Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Puzzle In xkcd Book Finally Cracked

Posted by kdawson on from the be-there-or-be-somewhere-else dept.

An anonymous reader writes "After a little over five months of pondering, xkcd fans have cracked a puzzle hidden inside Randall Munroe's recent book xkcd: volume 0. Here is the start of the thread on the xkcd forums; and here is the post revealing the final message (a latitude and longitude plus a date and time)."

90 comments

  1. On Topic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    First Post

    1. Re:On Topic by ipquickly · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That website has been known to be wrong on a regular basis.

      (or someone fount /usr/bin/yes)

    2. Re:On Topic by bunkymag · · Score: 0

      That website has been known to be wrong on a regular basis.

      Perhaps, but we all keep coming back to its all-too-familiar teal glow now don't we?

    3. Re:On Topic by lul_wat · · Score: 0

      I'm amazed that was a real website

      --
      Divide a cake by zero. Is it still a cake?
    4. Re:On Topic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's actually always right, sorry.

    5. Re:On Topic by Shikaku · · Score: 1

      I don't know what's worse: that someone made it for almost every comic, or that there's a sfw version.

    6. Re:On Topic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow. A single website that manages to make both XKCD and goatse funny. Never saw it coming.

    7. Re:On Topic by de_smudger · · Score: 1
      hehe they have an rss feed :)

      http://www.isxkcdshittytoday.com/rss.xml

  2. Uh by Threni · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The start of the thread, containing spoilers, isn't much use if you want to attempt the puzzle and haven't got the book. Do I need the book? If so, this is something of a non-story, isn't it?

    1. Re:Uh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      I think you may need to brush up on the definition of "nerd". (Hint: It doesn't mean "people who like the same stuff as me")

    2. Re:Uh by war4peace · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Wait, there is a puzzle? Where? xkcd? What's that? Who? What year is it?
      Oh, it's /. - nevermind then, all makes sense now.

      --
      ...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
    3. Re:Uh by IorDMUX · · Score: 3, Informative

      Do I need the book? If so, this is something of a non-story, isn't it?

      No, because of the real-world relevance of the result.

      I can't wait.

      --
      >> Standing on head makes smile of frown, but rest of face also upside down.
    4. Re:Uh by kestasjk · · Score: 4, Informative

      These are comics with computer science / math / physics jokes..

      --
      // MD_Update(&m,buf,j);
    5. Re:Uh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Initiating search for "xkcd: volume 0 torrent" in 3... 2... um, [noise]

    6. Re:Uh by bloodninja · · Score: 1

      These are comics with computer science / math / physics jokes..

      Furhtermore, and TFS should have stated this, there already was an XKCD incident when a latitude and longitude plus a date and time were posted in a comic. A party "spontaniously" broke out at that day and location, with Randall there. So, this is obviously an invitation to another party.

      --
      Lock the wife and the dog in the boot of the car.
      Return one hour later.
      Who's happy to see you?
    7. Re:Uh by j00r0m4nc3r · · Score: 5, Funny

      So, this is obviously an invitation to another party.

      Or a trap.

    8. Re:Uh by Zarf · · Score: 4, Funny

      So, this is obviously an invitation to another party.

      Or a trap.

      You've been listening to Admiral Ackbar too much.

      --
      [signature]
    9. Re:Uh by Hurricane78 · · Score: 1

      xkcd? What’s that?

      Please hand in you geek card. You have 30 seconds to leave the site.
      Starting... *loads shotgun* ...NOW!!

      --
      Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
    10. Re:Uh by dotancohen · · Score: 4, Informative

      You mean this:
      http://xkcd.com/240/

      --
      It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
    11. Re:Uh by IsoRashi · · Score: 1

      Or a trap.

      You've been listening to Admiral Ackbar too much.

      or 4chan.

      --
      This is not the greatest sig in the world, no. This is just a tribute.
    12. Re:Uh by gmuslera · · Score: 1

      Oh, wait... so we must blame xkcd for this?

    13. Re:Uh by IMoriarty · · Score: 1

      I wonder if the Lunar Eclipse will be visible from that point at that time. ~I

    14. Re:Uh by nitehawk214 · · Score: 0, Troll

      Or a trap.

      You've been listening to Admiral Ackbar too much.

      or 4chan.

      Or republicans.

      --
      I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
    15. Re:Uh by FoolishOwl · · Score: 1

      The answer is, in itself, useful, if you're an XKCD fan, and if you're in a position to make use of the information, which a significant number of XKCD fans and Slashdot readers would be.

      Step one: use Google Maps.
      Step two: use Google Calendar.

    16. Re:Uh by Nialin · · Score: 0

      Not at 2:30pm local time.

      However, if one waits for later that night, they might just get to see a partial eclipse.

    17. Re:Uh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      There's going to be a wedding at that location on that date. What else would the 3's mean?

  3. ok then by cereda · · Score: 0

    So the answer is 42.

  4. Bring in the mice! by Errol+backfiring · · Score: 4, Funny

    So we now need to build a computer to know what the actual question was...

    --
    Nae king! Nae laird! Nae yurrupiean pressedent! We willna be fooled again!
    1. Re:Bring in the mice! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I believe the question was: 'How many references to this joke can be made before it starts to gall?'

    2. Re:Bring in the mice! by RuBLed · · Score: 2, Funny

      I almost got it guys, 5 more minutes...

  5. The puzzle of xkcd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    has been explained for a while. This is humor as it should be writ.

    1. Re:The puzzle of xkcd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      best explanation ever.

  6. Anonymous Coward by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Excuse me if I don't get excited by this....

  7. The problem is that there's no article. by Jesus_666 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The gripe is not that it's a story about a solved problem, the gripe is about the story being about a solved problem inside a dead-tree version of xkcd - and we can't even be certain we were told the actual problem so the informational content of this story boils down to: "Randall Munroe has apparently put some tricky puzzles into an xkcd book of his and someone solved a really hard one and got a set of coordinates. You'll have to trust us on this one, we don't have further data." As far as news go that's really weak.

    There's no link to details about how the answer was found and we can only guess at what the problem was (apparently Randall gave some cyphertext and an initialization vector, leaving the reader to figure out which algorithm was used and how to decrypt the string). There's no actual article and the matter isn't urgent/all-important enough to warrant turning a set of posts incompehensible to those without the book into a news story.

    Had someone written a nice blog post that explains the problem, how the solution was determined and what the answer means this would have been much more newsworthy. As it is now it's only of use to the subset of /. readers who own the xkcd books - and those who do and are interested in the puzzles are most likely already reading the xkcd forum, making this story mostly pointless.

    In short: This story would be a lot more interesting if it was comprehensible without the book. As it is now it might as well be a stealth ad for the book. "Buy now and you too can have the faintest clue what kdawson is so excited about."

    --
    USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
    1. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Angostura · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Indeed. Having read the thread, I suspect I've just witnessed a mathematical game of Mornington Crescent.

    2. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by pz · · Score: 1

      As far as news go [this story is] really weak.

      One more example of how kdawson's postings are not up to the editorial standards, such as they are, at Slashdot.

      Note to self: stop reading Slashdot when kdawson is editing, as the quality goes down and the silliness goes up.

      --

      Put my fist through my alarm clock with its ding-dong death inside my ear. - The Blackjacks.
    3. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      editorial standards

      ...WAT

    4. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right... But if the story had been some unfounded rumor about how/why Microsoft is evil, 90% of slashdot would merrily hop on board.

    5. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Buy now and you too can have the faintest clue what kdawson is so excited about."

      No need. Kdawson is excited because his personal rule 34 involves people circle-jerking to meta-circular references to xkcd. ;)

    6. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by geekoid · · Score: 3, Insightful

      What a whiner.

      XKCD is a popular nerd site. The owner of the sight did an interesting puzzle. Here is a link to the relevant information.

      Slashdot has done that sort of thing for it's entire existence. It's like getting on an aircraft and complaining that they fly through the air.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    7. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Randal Munroe, discovering sex at the age of 27, decided to throw it into his comic as often as possible, awkwardly so. Remember those kids in the earlier years of highschool who pretty much bragged about sex 24/7? Thats what Randal is discovering, nearly 15 years later. It's annoying and lame. Even his math/physics/compsci jokes are pretty lame, even by slashdot standards.

      Grow up kids.

    8. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by DriedClexler · · Score: 1

      Here is a link to the relevant information.

      Where is the link? Forget the a href? Or did you mean the link in the summary? No, that's a link to a forum discussion with everything about the problem labeled as spoilers.

      This story shouldn't have been posted, at least not without a (non spoiler) restatement of the problem.

      --
      Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
    9. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Lars+T. · · Score: 1
      Are you saying that Slashdot shouldn't argue about anything that is only available as a book not made into a movie yet? Including things like The Art of Computer Programming?

      At least it would save us from "They didn't put that part of the book into the movie" arguments.

      --

      Lars T.

      To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

    10. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      The issue is that we were never given the problem (we can only guess that the presentation of the answer includes part of all of it) and, even more importantly, we were never told how the answer was found. In short, they left out all the interesting parts. The answer to a problem posted by the author of a nerd webcomic is no more exciting to nerds than any random string. Randall Munroe's proximity doesn't magically make things cool.

      The cool bit would be the solution (ie. a documentation of the cognitive process that leads from the problem to the answer), which wasn't given. We weren't even told which algorithm the cyphertext was encrypted with - in fact, we can only tell that it's cyphertext at all because the second line talks about an "IV", which most likely refers to an initialization vector. Essentially someone just typed out two strings and declared that they turned one into the other. Which doesn't tell us anything.

      Nerds cherish knowledge, not data. Getting told "here's something that might be part or everything of an interesting problem and this is the solution because I say so" conveys no knowledge at all. Why should nerds care?

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
    11. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      No, I'm arguing that stories in the format of "the answer to question 3 on page 179 of book X" are pointless: They don't mean anything to anyone who doesn't own the book and convey a bare minimum of information to those who do.

      If the problem is interesting then why not write up a blurb about what the problem is and, most importantly, how it was solved? Giving us two strings and telling us that one can be turned into the other is fairly pointless; the interesting part are how and why, the first of which wasn't answered at all and the second of which was answered with "because Randall Munroe put it into a book".


      Let's assume that some important but little-known authentication or encryption algorithm was broken. Would you prefer an article that talks about what the algorithm is used for, how the flaw was discovered and what the possible consequences are or a two-sentence story saying "the XYZ algorithm was broken. The key the scientists cracked was 106F82E87CFB2991"? Which of the two is more interesting?

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
    12. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by FoolishOwl · · Score: 1

      I can understand the disappointment at not seeing any discussion of the problem, and the means of the solution. However, the meaning of the solution is very clear, and interesting to XKCD fans.

    13. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Ifni · · Score: 1

      Anonymous Coward is jealous of someone 10+ years his junior being more talented and successful. Oh, and the humor is over his head, so it must be juvenile. He was also heard to exclaim "get off my lawn!"

      --

      Oh, was that my outside voice?

    14. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by cbiltcliffe · · Score: 1

      Right... But if the story had been some unfounded rumor about how/why Microsoft is evil...

      What? You contradict yourself. EVERY rumour (Canadian...sorry) about how Microsoft is evil is founded. In fact, the very stability of the universe itself is based on the fact that Microsoft is evil. Were Microsoft to not be evil, even for a single second, of a single minute, of a single hour, of a single day, the entire universe would implode.

      --
      "City hall" in German is "Rathaus" Kinda explains a few things......
    15. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Cytotoxic · · Score: 1
      Actually, the linked thread details the riddle and the route to its solution fairly nicely. There are many layers to the riddle, requiring the collection of 8 clues (pieces of the cipher) from other puzzles inside the text.

      Here is one of the more accessible puzzles:

      *18. (page 110120) The start of the tenth favorite word used by Bender

      The toon that went south while commanded by Ender

      The number of lights that Picard said were on

      And the class of the planet where Kirk shouted "Khaaan!"

      The rings for the men minus rings for the elves

      And the product mod ten of a fivesome of twelves

      The end of a code NES gamers know

      And the base used to model how quickly things grow

      When they're XOR'd together the checksum is "E"

      Which will tell you you've got the penultimate key

      I'd say that qualifies as nerdy enough for slashdot. Not to mention the fact that you have to solve multiple riddles just to figure out where the puzzle is. It sounds like it was pretty fun.

    16. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      The story links to two specific posts. There is no indication that more relevant content is found in further posts. Do you really expect me to do a news site's work and research their story for them? This is extremely lazy editing however you look at it.

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
    17. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      The problem is that the meaning of the solution is not part of the story. I've looked at the linked posts and a few posts following the second one and I can tell that it's exciting for xkcd fans - but kdawson failed to point out what the problem is, how it was solved and what the solution means. In essence, he reported on exactly the most boring parts of the story while omitting all the interesting ones.

      I am ready to say that this story was presented in the worst possible way.

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
    18. Re:The problem is that there's no article. by ustolemyname · · Score: 1

      Yes, whereas your grammar and diction are eloquent demonstrations of your maturity.

  8. Prediction: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Prediction:

    XKCD used all profits to rent out a C-130 Herc to drop a metric ton of Ball-Pit Balls on that location.

  9. Google maps link by shird · · Score: 4, Interesting

    FYI, a google maps link to the location:

    http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=37.769573+-122.483123&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16

    time and date: 2010-06-26 14:28:57

    --
    I.O.U One Sig.
    1. Re:Google maps link by Mostly+a+lurker · · Score: 1

      Well, the United Nations charter was signed on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco, but not in the Golden Gate Park (no idea of the exact time it was signed). I guess this is the 65th anniversary of a significant event. Good excuse for a celebration. What are the laws surrounding drinking alcohol in the Golden Gate Park?

    2. Re:Google maps link by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 4, Funny

      What are the laws surrounding drinking alcohol in the Golden Gate Park?

      BYO.

      --
      Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
    3. Re:Google maps link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      If you look at the corresponding satellite image it's a specific tree in Golden Gate Park in an area called "Speedway Meadow". It is right beside half a dozen picnic tables and it is about 100m from an outdoor stage. According to other information about the park, this area has barbeque pits.

      I used the San Francisco Parks Portal to search for events scheduled on that day in Speedway Meadow. Nothing specific shows up.

    4. Re:Google maps link by camperdave · · Score: 1

      Did you remember to geohash it?

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    5. Re:Google maps link by monkeySauce · · Score: 1

      Holy shit, that's my birthday! Thank you Randall, I'm honored... ::sobs:: I've been reading your comic a long time, but this was really unexpected. It's going to be the best birthday party ever!

    6. Re:Google maps link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i must have done it wrong...cause i ended up in the water by china
      http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=5QP&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&q=37.769573++++122.483123&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=%2B37%C2%B0+46'+10.46%22,+%2B122%C2%B0+28'+59.24%22&gl=us&ei=GcqXS_yxLJSIsgOa8LTCAQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAcQ8gEwAA

    7. Re:Google maps link by j+h+woodyatt · · Score: 1

      Somebody better book that site with SF Park and Rec right the fsck now.

      --
      jhw
  10. Pretty good advertising though.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I guess sales of the book will spike today - I for one wasn't aware there was a book of xkcd.

  11. Time, Time is not on your siiiiide! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Obviously the proper way to do this is to use UTC, as using local time is always prone to errors.
    But there's no TZ-info the time, so everyone can just guess which timezone he meant!

    1. Re:Time, Time is not on your siiiiide! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      uhh.. lets think, maybe San Francisco, CA time?

    2. Re:Time, Time is not on your siiiiide! by Dishevel · · Score: 1

      Pacific Time Zone. San Fransisco time has no bearing on reality. Much like San Fransisco itself.

      --
      Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?
  12. New Slashdot tag by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My I request

  13. Shouldn't this be on idle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You know, that section where stuff that doesn't matter goes?

  14. 2010-06-26 14:28:57 37.769573 -122.483123 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You could have just said: 2010-06-26 14:28:57 37.769573 -122.483123
                                  OR: the middle of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, June 26th at 2:30pm-ish.

  15. Not a meeting! by TheBoll · · Score: 1

    Obviously, this isn't the next XKCD meeting. This is the date, time and epicenter of the Big One! Runaway! :)

  16. LOST spoiler by Tei · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think you have spoiled me the end of LOST, thanks :-P

    --

    -Woof woof woof!

  17. How does it feel like to feed a troll? by freaker_TuC · · Score: 1

    I've always wanted to feed a real troll, can I ? Please? They look quiete adorable mumbling "my precious". Hospitable little creatures as long as you don't smell 'm!

    Oh f*CK! NO ! Oh NO! HE BIT OFF A FINGER !!!

    Shoot it! Put it too sleep ! Put it to sleep!!! Someone shoot it!!!

    Before this becomes a real plague on slashdot; we slashdotians wouldn't be satisfied typing with 9 fingers!

    --
    --- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..
    1. Re:How does it feel like to feed a troll? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      shut up nerd

    2. Re:How does it feel like to feed a troll? by bmo · · Score: 1

      This made me laugh. Thanks. I needed it. :-D

      --
      BMO

  18. The IV was 00000000? by zill · · Score: 1

    Using all zeros as the IV to AES? I'm very disappointed in you, Randall.

    Misapplication of cryptographic tools should be a capital offense, even in the context of making puzzles.

    1. Re:The IV was 00000000? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What did you expect? 80081351?

    2. Re:The IV was 00000000? by Obsi · · Score: 1

      Saying "$FOO should be a capital offense" should be a capital offense. Now, where's my axe?

    3. Re:The IV was 00000000? by zill · · Score: 1

      I don't see how you can suicide with an axe.

    4. Re:The IV was 00000000? by Obsi · · Score: 1

      Chop off an arm, or a leg. Death by exsanguination. :)

  19. Solving the XKCD puzzle... by AdamTrace · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As I suggested in the linked XKCD forum, now that the puzzle is solved, it would be really nice to have a full write-up of the entire thing, including the unsolved puzzles themselves and a little more detail and background about the whole thing. That would have made for a much more interesting story to the general public.

    Direct linking to an unorganized web-forum thread isn't really much of a story. Oh well.

    For what it's worth, the puzzles in the XKCD book were really fun. They ranged from pretty simple (ROT-13, etc) to fiendishly clever. Even though every comic is available online for free, I'm glad I spent the money on the book.

    I was lucky enough to solve the final puzzle myself, and therefore happened to be the first person to have all eight keys and decrypt the message. As lame as this might sound, it was pretty thrilling.

    1. Re:Solving the XKCD puzzle... by Kagura · · Score: 1

      I was lucky enough to solve the final puzzle myself, and therefore happened to be the first person to have all eight keys and decrypt the message. As lame as this might sound, it was pretty thrilling.

      That's really not worth a lot. And I bet Randall solved it before you did. ;)

    2. Re:Solving the XKCD puzzle... by AdamTrace · · Score: 1

      Yes... I use the word "first" in a very loose sense. :)

    3. Re:Solving the XKCD puzzle... by BenFenner · · Score: 1

      Congratulations.

      No bullshit.
      That sounds like a lot of fun and I'd be thrilled to have been a part of it.
      Well done.

    4. Re:Solving the XKCD puzzle... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You might even say you used it in a /. sense.

  20. Interesting... on a cycleway? by Baloo+Uriza · · Score: 1

    Looks like it's pointing to the shoulder of a cycleway. http://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=37.769573&mlon=-122.483123&zoom=16&layers=00B0FTF

    --
    Furries make the internet go.
  21. mytiffanycvs by BillMike · · Score: 1

    What are the laws surrounding drinking alcohol in the Golden Gate Park? Tiffany Jewelry Tiffany Jewelry onlne Tiffany Accessories Tiffany BangLes Tiffany Cufflinks Tiffany Earrings