From cube-lovers-errors@curry.epilogue.com Sat Aug 31 16:01:10 1996 Return-Path: cube-lovers-errors@curry.epilogue.com Received: from curry.epilogue.com (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by curry.epilogue.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with SMTP id QAA18411; Sat, 31 Aug 1996 16:01:09 -0400 Precedence: bulk Errors-To: cube-lovers-errors@curry.epilogue.com X-Authentication-Warning: coronado.nadn.navy.mil: wdj owned process doing -bs Date: Sat, 31 Aug 1996 08:42:30 -0400 (EDT) From: Assoc Prof W David Joyner X-Sender: wdj@coronado To: cube-lovers@ai.mit.edu cc: Assoc Prof W David Joyner Subject: cube programs, etc In-Reply-To: <199608301638.SAA11650@helen.cli.di.unipi.it> Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hello cube lovers: Several things: 1. I have written computer programs in maple for (a) the skewb,(b) the rainbow masterball, (c) the 3x3 Rubik's cube, and (d) the 4x4 Rubik's cube. You must have maple (http://www,maplesoft.com) to run it and the program simulates any move of one of the above puzzles using maple's 3-d graphics. The idea is that, using one of these programs, you can "virtually" make a move, the program draws the cube in 3-space, and maple allows you to rotate the cube around with your mouse (assuming you have the windows version of maple). These programs do not solve the puzzle, only simulates the moves. It appears to be possible, with some work, to link these programs with gap to provide a solution as well, but I don't have the time to do that. 2. Andrew Southern from London (whom I've lost touch with) and I worked out a fairly simple collection of moves to help solve the rainbow masterball. These are available. Apparently 2-cycle exist on the masterball, unlike the Rubik's cube. We do not know of a relatively short expression for one. If anyone out there knows of one please let me know. 3. This stuff can be found on my www page http://www.nadn.navy.mil/MathDept/wdj/myhome.html under "computer programs" and "Rubik's cube like puzzles". If there are any problems loading them I'll try to help. - David PS: FYI, Ishi Press International has moved recently. They are having a puzzle sale as well (their phone is (800)859-2086 or (415)323-6996). I think they have some cheap skewbs. Also, on a recent business trip I stopped by Puzzletts store in downtown Seattle - the best puzzle or game store I've ever seen. Their www address has been posted recently in this list so I won't repeat it.