This page (cached copy of a Geocities page) has a javascript implementation of the Nintendo barrel puzzle, with the ability to edit and find solutions. It's a lesser-known puzzle but a very good one. posted by Wolfdog at 3:37 AM on July 23, 2005
Damn kids have things too easy these days. If we wanted to "reset" the cube back to its solved state, we'd need to take it apart and put it back together posted by birdherder at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2005
You know, I should start a service where people mail me their uncompleted cubes and I'll mail back the cube solved. I think about 15 bucks a pop + shipping would make it worth my effort. posted by cyphill at 8:45 AM on July 23, 2005
I can solve Rubik's cube, usually in about 3 minutes, but I wish I understood what I'm doing. I learned the moves from a book (David Singmaster's excellent "Rubik's Magic Cube", which is more of a mathematical treatise than a guide to the solution) but it is just an algorithm. I only really deeply understand how to solve two layers of the cube, because I figured that out myself. The rest is some magic... a 10 move combination permutes some edge cubes, an 8 move combination rotates a corner cube, .... I guess it takes some mathematics to discover these things though. posted by snoktruix at 9:03 AM on July 23, 2005
It's also amazing to me that the cube is even soluble. I can't really see why even one face should be possible, it just is. posted by snoktruix at 9:05 AM on July 23, 2005
>I can't really see why even one face should be possible, it just is.
Because it starts in a solved state and proceeds by reversible moves? posted by Wolfdog at 9:07 AM on July 23, 2005
Oh i guess because it's reversible. Doh, OK just ignore me. Well, it is true that if you randomly re-arranged the stickers, there is only 1 chance in 12 that cube is now soluble. posted by snoktruix at 9:07 AM on July 23, 2005
Also, clearly there are many different path from a randomized state to the solution. Sure, it is reversible, but you don't solve it by reversing the moves, you use some tricks. It's a bit suprising that there is a simple algorithm you can learn that always works. You might have expected only exact reversal to work. posted by snoktruix at 9:12 AM on July 23, 2005
God sometimes i just wish i had been more of a math geek growing up. I tried to fix it many times, but the system let me down (my system of neurons). posted by gorgor_balabala at 9:56 AM on July 23, 2005
The cgi script is nice but the lego robot is great. posted by P.O.W. at 10:26 AM on July 23, 2005
I used to teach Rubik's solutions as a counselor at a summer camp. It's really not too tough to learn -- with enough practice and memorization, fifth graders could do it by the end of a week.
The amazing thing about these is how addicting they are. Once you know how to solve it, you just keep wanting to solve it over and over. Almost like you have to have to prove to yourself that it can still be done.
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posted by Wolfdog at 3:37 AM on July 23, 2005