daniel0731ex
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- Dec 10, 2008
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There is something I need to explain to about the cube models before I talk about the detailed history about Guojia (Alpha cubes),
This is actually a bit different from the stuffs I used to ramble about, because it's pretty important.
So currently we uses two names to call the "sealed mechanism" Alpha cubes. A lot of people classified into as "old" and "new" models, but this way of naming is actually irrevalent in this case. We usually call the two different versons of Rubik's 4x4 the "OLD" and "NEW" verson, which is perfectly OK because the retooled verson of the Rubik's 4x4 have replaced the old verson. However, the "sealed mechanism" cubes are not necessarily replacing the so-called "old ones", so calling them "new" and "old" models doesn't make any sense at all. (an interesting fact: the so-called "'new' type A I" and "'new' Type A II" actually came out before the "Old" AII. I'll talk about this later in the history part.)
I won't linger on that topic anymore, because there's something else I need to talk about. It's about the "First/Second/Third model" naming that was making a big mess. I know that most of you just simply got over with it, but there might be some other people who are still confused this; plus I’ll also explain why this big confusion happened.
Originally, the “‘Type A’ Second model” refers to the “First generation sealed cube” (also known as the “Alpha I-SV”), and the “‘Type A’ Third Model” refers to the "Second generation sealed cube" (“Alpha II-SV”). How come “second model” was “1”, and “third” became “2”? Pentrixter did not understand the reason behind it, so he proposed that “First model” would refer to “1” and “Second model” to “2” & so on. Although this makes a lot of sense, those who bought these cubes would be confused when we talk about these cubes, as they think of their cubes as they were called in the stores originally.
To find out why were these cubes named this way, we first must look at the origin of the cube. This name was first used by Cubeforyou.com during the time before other DIY types started poping out everywhere. At the time, the good old “Alpha I” started to gain popularity among cubers around to world. Then “Alpha” designed the very first sealed mechanism DIY cube ever; they have literally EVERY single hollow part capped, with no space at all. At the time the Alpha I was called “Type A” in China, and the A1-SV was called “Type A Sealed mechanism”. As you can see, there were no generation numbers, so when Cube4you stocks this cube they just call it “Type A Second model”, because it was the second cube Alpha ever made. Soon they make another cube: the Alpha II-SV; and thus it became “Type A Third model” on C4U, as it’s the third cube from Alpha. Later when Alpha II came out, the other 2 cubes are officially known as “Sealed Ver.1” and “Sealed Ver.2”. So the names on Cube4you.com are replaced by the new names (Type A I-f and Type A II-f, where "f" stands for "feng", meaning "sealed").
Keeping to short, basically Type A second model = Alpha I-f, and third model = Alpha II-f. (There was no "first model" or "forth model")
Since this name is already confusing to the original owner of these cubes, it will be replaced by proper gen. number and “-SV” suffixes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The History of Alpha Cubes
To-do…
This is actually a bit different from the stuffs I used to ramble about, because it's pretty important.
So currently we uses two names to call the "sealed mechanism" Alpha cubes. A lot of people classified into as "old" and "new" models, but this way of naming is actually irrevalent in this case. We usually call the two different versons of Rubik's 4x4 the "OLD" and "NEW" verson, which is perfectly OK because the retooled verson of the Rubik's 4x4 have replaced the old verson. However, the "sealed mechanism" cubes are not necessarily replacing the so-called "old ones", so calling them "new" and "old" models doesn't make any sense at all. (an interesting fact: the so-called "'new' type A I" and "'new' Type A II" actually came out before the "Old" AII. I'll talk about this later in the history part.)
I won't linger on that topic anymore, because there's something else I need to talk about. It's about the "First/Second/Third model" naming that was making a big mess. I know that most of you just simply got over with it, but there might be some other people who are still confused this; plus I’ll also explain why this big confusion happened.
Originally, the “‘Type A’ Second model” refers to the “First generation sealed cube” (also known as the “Alpha I-SV”), and the “‘Type A’ Third Model” refers to the "Second generation sealed cube" (“Alpha II-SV”). How come “second model” was “1”, and “third” became “2”? Pentrixter did not understand the reason behind it, so he proposed that “First model” would refer to “1” and “Second model” to “2” & so on. Although this makes a lot of sense, those who bought these cubes would be confused when we talk about these cubes, as they think of their cubes as they were called in the stores originally.
To find out why were these cubes named this way, we first must look at the origin of the cube. This name was first used by Cubeforyou.com during the time before other DIY types started poping out everywhere. At the time, the good old “Alpha I” started to gain popularity among cubers around to world. Then “Alpha” designed the very first sealed mechanism DIY cube ever; they have literally EVERY single hollow part capped, with no space at all. At the time the Alpha I was called “Type A” in China, and the A1-SV was called “Type A Sealed mechanism”. As you can see, there were no generation numbers, so when Cube4you stocks this cube they just call it “Type A Second model”, because it was the second cube Alpha ever made. Soon they make another cube: the Alpha II-SV; and thus it became “Type A Third model” on C4U, as it’s the third cube from Alpha. Later when Alpha II came out, the other 2 cubes are officially known as “Sealed Ver.1” and “Sealed Ver.2”. So the names on Cube4you.com are replaced by the new names (Type A I-f and Type A II-f, where "f" stands for "feng", meaning "sealed").
Keeping to short, basically Type A second model = Alpha I-f, and third model = Alpha II-f. (There was no "first model" or "forth model")
Since this name is already confusing to the original owner of these cubes, it will be replaced by proper gen. number and “-SV” suffixes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The History of Alpha Cubes
To-do…
Last edited:
for 1 cube?:fp
