How do I hire a puzzle cache solver to help me through Skype right now

[tyblossom]

I have a puzzle I need help with. It's text that I have to decipher. I have some clues to possibly figuring it out. I'd like to find someone I could pay twenty dollars an hour to walk me through some possible solves through Skype right now. I hope that's ok to ask that. I just need a good tutor and I'm more of a visual learning. I can't share the text...I just need someone willing to walk me through ideas for the steps and how to do them. Please send me your email and we can go from there.

[+T.D.M.22]

Why don't you ask the cache owner for help? That's probably the best response you'll get from here...

 

Or maybe try finding some traditional caches first? Or any cache for that matter...

Edited August 2, 2013 by T.D.M.22

[+SirDonB]

I wanna know what cache is so hard to solve that you would have to resort to this level to solve it.

[+SirDonB]

maybe you are starting out with one that is too hard for you at this point. Just looked at your profile, and all I have to say is welcome to the sport, get a few under your belt. I would hate to see you tackle something that is too hard, you get frustrated and give up on geocaching all together.

[+Markwell]

While the forums can be a great place to get some general help, I would remind all that it's against the site rules to post "spoilers" for individual puzzles.

[+niraD]

According to section 2-D of the geocaching.com terms of use, "You agree not to: [...] xxiii. Publish on our websites the solutions, hints, spoilers, or any hidden coordinates for any geocache without consent from the geocache owner.” And while discussing puzzles in a private conversation (in person, over the phone, over Skype, via instant messaging, etc.) is fine, I'm not going to be able to help you like that. However, here are some general puzzle tips (based in part on a puzzle-solving class event presented by The Rat a while ago):

 

Identify the theme. Check the cache title, the hint, the HTML source, the graphics (including names/URLs), any links (including URLs), whatever is at the posted coordinates, etc. If you can figure out the theme, then you should look for numbering systems that are associated with that theme (zip codes, athletes’ jersey numbers, episode numbers, product codes, etc.).

 

Around here, coordinates will have 15 digits, and will look like "N 37° xx.xxx W 122° xx.xxx". So when I'm solving a nearby puzzle, I look for a group of 15 things, and then I look for ways to get the digits 37xxxxx122xxxxx from them. In general, I look for ways to get the number 37 (or the digits 3 and 7) from something near the beginning of the puzzle, and the number 122 (or the digits 1, 2, and 2) from something near the middle of the puzzle. (Of course, you'll need to adjust this for the coordinates near you.)

 

Other useful resources include:

Puzzle Solving 101 Series (bookmark list)

Puzzle Shortcuts Series (bookmark list)

Solving Puzzle Caches (online article)

How Do I Solve All These $@! Puzzle Caches? (tutorial-style puzzle cache)

Puzzle FUNdamentals (archived event cache) and the Puzzle FUNdamentals resources on the GeocacheAlaska! education page

The GBA's Puzzle Cache FAQ (for puzzle designers, but useful for understanding how puzzle caches work)

 

If you’re interested in extremely challenging puzzles, then consider the online discussions of Venona’s ACTIVITIES in the GBA forums. The puzzles for this annual event are very challenging, intended to be solved by multiple people working together online. (You'll need to register on the GBA site to view these forum threads.)

Overview: Venona's 2011 ACTIVITIES

Overview: Venona's 2012 ACTIVITIES

[+Kacher82]

If it's a code you need to decipher, here's a pretty good site that will decipher a number of different codes.

[+kunarion]

Why don't you ask the cache owner for help? That's probably the best response you'll get from here...

 

Or maybe try finding some traditional caches first? Or any cache for that matter...

I almost got the impression that the OP's request is for a "puzzle" unrelated to Geocaching. Except that the title has the word "cache"...

Edited August 3, 2013 by kunarion

[+Ceico]

Why don't you ask the cache owner for help? That's probably the best response you'll get from here...

 

Or maybe try finding some traditional caches first? Or any cache for that matter...

I almost got the impression that the OP's request is for a "puzzle" unrelated to Geocaching. Except that the title has the word "cache"...

Whatever it would be, some people don't want specific help, they only need a bit of help to understand how the cipher works

[+T.D.M.22]

Yet they must have not needed the help that badly, since the OP has not logged in since August of last year. Was there A reason to bring this thread up again?

[+wmpastor]

I wanna know what cache is so hard to solve that you would have to resort to this level to solve it.

Uh, hello! I consider myself reasonably smart and I find most that hard.

 

Right now I don't have the time or interest to learn to solve caching puzzles. If & when I do, I would first start with the great series of 8-10 puzzle caches, often referred to in the forum, that have instructions on the several major techniques involved.

 

After that I'd consult CO's & locals, & then would absolutely consider hired help with the first couple.

 

Great idea!