+darus67 Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 The current hint encryption is somewhat limited in that it only encrypts alphabetic characters. Numbers and punctuation are left untouched. I understand the need to keep it simple to decode in the field, but I can't help wondering whether it is worth expanding the encryption scheme a bit. Thoughts, anyone? Link to comment
+nfa Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I made up a table for a ROT18 encryption: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR STUVWXYZ0123456789 It would take care of the coordinates and numbers issue, and would still be "back-and-forth-able" Jamie - NFA Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Encrypting numbers is as easy as bar gjb guerr. Link to comment
+darus67 Posted May 5, 2006 Author Share Posted May 5, 2006 Yea, spelling out numbers is a work around, but is less easy in the field. And spelling out the punctuation is really annoying. I was thinking something like this: A B C D E F G H I J K L M 1 2 3 4 5 ! @ # $ % - _ . , ; ' N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 6 7 8 9 0 ^ & * ( ) = + / ? : " This keeps the traditional ROT13 the same for the letters (That way the people who can already read ROT13 directly aren't inconvenienced. ) and just adds on numbers and punctuation. Link to comment
+Kryten Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Double ROT13 has a lot of fans, and most people can read it instinctively. Link to comment
+Prime Suspect Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 The current hint encryption is somewhat limited in that it only encrypts alphabetic characters. Numbers and punctuation are left untouched. I understand the need to keep it simple to decode in the field, but I can't help wondering whether it is worth expanding the encryption scheme a bit. Thoughts, anyone? It's a little late to be changing it, since there are thousands of hints that were written with the expectation that numerals wouldn't be altered. Link to comment
+GeoBlank Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I think the idea is to make it not simple to read a hint. I have not seen too many numbers that by themselves give much away. If the hint said it is under the 6th stair. Seeing the number 6 with rot 13 after it does not help me much. A little obfusciation is the goal not encryption per say. Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I think the idea is to make it not simple to read a hint. I have not seen too many numbers that by themselves give much away. If the hint said it is under the 6th stair. Seeing the number 6 with rot 13 after it does not help me much. A little obfusciation is the goal not encryption per say. I agree with this. It isn't a secret, it's just a hidden clue in case you need it. Keep it fun. Keep it simple. Link to comment
+Geovius Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Dont' forget for example Scandinavian characters... Link to comment
CoyoteRed Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Double ROT13 has a lot of fans, and most people can read it instinctively. I've been planning a Geocaching Rodeo and speed translation of hints is one of the events! Link to comment
+greyhounder Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 obfusciation Nothing really to add here, just wanted to say EXCELLENT word usage here! Bec Link to comment
+The Jester Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Why would you want to encrypt the punctuation? The numbers, maybe (though spelling works), but the punctuation? Link to comment
+Team Teuton Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 obfusciation Nothing really to add here, just wanted to say EXCELLENT word usage here! Bec Obfuscation. One I. Link to comment
+darus67 Posted May 8, 2006 Author Share Posted May 8, 2006 Yea, I guess obfuscating the punctuation would be a bit over the top. I have run across hints which consisted of ONLY numbers, where it appeared that the hider either didn't notice or didn't care that the hint was not obfuscated. Link to comment
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