+darus67 Posted May 5, 2006 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?
+nfa Posted May 5, 2006 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
+The Leprechauns Posted May 5, 2006 Posted May 5, 2006 Encrypting numbers is as easy as bar gjb guerr.
+darus67 Posted May 5, 2006 Author 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.
+Kryten Posted May 5, 2006 Posted May 5, 2006 Double ROT13 has a lot of fans, and most people can read it instinctively.
+Prime Suspect Posted May 5, 2006 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.
+GeoBlank Posted May 5, 2006 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.
+TotemLake Posted May 5, 2006 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.
CoyoteRed Posted May 6, 2006 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!
+greyhounder Posted May 7, 2006 Posted May 7, 2006 obfusciation Nothing really to add here, just wanted to say EXCELLENT word usage here! Bec
+The Jester Posted May 7, 2006 Posted May 7, 2006 Why would you want to encrypt the punctuation? The numbers, maybe (though spelling works), but the punctuation?
+Team Teuton Posted May 7, 2006 Posted May 7, 2006 obfusciation Nothing really to add here, just wanted to say EXCELLENT word usage here! Bec Obfuscation. One I.
+darus67 Posted May 8, 2006 Author 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.
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