Well, I know that this post is a little bit off-topic, but I hope that among the
many Rubik's puzzle enthusiasts in this group, there will be some who are also
interested in other kinds of competitions for the brain...


*********************************************************************
Please circulate this announcement among your colleagues and students who may
be interested.
*********************************************************************

Dear Mathletes,

It is a pleasure for me to invite you to the 4th Mental Calculation World Cup
which will be held on 5-7 June at the University of Magdeburg, Germany. The
event is part of the "Summer of Science" festival.

Each mental calculator will have to solve tasks in different categories
(addition of ten 10-digit numbers, multiplication, extracting the square root
from a 6-digit number, calculating the day of the week and surprise tasks).

There are several prizes for the best participants.
There will be two titles - one for the "fastest calculator" and another one for
the "most versatile calculator" (with the best results in the surprise tasks).
There are also titles for the best calculators for the categories addition,
multiplication, roots and calendar.

All the competitions are about mental calculation without any aid. Registrations
from calculation experts using the Abacus / Soroban
are welcome either.

You can find more information as well as the registration form at
http://www.recordholders.org/en/events/worldcup/2010/

There is a limit of 40 participants; the registration deadline is 1 April 2010.
The organizer reserves the right to select the participants who qualify. For
this purpose, previous achievements on mental contests should be docunmented.
Alternatively, you can send a documentation about your mental calculation
results achieved with the Memoriad software, available at
www.recordholders.org/downloads/worldcup/Memoriad_Setup.exe
(These results MUST be achieved in front of official witnesses like maths
teachers, mathematicians at a university, or people in a comparable position.
Please include their confirmation letters!)

If you are interested in taking part, please register early. This will make the
organisation easier for us. If you need an invitation letter in order to get a
visa, please contact us as soon as possible.

If there are any questions, please contact me at info@....

Looking forward to see you in Magdeburg,

Ralf Laue

For two dimensional cube art, see the images on the right side of
http://www.recordholders.org/en/list/rubik.html

And it seems as you can even make money with this kind of art, see:
http://www.cubeworks.ca/

Ralf

--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, flippycat@... <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
>
> I hope this isn't too off topic for this group:
>   <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrFy4uiWzis>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Ok, that was pretty freakin' awesome.

--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, flippycat@... <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
>
> I hope this isn't too off topic for this group:
>   <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrFy4uiWzis>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I hope this isn't too off topic for this group:
   <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrFy4uiWzis>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

About a dozen New York City schools have introduced a child-friendly Rubik's
Cube-based math curriculum devised for students as young as 8. In addition, New
York City's Department of Parks and Recreation is planning to introduce Rubik's
Cube solving at its 32 after-school program sites citywide within the next few
weeks.

These actions are happening under a program conceived around two years ago by
the company that owns the license to the Rubik's Cube, Seven Towns, which is
based in London. In an attempt to make the cube part of an educational
curriculum, the company took the relatively cryptic problem-solving guides and
made them more student-friendly by adding colorful illustrations and simplifying
the instructions.

Scott Mercer, the campaign director behind the program, says that 85 to 95
percent of children can usually solve the puzzle by following the instructions
in the guide. About 1,500 of the classroom kits have been sold in the last two
years, he said.

Though it's been nearly 30 years since the Rubik's Cube took the world by storm,
it remains a perennial favorite, with more than 300 million cubes sold
worldwide. (The iconic Mondrian-colored cube earned a place as a permanent
exhibit in the Museum of Modern Art.)

Teachers are attracted to the puzzle-solving lesson because it helps with
geometry, algebra, direction-following, memorization and perseverance. But most
importantly, teachers say it gives students a sense of accomplishment; they
often give certificates as a reward to students who solve the cube.

That sense of confidence is noticeable when a student solves the cube in public
without a guide and wows a nearby adult. "Their whole disposition changes," Mr.
Mercer said. "That is the most significant part about the program."

The lessons of the Rubik's Cube were experienced firsthand by the 40 parks
employees that were trained on Friday as part of the city's after-school
program.

"With the kids, they learn life lessons on how to deal with stress and
problem-solving, and you can definitely see it in the adults," said Cindy
Caruso, who coordinates the department's after-school programs.

"It could be pretty frustrating," said Ms. Caruso, who tried her hand at solving
the cube. "Some of them would just kind of give up."

But then there was a sense of mutual support and cooperation among the
employees, which helped everyone get through, Ms. Caruso said.

Seven Towns sells the Rubik's Cube classroom kit for $50, which comes with 12
cubes, 12 solution guides, a DVD and certificates of achievement. Rubik's Cubes
usually cost $12 to $15 (and even $150 for a digital version).

But for those with a more limited budget, the guide, certificates and other
material are free at www.YouCanDoTheCube.com. In that case, the students have to
provide their own Rubik's Cubes.

The New York City schools already using the program span private, public,
elementary, middle and high schools. They include the Town School and Hunter
College Elementary School in Manhattan; East Flatbush Community Research School,
Bushwick Community High School, Brownsville Academy High School, Public School
99, Bay Ridge Preparatory School, James Madison High School, and Intermediate
School 187 in Brooklyn; SAR Academy in the Bronx; and Tottenville High School in
Staten Island.


The rubik's cube frustration legend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAMRPcICix4

TapStack© is the iPhone transcription of the well known StackMat® timers mainly
used by speedcubers and speedstackers for practicing and competiting. Although,
it can be used as a simple stopwatch for any general purpose...

Visit http://www.compactgames.eu for more.

TapStack© is the iPhone transcription of the well known StackMat® timers mainly
used by speedcubers and speedstackers for practicing and competiting. Although,
it can be used as a simple stopwatch for any general purpose...

Visit http://www.compactgames.eu for more.

Our contact there left her job, and so we're in the process of
re-establishing contact with the museum.  As for Jan 2010, no.

On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 10:17 PM, rdrogin2 <rdrogin@...> wrote:

>
>
> Is there going to be another open contest at the exploratorium in Jan 2010,
> like the past few years?
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Is there going to be another open contest at the exploratorium in Jan 2010,
like the past few years?

Code of silence

cube symbole de patience et de frustration

To reply:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsolvingrubikscube/post?act=reply&messageNum=1\
119------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi
Gaetan! I will be in Montreal next week between Aug 21-23. I could meet you at
any time for a short chat. I would love to see you solving the cube blindfolded.
You can respond to fridrich@... if you would like to get together.
Hope to hear from you soon. Jessica
...................................................................
I'm corner first pure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox6UCKfQr8s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lljBSQdlvY

You have been banned for the following reason:
GUIMOND IS NOT ALLOWED!
Date the ban will be lifted: Never

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLXNAS8Xje8

For the first time, Mumbai, India will see the SPEED CUBING Competition.
THE RUBIK'S CUBE MUMBAI OPEN is scheduled on 6, 7th of February at VJTI, Matunga
during the Technical Festival TECHNOVANZA 2010.

The event details and registrations will be on
http://technovanza.org/rcmo

This is an OFFICIAL Competition in association with The World Cube Association.

Happy Cubing!

-Varun Karandikar
VJTI,
Matunga, Mumbai.

The main problem I see with this 2.5 look is the time it takes to look for UL
and UR so you can place them at DF and DB.  With Gilles Roux's LSE, it takes
almost no time at all to see the orientation pattern.  It takes a little more
time to find two edges than it does to recognize an orientation pattern.  Plus
both have about the same move count so I don't see any benefit to using this 2.5
look style other than to be doing something different.  One thing I do think
though is, after CMLL, if UL/UR happen to already be at DF and DB, that you
could use this new 2.5 look depending on the case.  I think it would give you a
lower move count without losing time to recognition.

> are you place the UL and UR at the bottom before doing CMLL (so its
> necessary to use COLL) ?

I haven't ever considered this.  I thought about doing it with Petrus though.

What's your way of doing it?  Do you place each edge while doing the second
block's pairs?

> Have you seen that you can also using UF and UB at the buffer position ?

You mean solving UF and UB instead of UL and UR?  I've tried that a few times
and I found it a little hard to see which way to have the corners so I could
finish M.

> Has someone written all algs if i would placing DF and DB at DF and DB
> (ignoring exact position and orientation) and then orient all 6
> remaining edges? It would end up with an EO at last.
> What would be the fastest way?

I don't think I've seen this before.  I guess it would be as good as the other
way of doing the LSE.  Recognition time may be a problem.

When using "Roux" I solve the regular way; block, block, corners, normal LSE. 
When I was using NMCMLL, I was using unconstrained centers in LSE and it felt so
unnecessary.  The recognition time was a little longer than the regular way and
it had a higher move count average (by .75) because of the final R/r rotation.

Honestly, the best way I've seen to finish the last six edges in "Roux" is the
way Gilles Roux describes on his site.  In my opinion it is already a 2.5 look
because you first look at the edge orientation, and while you are doing that you
notice the location of the UL/UR edges, you solve one or both of them at the
same time you are orienting, then you permute the M edges.  It's wonderful.

--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, thomasstadler@... wrote:
>
> hi athefre,
> thx for the link, now i'see that this idea already exists :-(
>
> so what are your experiences using 2,5 look last six edges for
> speedcubing (not for fmc)?
> are you place the UL and UR at the bottom before doing CMLL (so its
> necessary to use COLL) ?
> Have you seen that you can also using UF and UB at the buffer position ?
> Has someone written all algs if i would placing DF and DB at DF and DB
> (ignoring exact position and orientation) and then orient all 6
> remaining edges? It would end up with an EO at last.
> What would be the fastest way?
>
> My average using 2,5 look last six edges is around 18seconds (but i
> think that i could speed up if i could place UR and UL before C...LL
> and if i have learned all last step cases)...
>
> thx for new (or already existing) ideas
>
> Thomas Stadler
>
> www.speedcubing.ch
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
>

hi athefre,
thx for the link, now i'see that this idea already exists :-(

so what are your experiences using 2,5 look last six edges for
speedcubing (not for fmc)?
are you place the UL and UR at the bottom before doing CMLL (so its
necessary to use COLL) ?
Have you seen that you can also using UF and UB at the buffer position ?
Has someone written all algs if i would placing DF and DB at DF and DB
(ignoring exact position and orientation) and then orient all 6
remaining edges? It would end up with an EO at last.
What would be the fastest way?

My average using 2,5 look last six edges is around 18seconds (but i
think that i could speed up if i could place UR and UL before C...LL
and if i have learned all last step cases)...

thx for new (or already existing) ideas

Thomas Stadler

www.speedcubing.ch



----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.

This is similar to, or the same as:

http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9095

--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, "thomasstadlerschweiz"
<thomasstadler@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Roux solvers,
> i've modified the idea of "2.5 look last six edges" from josef jelinek and
found a really good strategy for orient and permute the last six edges in 2
Steps.
> There are only 11 new algs to learn (for the orientation). You will reach a
lower move count because opposite-colour-neutrality.
> I've set it on my site :www.speedcubing.ch  (3x3 roux-stadler solution)
> Its written in german, but i think that you will understand the pictures.
> Thx for comments and more ideas.
>
> Thomas Stadler (Switzerland)
>
>
> P.S. See you in Düsseldorf (WM)
>
> www.speedcubing.ch
>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhXnBI7JSV0


Thanks for submitting your video rubik's cube for revenue sharing. We have
disabled revenue sharing on this video for one of the following reasons:
• You have not provided adequate documentation that you have the necessary
rights to commercially use all the video material and music
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content
Please note that we reserve the right to make the final determination on whether
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Thanks for your understanding,
The YouTube Team

No thank you


I'm invisible sorry little bit only

Montreal the top one return of the cube

Hello,

I thought this might be of interest to cubers as they probably like
Tetris type games.

Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ub6gCU03iE

App store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropzap/id338490375?mt=8

This iPhone game is free for a limited.  Any feedback would be great.

Amir

totally up to you. depending on which method you're planning to learn blindfold
cubing (I suggest this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncpkVvIEcKc). i
don't know if it's better to finish Fridrich before going on to blindfold, which
is what I did, but it's up to you.

Simba

From: KevinS <kevinsoewondo@...>

To: speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, November 8, 2009 9:08:06 PM
Subject: [Speed cubing group] blindfold cubing


Hi, I am new to this group.

I am still learning the Fridrich full method, but I am also interested in
blindfold cubing. What should I do? Should I learn the Fridrich first, and after
completing the Fridrich then I learn the blindfold cubing? Or just do it
simultaneously?

Thank you.





       __________________________________________________________________
Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

http://www.flickr.com/gift/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, I am new to this group.

I am still learning the Fridrich full method, but I am also interested in
blindfold cubing. What should I do? Should I learn the Fridrich first, and after
completing the Fridrich then I learn the blindfold cubing? Or just do it
simultaneously?

Thank you.

1) Personally, I look for any pairs. Unless your brain can work that fast, it
wouldn't be really efficient to look for the best pair, unless you actually
notice it. I sometimes have that moment.

2)dunno......






________________________________
From: ladartfrog <ladartfrog@...>
To: speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 9:15:43 PM
Subject: [Speed cubing group] A few tips needed


Hey folks,

I'm just getting back into cubing a little bit... have done it on and off for
years, but haven't done it for a long time. I use fridrich with 3LLL.

My F2L has gotten pretty slow and I know I can decrease it from 24 seconds-ish
to around 18 with a week of practice or so.

I have two questions

1) Regarding speeding up F2L: when you look ahead, are you able to identify all
the possible pairs, and find which one will be fastest? Or is it more important
to find ANY pair such that the time between pairs is eliminated?

2) Are there any new techniques I should learn? I'm fascianted by partial edge
control... looks fun. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

David





       __________________________________________________________________
Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane with All new Yahoo! Mail:
http://ca.promos.yahoo.com/newmail/overview2/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey folks,

I'm just getting back into cubing a little bit... have done it on and off for
years, but haven't done it for a long time. I use fridrich with 3LLL.

My F2L has gotten pretty slow and I know I can decrease it from 24 seconds-ish
to around 18 with a week of practice or so.

I have two questions

1) Regarding speeding up F2L: when you look ahead, are you able to identify all
the possible pairs, and find which one will be fastest? Or is it more important
to find ANY pair such that the time between pairs is eliminated?

2) Are there any new techniques I should learn? I'm fascianted by partial edge
control... looks fun. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

David

THANks

I bought 20 sets.  Just under $10.



--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, Simba Mai <simxmai@...> wrote:
>
> owned?
>
>
> here you go: http://cube4you.com/gallery-75.html
>
> as for lube, I use jigaloo.
>
> Simba
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: kovacic81 <kovacic81@...>
> To: speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sun, November 1, 2009 5:34:09 AM
> Subject: [Speed cubing group] ANYONe know WHERE to buy PARTS??
>
>
> I have a bunch of DIY kits with no screws springs or washers.  Can i buy
> springs screws or washers anywhere on line?     WHAT IS THE BEST LUBE
> and where can i buy it online???  I have some pure silicone in a can i
> got from a hobby shop, but it's not that great.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
> AND i tried the search function before starting the thread =)
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>       __________________________________________________________________
> Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo!
Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

owned?


here you go: http://cube4you.com/gallery-75.html

as for lube, I use jigaloo.

Simba





________________________________
From: kovacic81 <kovacic81@...>
To: speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, November 1, 2009 5:34:09 AM
Subject: [Speed cubing group] ANYONe know WHERE to buy PARTS??


I have a bunch of DIY kits with no screws springs or washers.  Can i buy
springs screws or washers anywhere on line?     WHAT IS THE BEST LUBE
and where can i buy it online???  I have some pure silicone in a can i
got from a hobby shop, but it's not that great.

Thanks in advance for any help.
AND i tried the search function before starting the thread =)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





       __________________________________________________________________
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo!
Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a bunch of DIY kits with no screws springs or washers.  Can i buy
springs screws or washers anywhere on line?     WHAT IS THE BEST LUBE
and where can i buy it online???  I have some pure silicone in a can i
got from a hobby shop, but it's not that great.



Thanks in advance for any help.
AND i tried the search function before starting the thread =)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In case there are still people who only use this forum:

Announcing the Negative Time Solving Contest 2009

It's that time of the year again! This is your only chance of the year to solve
a cube in negative time as day light saving (DST) ends and time falls back one
hour. DST (Daylight Saving Time) ends at 3am on Sunday, October 25 in many
European countries. In most parts of the United States and Canada, DST ends at
2am on Sunday, November 1. See Time and Date.com to check the clock change
schedule in your area. Results from Europe will NOT be posted until the results
from North America come in a week later.

This year's scrambles have already been posted on
[URL="http://cubefreak.net/negative.html"]the official contest page[/URL], which
also has links to submission forms and past results.

Please note that each solve started (not just start the timer but actually make
a move) before daylight saving ends and completed after it ends counts as a
negative solve. This means that you can compete in multiple categories at the
cost of a less negative time.

Good luck to everyone!

Best,
-macky

My humor and my logic is cruel :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2KX5QRgx-A



  --- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, bryanlogancube <no_reply@...>
wrote:
>
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd4jRk1Pncg
>
> --- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, "rubiks99ca" <rubiks99ca@>
wrote:
> >
> > THE CHALLENGER
> >
> > Voici ma réponse pour le manque de générosité aux pionniers sur ce forum.
N'avoir jamais souligné devant les medias ma contribution pour avoir aidé au
retour du cube dans le monde. Voici pourquoi je suis le numero 1 et je n'ai pas
besoin de championnat ni d'être le meilleur.
> >
> > Le cube est un symbole legendaire de frustration et de competition. Je n'ai
pas besoin d'écrire en anglais, le cube a la langue de communication
universelle. Je ne suis pas celui qu'on voit en grand nombre son nom sur le web.
Je suis la preuve vivante d'un monde de vérité.
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMeKTyccQzo
> >
> > Gaétan Guimond
> >
>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd4jRk1Pncg

--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, "rubiks99ca" <rubiks99ca@...>
wrote:
>
> THE CHALLENGER
>
> Voici ma réponse pour le manque de générosité aux pionniers sur ce forum.
N'avoir jamais souligné devant les medias ma contribution pour avoir aidé au
retour du cube dans le monde. Voici pourquoi je suis le numero 1 et je n'ai pas
besoin de championnat ni d'être le meilleur.
>
> Le cube est un symbole legendaire de frustration et de competition. Je n'ai
pas besoin d'écrire en anglais, le cube a la langue de communication
universelle. Je ne suis pas celui qu'on voit en grand nombre son nom sur le web.
Je suis la preuve vivante d'un monde de vérité.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMeKTyccQzo
>
> Gaétan Guimond
>

THE CHALLENGER

Voici ma réponse pour le manque de générosité aux pionniers sur ce forum.
N'avoir jamais souligné devant les medias ma contribution pour avoir aidé au
retour du cube dans le monde. Voici pourquoi je suis le numero 1 et je n'ai pas
besoin de championnat ni d'être le meilleur.

Le cube est un symbole legendaire de frustration et de competition. Je n'ai pas
besoin d'écrire en anglais, le cube a la langue de communication universelle. Je
ne suis pas celui qu'on voit en grand nombre son nom sur le web. Je suis la
preuve vivante d'un monde de vérité.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMeKTyccQzo

Gaétan Guimond

Hi Anthony,

I just got 2 megaminxes from cube4you.com.  One is a QJ PVC stickered
megaminx that cost $6.99, and should NEVER be considered for speedsolving.
The other is a MF8 tiled Megaminx II for $14.99, that spins like a dream.
Unlike some of the other Chinese sites, cube4you ships UPS, which means
lower shipping costs and faster delivery.  I paid around $20 for shipping,
and received my order (from China to Florida, US) in 5 days.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Abby
On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 10:33 AM, Anthony Hsu <erwaman@...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking to buy a 12-color Megaminx for speedsolving. I've been
> looking at mefferts.com, 9spuzzles.com, and cubefans.com. Does any have
> any recommendations as to which site I should buy from and what model I
> should get?
>
> Best,
> Anthony
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In speedsolvingrubikscube@yahoogroups.com, Ole Petersen <ohyai2003@...>
wrote:
>
> I can break up a nre cycle easily, but how do you do it when you memorise the
system?
>
> Ole
>
>

Ole, if you speak Danish you could try to ask in http://speedcubing.dk/

Or you could try http://www.speedsolving.com/ as this list is almost dead.

Mads.