Greetings, Brethren!

[Dapianokid]

Hail, to thee!
My name is Ian. I'm from the Unite States. My nickname online is generally some form of my nickname, and an exhaustive list could take me qutie some time to compile. Let's get straight to the point, shall we?
I'm a Christian first! Go God! WOOT!
Pianist second. My career focus is there.
Mathmatician/computer scientist 3rd, as I have many side projects in building things or hacking TI calculators.
I'm a speedcuber fourth, although it has eaten all of my free time lately. I've been seriously cubing for about a month. I first solved a cube 6 weeks ago, and it was a storebought Rubik's cube. It was no accident -- and I don't lie about my cubing hobby -- it was deliberately solved via the simplified CFOP method (which is found on Rubiks.com!). I had races with friends who did it from time to time, and within two weeks, I could solve it in about 1 minute using this inefficient method. Then I moved on to learn Petrus, Roux, ZZ, Keyhole F2L, Triangular Francisco, and Classic Pochmann, in that order. Right now I'm learning Fridrich advanced F2L. You'll find that I alternate between calling it CFOP and Fridrich. The debate isn't one I'd ather have, so I call it both because it refers to the most commonly used speedsolving method. You'll know what I'm talking about. I have a Rubik's brand 4x4x4, which I'm borrowing until the 2x2x2-5x5x5 + Megaminx + Pyraminx + Square-1 bundle package I ordered gets here. The cubes are from Shengshou and the Minx's are from Dayan and the Square-1 is from where Amazon got it from!
My only other cube, besides my brother's (which was my first one) is a storebought Rubik's cube with a few mods I found online and one of my own, and standard Vinyl stickers. It is a very smooth, corner cutting BEAST. It's sanded so much on the inside and I used bike lube (White Lightning: Epic Ride) to lube it. It's very prone to POPs so I decided to go ahead and order a Dayan Zhanchi, which will be here soon. Expect a "Impressions of a beginner speedcuber on the Dayan Zhanchi" post!

Ask me anything! I'll answer what I deem reasonable. Which is most thimgs. Help me get into this forum so I can better learn how to quickly solve Rubik's cubes!


My records:
3x3x3 Single: 31.98
3x3x3 Average of 12: 52.55 (I think this has changed since I last did a set of 12. I have mostly focused on getting as much study and method learning under my belt as I can. Knowing how the cube moves better leads to faster solving, and I average closer to 40 now that I know it better. With practice, I should get much faster times. Many algs to memorize, though!)
3x3x3 OH: 2:58.xx
3x3x3 BLD: Can't do it quite yet. Been learning for a week now. I don't do algs very well.
4x4x4 Single: 4:30.xx
4x4x4 Average of 12: 5:20.xx
4x4x4 as a 2x2x2 Single: 25.xx

Petrus is my main method, but I use so many different ones often, I think I don't really have one. I try to balance my methods to understand the cube better. I'll pick one eventually and stick with it. I think I'm going to be really into cube theory, cube math, and FMC competitions. I use Fridrich F2L and Petrus LL in my speedsolves often because my brain works with few algs well. Intuitive solving is my best bet! It's so much fun! I love cubing.

 

[PeelingStickers]

Welcome to the forums! Enjoy your stay.

We don't have many fast Petrus solvers. If you get really good then that will change.

Practice is key, but I'm sure you already knew that

 

[sneaklyfox]

Welcome, fellow Christian! I am betting that once you receive your Zhanchi you will no longer think your Rubik's brand cuts like a "beast". But we'll see if you make a video. Cool that you use Petrus. If you like few algs and intuitive solving, I would think Roux would be a better choice though. But maybe you don't have a decent enough cube yet to do good M slices. However, if you get really great times with Petrus that would be cool too and it's good for FMC.

 

[Dapianokid]

For a Rubik's brand, I'd say mine is respectably good at cutting corners. Although it has no reverse cutting prowess to speak of. I'll certainly make a video, along with some solves. I'm not afraid of my slow speed. But I do have a passion for this hobby and practice will be part of my day often. I know Roux method, and while other cubers seem to use it better than Petrus, not only does my cube not like slice moves, but my Petrus is faster and I see Petrus and logically more efficient. It is more effective for my brain. Block building is good, but Roux takes loads more time for blockbuilding than Petrus. The F2L (minus two edges) of Roux takes a little while and then orienting edges is still not something I enjoy doing because cycles are annoying.

I have the mental ability to cube like a beast. I can memorize algs, and I am quick at recognizing cases. I take no examination time for ZZ and lose maybe a second, tops. I don't know finger tricks AT ALL, though, and OH solving is still something I don't quite understand fully. I can't do a U' right handed at all. So, physically, I have a lot of work to do. Blindsolving is also not coming along well, because memorizing the algs and setup moves is difficult.

 

[sneaklyfox]

For a Rubik's brand, I'd say mine is respectably good at cutting corners. Although it has no reverse cutting prowess to speak of. I'll certainly make a video, along with some solves. I'm not afraid of my slow speed. But I do have a passion for this hobby and practice will be part of my day often. I know Roux method, and while other cubers seem to use it better than Petrus, not only does my cube not like slice moves, but my Petrus is faster and I see Petrus and logically more efficient. It is more effective for my brain. Block building is good, but Roux takes loads more time for blockbuilding than Petrus. The F2L (minus two edges) of Roux takes a little while and then orienting edges is still not something I enjoy doing because cycles are annoying.

I have the mental ability to cube like a beast. I can memorize algs, and I am quick at recognizing cases. I take no examination time for ZZ and lose maybe a second, tops. I don't know finger tricks AT ALL, though, and OH solving is still something I don't quite understand fully. I can't do a U' right handed at all. So, physically, I have a lot of work to do. Blindsolving is also not coming along well, because memorizing the algs and setup moves is difficult.

Well I know you meant that your Rubik's brand is good at cutting corners... for a Rubik's brand. Well, if you do have the mental ability to "cube like a beast" then I wish you the best of luck and hope you become the fastest Petrus user ever. No examination time for ZZ... pretty amazing at your level. Are you left-handed or right-handed? Most right-handed cubers use their left hand for OH. If you use Old Pochmann method for blindsolving, there's not many algs to memorize... just a few PLLs. You don't have to memorize setup moves if you can see how they move in your head.

 

[immortalchaos29]

Are you left-handed or right-handed? Most right-handed cubers use their left hand for OH.

Most left-handed cubers also use their left hand for OH. I believe this is due at least in part to the fact that 2 gen algs you learn when you are starting tend to be (R U). It sounds to me like he's right-handed.

Welcome to the forums! I'm proud to be Christian as well it's good to have you with us

 

[MaikeruKonare]

You're kinda like me:3 Except for the Christian part. I'm going into computer science/mathematics and I love programming computers and calculators in over 8 languages:3 What languages do you know? Can you speak binary?
I think my list goes like this
School (4.58 GPA woot, it's low because they Wouldn't let me take anymore AP)
Speedcubing
Anime/Japanese Language
Track/cross/working out

My PBs are in my signature:3

 

[Dene]

How do you do?

 

[Dapianokid]

Dene, I do well, thank you!
I spend my free time all over the place, but lately speedcubing has been my main focus. that is having to change, as I have neglected my duties to my piano teacher. But besides that, I thought I should point out that my times are extremely inconsistent because I am still a newb.
My Rubik's brand cube cuts corners at a little over half a cubie (no reverse cutting), but it's seriously so loose that turning it wrong pops corners and corner twists are a commonplace occurance. This is because I spent many hours sanding the insides of the pieces to be smooth. It's still not even as smooth as I'd like.
I think the only reason I can't blidnsolve yet is because I've been lazy about it. I only know T, J, and L( or Jb)-perm algs. I need R and Y down and then I should be set. I have *okay* lookahead when I solve, but visualizing the setup moves during blindsolves completely throws me off. I've ONCE gotten all edges without having to being any new cycles. I wasn't going for corners.

When I say I have the capacity to cube like a beast, that simply means I have potential, not necessarily determination to reach it quickly. Idk, Petrus just comes so smoothly to me. I solve Petrus faster than I solve CFOP. I'm almost done learning Advanced Fridrich F2L, though. Roux makes SENSE, and has been proven to be a valid method for speedsolving, but my mind isn't as well stuied I think to use Roux. I attempted to use Heise. I've solved using Heise twice (I'm a poet and... Nah.) but I don't think it is at all speed efficient, regardless of it's movecount. I've also tried Human-Thistlewaithe, and I discovered that I am not a computer! I thought my experience with ZZ might help out, but alas. I have quick recognition, bu t it takes me a while to remember what to do even when I know exactly what to do. many cases+few possible paths to solve = fast solve for Dap.

I OH with my right hand. Now, as a pianist, there are advantages to playing pieces with the left for some reasons that have to do with the physical layout of the keyboard and the tendency of music to be written with melodies and accompaniment in such a way that the left hand is optimal. But cubing, in my opinion, is quite the opposite. I'm right handed. I attempt left hand solving, but even though in the long run it might've been wise to simply stick with it and keep trying to practice with it, my right simply have more freedom to move and faster reponse time. I figure out exactly what I want to do and do it accurately faster with my right hand. I use Petrus to OH solve.
I am color-neutral in all methods I use, although I still tend to stick with certain colors when I solve for convenience. I lose a few second on Petrus when trying to use other colors. Making the last 1x2x3 block after EO in Petrus is also something I can do from any angle of the cube. So I have more opportunity to pick the fastest thing to do in certain situations. This leads to many lucky solves

I don't speak binary, but I'm tried it 1 or 10 times. I have made contribution to the userbase over at Omnimaga and (to a lesser extent) Cemetech as a calcualtor enthusiast. Used to be my main obsession. I also used to love Tribal Trouble. Everything is always less important than piano and The Lord, of course.

 

[MaikeruKonare]

You sound like my friend Danny IRL -_- He gave up cubing and friends for piano and worship. Like, really.

 

[Dapianokid]

xD No. I gave up friends long ago!
Seriously, though. I'm homeschooled. I have free time. I try to balance my life, although I don't do a good job. But I love cubing enough it's part of me now.

Okay, so I see Roux is the #1 most recommended method. Why is that so?

 

[sneaklyfox]

I wouldn't say Roux is the #1 most recommended method. Just that a lot of people who do use Roux want to persuade others to join them. One reason is they think it's cool to be different. I use CFOP myself, but think Roux is pretty neat too and looks cool. I recommended it for you because you said you like more intuitive and less algs which I thought Roux would provide for you nicely.

 

[Dapianokid]

It makes sense for a Petrus user to at least try using Roux. I tried Snyder and Heise for the challenge, I tried Triangular Francisco and Ortega for fun, and idk what I was thinking attempting (and failing) waterman... But I use Petrus as my main because I recognize the cases for intuitive solving quickly. I'm learning 7-look CFOP, though, and because of the breakdwon of steps and the logical arrangement of it and gradual optimization techniques, I'm really enjoying the idea of the speed gain I could get from it. Petrus can take the fun out of it, because it's only interesting for a short while. After a while, it's just PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE and you really can't just practice one step, because they are all gelled together and can be done in different orders. The freedom of the Petrus method hinders the application of it in practice. eitehr I'll become a pioneering user of Petrus and be that one different dude who uses Petrus, or I'll end up switching to Roux or CFOP. I like my current method neutrality, though. I used 4 different methods for the weekly competition!

 

[kcl]

I'd say if your brain thinks in petrus, use petrus. Maybe you could be sub 10 with it! However, if you don't need inspection in ZZ, you could be really good with that too. Roux or CFOP are probably the two most recommended methods.. CFOP is more popular, roux is more fun.

 

[Dapianokid]

Roux is more fun. I just have to experiment with them all. Which is why I decided to know as many as I can. I get all into whatever I do for fun. you don't know many people who learned many methods in a short amount of time! I did it as a challenge and now it's paying off. I think that getting sub-10 with Petrus would be a monumental achievment. But I can't even practice well until my Zhanchi gets here, because my current cube pops in almost every solve now. Silly me, I used WD-40 before I even looked anything up weeks ago.

 

[immortalchaos29]

You're most likely to be the best with the method you find the most fun - because you will practice more. If you ever get bored with Petrus or whatever you're using at that time, that's when it may be time to try something new.

 

[BaconCuber]

Whoa. The first four things about you are the same about me! Welcome to the forums! Edit: well, my name isn't Ian, but yeah.

 

[Dapianokid]

Bacon, I can tell you and I also happen to have a common food interest.
I spent a lot of time playing with each method, and even trying to invent my own. I find that I think well with Petrus and Roux, and take a lot of shortcuts with roux. I have an ambition to make sub-10 with Petrus, though. I have an ambition to make sub-10, period. :rolleyes: