it's so painfully obvious. I guess that's kind of the point of esoteric knowledge though, isn't it? LOL.

Be well, all and best of luck on "Baseless Worries"!

[edit on 2/9/2009 by Static Sky]

"Baseless Worries" is now at 600 points. I didn't have much time to play with it yesterday but I should have more time today. I've got lots of ideas to start with on this one. Good luck to everyone! Cheers!

No hints for today!

"Baseless Worries" is now at 700 points. I've tried all of my first thoughts on this one and none panned out. In trying, I think I've noticed something but I haven't pinned it down yet. Hmmmmm.....