07-22-2009, 03:44 PM | #1 |
Wizard
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Code / Cypher Breaking
See post below for sample puzzles.
Would anyone (or, ideally, more than one person) be interested in an eBook that was basically a series of easy to difficult code / cyphers to be broken by the reader? Perhaps either tied together by a loose overarching story, or maybe the text revealed by solving the easier codes / cyphers would offer tips on solving the harder ones. Just an idea I'm playing around in my head, and would like to gauge interest. I envision this sort of thing as using a wide variety of different writing scripts, so we are not talking about dull and laborious code breaking of letter substitution and other puzzles... but rather mini Voynich manuscript type mysteries. (But definitely with a focus on having at least two thirds range from easy to moderate difficulty, and only a few well-nigh unsolvable ones.) - Ahi Last edited by ahi; 07-25-2009 at 10:52 PM. Reason: added link to post with attachment |
07-23-2009, 03:53 AM | #2 |
eBook Enthusiast
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It sounds very interesting - I'll be very interested in such a book, personally.
Please note, by the way, that the word is "Breaking"; the word "Braking", although it sounds the same, has a completely different meaning . |
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07-23-2009, 05:28 AM | #3 |
WWHALD
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Sounds very interesting (although hopefully more breakable than the Voynich manuscript )
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07-23-2009, 08:30 AM | #4 |
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Edit.
Last edited by dadioflex; 12-15-2010 at 07:02 PM. |
07-23-2009, 10:11 AM | #5 |
DSil
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Simon Singh did a history of codebreaking his book The Code Book which included, I think, ten challenges to break (of increasing complexity).
I'd imagine it is difficult to pitch the codes at an appropriate level such that most readers could get it, but that it was at least something of a challenge.. |
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07-23-2009, 10:39 AM | #6 | ||||
Wizard
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Suffice it to say that I am not thinking of heavily mathematical codes like public key cryptography even for the hardest puzzles. More like substitution cyphers of both plain and unorthodox sorts, secret codes that make use of certain unusual features of the foreign scripts used. Definitely primarily an interactive endeavour... and I would say my hope is for something that is not just solely code-breaking but plentifully blends the experience of logical and creative reasoning with the aesthetic experience of (and bits and pieces of edutainment about) various writing systems. Quote:
Mainly security through obscurity sort of codes, with some of them perhaps even being steganographic in nature. But I will try to post an example of the sort of thing I mean sooner rather than later so people could comment on something concrete. Thanks for all the feedback thus far! - Ahi |
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07-23-2009, 11:12 AM | #7 |
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
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this sounds very interesting to me, but as the others have said, it will depend on how it is realised of course. i'll be looking forward to seeing your sample code.
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07-24-2009, 05:42 AM | #8 |
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Edit.
Last edited by dadioflex; 12-15-2010 at 07:02 PM. |
07-24-2009, 11:08 AM | #9 |
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While I enjoy puzzles, if they were to be integrated into a story, then the story would have to be very compelling. And I agree with dadioflex, it sounds a bit like some adventure games, especially the Infocom and other great interactive fiction games of yore. Still, I'm up for it!
And for anyone who likes non-conventional stories that need to be untangled for maximum enjoyment, I'd like to suggest Milorad Pavic's Dictionary of the Khazars and Italo Calvino's Castle of Crossed Destinies. |
07-24-2009, 11:11 AM | #10 |
Wizard
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I have the beginning of an idea, of making the puzzle-containing story arch be an investigation of notes left by a paranoid-schizophrenic (or sufferer of some other form of mental imbalance that ultimately better fits the exhibited symptoms)...
I'll definitely get a puzzle to post worked out for this weekend. - Ahi |
07-24-2009, 11:17 AM | #11 | ||
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Feel free to make further recommendation of obscurely wonderful and wonderfully obscure books like this one. Male version: http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Kha.../dp/0679724613 Female version: http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Kha.../dp/067972754X Quote:
Last edited by ahi; 07-24-2009 at 11:21 AM. Reason: added some info |
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07-24-2009, 11:37 AM | #12 |
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I would suck at breaking code and would probably not care enough to read such a book but I know people who would love the idea.
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07-24-2009, 11:44 AM | #13 | |
Wizard
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If you're bored in a few days, check back on this thread anyways. I'll aim for something fairly easy as the sample for people to check out. If you've never done something like this before, you might be surprised by the feeling of curious satisfaction at rendering scrutable the heretofore inscrutable. - Ahi Last edited by ahi; 07-24-2009 at 11:47 AM. |
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07-24-2009, 11:45 AM | #14 | |
Exwyzeeologist
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Quote:
EDIT: Okay, I posted the above after reading through the first 3 or 4 throws and figuring out how it worked. Now I've really read the whole story. It certainly seems to explain a bit about how billg works. Last edited by Abecedary; 07-24-2009 at 11:51 AM. |
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07-25-2009, 10:48 PM | #15 |
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Edit: updated PDF with a third manuscript.
Alright, Ladies and Gents! Find attached a 6" screen sized PDF, with two examples. (If you need larger font, just let me know.) Please, please, read the below explanatory bit before you get started though, to save yourself potentially avoidable frustration. (Also, I'm not philosophically opposed to an ePub version, but must decline the honour of being the one to make it.) Extracts from the archives of The Crazed Avar This is (i.e.: will be) a collection of notes, letters, and excerpts from the personal library of the man (yet to be bestowed with a full name by me) colloquially known as "The Crazed Avar". The Crazed Avar suffered (or, if one perceives the publishing date of the book[-to-be], will suffer) from a rather inconstant sort of madness, with definite periods of lucidity, and much time spent hovering on the edge of madness. Most of his writings are in English, albeit rarely in the appropriate latin script used for English in the early 21st century. Of those manuscripts that are addressed to somebody, the addressee (on account of the madness) is often either non-contemporary to the Avar or altogether non-existent. Likewise, his signature lines rarely reference himself as the author. The two manuscripts are the easiest of their respective sorts. i.e.: The first one is likely the easiest cyrillic-based "code" (if despite its simplicity one can call it that) the book is likely to ever employ, and the second one, (one of) the simplest han character based code. While with the first one, it's easy to cheat either via the internet or a Russian dictionary/language book--people might find it more rewarding not to cheat. With the second one, I cannot think of any way to cheat--you will need to think, observe, and make notes to solve it. But don't worry, it is solvable despite being a somewhat short manuscript. And once you have solved what each piece says, I greatly encourage that you try to figure out what they mean. In both cases, it ought to be possible with reasonable effort, and this search for meaning is actually meant to be a part of the overall experience. If you are an intellectually curious sort, there is a good chance you will enjoy them. And if you are, but you don't, please tell me why, and what you think I could do differently to help you enjoy the next set. - Ahi Last edited by ahi; 07-26-2009 at 03:08 PM. |
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