Older cubers discussions

[mark49152]

The UK comps are announced on FB by UKCA but I note you aren't on FB anymore. Wonder if UKCA or even WCA would consider comp announcement email notifications moving forward. Now that would be a nice idea...

If you go to www.ukca.org and scroll to the bottom you can add your email address to get notified of new posts, which includes comp announcements. That's what I do as I'm rarely on FB and it's worked well for me so far, although the last two announcements (dates of future comps, and ABHC announcement) didn't appear to generate an email. Not sure if @Evan Liu reads this but maybe he can confirm it still works.

 

[Selkie]

Ah thanks @newtonbase and @mark49152 most useful my friends. Does that help @Escher ?

 

[newtonbase]

it's worked well for me so far, although the last two announcements (dates of future comps, and ABHC announcement) didn't appear to generate an email. Not sure if @Evan Liu reads this but maybe he can confirm it still works.

I got emails for both of these.

 

[mark49152]

I got emails for both of these.

Time to check my junk folder.

 

[mwhities]

That was me. Glad you made it.

Awesome! Sorry it took so long, between weight training, studying, losing my job (RIF), spending time with my boys, and trying to find another job, I've been busy. I'm still practicing on my cubes though.

Did get a job, so not so bad now.

 

[newtonbase]

Awesome! Sorry it took so long, between weight training, studying, losing my job (RIF), spending time with my boys, and trying to find another job, I've been busy. I'm still practicing on my cubes though.

Did get a job, so not so bad now.

It can be hard to fit everything in for us grown ups. Glad you found a job.

I'm subscribed to your YouTube channel and enjoy watching your challenges.

 

[phreaker]

Introduction of an older OH (future?) speed cuber. I'm 42 and grayer than what I should be.

Any suggestions or comments or anything would be appreciated.

One question I do have if any of you OH with the right hand, what's a good B/B' finger trick?

X' U/U' is one way... X D/D' is the other way, flicking D with with the ring finger. I most commonly do it as the latter for some reason. Note, I don't actually rotate the cube I move my hand around it, a bit.. So my thumb is on the center of D, Index on the center of U.

In general my answer to "How do you do B OH" is "Don't." (Except when scrambling.)

I enjoy OH. I'm not great at it. But it is fun.

You might also find ZZ or Roux interesting for OH. (I use ZZ. But Roux is great if you have a table.)

 

[mafergut]

@mwhities Welcome to the thread! It's always nice to know that our beloved hobby has found another "victim"

I solved today for the 1st time my new ShengShou 4x4 Mastermorphix. It was a lot of fun. Instead of normal reduction I used a method to reduce it to a 2x2 that I learned from a couple youtube tutorials. Nice thing of this method is that you avoid parity issues, and it also requires no algs at all, except for 2x2 algs of course, and beginners' corner twisting "alg".

I also ordered a couple of the WitEden Camouflage series (the 4x4x3 and the 3x3x2, I think). Trying to extend a bit my collection of non-WCA puzzles now that I am basically off the speed solving game.

 

[newtonbase]

@mwhities Welcome to the thread! It's always nice to know that our beloved hobby has found another "victim"

I solved today for the 1st time my new ShengShou 4x4 Mastermorphix. It was a lot of fun. Instead of normal reduction I used a method to reduce it to a 2x2 that I learned from a couple youtube tutorials. Nice thing of this method is that you avoid parity issues, and it also requires no algs at all, except for 2x2 algs of course, and beginners' corner twisting "alg".

I also ordered a couple of the WitEden Camouflage series (the 4x4x3 and the 3x3x2, I think). Trying to extend a bit my collection of non-WCA puzzles now that I am basically off the speed solving game.

I'm glad that you have found a decent method. The 3x3 version is my most difficult shape mod so I've not bothered with the 4x4. I may reconsider now.
I placed my first order in ages last night. Got what I hope is a decent pyraminx for the World Championships and added an Ivy cube to the order as it looks nice.

 

[mafergut]

Which pyra? XMD or Moyu? I assume magnetic, of course

 

[Jason Green]

My wuque M unboxing, and other silliness.

 

[teacher77]

new PB for mo10 : 22.69, down from my previous 23.22 performed on May 15th.

17.55,23.28,23.22,25.41,26.36,23.73,21.71,21.81,20.95,22.93

 

[mark49152]

Well, I succumbed to the magnet hype and ordered a GTS2M. It arrived this week and I have to say, it is great. Out of the box it is by far the best cube I've ever bought. It's hard to say how much of that is down to the magnets as I don't have a regular GTS2 to compare to, but all round, it is truly an excellent cube.

Regarding the magnets themselves, I like the effect simply because it makes the cube feel more stable. After adapting to the different feel, I'm not really aware of them while solving, and I don't think the advantage is in compensating for sloppy turning, although time will tell if they make me a more sloppy turner. I think the advantage is in keeping the cube cubic, which makes the whole solving experience feel more precise. I think that's consistent with what @newtonbase was saying a few weeks ago.

I've done 100 regular 3x3 solves and was very close to PB ao100. I've only done a handful of BLD solves but I'm not so keen on it for BLD so far, as I rely 100% on feel and have not yet got used to the snappy feel of the magnets, so it's a bit disconcerting.

Still, I am going to shelve it for now as I do not want to become dependent or have my style disrupted before Worlds, given that I have 20 MBLD cubes without magnets . After that I might try switching for 3x3 only, staying with non-magnetic for BLD, and see how that goes.

 

[mwhities]

It can be hard to fit everything in for us grown ups. Glad you found a job.

I'm subscribed to your YouTube channel and enjoy watching your challenges.

Adulting is not fun at all. Haha

Are you referring to my food challenges? Haha a man has to have another hobby.

 

[newtonbase]

Which pyra? XMD or Moyu? I assume magnetic, of course

I went for the non magnetic Motu. I bought one for my nephew ages ago and it felt nicer than the others I have which including a magnetic one (Qiyi maybe?). I'm still not intending to practice until the day but might as use a puzzle I'm comfortable with.

Adulting is not fun at all. Haha

Are you referring to my food challenges? Haha a man has to have another hobby.

Yes, the food challenges. They're fun to watch.

@mark49152 Glad you've come over to the dark side. I serviced some of my magnetic Thunderclaps yesterday and was remarking on how lovely they feel. You can try them in Paris then buy some magnets ☺

 

[h2f]

Motu

New brand on market?

Yes, magnets are cool. I'm thinking of magnetizing my Wuque.

 

[newtonbase]

New brand on market?

Yes, magnets are cool. I'm thinking of magnetizing my Wuque.

Alcohol is my defence.

Everything should be magnetised.

 

[mark49152]

Alcohol is my defence.

Everything should be magnetised.

Magnetic beer?

 

[h2f]

Magnetic beer?

Ha ha ha.

 

[JanW]

Magnetic beer?

The magnetic effect of beer tends to be illusory. After a few you think you are magnetic to the opposite sex, but that isn't necessarily so...