Recent content by James

From a certain position, yes, you are right. But try adding some AUFs: (I'm taking from the RL/FF set of the T orientation.) 1. Perform the alg and append U -- now you have a Z-perm. 2. Perform the alg and append U' -- now you have a Z-perm. 3. Perform the alg and append U' -- now all...

I'm not sure I completely understand the COLL divisions, either, but I think this might be a good way to explain it. Take a solved cube and do the following: U' R' U2 R' U2 R U' R U2 R' U2 R' U' R U R You should get a pure "T" OLL case (by pure, I mean no permutation of any pieces is...

ZZLL does require phasing. Basically, for ZZLL, you learn 4 versions of COLL to solve the LL in one step, once two opposite edges are permuted after phasing. ZZLL is part of ZBLL. ZBLL includes all of ZZLL in addition to all the cases where two opposite edges are not permuted. But, remember...

I just did an average of 12 using cTimer with 2 steps--one for the F2L and one for the LL. The LL average was 3.91 (the session average was 15.83, which is pretty normal for me). I would say phasing, with recognition, probably takes me about one second or a bit more. I am working on...

You can add my name to the list. I've been using ZZ exclusively since about June 2009. I have recently finished learning ZZLL and I only have a few bad algorithms to relearn but otherwise I am pleased with my progress. My best official time with ZZ is 12.28--I'd be interested to see how this...

I use a LanLan 4x4. Personally, I prefer it to my mini QJ. Even though it is not as fast, it has a smoother, more stable feel and is larger.

Looks like the results have been published. I am very pleased with my performance, especially 4x4. However, I think the location is wrong: on my map, the contest is shown to have occurred in Laredo? Thanks to Anthony, Sapan, and everyone who helped organize the competition. It was very...

We arrived late last night and will be leaving for the venue in a few minutes from our hotel. See you guys soon :)

For most of my cubes, I use textured tiles. They feel nice and prevent slipping. I feel as if I have a good grip on the cube. However, I would recommend trying both; at first, when I had only tried smooth tiles, I decided I liked them, but after trying textured tiles my preferences changed...

The structure is the same as a 3x3 and I was able to solve mine fairly easily, up unto the last layer. Because each edge has two orientations that look the same and opposite faces have the same color, I faced certain parity problems. The turning quality is great and the puzzle feels really...

2x2: Maru 3x3: PUZL speedcube/Type A V 4x4: Mini QJ Pyraminx: Meffert's II Square-1: MF8 from Cube4You

Thanks! Any ideas when the next Texas comp is going to be? I might go to either the Washington D.C. contest (if it occurs) or the Chicago Open. I hope for another LL skip!

Thanks! As a rough estimate, I'd say 9 for EOLine, 14 for the left block, and 18 for the right block. Unfortunately, I always solve the entire left 1x2x3 first and then the right 1x2x3; I should work more on optimality. As for the last layer: if I get a ZZLL case I know (this happens most of...

10.59 with ZZ! My new lucky PB! Last layer skip after phasing. Scramble: R F' B' U' F' R2 D U B' F2 L D2 F R2 D F R D L B' D B' D2 R B Solution: EOLine: x' D' R' F D' R' D Left 1x2x3: U R2 U R' L' U L R U' R L U' L' Right 1x2x3 + Phasing: U2 R' U R U' R' U2 R2 U R2 U' R' U2 R...

If you want to find multiple algorithms for each case, right click on two edge stickers of the same piece to make them gray and then solve (make sure that it is an edge which would already be solved, like BD). A window will come up in which you can change possible moves and algorithms will be...