ZBLL Algorithms

Yes, they are done. I don't want to repost anything so I'll just link the thread:

http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18172

I'm really, really tired. That took a lot of effort.

Also, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Update

I have officially switched to the VH system. My last average of 100 reflected that at a rather poor 28.97, but my last 50 solves were pretty consistently under 30. Learning to recognize the case as you AUF the final pair is something that takes time. My times varied greatly and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go stabilize and go down some in a rather short amount of time. I don't have the last 24 cases memorized yet and I really could've used them a couple of times, but no harm was done. I've also thought of another case that needs some work. Maybe some other time.

I've been generating ZBLL images like a lazy slob. I usually have a movie in the background and my cube in my hands, so very little work gets done. When I get dedicated (it happened once), I can get a whole OCELL set done in 30 minutes or so. Generating algs has also been slow but I have been keeping up to date on those.

I am very seriously considering switching to ZZ. Though my EO is absolutely horrid, I feel it has potential and, as the actual main reason, eliminates the need for VHF2L, which is by far the most difficult part of my solve to practice. My recognition for EO isn't bad, but finding an efficient solution is a big problem, especially within the limits of inspection time.

I'll post my thoughts on VHF2L alone soon. I think I need another couple of days to really get the hang of looking for the unoriented edges. And when my camera starts working, I'll start making videos of my algs, etc.

Accomplishments: got a 58.92 PLL time attack after several months of not practicing any time attacks. Used to be right around 1:00.00.

Cheers!

Update

Been a while. I've been busy.

Friday is a cubing comp in Ljubljana somewhere and I'm heading out. I'm sorely missing my Jig-a-Loo and my times have started deteriorating even when I have a great solve. I went out and bought 5 cubes at the local shop here. 3 standard storeboughts and 2 studio cubes. The studios are very odd. Weird plastic.

In ZBLL news, I've completed one complete case (U, in case your wondering) of images through Josef Jelink's incredible php script ICube. Seriously guys, this is the ACube of cube image creation. Awesome stuff. Also, XAMPP is pretty great, too, allowing me to run my own host server for the php script. I'd upload it, but Blogger doesn't support php. You can go to Jelink's site (cube.info I think) and get the script there.

I haven't had time to really do an average recently, but tomorrow should be different. I'm counting on at least one average of 100.

Update

Been doing a bit more cubing recently and my times are steadily dropping. Just finished an average of 100 under 27 seconds. I also followed it up with an average of 12 at 25.20 seconds. I also set a pb at 17.37 in the average of 100.

Yeah, a rather showy update, but it's mostly here to show you guys I still exist. I'm starting to generate ZBLL algs and images (pain in the rear) but that takes a while. I've also rediscovered pokemon. What a nerd. Anyway, cheers!

Dad Came to Visit!!!

After 3 months of not seeing my dad, he finally came to visit! It's a rather short stay, but morale is up. Might just last the next 3 months...

On a cubing note, been toying around with corners first methods and trying to remember the final VHF2L case (by my definition), where the F2L pair is reversed in the slot. I know the algorithms, but the way the algs are so similar is incredibly confusing. I never remember which case goes with which alg. Grrr...

Going to fix some stuff in the OLL and COLL charts sometime. Found some issues.

Did a couple averages of 100 over the fall break and got some decent times. 29.01 was a shame (last solve was 35.xx) but the 28.76 I can live with. One average of 12 yesterday was a 26.38. Not bad.

Full OLL is starting to pay off. I stand by what I said some time ago that ZB is a sub-20 method and that I won't dabble with the full sets until I get to that point.

Algorithm Sheets

These are the algorithms I currently use. Everything should now be forwarded to Google Docs. Enjoy!

PLL Algorithms (current version: 2.13)

Just a list of algorithms in a table. Nothing special.

OLL Algorithms (current version: 2.22)

Just a list of algorithms in a table. The 2-look (all edges) OLLs are listed on the second page.

COLL Algorithms (current version: 4.00)

First page is the list of algorithms in a table, the second page is on recognition strategies. Please comment if something doesn't make sense or if I labeled the case incorrectly.

VHF2L Algorithms (current version: 3.00)

Just a list of algorithms in a table, separate into the basic cases and the less-known-but-just-as-needed category.

ZBLL Algorithms (current version: 2.16)

My masterwork.

If anyone wants something else in the sheets (I probably will get around to organizing the OLLs by algorithm someday), just let me know.

Updates:

??.??.2010 - Got everything updated. I'm pretty sure everything is new. I also got my ZBLL stuff up here.

14.11.2009 - Updated COLL sheet to fit how I recognize cases now. Easier L and Sune/Anti-Sune spotting now. Also found a new alg for the U case with parallel bars.

5.11.2009 - Fixed a OLL sheet issue. The image (dot case number 6) need a rotation.

Thoughts on the VH system

I've heard a lot of doubt in ZB recently, and I thought I could shed some light on the VH system, the "beginner" way to do ZB. It requires knowing 40 COLL algorithms and 16 VHF2L algorithms (which you can then mirror), though there are many mirrors or one move different algs for the system. This is what happens:

Cross (or X-Cross): basic. Get a cross on the bottom.

F2L minus one pair: insert all F2L pairs except the last one. Still basic.

VHF2L in the last pair: create the edge corner pair and perform one of 16 unique algs (I don't count mirrors). This will orient all edges on the last layer, giving you one of 7 OLL cases or an OLL skip.

COLL: using the appropriate COLL algorithm, permute and orient all corners while keeping the edges oriented. If your OLL skipped, go to normal PLL.

EPLL: Now all you have to do is permute your edges, most likely your fastest PLLs (except Z...). Easy to recognize, fast to perform.

So my thoughts? COLL is brilliant. The cases are fast (usually), easy to recognize, and they get you almost instantaneous recognition of your PLL, with a 1/12 chance of a skip to boot. A few cases I'm not happy with, but it doesn't matter too much. COLL + EPLL is about 15% faster for me than OLL + PLL. However...

VHF2L is rather iffy. I just do partial edge control instead of bothering with these algorithms. ZBF2L is rather iffy as well, especially if you use intuitive F2L over algorithmic. Regular F2L is about 50% faster than VHF2L for me.

So that means that the CFOP system is about equal to the VH-CFOP system (remember that the last F2L slot is REALLY fast with Fridrich, so 50% faster is about the same as a 15% slower last layer), though full ZB is a different story...