Tristan
2005-10-24 02:32:31 |
Writer's block
I had an idea for a cryptography puzzle, but the trouble is, I don't know what to encrypt!
Based on previous crypto puzzles, I have several options:
1. a quote
2. a question
3. an answer
4. ask the solver to encrypt something
5. ask the solver to fill in a blank
6. any old sentence I make up
Does anyone particularly like or dislike any of these choices for some reason? Anything to add?
The artist in me wants something that is interesting and cool, but I can't seem to think of anything. Obviously, people can't give me exact ideas (that would give the answer away) but I hope that someone might be able to give me inspiration. I also hope that there might be at least a small discussion about writing cryptography puzzles in general.
For reasons that I can't fully explain without spoilers, the message must be relatively short and fulfill some other properties. Therefore, a quote might not work so well without me altering it slightly. Where do I find short interesting quotes anyways? |
brianjn
2005-10-24 04:04:28 |
Re: Writer's block
Quotes can be a problem as they are too easily 'googled'; I resorted to that when, certain that the key which I developed to solve Juggler's "Definition of Cryptography" was correct, out of frustration I looked to the Web.
There is another consideration to which I think that you might give some thought, "How will, having the solver interact with your guidelines, affect the level of difficulty?" - ie, will the solution be a 'fait de compli' or will this need to apply some further skill?
Topic? Interesting and cool? There is much that could be of interest, but 'Cool'?
"Cool" suggests "Kool" suggests something of a 'fad', but you could choose a theme that is a certain temporal resilience (which would sustain the queue timezone).
Federal/State Politics is not a good idea but there are mammoth events around the world that could be all embracing (your audience)
- Social issues [hurricanes, humanitarian aid, international law]
- Environment - Whaling, Global warming
- World Sporting events
But then you could do something naughty, like encrypt one of the 10 Commandments, line 3 of "Mary had a little lamb" ....
Enough from me and enough from him ... [Ronnie Barker, recently deceased British comedian] ... now there's another thought, maybe lines/lyrics from a reasonably well-known celebrity. Think, the genius is within you.
|
Jerry
2005-10-24 08:58:02 |
Re: Writer's block
Tristan
I am new to this site and still finding my way around at the moment but I do post a lot of puzzles on another forum.
I have a character called Jezza Bear who gets up to all types of mischief in my puzzles from encryption to number puzzles. I have found that providing a theme to a puzzle can "assist" the puzzler to find the right direction to seek an answer. So using my example, the puzzle can be called, say,"Aliens have landed" and create a story to go with it. So for your encryption puzzle, have a little preamble and state what you are looking for. Anyway, my 2 cents worth. |
Tristan
2005-10-24 18:34:03 |
Re: Writer's block
When I say cool, I don't mean something that is like a fad or fashion. Who judges what is and isn't fashionable anyways? Not anyone I know. By cool, I mean something clever or funny, kind of like the solution to "Dividing between the lines," which was a cool quote IMHO.
Adding a theme or story is an interesting idea. I'm familiar with the idea, since it is sometimes used on this site. It's not very common though, since it's difficult to write in a story component that somehow contributes to the puzzle. It's pointless if the story neither clarifies the puzzle nor makes it more appealing. I like the challenge though, and there's no rush in writing a puzzle.
BTW, welcome to Perplexus, Jerry! |
Gamer
2005-10-24 19:46:34 |
Re: Writer's block
I would make the quote reflect the encryption method or something about the encryption, like Dividing between the Lines, or XOR. A topic can also be added because many methods don't involve any topic naturally.
Quotes are pretty cool if they are clever; you can find "taglines" like these if you search the web for them. Just look for good ones like "I hit the CTRL key but I'm still not in control!", if it is about the number 24 "24 hours in a day...24 beers in a case...coincidence?" or if your crypto is about prime numbers "Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue..." (Hint: this isn't the answer to Prime by Prime in case you are wondering. :)
A question also works, like in Middle Order. Just come up with a relatively simple question (this is easier if your crypto topic is more obscure)
For most of my cryptos I have heard the quotes or questions before and so just use them in my problems. |
Gamer
2005-10-24 19:48:04 |
Re: Writer's block
Often times the method itself gives you ideas for a message. This was the case in Letters to Numbers, where I had a relatively limited alphabet. |
Jer
2005-10-25 12:40:01 |
Re: Writer's block
For a really short solution see my 'Are we odd for liking this?' I needed a short solution because each letter took a lot of numbers and it went with the title. I thought it was cool.
Another interesting type of solution is one that explains the encryption method in some way. We puzzle types often enjoy self-reference. |
Tristan
2005-10-26 20:43:23 |
Re: Writer's block
Hey, thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I know what I'm going to do now, though I won't say it's perfect. I wouldn't want to raise everyone's expectations only to disappoint them, not that that would happen. |
