Qqref,
The Tripod F2L is similar Fridrus, just in a slightly different order... 2 by 2 by 3 block, then 2 edges of the "cross", then 2 corner edge pairs, and you are left with a tripod, and after solving another corner edge pair you get the nice last layer.
And to Lucas, even if there are 108 cases and some number less algorithms to do a "nice" last layer, it's much better than the 1000+ algorithms needed to do a "normal" last layer. I've found conjugates to be a very useful way to cut down on learning algorithms. For instance, if there are two miss-oriented corners diagonally opposite from each other, and I only know how to solve them when they are next to each other, I just move one face to put them together, use the algorithm, then undo the face turn. In fact, I can do a 2 look "nice" last layer if I know 6 algorithms!!! Here's a list:
-Orient edges
-Swap edges and front corners (I use this to solve permutation of both corners/edges. Can also orient edges.)
-Orient edges + cycle corners (I plan to learn this one to solve last layer in 2 steps.)
-Corner cycle
-2 corner orient
-3 corner orient
This is why I use the Fridrus method. I like to learn a small number of algorithms and focus on intuitive solving. ;D
And yes, the point of the last layer is NOT to have a nice "OLL". If you focus on orienting the last layer, you screw up the permutation of the already solved pieces. That's why I solve edges first, then corners.
)
