Chris Pirillo » puzzle http://chris.pirillo.com News and Reviews! Geek, Internet Entrepreneur, Hardware Addict, Software Junkie, Book Author, Once TV Show Host, Technology Enthusiast, Shameless Self-Promoter, Tech Conference Coordinator, Early Adopter, Idea Evangelist, Tech Support Blogger, Bootstrapper, Media Personality, Technology Consultant, Thicker Quicker Picker Upper. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:25:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 © chris@pirillo.com () chris@pirillo.com() Geek, Internet Entrepreneur, Hardware Addict, Software Junkie, Book Author, Once TV Show Host, Technology Enthusiast, Shameless Self-Promoter, Tech Conference Coordinator, Early Adopter, Idea Evangelist, Tech Support Blogger, Bootstrapper, Media Personality, Technology Consultant, Thicker Quicker Picker Upper. chris@pirillo.com No no http://chris.pirillo.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpgChris Pirillohttp://chris.pirillo.com 144 144 Can You Solve a Rubik’s Cube?http://chris.pirillo.com/can-you-solve-a-rubiks-cube/ http://chris.pirillo.com/can-you-solve-a-rubiks-cube/#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:24:14 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/?p=7849 Can You Solve a Rubik’s Cube? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik’s Cube? There is a group of people who call themselves SpeedCubers. They attempt to beat each other by solving the Rubik’s Cube faster than anyone else. There are several videos on YouTube of people doing just that. It’s completely insane how fast they can solve one of these babies. I can only solve them by taking the stickers off and rearranging them.
Connor is a SpeedCuber, and sent in the following tips to help you solve a Rubik’s Cube in a short amount of time.

  • Learn to solve a cube. Perhaps the hardest sounding step you’ve heard, but it really is simple once you watch a tutorial and memorize the algorithms (algorithms being a sequence of moves that you use to move pieces around ) There are many tutorials out on the net some are videos some are text based, the one I learned is the first result on YouTube when I searched.
  • Prepare a cube for speed. If you watch videos on YouTube, you will see people moving the cube extraordinarily fast. There are two reasons for this, they learn to push the layers with their fingers and the other reason, is the reason they can push the layers with their fingers, they have a good cube. There are two ways of having a good cube. You can order a cube online, or make a store-bought cube (no knockoffs, Rubik’s brand) fast. If you want a cube that is instantly good, you can order a type of cube called a “DIY Cube” on eBay. The reason it’s called a DIY cube, is because you have to assemble it yourself. It is really easy and there are tutorials on how to assemble these. Another thing to make a cube fast (DIY cube or store-bought) is to use silicone lubricant. Most cubers use either Jig-A-Loo or CRC Heavy duty Silicone.
  • Learn fingertricks. Fingertricks are when you push the layers with your fingers. Doing this can achieve great turning speeds. I have calculated doing about 600 moves in one minute, and people have done 900 in a minute. Fingertricks to come natural to a lot of cubers. Some people, however, need guidance. A simple way to do this is by practicing pushing the bottom face with your ring fingers, as well as the back face, use your index fingers to turn the top face and for the left and right just turn as you normally would. For the front face, depending on how you are holding the cube, it can be easily turned with your index fingers or your thumbs.
  • Learn an advanced method. Most likely, the first method you learn is pretty easy, but slow. Once you get your times down to somewhere between 1 minute and 30 seconds to a minute, you should move to a new method. The reason you learn a slow method first is so that you understand the cube more and then its easier to understand a new method. The “best” (and by best, I mean most popular and fastest) are the Petrus method, and the Fridrich method. Both were created by Lars Petrus and Jessica Fridrich.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice. I know a lot of people might now want to hear this, but this is the most important thing to gain speed. Without loads of practice and determination, you wont get too far. I practice daily. I have been speedsolving Rubik’s Cubes and variations for about seven months, and I currently average about 20 seconds. The reason for that is lots of practice. Once you learn to solve the cube, it’s addicting, and you want to keep solving and solving and solving….. so this isn’t bad at all if you enjoy speedcubing.

Can you solve a Rubik’s Cube? How fast are you? Show us your YouTube videos, and let’s compare!

]]> Can You Solve a Rubik’s Cube? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik’s Cube? There is a group of people who call themselves SpeedCubers. They attempt to beat each other by solving the Rubik’s Cube faster than anyone else. There are several videos on YouTube of people doing just that. It’s completely insane how fast they can solve one of these babies. I can only solve them by taking the stickers off and rearranging them.
Connor is a SpeedCuber, and sent in the following tips to help you solve a Rubik’s Cube in a short amount of time.

  • Learn to solve a cube. Perhaps the hardest sounding step you’ve heard, but it really is simple once you watch a tutorial and memorize the algorithms (algorithms being a sequence of moves that you use to move pieces around ) There are many tutorials out on the net some are videos some are text based, the one I learned is the first result on YouTube when I searched.
  • Prepare a cube for speed. If you watch videos on YouTube, you will see people moving the cube extraordinarily fast. There are two reasons for this, they learn to push the layers with their fingers and the other reason, is the reason they can push the layers with their fingers, they have a good cube. There are two ways of having a good cube. You can order a cube online, or make a store-bought cube (no knockoffs, Rubik’s brand) fast. If you want a cube that is instantly good, you can order a type of cube called a “DIY Cube” on eBay. The reason it’s called a DIY cube, is because you have to assemble it yourself. It is really easy and there are tutorials on how to assemble these. Another thing to make a cube fast (DIY cube or store-bought) is to use silicone lubricant. Most cubers use either Jig-A-Loo or CRC Heavy duty Silicone.
  • Learn fingertricks. Fingertricks are when you push the layers with your fingers. Doing this can achieve great turning speeds. I have calculated doing about 600 moves in one minute, and people have done 900 in a minute. Fingertricks to come natural to a lot of cubers. Some people, however, need guidance. A simple way to do this is by practicing pushing the bottom face with your ring fingers, as well as the back face, use your index fingers to turn the top face and for the left and right just turn as you normally would. For the front face, depending on how you are holding the cube, it can be easily turned with your index fingers or your thumbs.
  • Learn an advanced method. Most likely, the first method you learn is pretty easy, but slow. Once you get your times down to somewhere between 1 minute and 30 seconds to a minute, you should move to a new method. The reason you learn a slow method first is so that you understand the cube more and then its easier to understand a new method. The “best” (and by best, I mean most popular and fastest) are the Petrus method, and the Fridrich method. Both were created by Lars Petrus and Jessica Fridrich.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice. I know a lot of people might now want to hear this, but this is the most important thing to gain speed. Without loads of practice and determination, you wont get too far. I practice daily. I have been speedsolving Rubik’s Cubes and variations for about seven months, and I currently average about 20 seconds. The reason for that is lots of practice. Once you learn to solve the cube, it’s addicting, and you want to keep solving and solving and solving….. so this isn’t bad at all if you enjoy speedcubing.

Can you solve a Rubik’s Cube? How fast are you? Show us your YouTube videos, and let’s compare!

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/can-you-solve-a-rubiks-cube/feed/ 19 Am I the Only Player Addicted to Crosswords?http://chris.pirillo.com/am-i-the-only-player-addicted-to-crosswords/ http://chris.pirillo.com/am-i-the-only-player-addicted-to-crosswords/#comments Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:52:31 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/?p=7324 Am I the Only Player Addicted to Crosswords? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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I’m addicted to both crossword puzzles and my Nintendo DS. So you can imagine how addicted I am to the Crosswords DS game made specifically for my DS! The game only cost me about $20.00. With this game, you can choose from more than 1000 crossword puzzles, or choose to do an Anagram or WordSearch.

Crosswords DS is designed for all players—just select your difficulty level and start off with a basic four-by-four puzzle. As you progress, the game will increase in difficulty and puzzle size. Use the DS stylus like a pencil to write or circle your answers on the touch-control screen. Erasing mistakes is as simple as writing the new answer over the old one. A hint system is also included in case you need some friendly assistance.

In Crosswords DS, you’ll find puzzles perfect for everyone regardless of age or experience. Exercise your word skills in more than a thousand touch-control word puzzles to challenge every skill level.

If you’re a casual gamer like me, or even if you just love word games… you should definitely check out Crosswords DS. It’s my newest addiction!

FirstRSS+ThunderIT AWS HMAC ERROR: "http://xml-us.amznxslt.com/onca/xml?AWSAccessKeyId=05G128QTRXN0J06J6PG2&ContentType=text%2Fxml&Keywords=nintendo&Operation=ItemSearch&ResponseGroup=Large&SearchIndex=Blended&Service=AWSECommerceService&Signature=sEJuMq%2FCZGGM%2BNrsnJ9umMXTeOfuoAmPa%2B%2FhNFe6AB0%3D&Style=http%3A%2F%2Ftagjag.com%2Fcss%2Famazon.xslt&Timestamp=2009-11-25T04%3A28%3A25Z&Version=2005-07-26" NOT FOUND!

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> Am I the Only Player Addicted to Crosswords? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

I’m addicted to both crossword puzzles and my Nintendo DS. So you can imagine how addicted I am to the Crosswords DS game made specifically for my DS! The game only cost me about $20.00. With this game, you can choose from more than 1000 crossword puzzles, or choose to do an Anagram or WordSearch.

Crosswords DS is designed for all players—just select your difficulty level and start off with a basic four-by-four puzzle. As you progress, the game will increase in difficulty and puzzle size. Use the DS stylus like a pencil to write or circle your answers on the touch-control screen. Erasing mistakes is as simple as writing the new answer over the old one. A hint system is also included in case you need some friendly assistance.

In Crosswords DS, you’ll find puzzles perfect for everyone regardless of age or experience. Exercise your word skills in more than a thousand touch-control word puzzles to challenge every skill level.

If you’re a casual gamer like me, or even if you just love word games… you should definitely check out Crosswords DS. It’s my newest addiction!

FirstRSS+ThunderIT AWS HMAC ERROR: "http://xml-us.amznxslt.com/onca/xml?AWSAccessKeyId=05G128QTRXN0J06J6PG2&ContentType=text%2Fxml&Keywords=nintendo&Operation=ItemSearch&ResponseGroup=Large&SearchIndex=Blended&Service=AWSECommerceService&Signature=zji9dQIXmNj95EHHmFZnaZYPd6I14J0QKySAwitFC%2Bw%3D&Style=http%3A%2F%2Ftagjag.com%2Fcss%2Famazon.xslt&Timestamp=2009-11-25T04%3A28%3A27Z&Version=2005-07-26" NOT FOUND!

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/am-i-the-only-player-addicted-to-crosswords/feed/ 4 Sudoku Games Onlinehttp://chris.pirillo.com/sudoku-games-online/ http://chris.pirillo.com/sudoku-games-online/#comments Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:41:19 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/12/01/sudoku-games-online/ Sudoku Games Online is a post from Chris Pirillo

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I’m more of a letters guy than a numbers guy. I hated math in school, and I just don’t want to play a game that involves math. However, I do know that many of you are hooked on Sudoku, so I wanted to pass this great site along to you.

If you’re into Sudoku, check out SudokuJunction. SudokuJunction is abosolutely free. You can register for an account, meet other players with similar interest, play Sudoku and even submit your own puzzles.

When playing the game itself, you can choose from several different options to pick a puzzle. There are sort options such as grid size, solution or not, difficulty and rating by other players. You can choose to give yourself a time limit or not. And as an added bonus, there’s a built-in math checker to help you when you’re stuck.

You can also meet others, send them messages, build a profile, and “favorite” your friends. You can browse other players by their country, gender, age and relationship status. What an easy fun way to meet new friends!

Do you Sudoku? What sites other than SudokuJunction do you find your puzzles at? Email me with more suggestions for Sudoku… or any other… game sites that I might want to pass along to the rest of the world. You can always leave a follow-up comment to this video, as well.

I received this followup email the other day:

I generally play on this site: www.websudoku.com

I learned the rules from these sites and many more:

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> Sudoku Games Online is a post from Chris Pirillo

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

I’m more of a letters guy than a numbers guy. I hated math in school, and I just don’t want to play a game that involves math. However, I do know that many of you are hooked on Sudoku, so I wanted to pass this great site along to you.

If you’re into Sudoku, check out SudokuJunction. SudokuJunction is abosolutely free. You can register for an account, meet other players with similar interest, play Sudoku and even submit your own puzzles.

When playing the game itself, you can choose from several different options to pick a puzzle. There are sort options such as grid size, solution or not, difficulty and rating by other players. You can choose to give yourself a time limit or not. And as an added bonus, there’s a built-in math checker to help you when you’re stuck.

You can also meet others, send them messages, build a profile, and “favorite” your friends. You can browse other players by their country, gender, age and relationship status. What an easy fun way to meet new friends!

Do you Sudoku? What sites other than SudokuJunction do you find your puzzles at? Email me with more suggestions for Sudoku… or any other… game sites that I might want to pass along to the rest of the world. You can always leave a follow-up comment to this video, as well.

I received this followup email the other day:

I generally play on this site: www.websudoku.com

I learned the rules from these sites and many more:

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/sudoku-games-online/feed/ 31 How to Handle Remote Tech Support <em>Using <a href="http://www.gotoassist.com/chris">GoToAssist</a> is the easiest way to view and control another person's computer online. Use it to provide instant technical support to family, friends and customers. Start a session with just one click, and instantly connect with the other party. </em> chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:30:00 GMThttp://gotoassist.com/chris/ http://gotoassist.com/chris/ Network Tools for Windows You need these network tools, no matter which operating systems and networks you have to support. <a href="http://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome">SolarWinds ipMonitor</a>: Affordable Network Monitoring for SMBs. Get turnkey network, server and application availability monitoring with SolarWinds ipMonitor v9.0. This easy-to-use, reliable solution for SMBs delivers out-of-the-box availability monitoring so you always know exactly what's up with Active Directory, DNS, Exchange, FTP, Web, IMAP, MS SQL Server, and SMTP. <a href="http://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome">Download your free trial today</a>. Or, try their <a href="http://www.solarwinds.com/products/freetools/">totally free tools</a>! And, through 2/29, save 20% when you purchase <a href="http://store.solarwinds.com/s.nl/sc.16/.f">ipMonitor 9.0</a>. chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMThttp://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome http://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome Get Your Own Web Site Starting at just $3.99/month, web hosting from <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp2">GoDaddy</a> includes 99.9% uptime, 24/7 support and free access to GoDaddy Hosting Connection, THE place to install over 30 FREE applications sure to help you get the most from your hosting plan and Web site. Enter <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp2">code CP2</a> at checkout, and save an additional 10% on any order. <p>Plus, as a friend of Chris Pirillo, enter code <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=chris7">CHRIS7</a>, that's C-H-R-I-S and the number 7, when you check out, and save an additional 10% on any order. Get your piece of the internet at <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=chris7">GoDaddy.com</a>.</p> chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMThttp://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp1 http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp1 VMware and Parallels for Virtual Machines It doesn't matter if you're running on Windows or Mac OS X - every power user needs either <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/13766/rn_a32755/">Parallels</a> or <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/17081/rn_a32755/">VMware</a> (or both). There's never been an easier way to test software without destroying your primary operating system's stability. Think of how many times you wish you could press a 'reverse' button on your computer. Plus, there's no easier way to try new Linux distributions - see what all the fuss is about. Run Windows in OS X, run Linux in Windows, but the best way to do either is with <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/17081/rn_a32755/">VMware</a> and/or <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/13766/rn_a32755/">Parallels</a>. chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMThttp://chris.pirillo.com/2008/02/19/parallels-or-vmware/ http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/02/19/parallels-or-vmware/ Coupons for Online Shopping <p style="color: red">This feed is fueled by Lockergnome <a href="http://www.lockergnome.com/buy/">Online Shopping and Coupon Codes</a></p> <p> Before you shop next time, see if we have <a href="http://coupons.lockergnome.com/">a coupon</a> first. </p> chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:56:13 GMThttp://coupons.lockergnome.com/ http://coupons.lockergnome.com/