For win - new V-Cube 7

[Markus Pirzer]

Of course this is not allowed

So if I've been working on this I've been wasting my time? (I haven't, but suspect others have)

It was not my intention to make a "who-can-write-a-puzzle-solver-programm-competition". I thought this was clear for everyone.

I don't know if it is clearly regulated in the WCA regulation, but I think everyone knows that it wouldn't be accepted in a rubiks cube competition to use a roboter for solving the cube.

On a random state generator there would be the problem how to make sure that the puzzle is solvable. Do you know how I could solve this problem?

Rather simple parity check, have a look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteen_puzzle#Solvability

Yes you're right. This wouldn't be as difficult as I thought.

 

[Waynilein]

I have started programming a solver.

I haven't, but suspect others have.

Oh really, you suspect so?
Anyway, my solver project didn't get very far. My idea was to use a rather primitive method of piece-by-piece solving where the basic idea was to move the empty space ahead of the piece you're solving, without disturbing anything that was previously solved. However, I didn't have much of a clue on how to do the interaction with the puzzle applet, as you mentioned.

I don't know if it is clearly regulated in the WCA regulation, but I think everyone knows that it wouldn't be accepted in a rubiks cube competition to use a roboter for solving the cube.

It is in fact regulated in A5b): "the competitor must not have any assistance from anyone or any object". The robot can be classified as an object.

 

[Markus Pirzer]

Is there nobody except me and Eddie Hove who can solve the puzzle in less then 10 minutes? I can't believe this. Please post your records even if they're not winning times.

 

[Lt-UnReaL]

Is there nobody except me and Eddie Hove who can solve the puzzle in less then 10 minutes? I can't believe this. Please post your records even if they're not winning times.

Maybe more people would have tried it if you had made all the tiles numbers instead.

 

[qqwref]

I got a 4:42. But I have trouble with the image, I had to keep it open in another window to figure out where the pieces went. I would get a better time with numbers

 

[Markus Pirzer]

Is there nobody except me and Eddie Hove who can solve the puzzle in less then 10 minutes? I can't believe this. Please post your records even if they're not winning times.

Maybe more people would have tried it if you had made all the tiles numbers instead.

This is the special challenge of that puzzle, with numbers it would be too easy in my opinion. But for people who wants to solve a 7x7x7 it shoudn't be too difficult. It's just like with the Cube: the hardest thing is to solve it the first time. The more you practise the easier it will be. If it is too difficult for you, start with the "slide puzzle for beginners". It's the same picture, just with less pieces. Once you solved this puzzle, you'll know how the solved picture looks like, and you'll have less problems with the difficult puzzle.

I think that more people have successfully solved the puzzle than those who are listed in the higscore list, but they may think that their times are too bad and don't want to post it.

@qqwref:
I've just read your mail. Your time makes the competition more exciting.

 

[d4m4s74]

is it "legal" to change the code so you can use your keyboard (for faster execution)

 

[Markus Pirzer]

is it "legal" to change the code so you can use your keyboard (for faster execution)

Generelly, I don't want that people change my code, but I think it's no big advantage to use the keyboard instead of the mouse.

How do you want to do this? I know it's no problem to change the source code, but you must use the applet embedded in my website. It's not allowed to use your own applet in a new window (I would see this in the screenshot).

If you prefer to use the keyboard, I can change the code myself, than everyone has the choice between keyboard and mouse control.

 

[qqwref]

I would prefer to use the keyboard, personally. I'd much prefer it if you allowed it on your own applet than if you let someone else modify the code so they are the only person who gets to use the keyboard.

 

[d4m4s74]

8000 views left,

I'll check how I can get keyboard implemented

but I think it's better if you do the actual implementation because you wrote the original script and know how it works

 

[cpt.Justice]

Oh crap, I was away this weekend and suddenly Nick got some amazing times :/
Luckily, I already have a V-7, so it doesn't really matter ^^

The keyboard thing would drastically speed me up. But its kinda unfair if you start allowing it now

 

[Markus Pirzer]

Now you can also use the cursor keys to solve the puzzle.

Oh crap, I was away this weekend and suddenly Nick got some amazing times :/
Luckily, I already have a V-7, so it doesn't really matter ^^

The keyboard thing would drastically speed me up. But its kinda unfair if you start allowing it now

Why is this unfair? Everyone has the same chances. If you've already practised a lot with the old version of the puzzle, this shoudn't be a disadvantage. Rather I think it is an advantage to have practised much. The more often you solve the puzzle the better you know the picture and the faster you can solve it. And you have much time (the same time as any other) to improve your time with the new puzzle.

According to the visitors in the last 2 weeks, I think the end of the competition will be sometime in February.

 

[Waynilein]

Wow, nice, I think this will make the highscores drastically faster (maybe sub-3?). But could you make an option to reverse the keys? Like down means up and up means down? Because the way it is now seems really unnatural to me :S

 

[Markus Pirzer]

Wow, nice, I think this will make the highscores drastically faster (maybe sub-3?). But could you make an option to reverse the keys? Like down means up and up means down? Because the way it is now seems really unnatural to me :S

I've just added a "reverse keys" option. I almost expected this request.
First I thought it would be more logical to control the direction of the puzzle piece which gets into the gap, but now it's also possible (with "reverse Keys" selected) to control the direction of the gap itself.

 

[cpt.Justice]

Why is this unfair? Everyone has the same chances. If you've already practised a lot with the old version of the puzzle, this shoudn't be a disadvantage. Rather I think it is an advantage to have practised much. The more often you solve the puzzle the better you know the picture and the faster you can solve it. And you have much time (the same time as any other) to improve your time with the new puzzle.

I've already spent a shitload of time getting my sub 3 high score (didn't submit it yet), but now I'm sure I will have to beat that, and it will probably take me a couple of hours to get used to the new controls. And some people who are better with keyboards and such than me (I have a pretty decent accuracy with a mouse, which used to be a big benefit) will benefit hugely...

Edit:
Allowing the keyboard will result in faster moves, which means move count will matter much less
My move count seems to be much better than other people's, so I will not benefit from this change. As I've said, this is unfair. It's kinda like a totally new competition...

 

[Markus Pirzer]

Sorry that you're not happy with this decision. Maybe I'm underestimating the advantage of the keyboard control, but I still think that you have good chances to win. I don't think that much better times are possible, but we will see.

 

[Markus Pirzer]

Half of the competition is over now (more than 95.000 visitors, it was started with less than 90.000).
Use your chance as long as it is possible. I guess the remaining time will be about 3 weeks (as long as the past time).

 

[pinoycuber]

what puzzle should i solve sir?? the big one??

 

[Markus Pirzer]

what puzzle should i solve sir?? the big one??

Yes, the big one. I thought this should be clear:

Slide puzzle for experts

Play this puzzle and win a V-Cube 7! For more details see the participation terms.

If you want to compete, you have to apply to the following rules:

* You play the "slide puzzle for experts" (that one with 8x8 fields)

 

[Musturd]

If I were on vacation from school I would attempt to make a computer program to solve this puzzle. But, alas, I am swamped with homework... (two weeks behind on a 20 page paper because of the SAT)

March break, I will attempt to make a solver for this puzzle even though the contest will probably be over, and this idea I have is probably against the rules...