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Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Oct 30, 2009 11:33am
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Okay.. I don't feel too stupid. But, I admit that clues that are just a string of what appears to be random letters or numbers completely dumbfound me. There are boxes nearby that I'd love to look for, but I'm absolutely clueless how to figure these out.

If somebody could help me, would that be considered cheating, or against the "rules"? I just need to be pointed in the right direction, as far as how these clues work.

Thanks! : )
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 30, 2009 11:37am
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If you don't mind, AQ mail me your personal e-mail. KuKu did an awesome class in cryptology at The Con which I missed( missed the class not The Con); but, she was kind enough to send the notes out to anyone who wanted them after she got home. Before getting those notes, I felt exactly like you do. I would not have had a single clue where to start to even beging to decipher strings of letters. Her notes very cleary describe many of the well known ways to encript text and make it pretty easy to understand.
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 30, 2009 11:40am
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I would start by asking the planter for a hint. Some will ignore you, or refuse. Some - like me - are happy that you're interested, and will be glad to give you a nudge in the right direction. I have a couple of boxes that have generated a higher-than-average number of inquiries, and I personally don't mind offering some help if you ask politely, and at least think about the clue first. I don't respond so nicely to "I can't figure your clues out - where is it?!" emails.
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456490 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Oct 30, 2009 11:46am
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AQ-mailed you. Thanks. : )
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 30, 2009 11:51am
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This is a useful website for breaking codes.
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456490 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Oct 30, 2009 12:08pm
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Thanks so much for the compliments and for helping to spread the information.

I defined some terms and then touched on some ciphers for specific types. There are many more out there, and once you wet your feet in some of these, you may find yourself looking for others online.

I did just send FINALLY send the handout to Country Duo (ahem, sorry it took me so long!)

If you send me your email, I will send it to you, I swear!

Hopefully, this will help you on some ciphers. I am no expert, I just enjoy ciphers, and I wanted to write out instructions and tips very clearly. I have heard from adults who have tried to read directions online or in books and couldn't understand it because the steps and explanations were so few.

I'd be happy to come and teach this class again wherever you are! Just pay for my airline ticket . . . =0D

KuKu
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456501 by KuKu
Oct 30, 2009 12:17pm
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Your welcome! I think your tutorial is a great way to "get your feet wet" as you say. Also, sadly I've seen people get blasted on the boards when merely asking for help with ciphers and I think your tutorial is a very effective tool to give those needing help a great place to start. Most people just want a place to start, not nescesarily the answer to a cipher. It was very kind of you to teach the class and even kinder to e-mail the notes to so many people. I'm sure all of us appreciated it!!!!!
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456490 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Oct 30, 2009 12:19pm
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Here's a website that can help you encipher and decipher messages and generally practice.

Cryptoclub

KuKu
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456503 by KuKu
Oct 30, 2009 2:47pm
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Thanks for posting the link...
That is a great website

CWT
W.
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 30, 2009 2:49pm
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Thanks to everybody for all the help! I definitely feel less clueless now. Maybe I'll get a chance to text some of these methods out this weekend, if it isn't too cold.
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 30, 2009 5:39pm
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I have found this book to be most helpful. It's a kids' book, but that might be what makes it so easy to follow. It's very well laid out and will make you want to write your clues with ciphers!
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 30, 2009 6:51pm
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Sometimes it's easier than you think. I have clues with some words that are just plain backwards (and no one has found the box yet).
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456638 by Trailhead Tessie
Oct 30, 2009 7:02pm
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Sometimes it's easier than you think. I have clues with some words that are just plain backwards (and no one has found the box yet).

With 515 finds, a few plants and 2 years of LBing, I consider myself a somewhat experienced letterboxer, yet a location written in this style threw me for a loop:

Y5 P11 D8 N3 U10 U2 S6 N4 E9 S1 I7

Deceptively simple, N'est pas?

- Sunny
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456644 by Frankie and Benjy
Oct 30, 2009 7:23pm
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I have permission to use the idea from a Great Lakes Boxer - Thanks, T! So, I am sure he is okay with others using it as well.

- Sunny
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456638 by Trailhead Tessie
Oct 31, 2009 7:54am
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Listing it as an extreme box may warn some folks off. Is the ferry still running?
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456487 by SweetEllGee
Oct 31, 2009 6:04pm
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If somebody could help me, would that be considered cheating, or against the "rules"? I just need to be pointed in the right direction, as far as how these clues work.

If you want a hint for one my boxes, all you have to do is ask. My latest box has 58 hits and no finds recorded. I can't tell if anyone "gets it". It's really simple (since I created it), but it is not nearly as twisted as it could be. I don't consider it cheating on my boxes. But be prepared to tell me how you've tried to solve it.
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456501 by KuKu
Nov 1, 2009 1:39am
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There are many more out there, and once you wet your feet in some of these, you may find yourself looking for others online.

Just thought I'd be evil and point these out:

http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=121093
http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gBoxId=120647

Kelsung
Re: Puzzle Clues Make Me Feel Stupid
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #456641 by Sunny Side Up
Nov 1, 2009 9:26am
Thread (disabled) Board
Y5 P11 D8 N3 U10 U2 S6 N4 E9 S1 I7

Bingo! Oops, wrong game.