Blog Tag: Rubiks
Timing Rubik's Cube
2 Comments | Latest by: Phil | Add A Comment! »»
I downloaded a rubik's cube timer which I've started using to time myself. I downloaded it primarily out of curiosity over the scrambling algorithms. The program uses the same algorithms as the official scramblers in competition. It's been good practice on my cube nomenclature.
As for my time? I'm averaging about 3 and a half minutes to solve. I'm not keeping track of number of moves. I use the F2L method, but not with her 43 algorithms, just with the "3 standard situations", i.e. "differing face on top", "same face on top", and "corner on top".
It's been fun to time myself. I can do under 3 minutes sometimes, if I get lucky and can skip a step. Right now I'm focusing on solving the white cross when that face is down. I use green for the front. It's helpful to keep the same face front, because you can learn the same "directions" for the faces.
I have a feeling Michelle knew it would come to this...
Recent Obsession: Rubik's Cube
10 Comments | Latest by: Phil | Add A Comment! »»
I'm a throwback, for sure, but I decided a couple of weeks ago that no self-respecting nerd should remain clueless about how to solve the Rubik's Cube. This comes only about 3 short years after I decided no self-respecting nerd should not own a Rubik's cube. I bought one at a local drugstore when I lived in Phoenix. After mixing it up it had remained unsolved ever since.
After watching Dan Brown's tutorial on YouTube several times, and memorizing the algorithms, I have learned (but not mastered) the layer by layer method. I'm now attempting to learn the Fridrich f2l (first two layers) method. This is the preferred method used by so-called "Speedcubers".
Fridrich's page of algorithms is a little confusing for me. I've found a bunch of crappy videos on YouTube explaining f2l, and one decent one. It's nice because he doesn't go blindingly fast while reinforcing all stereotypes about nerds being socially awkward. He goes slow.
For quick reference, here's a list of steps and algorithms I've learned. I'm typing this from memory, and I'm a n00b, so comments and corrections are welcome.
