For current purposes, the 'permitted text' of a wikipedia entry comprises everything that is in the text of the main entry, but excludes 'See also', external links, and any inset boxes that link to higher-level concepts (e.g references to higher order categories, portals, scientific classifications, ruling dynasties, etc.) In short, 'text' means text.

The object of Wiki Ladders (by analogy with Word Ladders) is to navigate from one subject to another by choosing hyperlinks within the permitted text to find the shortest link between two articles bearing the exact required names. Modifying the permitted text to add 'helpful' links is forbidden!

For example, If the given words were 'Matthew Boulton' and 'Penny (British pre-decimal coin)', just one link is needed: Matthew Boulton>penny>'Penny (British pre-decimal coin)', but if the words were 'Matthew Boulton' and 'Penny (United States coin)' then three links are needed: Matthew Boulton>penny>US half dollar>cent>Penny (United States coin).

The two subjects for today are: Perplexus and B-roll.

Navigate from the the first to the second using the fewest links. The target to beat is 7 links.

Given that the permitted text may evolve naturally with the passage of time, the validity of a proposed solution shall be determined in accordance with the date of its posting on Perplexus and the 'Revision History' of the relevant article.

In the event of a tie-break, links that pass through a page that also mentions the 'United States' will be penalised by half a link per mention.

<6 link - US: 1>
Perplexus
    text {History}: Bop It
    link: Bop_It
{0} Bop_It 
    text {Sister Products, Groove It): photodetection
    link: Photodetector
{0} Photodetector
    text {preface}: digital cinematography
    link: Digital_cinematography
{1} Digital_cinematography
    text {Digital vs. film cinematography, Industry acceptance of digital cinematography [ninth paragraph]}: non-linear editing
    link: Non-linear_editing
{0} Non-linear_editing
    text {Main differences between linear and non-linear editing, Direct access}: footage
    link: Footage
{0} Footage
    text {preface}: B roll
    link: B_roll
B-roll


Looking for a possible shorter route, I found another with 6 links but has a detrimental to tie-breaking 14 references to the United States:
<6 link - US: 14>
Perplexus
    text {preface}: Amazon.com
    link: Amazon.com
{6} Amazon.com 
    text {History; Aquistions): Internet Movie Database
    link: Internet_Movie_Database
{1} Internet_Movie_Database
    text {preface}: films
    link: Film
{6} Film
    text {History [4th paragraph]}: editing
    link: Film_editing
{1} Film_editing
    text {preface [2nd paragraph]: footage
    link: Footage
{0} Footage
    text {preface}: B roll
    link: B_roll
B-roll

Edited on October 12, 2012, 5:11 am

Posted by Dej Mar on 2012-10-11 15:54:29