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November 18, 2005
Don't lose sleep over it
If you are still completely stuck on Challenge 6 don't despair. We will give a big clue on Monday with time for you to try again. Why not take a break this weekend and do something else? Read a book, go for a walk, anything other than banging your head against a brick wall. You might even get an inspiration if you let yourself forget about it for a while. There are still five days to go, so you have plenty of time.
Posted by Harry at November 18, 2005 06:26 PM
Comments
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hmm having had a very nice challengeless week (because was busy with other work =( ) we decided to start on this challenge 6b finally.. erm.. a bit of a trouble though.. we keep getting 1018 characters when translating from morse code to letters.. i don't know how you get 1024 characters .. a little help here to get us started pls?
[try a different translator. You need the full Morse alphabet. Harry]
Posted by: Sams at November 21, 2005 07:47 PM
Where's the big clue? It's monday?
Posted by: Cara at November 21, 2005 07:23 PM
Harry When are we getting this really BIG clue on Monday?
[Err. now? Harry]
Posted by: richard at November 21, 2005 05:12 PM
erm... what day is it today? I thought it was Monday... doesn't Monday=day of the all revealing hint?
hint hint
[So it does. See the log. Harry]
Posted by: cecil at November 21, 2005 05:06 PM
Well, we nearly gave up but decided to have one last try. We knew what kind of cipher it was but didn't know how to crack it - neither of us know programming and it felt like a huge task to do by hand. ************************* I have a feeling the next challenge will have us beat though.
Posted by: Zoe Stokoe at November 20, 2005 09:25 PM
i really need help. nice lymeric, chloe
Posted by: laura at November 20, 2005 07:37 PM
i use a computer programme for part A but for part b i was using them until we hit like challenge four where i kinda couldnt find anything to help cos of these interesting twists of harrys :(
Posted by: Martyn Compton at November 20, 2005 01:48 PM
my brain hurts....
Posted by: charmaine at November 19, 2005 10:44 PM
How many people use computer programs to solve these? Me and my team have been doing most of it by hand - we mainly use computers to 'set up' a copy to do, using morse code translators and Word and such.
Posted by: Vicky Bird at November 19, 2005 08:52 PM
Some codebreakers, now quite a few
Are for 6B in need of a clue
But don't you lose sleep
Or worry and weep
Crack the ciphers- don't let them crack you!
Posted by: Chloe at November 19, 2005 08:48 PM
My mum went to Soton... obviously has rubbed off on me! :P
I had one sleepless night after I missed the first time split, but it did give a chance to calm down, and actually begin to systematically eliminate possibilities, and by next morning I got on the computer and cracked it in 3 minutes. Partly woo my programs, but also woo sleep!
Posted by: Ian at November 19, 2005 05:30 PM
got a few more years to wait before I even START to think about universities... haven't even chosen my GCSE options yet.... hee hee hee
(Maybe it's my age and experience that is letting my down on this challenge, plus no determination to lose my precious sleep over it)
Posted by: cecil at November 19, 2005 09:32 AM
Yea, digital fortress isn't really that much of a help. Also, I've not read it all, as I am way too way at the moment. If you're desperate, the "hint" is in the fist few chapters/pages.
Posted by: Will at November 19, 2005 12:00 AM
I am applying to southampton( for maths), got my offer through today. Also Challenge 6 is really satisfying to solve.
Posted by: Tom at November 18, 2005 09:17 PM
I think it's when we start to see posts such as this (and Lara's on the other message!) that we begin to see just how determined the people who take part in this are to complete the challenges. Although it does seem to show that the Cipher Challenge should carry a health warning, I think the organisers should be pleased with themselves!
[We are pretty pleased with you all! Any of you applying to Southampton? Harry]
Posted by: Jess at November 18, 2005 08:34 PM
Way ahead of you. Although Ive never had so much trouble with a cipher before!! Monday should be a relief
Posted by: Jack Medley at November 18, 2005 07:22 PM
To whoever recommended Digital Fortress, i've read it and it has not helped me BUT it was really interesting and i enjoyed every bit of it, so thank you very much for letting me know about such a great book.
Posted by: lara at November 18, 2005 06:47 PM