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Cracking the Quicksilver Code

Posted by timothy on from the greatest-living-writer dept.

wka writes "Todd Garrison describes in detail how he solved the cryptographic puzzle promoting Neal Stephenson's forthcoming book Quicksilver, and the reward for his effort. Stephenson himself calls Garrison's story 'remarkable' because Garrison was completely unfamiliar with the system of writing (Real Character) used in the puzzle. Also, Stephenson notes that the system and its creator play roles in The Baroque Cycle."

17 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Cracking goatse's crack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Taco has mastered cracking goatse's crack. In fact taco was able to buy his entire face into goatse's enormous colon. Taco loves licking up goatse's flowing juices.

    1. Re:Cracking goatse's crack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      You insensitive clod! I just ate tacos for lunch, now i feel sick!

    2. Re:Cracking goatse's crack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      You just ate taco out for lunch? Nasty. I think *I'm* going to be sick.

    3. Re:Cracking goatse's crack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
      no no, I ate some tuna taco for lunch. Fur burger. Cherry pie.

      And NO tossed salad.

  2. Sorry to advertize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    But our business is about to go under. If you need pet care, and you live in the Bay Area, look up Vaggin Pet Care in the white pages. Our honest workers will take care of your pets' every need for a reasonable price. Remember, Vaggin Pet Care

    1. Re:Sorry to advertize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      If it's like any other california pet store, chances are all they sell is hamsters, horse whips, and dog collars.

    2. Re:Sorry to advertize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Our marketing department has advised us not to use product names beginning with the letter 'V'. Market research shows it reminds customers of the word 'vagina'.

  3. you PHAIL it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Phucking phailures.

  4. fuh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    nigga what

  5. Borrring! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    can't we debate the merits of benchmarks for days instead?

  6. Worms by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    See also, a story about a worm

  7. Re:Remarkable by MisterFancypants · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Your thoughtful post makes the +4 mod points I got all the sweeter!

  8. sheesh by autopr0n · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    slashdotted already. Anyone got a mirror?

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  9. Re:Tp xibu? by Hank+Scorpio · · Score: 1, Offtopic
    cyrto breahing is for dorks? Wow, either your crypto is way too good for me, or your statement is incredibly profound, or possibly both. Just what the heck is "cyrto breahing" anyway? Is that some extremely advanced form of crypto breaking?

    Thanks

  10. Re:Wilkins' "universal" language is English? by Dashmon · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    This was a reply to the flame/troll/waddever in reply to my original post. Clicked the wrong link. Stupid Apple round mouse thingy.

  11. Re:Wilkins' "universal" language is English? by Dashmon · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Yes. It hooked on my mouse pad and I figured I clicked wrong. Dirty mouse ball. Cleaned it. No problems anymore. Are you still gonna call me a retard? Jealous you didn't get mod up +5? Get a life. Good to see you totally shut up about the other things you thought you knew about me. Ah well, suppose it all kinda got to hard for poor little frustrated you. Yes, life sucks. Uhm. Your life, that is. Retard.

    (Mod me down for this, it's worth it)

  12. HUH????? I Submitted this FIVE DAYS AGO??? by Facter · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I would like to know why I submitted this story FIVE DAYS AGO and it was rejected, and yet now this guy posts exactly the same article as I did, and his gets ACCEPTED???

    2003-06-27 05:23:19 Quicksilver and The Real Character (articles,encryption) (rejected)

    Hay moderators - whats the big frikken deal here???? Not really fair huh???

    I feel totally gipped - especially as I got to this story days before this one even got posted.

    Pfff. Sending articles into slashdot is like russian roulette it seems.

    Disappointing, moderators.