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Google's Da Vinci Code Quest Started  (View post)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

Monday, April 17, 2006
18 years ago227,934 views

Philipp I think everyone gets slightly different ones so it is hard to post the image of the solution to that one. I will copy it though and solve it. Give me a few mins...

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Do you see a different one? I don't know exactly how Google's gonna serve the "12,358 original puzzles":
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/can-you-crack-code.html

Gustavo Lima [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Using numbers instead symbols:

1-2-3-4
4-3-2-1
3-4-1-2
2-1-4-3

Right?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Just different pieces and different shaped coloured areas. It is the same style.

Your solution is:

http://static.flickr.com/1/130238085_2f8d9343c9_m.jpg

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oops. Even when I'm reloading the same URL, I'm getting a different puzzle.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Ok. So if you can solve the first bit... does anyone know what the answer to this is:

http://static.flickr.com/46/130240730_f67220e658_o.jpg

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Anyone who has played a little Sudoku should be able to figure out that puzzle in very little time.... though I have Sam's question up now and don't know the answer....
Fun Game.... dumb fiction book....

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

PS... the answer is Blade

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

<< Fun Game.... dumb fiction book....

I agree. Da Vinci Code is a commercial success, not a good book.

El Capitan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I can't figure out what you do when you have the puzzle solved. Do you just go back to your homepage?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes you do. It gives you a little gem in the module.

Ilya Baklanov [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

It's sad that we can't get notifications on email about new puzzle being available. I'm just afraid that in a couple of days I might forget about some puzzle :((

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

So, do you need a Google account incase you won the prize?(or to join to game?)

/pd [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Phillip, are you playing too ?? I did not start the game as I not on the "country list " –

secondly, will you be covering each day ??

Randall [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The stupid thing requires Flash version 8, but there's only version 7 for Linux! No love for the penguin, I guess.

Arch [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Why is this game only for ca., us. and uk people?

Davide [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

How do you play this? I'm really confused. Whats the method to use?

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

This is kinda like Sokudo, you can't put the same shape on the same row and same column.

Davide [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well I've never played sokudo, but i went on wikipedia to look at rules but that didn't really explain a lot. Can you give me a short summary of it or something?

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Davide,
   there is a 9X9 board that is divided into nine 3X3 sections. You are given some starter numbers, and you need to fill the numbers 1-9 uniquely into every row, column, and 3X3 Section. You can not repeat a any number in any row, column, and 3X3 Section. (no, I did not just say the same thing twice)

I think however, there are great instructions here :
http://www.counttonine.com/displayInstructions.htm

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

> secondly, will you be covering each day ??

Nope... but I'll try to check it out everyday in case there's something intruiging in it...

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Anyone got the second puzzle through?

Mine says that there is nothing available at the moment.

KGM [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

what are the names of four symbols..
Triangle is blade ?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

What is the cross?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Greek Cross!

dave [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

http://groups.google.com/group/GoogleDaVinciCode

everyone get in here.

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Today's puzzle was not very good...hopefully they get better

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I still see the first puzzle.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oh. I guess I have to solve the first to get to the second :)

Ilya Baklanov [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

The 2nd puzzle is a little strange (at least it seems strange to me).
And I don't like the idea that puzzles are so easy to solve (1 minute) and after that we have to go to another website to get the name of a picture. And the name is not hidden anywhere! It's not interesting :(I hope other puzzles will include more *thinking*

BetuMan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yes. For the first door the word is BLADE and for the second is GREEK CROSS. Now waiting for the next one.....

Thanks

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Wow! Bumper challenge today – 3 questions.

And Google used some clever tricks. Advertising their Google Video feature in the challenge. You had to get some info from a video and answer three questions.

This is getting better.

/pd [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hey Sam, as your are playing this game, are you making notes on your experince and when you blog about it let us know or just post your overall experince with the game here..

thanks in advance

moparcountry [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Fleur-de-lis
the vitruvian man
5

moparcountry [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

26 letters ^ 5 = 11,881,376

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes moparcountry:

log(11881376)/log(26).

I am not taking notes Peter, but I will do from no on. I think you could play along too if you pretend to be in the Uk / Us / Au. Are they redirecting automatically?

Anyway I will be coming on here everyday to discuss the puzzle for the day, and I will blog when we get to the end – and let you know its URL.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes, please post the URLs...

Splasho [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/puzzle.html?puzzle=3&r=2029179587

Splasho [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

But that may well not work because the r parameter may be unique to me

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yep, doesn't work... I'm being referred to an errror page:
http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/error.html?reason=notoken

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

With that r value it works for me.

/pd [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thats so kewl Sam....much appreciated!!

Splasho [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I guess a US proxy would be worth trying.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

/pd I will post every few days of puzzle.... (adding this to my Google Calendar)

rdh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey it's supposed to be a competition. with prizes. and you're giving away the answers. ok not exactly complicated i know, but hey some of us want to win you know!

Jt [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

new challenge

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yeah! I am working on it. I don't understand the instructions. It is about restoring a painting for all those following at the sidelines....

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Solved! A nice puzzle this time. Hanging up pictures. Then a symbol question.

Jt [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

whats the symbol?

saf [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

how do i submit answer for puzzel

GIRLSGS [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

SANTO GRIAL

saf [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i have done my first puzzel but how do i submit my answer?

GIRLSGS [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

letter v??is the symbol?

Jt [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

SANTO GRIAL not working

GIRLSGS [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

3º Question , answer = CHALICE

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thanks..
CHALICE is the right answer

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Check out this Google Group for answers.
http://groups.google.com/group/GoogleDaVinciCode
or visit my blog @ http://googlified.com :D

/pd [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Nice haochi!!

helen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

if i want to find out the name of the symbol myself it tells you to go to 'so dark the con of man'website but how do i find the symbol once in that?????

cheers

moparcountry [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Look under characters...

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Wow! Has anyone else seen this advertising for the Da Vinci puzzle on their Google Homepage?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davyson/132417573/

{ I am signed up for the challenges, so this is not a screenshot of my homepage – but a relative of mine }

My puzzle is not here yet today.

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam Davyson-
you do know that most of Google profits are made by ads..
so why not advertising the game?!
they should get some money ya know

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

David – I know that. But Google are not ad mad in the same way some other companies are. They very firmly believe that adverts should be served up perfectly targetted to an individual. The owner of the above screenshot had only just set up their homepage – I dont think it was targetted at them. This is also the first advertisement to be seen on Google.com/ig I think.

"But it is an advert for a Google thing! That's not an advert!" you cry. Well, it also is an advert for the film.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Very good puzzle today. Chess game style. You move your opponents pieces too so that makes it easier :) But you get one move, they get one, and then you get one and.... in the space of those three moves you have to get them in check mate. But it is easier than that: There are only a few (four) possible moves allowed at each step.

But you can also solve it if you are crap at chess! Each of the four allowed moves corresponds to an answer to a multiple choice (Da Vinci) question that appears on the left. So you can answer three questions correctly (and you will automatically checkmate the king) or you can use your chess skills.

Neat puzzle!

Also in the description it says you may want to use Google Web Search to help you with the questions. Another Google service that they are advertising through this competition. Nice.

Answers at the end of this link. DON'T CLICK if you don't want to know.

http://sam.davyson.com/w/The%20answers%20are:%201/%20Cilice%202/%20Senechaux%203/%20Keystone

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I see that among the prizes, at least here in the UK, are some return tickets on Eurostar to Paris, though the terms and conditions make it clear you've got to make your own way to Waterloo. Out of interest, is there an equivalent prize offered in the USA or Canada, or do the lucky winners there have to cross the Atlantic if they wish to use their good fortune?

Alexander [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The geographical puzzle was so-so. But it's interesting how they convince you to use their search engine. The city is New York.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Alexander: Yeah the puzzle was ok, not brilliant but fair.

This time they had a tag line something like "Lost your bearings? Try Google Maps" as well as having a Google Earth/Maps image in the puzzle (jigsaw) itself. They are really using this quiz as an opportunity to show off some of their products.

Google Personalised Home, Google Video, Google Web Search, Google Maps... what next?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

>> Full write up of the first 1/4 of the Da Vinci Code challenge (puzzles 1 – 6) (as promised above) at:

http://sam.davyson.com/weblog/?p=119

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

no need to search for me... it looked very familiar!
http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2006-01-24-n23.html

Annie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I am on the part where you have to name the shape on Robert Langdon's face? It looks like a triangle anyone know what it is?
NOT: TRIANGLE/EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Annie, the answer is 'blade'; see http://altreligion.about.com/library/davinci/bl_davincicode7.htm
for a discussion of what the various symbols in the book (and, consequently, in the puzzles) mean/are called.

Chiuaua [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

What's next?

I've solved the day 7...should i wait for tomorrow?

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

today's answer is 189,000 the puzzle took a little thinking, as this time it did not have a for sure way to start... I had to make 1 guess....

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think we might have got different questions if the answer to yours was 189,000 mine was 10,000 and the question was:

What is the fourth root of a googol, divided by a crore, divided by a lakh, divided by a milliard?

Google Web Search answers this instantly.

The symbol bit was better than before, I guess they will add a row/column every time.Towards the end it will be tricky.

Andrew Dott [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The questions for day 7 vary. Does anyone know or have any ideas about the answer to this:
What is 250.0000001 divided by the fine-structure constant, approximately?
Thanks.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.google.com/search?hs=5VR&hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=What+is+250.0000001+divided+by+the+fine-structure+constant%2C%3F&btnG=Search

34259

KSD [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

my question was.....

what is the speed of light in exameters per century to the nearest metre?

   – the speed of light is 299,792,458 metres per second

- there are 10 to the power 18 metres in an exameter

- and 31 556 926 seconds in a year

--> using this info, the answer in exameters per year was 0.009460528412464108, which to the nearest metre – is 1!!

Doh!

Jesse Terry [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

This was my question...toughy for me, not a math guy by any means.

How much is once in a blue moon over middle C times a quadrillion to the nearest whole number?

KSD [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

another one of the random paint smudge removal puzzles. the question revealed was:

where is the renovation in ISBN 0521461545?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521461545/qid%3D1145900650/202-1552931-3773422

so the answer is Tuscany.

I hope tomorrows puzzle is more challenging! :)

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

My question was

Who dealt with the myth of Venice in ISBN 019815254X?

Surprisingly, although this book is unquestionably <i>Virgil and the Myth of Venice: Books and Readers in the Italian Renaissance </i> by Craig Kallendorf (or at least http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/019815254X/qid%3D1145901340/202-5925565-8503814 thinks it is), they wanted the answer 'Virgil' rather than the correct one. The poet Virgil certainly never dealt with either the myth or the reality of Venice, since there was no such place when he writing.

Amazon quote 'The Classical Review' as calling the book 'A wide-ranging, multi-layered and informative discussion of the uses of Virgil in Renaissance Venice,' which makes much more sense.

gdnoggin [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Help, My question is,

Forget the DA's, the S's are really in charge in ISBN 0226051714. Who are they?

gdnoggin [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Answer: Secretaries

This DaVinci game is pretty dumb. It's way too easy to over think.

Phillip Howell [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I got this question we are not bans, palaces, in ISBN 08674843... This i sat down and picked up my history book and looked up the three largest buisness in and around Italy and I came up with Entrepreneurs, craftsman, and merchants. I tired each and Entrepreneurs worked... Then I got the bright I dea of looking it up on google!

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jesse: = 44 605

Google Web Search (Calculator) solves these problems.

The new puzzles was a silly one. I got the same question as someone above and the answer was Virgil.

Jesse Terry [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks for the help Sam, much appreciated.

WiseOne [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Q: The city of note in ISBN 0691051372 holds the answer to this question.
A: Avicenna

S. S. [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Do I have to restart the puzzle every day or will it save my answers from previous days?

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the answer for 0801843030 is "Remembrance and the Black Death"

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

S.S. – if you've put a link to the puzzle on google homepage, it stores your answers. I don't know what happens otherwise.

BetuMan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

On Day 9, after hanging all paintings in wall, the question was...... Where was Jean Cocteau born? The answer is : Maisons-Lafitte

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

My question was, how many square kilomiters is france... the answer is 547,030

God [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wow. This is unbelieably easy, how could you possibly need help?

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

More answers can be find here..

http://www.senisub.com/davinci/

it maybe a boring website..but its got a lot of answers!

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Observation test today, which involved searching google video using the words 'persistence dedication ideal service' for a trailer of the film (at least that's what I was given).

Answers: ocatagon, holy water, silence

the rabidawg [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

your answers are right, however it is not ocatagon, it is "octagon"

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

YAY.... Good Job

Just to reiterate, today's answers are – octagon,holy water,silence

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thnx for the answers guys........the video wasn't playin properly, so i only got "octagon".......im good at the sudokus, so ill post the answers

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Day 11 =
Palindrome,Denon Wing,Pangram

hope it is same for everyone!

m [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

<font color=cyan>the new puzzle for today isnt there yet...... :(</font>

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

today's geography puzzle is fiarly easy, the city is Rome, but i can't find the place to click where the Greek Cross is....help.... :(

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Use Google maps to search for Palazzo di Venezia, Rome (important: there's clearly another Palazzo di Venezia in a different city that it defaults to if you don't specify Rome). Use the satellite view and it's easy to find it by comparing the Google map image and the competition one.

lara [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

if u go to wikipedia and put in palazzo di venezia it has a link to google maps and gives detailed site point of the location......this one was way too easy!!

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

The Cross is top centerish

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Answer for Day 12.
http://www.googlified.com/2006da-vinci-code-day-xii/

The Greek Cross
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9826/122fz.png

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the sudoku is killin me

Fl_Fulfer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm going insane

Salvsdor Gutierrez [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

By the way how ore u guys?

Salvsdor Gutierrez [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

im 15 and i have solved all the puzzles with no help at all

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

wow..... day 14 is here and no one has answered day 13 yet!

well, I don't know how many puzzles there are... but here is the one I got :
http://trex005.googlepages.com/code.gif
and the question was translate vinci into English... the answer is "you win"

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i never eally understood how to do the restoration puzzles with the debris........can some1 explain it.....please.....
;)

Mufasa [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I just did all 14 puzzles in 30 minutes.

Piece of cake. (Choclate cake)

Mufasa [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Moreover the main point of the restoration puzzles is to cluster the debree to the center of the image. Never allow it to spread out.

Mufasa [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Now back to my organic chemistry book.
'dives in'

makkeboome [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ultraviolet....

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

well, another one of those restoration puzzles today. I finally figured out what the hech that is supposed to be. you have to get the blotches down to one. It just always worked for me by chance before so I never had to actually think :)

The question for me was to translate zmzglnb from atbash... I have this toy I made quite some time ago that accomplishes the task.

http://newcovsoft.com/travis_toy.php?original_string=zmzglnb

if you just put your word in there, your answer is on the "REVERSED 0 shift" line (the 27th line)

Mark T [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hope this helps, it made it easy for me once I cleared that debris.

So the Alphabet goes as follows:

A = Z
B = Y
C = X
D = W
E = V
F = U
G = T
H = S
I = R
J = Q
K = P
L = O
M = N
N = M
O = L
P = K
Q = J
R = I
S = H
T = G
U = F
V = E
W = D
X = C
Y = B
Z = A

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Can anyone explain to me the principle on which the restoration puzzles work? I understand the general idea that you're suppose to 'select pairs that are separated by one space', but what actually constitutes a pair (of the same colour?) and what, exactly, does it mean by 'separated by one space'?

There are several individual blots that appear to be of the same colour and separated by just one space, but they don't always seem to want to play.

Or does it mean select *two* pairs, which have exactly one space between each of them (i.e. in the middle of the four blots)? And why does clicking some blots just select the one blot, clicking some others select a pair, and clicking others still select three of them? So far I've got through it by just clicking about at random, but that's not working so well now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ray [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Who dealt with the myth of Venice in ISBN 019815254X?

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ray, it was Virgil who – supposedly – dealt with the myth of Venice. Don't ask me how he did this, since he lived well before that city was founded, but the compilers of the competition clearly misunderstood the book's title, 'Virgil and the Myth of Venice'. The review quoted by Amazon calls it ''A wide-ranging, multi-layered and informative discussion of the uses of Virgil in Renaissance Venice,'' which makes much more sense, but Virgil is the answer you need (I got that question, too!).

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

today's puzzle was ridiculously easy, my questions was what blood was in French...... sang.....from sang real, or san greal...lol

ray [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Mine says translate keystone to Italian and its not accepting "chiave di volta" its making me mad

sephiroth [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yup, mine is asking for the Italian word for keystone, too, and all I can find through online translation sources is "chiave di volta", which it won't accept...

Any Italians out there know another word for keystone?

Stephen Glynn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ah, discovered how the restoration puzzles work. When you select a blot and this selects one or more other blots, you click on the blot you want to merge with your original blot. Simple when you realise that, but it's taken me until now to do it. Duh!
  
Thanks, Travis, for the Atbash translator.

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yep, I have the same issue with Italian and Keystone.
Tried "Chiave di Volta" (varying caps) "Una Chiave di Volta", "La Chiave di Volta", and various spelling mistakes to see if it is a bug – none work. Anyone got through this one?

briannka [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Is anyone else having issues with getting the new games to load each day?

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Chris,
I think you have to play a new one, I try that for a few times and it won't work.

Briannka,
What kind of issue?

briannka [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

When I click on the puzzle and the black screen comes up showing that the puzzle is loading, sometimes the puzzle never finishes loading. Sometimes it will go for an hour without doing anything. I hit refresh, and it doesn't do anything.

Is anyone else having this problem???

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

anyone having the chiave di colta problem, just get a new puzzle and do that.....i had blood into French.....which is sang.. :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

by the way........how many peopke are probably doing this quest.......i don't think much more than 10,000 will follow through with it.....so i assume everyone here will win a cryptex.. :)

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yes, just tried a fresh puzzle and got "mirror" into italian ("specchio") – works – thanks!

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

briannka,
What version is your flash player?
It happened to me last time while I was playing the game in school, then I refresh it...Works.

Clau [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Did anybody had problems with red herring (aringa rossa)?
I haven't been able to get it right.

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay,
   I think you are right when you say most people probably won't stick with it... But I'd say there will be far more people who start it near the end and then just run through all the puzzles. With as much publicity as it is getting, that will probably be hundreds of thousands of people. After all, this thread is climbing to one of the longest ever in this forum... though, the people of this forum may be some of the fastest at finding these answers which will give us better chances.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea, thats true Travis, which means we will still have better chances to win.. :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

today's chess challenge answers are: I.M. Pei
   Philip II Augustus
   Pope Leo IX

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Got the same answers (and thus presumably questions too)

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Well, I guess I can atleast have a cryptex, because 7 days later, I will be at school for the last period-starts at 1:40, and the game starts at 1...

7 days left, Go Go Go.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

if ur a finalist, u r still eligible for phase 2 of the contest, which consists of 5 puzzles that are timed and have to be completed without you logging off, resetting, etc. if you do, however, u'll be disqualified.

twinkie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

what is the fourth root of a googol, divided by a crore, divided by a lakh, divided by a milliard?

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Twinkie, you can actually enter your full question into Google. The Google Calculator will print the following solution:

(((fourth root of (1 googol)) divided by one crore) divided by one lakh) divided by one milliard = 10 000

mia hamm [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

plz hurry!!!!

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.google.com/search?q=once+in+a+blue+moon+over+middle+C+times+a+quadrillion&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

(once in a blue moon over middle C) times one quadrillion = 44 605.3565

so the answer is 44,605

Hope I was in time!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

"once in a blue moon over middle C" is a number?.....wow

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the answers for today's observation puzzle is as follows:
1. o (yes the letter o)
2. quest
3. 7

Graeme [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

for question 1 i put f and it said it was right.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hmm... yea its probably becuase the o and f were both lowercase in "So Dark The Con of Man", so i guess it accepts both

april [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it totally didnt accept 'o' from me

pizzuto [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

f is correct. Although in the video, "o" is truley the only small letter written on the mona lisa.

Jim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

O is not correct it was F, however O seemed correct.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

woops guys....it is f...i remembered putting the wrong lettter...hehe

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I tried o first too because it was really small.... but it asks for clearly lower case, and o and O handwritten can not be 100% certain.... but the f is written differently in caps than lower case

Fl_Fulfer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

f worked 4 me

Tal Bondarov [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hello guys! did any one solve those questions (in day 10-observation challenge): "During the action in the video, we see many things shatterd and destroyed, but what is it that will ultimately be broken?" pleas send me the answer to : michel13[put at-character here]012.net.il i must know the answer!!!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Tal, silence is the answer, that which will be ultimately broken, as in the silence of the secret, meaning the secret will be unveiled.. :)

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Hey, Tal, I first tried to answer all the questions with the sound off on the video. When I couldn't get that, I turned the sound ON and the narration gives it away.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Still waiting for today's challenge to come through...

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Answer is London, but finding blade #4 is tricky....

clair [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

todays puzzle i got a question about how many times do we see sir leigh wearing spectacles but i cant see him wearing any and they wont except that answer help!!!

PeteC [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ha the blades are easy enough to find. But what is that place it highlights? Well I happen to be sitting in it right now which was quite bizzare! it's an english university often reffered to as the MIT of europe called "Imperial College"!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the city is london, two blades are in the south, one is to the left in the center, and the last is top centerish where it is part of another triangle, sort of, and the Codex Forster is located at the Imperial College, those are the answers, are you seriously in it PeteC? :)

PeteC [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yep right now, trying to procrastinate writing a report and hence doign the quest instead. Still quite amusing though when the lines got drawn across. It was like it knew where I was!

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The exact answer is Imperial College London

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Claire, he wears them 7 times.

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

PeteC--that's so weird! =) Did you have to use Google Maps? I had trouble until I clicked on "hybrid."

Pizzle [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

How would one have know that that location was the Imperial College?

PeteC [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I really don't know, I was very suprised. It's actually on the other side of the road from the V&A, it's really North of the Science Museum. I wasn't sure if it was IC but I just figured I'd enter it and it worked. Quite cool though!

briannka [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

WOW, THANKS EVERYONE!
I didn't know how I was going to figure that out without calling the Victoria and Albert museum in London and asking!!!
But I pose 1 question...

This IS a contest, and with that being said, does anyone else feel a little guilty getting and giving answers off of here??

Jake [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

6 puzzles to GO!!

Scott Moonen [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

So... If you are a US contestant, assume you win. How do you plan to pay income tax for ~$128,000 of imputed income? No part of the prize can be taken in cash and you can't transfer the prize, either (i.e., auction off the trip, although it might be hard to find a buyer close to ARV anyway).

I'm having fun playing this (haven't relied on others yet!) but I certainly don't have the means to pay taxes on it! Google and Sony are welcome to define the contest in whatever way they please – I don't begrudge them that! But it sure would make more sense to me if they provided a cash component for tax purposes, or a cash alternative.

Of course, even thinking about this is probably arrogant presumption on my part. The odds of winning can't be that good. Still, I don't think I want to try, and that's kind of a bummer. You?

Pizzle [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You could always try, and then reject the prize...no one's forcing you to accept it. In fact, I bet Sony/Google would prefer that you turn it down...they'd save money.

EV [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Not as hard as they make it seem. Once you get the jigsaw together and find the four triangles there is a X like on a treasure map. If you zoom in all the way, the building name appears on Google Maps. Imperial College is the answer of the day. Enjoy!

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

The puzzles will never be too hard.

The whole idea is: "Ooo would you look at that hard question? No one will no the answer. Oh unless... yeah, wait.... there is this groovy Google Service that tells you the answer in a jiff"

I am not particularly opposed to this – it is cool. And it was particularly good for the Google Calculator type questions where some really long text based questions (scroll up for egs) were answered in a flash.

I wonder though given this quiz is ON the google personalised homepage how many people will have the personalised homepage and will not have already checked out all the new Google services. I mean personalised home is hardly mainstream amongst other people. I read recently in fact that many web users dont realise that they can change their homepage...

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Right....Google is just advertising their services via this quest, and they do offer the personalized homepage option on the normal google homepage... :)

RebeccaF [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I figured it out myself that it was Imperial college, but it was really hard. I had to find a map of the area surrounding the museum, (I think by googling "Victoria and Albert" + map)... and I found one with all of the buildings surrounding it labelled. Then I looked my map and the DaVinci map side by side and drew the lines from the River straight down and voila!

John Paul [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Guys please send in screen shots of day 13. Im so desperate ive spent 5 days trying to do the symbol challenge.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hmm...i would do it again and post a screen shot or a link to it or something, but the problem is i don't know how to get a screen shot, hehe.... :(

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I wouldn't have been able to find that last blade for my life. Thx lots

Brad [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Here are the Blades::

http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=davinci0qi.png

arun kumar [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey folks, you can find the solution for the 18th puzzle along with screenshots here.

http://connoisseurblog.blogspot.com/2006/05/day-18-puzzle-google-davin_114677997010735677.html

Lydia Unknown [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can't firgure out the answers to the chess part... can anyone help?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes of course!

Which day are you on? What are the questions?

Lydia Unknown [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Day 5
its the chess challenge

Lydia Unknown [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the first quesion is
what is the spiked belt that silas wears called?

number two is
what are the second third and fourth leading memebers of the Priory of Sion called?

and number 3
the engraved tablet that is supposed to reveal the hiding place of the Holy Grail is called... ___

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Try this:

http://sam.davyson.com/w/The%20answers%20are:%201/%20Cilice%202/%20Senechaux%203/%20Keystone

Lydia Unknown [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks so much i could never have figured that out on my own!

Maggie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Sam – you seem to be a talented person with figuring out puzzles. Are you entering this promotion?
http://quest.eurostar.com/en-au/game.php
Is there a blog that you know of?
Any assistance would be gratefully received.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Maggie – No I am not playing that quest. I didn't even know that it existed. It looks pretty nice but ity is late in the UK and I cant be doing with filling in that registration form.

I may have a look another day.

Maggie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

OK – it is actually for New Zealand and Australia now that i had a look – so not worth your time, I guess. But if you can suggest anyone/anywhere that would help I would be forever grateful. It is HARD.
Good night:)

333halfevil [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I have found this website is of great use if you don't want to take the time to look up the puzzle answers yourself!

http://senisub.com/davinci/

Enjoy!

EV [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Answer: Giant Coppers for Boiling Broth

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

for those of you who had the chief italian virtue of william dean howell, it is patience......(for toady's symbol challence)......it was quite intimidating at first, but it ended up being fairly easy compared to other sudokus i've faced before

Clau [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Can someone help me with the symbol challenge day 19? I can sort out the puzzle.
Thanks!!!

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Can't see how help can really be given for the symbol challeneges. It is apretty tough one at first as Jay says. I really couldn't get started so I got a new puzzle and got set on that which I found much easier.

Laying the first piece is difficult. After that you always have more infomation so it only gets easier :).

The question that follows is pips too! This time a Google Book Search plug.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea........try to keep getting new puzzles until you get one that has alot of peices already placed in it, i once got one with 3 blades and 3 greek crosses plus some other stuff already on it! :)

Lucyb [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hi all

I am having trouble on the book search for William Dean Howells' first view of the ruins in the Forum, i find references to the boof but not the emotion...

Help!!!

Thanks in advance

Lucyb [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have just found it,

disappointment

;-)

ClintO [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I cannot find how long William Dean Howells spent in Pompeii. Well I did find in the book it says, "We return slowly through the city, where we have spent the whole day, from nine till four o'clock." But the puzzle says the answer isnt right....anyone else have this question?

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I needs help on the answer for todays puzzle challenge. Help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

If you dont want to know the answer don't look at this link

http://sam.davyson.com/w/14

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oops! I was anticipating the dots to kick in a little earlier to cover up the answer.

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The question I have is: According to Grant Allen's Paris, who was Leonardo's scientific painter counterpart in Upper Italy?

How would I know this. Tell me. Or tell me the answer. That would be better.

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Wow thanks Sam that helped a WHOLE lot. I don't know what I whould EVER do without you. *cough sputter*

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

The puzzle :
http://trex005.googlepages.com/davinci_day_19.gif
The Question :
In The Italian Renaissance in England, author Lewis Einstein discusses Florentine Bankers and the Wars of which King?
►Edward

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sorry Christian my question was different to yours it seems.

I think you are supposed to use Google to answer yours but the answer is probably on wikipedia. I will have a quick look.

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I found the answer. It was Mantegna. 333halfevil was lotso help *coughcoughSam!coughcough* Anywho, thx Half Evil

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

PS... that was the hardest question this game has had yet.... I think I wasted about 1/2 hour on it!

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think it is Mantegna.

http://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=0Qly9oIHHhTd-NRG4l&id=CeBmoUDn6rwC&q=Grant+Allen+Paris+Upper+Italy+scientific&dq=Grant+Allen+Paris+Upper+Italy+scientific&pgis=1

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah same

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oh beaten me to it.

Christian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah same. I've pretty much just watched my friend play San Andreas all this time. Follow the link that 333halfevil put out. It's REALLY helpful.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://senisub.com/davinci/

yes...this site has literally all the answers! :)

nénu [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

day 16 please help!!!! xD

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

can anyone help? what chief italian virtue did william dean howells learn on his "italian journeys?"

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The answer for William Dean Howells's quest is Naples...bye

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

ok never mind i took a stab, and guessed, it's "patience"....thanks anyway

Clau [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks Jay, your suggestion helped.
  
I kept on trying until I got an easier puzzle so finally I was able to solve it.

renee [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

has anyone done the geography puzzel to find out what is "just slightly north of the victoria and albert museum..." in london.
x marks the spot on my map but when i do google earth to find all the surrounding landmarks, THERE ARE NONE!
what is it?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

no problem Clau..................and renee, 'Imperial College' is above the X, :)

Brad [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

another puzzle from today;

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7281/davinci1sq.png

lisa [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Where is the renovation in ISBN 0521461545? its on day 8 please say!!!!!

anisa [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

please say!!!!!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

lisa and anisa, i think you mean restoration, :), anyway it is Tuscany.. :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Two of the questions after the restoration puzzle is :

According to H. H. Powers, what is the true Italian city? Fiesole

According to The Numismatic Chronicle, during whose reign were the rare fleur-de-lis groats of Stirling struck? James II

Jim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Another one – name of the author of some picture in Florence´s museum – Bega.

Today it was really easy, much easier than yesterday. I wonder what we can expect next days.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

In my opinion, the Symbol and Restoration ones were the hardest of the puzzles, and since we have the hardest of the hardest done, the next few puzzles should be easy, but maybe not the last one.. :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

More answers:

What Florentine business what not very highly regarded? Pill selling

Which painting in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence is a diminutive copy of the celebrated one by Leonardo da Vinci? The Holy Virgin And St. Anna

Dawn [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hi, I'm having trouble with this question:

Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence. What is its catalogue number in the 1890 catalogue of the museum?

There is a link to search Google Books, but I've done that and still nothing!

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Similar to Dawn's:

There is a painting of the Head of Medusa in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence, usually attributed to Leonardo. What is its catalogue number in the 1890 catalogue of the museum?

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

"What words divided by tons appear in The Numismatic Chronicle?" my 1st stupid question not a clue... help pls...

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Mine was 1159.

You need to search in this book:

http://books.google.com/books?vid=LCCN03018849&id=MNnKj4jTHIIC&q=Royal+Uffizi+Gallery&dq=Royal+Uffizi+Gallery&pgis=1

Dawn [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence. According to the 1890 catalogue of the museum, in what colors was it sketched?

These are getting more tricky!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Dawn, I'm still looking for your answer, but I can't find it either, if you want, you can do another puzzle and answer another question... :)

Also, yet another question is:

As A Florentine Revery begins, our first impression is one of what?
Perfect Harmony

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Shehan: I would try some of the words in this list:

http://books.google.com/books?q=%22ton%22&id=Uj3F4SnGjyQC&vid=0IIvsvFAURNLEwpItG&dq=The+Numismatic+Chronicle&pgis=1

Dawn [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Here's another one

According to The Numismatic Chronicle, during whose reign were the rare fleur-de-lis groats of Stirling struck?

Dawn [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I am so getting stuck, had three questions now and can't answer any of them!

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i think the color is ochre, can anyone tell me the 1890 catalogue number for the adoration of the magi?

Dawn [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Whoo hooo I got it! The answer to the coin one is James II

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

According to The Numismatic Chronicle, during whose reign were the rare fleur-de-lis groats of Stirling struck? James II

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

At last I was intelligent enough to giv up and got a new puzzle.... stupid ques...

renee [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

oh JAY thank you sooooo much!

rich [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

What words divided by tons appear in The Numismatic Chronicle?

sandee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

HELP I acn't find the cat number for question 20

sandee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

SORRY can't

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Post your question maybe we/I can help you.

sandee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence. What is its catalogue number in the 1890 catalogue of the museum? THANK YOU x

sandee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP I FOUND IT AND FOR ANYONE ELSE STUCK IT 1252 GOOD LUCK X

nénu [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Decidedly, the Florentine is prepared for what?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

ARGH!! I hate the restorations...I'm never good at these games. =(

nénu [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

help please now ...

nénu [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

please could anyone help me ??

Decidedly, the Florentine is prepared for what?

nénu [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the florentine is prepared for emergencies ... xD

Chrathie [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I do not understand how to do the restoration puzzles. Can anyone explain them as if I were a first grader?? Thanks

angela [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Can anyone help me with the catalogue number for the head of mesuda in the royal Uffizi gallery please

Chrathie [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Angela – it is 1159....can you tell me how to do the restoration?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Chrathie, it's like that triangle-peg puzzle:
Picture here: http://www.danobrien.ws/PegBoard.html

This works in reverse. Instead of jumping a peg over another to "eliminate" it, you have to find pairs that are already separated by one space and then they come together. By combining them, you are moving the smudges off the letters until the words are all revealed.

Now that I have explained it, I STILL CAN'T DO IT!!!! =(I keep getting down to 3. I'm never going to win my cryptex! =(

Chrathie [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I keep getting down to 3 too!! Ugh.... Thanks for trying to explain!!!

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Get to the puzzle about the artist who painted a woman with a lute. I finally solved that one. =)

angela [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Chrathie, many many thanks, I don't have away of doing the restoration, I just kept redoing it.

saratiela [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

has anybody gotten today day 20's challenge question What words divided by tons appear in The Numismatic Chronicle? please writte back

Chrathie [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Saratiela...that answer is HOC OPVS DEI
Any clues on how to get the Restoration completed?

Debi [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Chrathie, I have been searching for the answer for hours – where did you find it??!

lifeofanomad [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

What Florentine business was not very highly regarded?

lifeofanomad [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Nevermind, the answer is "pill selling"

JJ [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Gosh, it took me so long to finish the restoration. Thanks a lot guys for all the answers

jk47h3 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

how many people are still playing this, thousands, millions, any one have an estimate?

doggy poop [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

there is a bette website for the answers if you would like to have a look at it

http://solomon.dailygrail.com/node/44?from=0&comments_per_page=50

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

jk47h3: Interesting question. Obviously I have no idea but I would imagine that there is at least a million. Users of the Google Personalised Homepage (of which I have no idea how many there are) had an advert for it placed on their homepage. Da Vinci is a book with a lot of appeal I am sure that many people opted for it. But the number of people still playing will probably be much less than the number that started.

Who is betting on a special question for the final day?

I certainly hope there is.

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am really scared that I can't get in the Final Phase...only for 10K people...(I want the cryptex atleast.

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey Sam thnx anyways for helping me yesterday man..... TC

Bonebeany [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

does anyone know this answer or where to find it?

Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence. What is its catalogue number in the 1890 catalogue of the museum?

shalligan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

can anyone help me with the day 10 answers, I have searched on google but no help!!

sayawalters [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im on day one and i dont know the names of the symbols

Help! [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

****Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence. According to the 1890 catalogue of the museum, in what colors was it sketched

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Maybe this can help you.
http://www.abcgallery.com/L/leonardo/leonardo5.html I am colorblind(joke)

leosaraiva [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Bonebeany,

Question: Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Adoration of the Magi hangs in the Royal Uffizi Gallery in Florence. What is its catalogue number in the 1890 catalogue of the museum?

Answer: 1159

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Todays puzzle is nice. More hanging pictures as expected.

My question was another answerable by Google Book Search. It was something like this:

According to Volume IV of The Eclectic Review who's art shows "the fiery ardour and enthusiastic vivacity of youth".

The answer is M. Angelo or see:

http://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=LCCN07015350&id=d4OgVM-fc_kC&pg=PA469&lpg=PA469&dq=the+fiery+ardour+and+enthusiastic+vivacity+of+youth

leosaraiva [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

According to The Eclectic Review, it is not galleries that make artists, but what?

Pictures

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, we must confine ourselves to the explication of what?

Jim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

My answer – We must confine ourselves to the explication of – mystery.

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks! I did the google book search but didn't see anything about mystery. How did you find that?

Jordan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the number of christians in cochin china is how many?

Whats the answer?? How do i find the answer myself?

julia [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im pretty sure its 100.000

plz some one help me!
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the only way to win the mind over to religion is by shewing it to be what?

i cant find the answer

julia [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i got it

its, the greater good

Clau [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

According to The Eclectic Review, what is justly considered as an entirely poetical invention?

Help!

Brian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

According to the Ecelectic Review, what is the one exception to the catholic language of painting

angela [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Anyone else having problems getting into google books?
treid a few links, but keep getting page cannot be found!!!!!!!!!!
Or does anyone know what the 3rd present was Petrarch sent to to the Bishop of Cavaillon.
Angela

Rick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, ECCLESIASTICAL POWER OF ALL KINDS is an engine of what?

Clau [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Someone can give a link of where to look for all this Eclectic Review questions, please???

Thanks!!!!!!

Tom R. [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Present name – Torrentona

paul h. [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It is not less strange that Petrarch never showed this to Boccaccio.

Any help?

M [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I seem to have an easy one for today! :D

It is not less strange that Petrarch never showed this to Boccaccio.

easily found on Google books...and I probably jinxed it for tomorrow by saying it's easy :P

paul h. [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

can you give us the answer for that one?

Jordan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the number of christians in cochin china is how many?

Answer: 70,000

Use google book search and search for

Return books with the title The Eclectic Review

with all of the words the number of christians in cochin china

Eric [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I've done every search I know and can't come up with the answer for today'
s question...

According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the number of christians in cochin china is how many?

Up until today I've breezed through these things. Any help?

pacificdave [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

"It is not less strange that Petrarch never showed this to Boccaccio."

http://books.google.com/books?q=%22Petrarch+never+showed%22&btnG=Search+Books&as_brr=0

tad [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

We must confine ourselves to the explication of what???

mystery

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

wow...i just got back from my grandma's (no internet access :(, looks like alot of confusion has been goiong on!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

My question was: According to Petracrch, what is the plague of monarchs?

Answer: insipid adulation

I just typed in "Petrach the pague of monarchs" into Google book search and it came up on the first result, sounds like other questions aren't so easy....:(

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Here is a list of a whole bunch of questions and their answers....hope it helps! :)

In his letter to the Bishop of Cavaillon, Petrarch says that truth begats what? hatred
According to Petrarch, what is the plague of monarchs? Adulation
Petrarch sent three presents to the Bishop of Cavaillon. What was the first present? Fish
Petrarch sent three presents to the Bishop of Cavaillon. What was the second present? Flat drake
Petrarch sent three presents to the Bishop of Cavaillon. What was the colour of the first present? Gold
Petrarch sent three presents to the Bishop of Cavaillon. Whose pursuit produced the second present? Dog
Petrarch sent three presents to the Bishop of Cavaillon. What was the third present? Epistle
According to Vol. IV of The Eclectic Review, whose childhood was distinguished by the inevitable persecutions which all geniuses are fated to endure? Michael Angelo
According to Vol. IV of The Eclectic Review, what author talks of his sufferings in terms that might suit a Galileo imprisoned by the Inquisition? Mr. Ruskin (this should work) (thanks is worked how did u find it?)
According to Vol. IV of The Eclectic Review, who endeavoured in vain to unite Christian art with the Pagan ideas of antiquity? Michael Angelo (with the space between Micheal and Angelo)
According to Vol. IV of The Eclectic Review, whose art was distinguished by patient skill and slow manipulation? LeonardoMichael Angelo (with the space between Micheal and Angelo)
According to Vol. IV of the electic review, what author has a fervid imangination and a wonderful power? Mr. Ruskin
According to Vol. IV of the electic review, what is the one exception to the Catholic languabe of Painting? French Pictures
According to The Eclectic Review, what is justly considered as an entirely poetical invention? Chivalry
According to the Eclectic Review, it is not galleries that make an artist, but what? pictures
According to The Eclectic Review, what gaudy flower was first cultivated in Italy in the 16th century? Tulip
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the number of christians in cochin china is how many? 70000
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, we must confine ourselves to the explication of what? the mystery
Whose famous birthplace did Petrarch go to see in passing from Parma to Verona? Virgil
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, what does John Morison call the Bane of Youth? fashionable amusements
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, ecclesiastical power of all kinds is an engine of what? mischief
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the mind is converted to religion by shewing that it is what? the greater good (p 182)
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review,the secret of the scotch education was written by which writer? Burns (where did you find this? search "the secret of the scotch education" on GoogleBook? Beta)
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, the tones of whose voice are meagre, shrill, and dry? Try Mr. Southey
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, which is the one exception to the catholic language of painting? French pictures
According to Vol. XXIII of The Eclectic Review, who was the most paradoxical man of the age? Southey
What little village did Petrarch go to see in passing from Parma to Verona? Pietola
It is not less strange that Petrarch never showed this to Boccaccio. Scipiade

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

in case you are wondering about the above answers.......I'm not THAT smart, I got them from this site that was posted in this forum many times.......it has almost all the answers after a little while after the puzzle is available.. :)

http://senisub.com/davinci/

Connie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I haven't had much problem with the puzzles until the last 2 days. I am having trouble getting into the Google Book Search site. I found one answer at another blog site, and one answer here. Does anyone else feel guilty about being "given" the answer? I prefer to look it up myself. I suppose finding the answer is what it is all about, not where I find it....

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

can someone give me an answer for this question:

Petrarch sent three presents to the Bishop of Cavaillon. What is the first present called?

i cant find the answer anywhere..
someone? please?!
thanks

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

nm
ive solved it already
the answer is

torrentona

kaykey carter [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

At the moment im playing the da vinci code game on google i was wondering if anyone knows which symbol is on robert langdon's face? ito me it looks like a triangke but ive entered that symbol and its sayin its wrong could anyone be of any help?

crwth [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think there are far fewer than a million people playing the DVCQ. Take the number of posters to this and other such discussions, and multiply by ten to get an upper bound. I think the order of magnitude is about ten thousand players.

[put at-character here]kaykey: "Blade". The other possible symbols are: Chalice (inverted triangle), Ankh, Greek Cross (+), Fleur-de-lis, Cross.

briannka [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok, everyone...2 days to go...

briannka [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I only have 2 game pieces left to play, and the contest is over on 5/11..I wonder how that is going to work...

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

DAY 22 – CHESS CHALLENGE

Leading Member of the Priory of Sion – The Nautonnier
Not rumored to be a Priory of Sion Member – Nicolas Poussin
Egyptian Goddess of Fertility – Isis

Jim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I think the number could be much higher. But many people don´t have resolved all questions, so our chance are high. :-) Today´s quiz is so easy, it takes me 3 minutes. I´m really nervous from the last one.

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Today's puzzle:

the nautonnier
nicolas poussin
isis

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Stupid just too easy...!!!!!
Surprised....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hello, i just wanna check something, the only thing that really matters is to complete the wednesday's puzzle in the less time possible, right? (having all the others completed before)... And the 10,000 people that complete the wednesday's puzzle first, will get the criptex and move to the final... Right?? I hope everyone helps on wednesday hehehe

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

It was incrediblly easy, 3 minutes really, i hope wednesday's is easy too hehehe... It should be OBSERVATION.. i've tried searching on google videos for "da vinci code" videos, i got the 3 past videos, but no more "MEET SOMEONE" kind of videos... probably it will be another kind of video or special challenge? hehe

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Agreed – today was very easy. In the first chess challenge I played the chess. This time I just wikipediaed as necessary for the answers.

Does anyone know how the challenge works in the UK? There is none of this 10,000 first stuff in the UK I don't think. Just a prize draw.

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Sorry...but this fantastic game is a "time-game"?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yup......Phase Two will be a timed phase, which will consist of five puzzles.....and in this phase......the first 10,000 to finish will proceed to the next phase and also win a cryptex.. :)

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Thanks so much...i didnt' know...where can I found this info?

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Actually Jay, that's only halfway correct.......only the first 10,000 to complete Wednesday's puzzle and submit a completion form will move on to phase 2.

So there will be only 10,000 people in phase 2 period.....then they will send you a cryptic scroll like the one on the webpage and a link to a website where you have 5 puzzles to complete using the scroll the person who completes the 5 fastest is the Grand Prize winner.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yes Nick, you are right......and Marco, if you look under where all teh puzzle gems are in the Quest area on your homepage,it will say Rules and Prizes, click Rules to view all the info.

Lucyb [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Sam D is right, on the Uk rules there is no mention of a timed game or 10,000 people going through to another phase, just a prize draw.

This has nothing to do with the webquest, but has anyone found the secret tunnel on the website? When you find all the symbols in the gallery what are you supposed to do next?

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can definitely say I haven't found the secret tunnel on the website. What's that all about?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Very confused about what Lucy B said.

crwth [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that Lucy B is talking about something on the big Sony flash thing, promoting the movie:
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thedavincicode/

which has some hidden stuff. Some further information is here:
http://seekthecodes.com/

which superficially looks like a fan blog, but is actually covert promotion for the Sony promotion and the Google puzzles. I think the Sony hidden-stuff and the Google puzzles are independent.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I think that LucyB is talking about DA VINCI'S GALLERY (on the quest page) http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thedavincicode/

When you watch the clip, then you can forward it and rewind it, and you will find the 5 symbols that we always see, you have to click them, they are in the paintings on da vinci's gallery...

Then you will get a bottom bar, with the simbols, when you press the symbols in different orders you will get little videos of the movie... i don't think this has something to do with the quest itself, i think is more of promoting the movie..

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Ah ok. So it seems it is a seperate Da Vinci promotion. (And speaking of which there are LOADS of Da Vinci promotions. It is getting really bigged up everywhere).

Which brings me to: is anyone going to go and see the film?

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Definitely....
Want 2 see how different is the movie from the book....
Still if it gives me half the thrill while I read the book I'll be happy...
I read somewhere that due to church problems the movie is going to be less harsh on the christianity issue...
Which in my point of view will destroy the real fun of it...

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey can anyone tell me what is the exact time when google gives the new puzzle...???

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

they are launched at 1:00PM Eastern time....
todays answers are :

Puzzle ... easy....
City is – Paris
Points are – http://trex005.googlepages.com/points.GIF
Sequence is – Squares

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

cheers mate...... already knew the answers
toooooooo easy...... very disssaaaaapppppointing..... :(

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hehehe way to easy.. i think that if we want real challenges we need to be finallists :p

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

lets see what happens....

Kimbo [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Quite honestly, the easiest puzzle yet. What will tomorrows 'Observation' be? "Watch this clip from a movie starring Judy Garland. Her name is Dorothy and she travels to a distant fantasy land. What three characters travel with her? (Hint: One scares crows, one is a man made of tin and the third is a lion that is a coward). :/

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

hahahhaha......don't get so frustated.... we have got one last hope....

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea...puzzle was stupidly easy..........again..the city is Paris, teh nine symbols took nothing to find, and teh sequence is squares... good luck on tomorrow's puzzle! :)

rob [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

enjoying it though gonna miss it all when it finishes

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Explain how the sequence is squares, please....

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Dude . . .

0,1,2,3
Square them
0,1,4,9

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Ohhhh...SQUARED...I was looking for squares as in geometry.

Wayne [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

$*[put at-character here]&(^*($&^[put at-character here]$ "Squares"?!?!

I just spent like half an hour trying to figure out what the hell it wanted there. I had stuff ranging from entries in the (http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequences/Seis.html) Online reference of Integer Sequences to "Smarandache square-digital sequence" to "squared-digits", but didn't try just "squares"

When you overthink it, it's the easy ones that are the hardest.

Thanks!

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I used Smarandache first too but then remebered these answers are always the simplest, and typed squares for shits and giggles

I have to admit none of the puzzles so far have been that challenging.......in fact sometimes the Curator arranging the paintings most of the time is what I have the roughest time with.

The rest of it all is simple, but something tells me the final 5 (if I make it tomorrow) will be trmendously hard.

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think that their intention is to

1) get you interested in the movie (duh)
2) get you familiar with Google and it services (again duh)

and not really to give you brain strain. I think the only really intellectually challenging thing has been the Sudoku(esque) puzzles, but those were in fact rather easy too.... My challenge will be remembering to log on in time to do the puzzle!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I agree with Travis.....Google advertised the movie and its services like Google Maps, Book Search, Search, Video, etc.....the puzzles were fairly easy, and I don't even expect the final five puzzles to be extremely hard. :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

WOW.....this thread is four posts away (well, now its three) from being the top thread in the Forum......this thread now has 343 posts, whereas, GMail Horror Stories, the top thread has 346 posts.....of course, this will surpass it in no time.. :)

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I think there are many people confused with the 5 puzzle final challenge, i just want to remember everyone that tomorrow is supossed to be a "regular observation challenge", maybe harder, maybe not, but a regular one, and the 10,000 people that submit their info first, after completing this last challenge, will go to the final 5 puzzles... (they will send this 10,000 perople a cryptex with instructions for this final consecutive 5 puzzles that will be timed)

So, in conclusion, we all need to log in exactly at 1:00pm tomorrow and share our answers in this forum, to help the ones of us that might be frustrated or too nervous, lol.
Remember, it's all about finishing fast tomorrow to go to the finals... i wonder if they are going to do something special on this last observation puzzle? :P

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

What time zone is the 1 pm?

i.e. What time is that in the UK (GMT + 1) ?

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

This tool might help you:
http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

For example you can convert 1pm US/Pacific into GMT and it says 8pm...

brandon [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

does any one know the name of the symbols?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i know the cruciform is an equal sided cross, that one took me forever, i didnt expect it to be so simple, the triangle is a blade, the cross with a hoop is egyptian but i dont remember what its called

Steven Lu [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ankh

June [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Anyone had problems openbing day 17's quest?
It just won't download for me....really frustrating!
June

vikki [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

where is this greek cross in puzzle 12?

Simple Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Vikki
Go Here
http://davincianswers.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_davincianswers_archive.html

Shehan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just half an hour to go................... ;)
Best of luck............

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hi,I live in Rome and I'ld like to know at what time (in Italy!)will be the 24th game...help me.Thanks

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think it should be online NOW.

But it isn't. So it must be at the next hour. i.e. 19.00 in Italy.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

The game starts in about 23 minutes everywhere, right?

Does anyone know if my google id is just my email address or is it something else?

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Historically it's been 12 noon CST in the US, which is in 20 minutes. Get ready!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

10 minutes to go........

Someone Cool [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Contest rules say you're only eligible for prizes if you live in the US, I'm pretty sure. So good luck to you all attempting to get into the Final Round from other places, you're narrowing the field for those of us who live in the US and can actually finish the puzzles :>

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

VP, do you have a gmail account? I think that's my google id....

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I agree with you, Travis. But that's why their stock is $4 billion a share--they are smart. I really like the translator tool and I've never had a reason to use that "hybrid" option on the Google maps. I'm sure that I'll be using more of their tools after this game. That's what marketing is all about....

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

almost there . . . . .

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

umm, I don't have a gmail account, but on my google homepage it has my email address at the top. I don't know of anything besides that that could possibly be my id

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

good luck all, when we get the anwsers, give them here

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

A mean practical joke would be to yell GO right now . . .

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

It should be up now. My clock says 10:01 (PST)

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

GOGOGOGOGO

Rebecca [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

HELP MINES NOT LOADING ALL THE WAY

Chad [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Mine isn't loading at all. I keep getting the following message:

   We're sorry...

   ... but your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.

   We'll restore your access as quickly as possible, so try again soon. In the meantime, if you suspect that your computer or network has been infected, you might want to run a virus checker or spyware remover to make sure that your systems are free of viruses and other spurious software.

   We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope we'll see you again on Google.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

1.) 2
2.) so dark the con of man
3.) madonna of the rocks

your welcome

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

first one is two..HELP!

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

great, perfect timing, google server crashes

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

so does everyone get to register, or just the 1st 10, 000 cuz if everyone does, then how will we know if we are finalists?

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

MAN WHAT A GIP!!!! You only get to register for solving the riddles!

LucyB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok so questions answered then they ask you to register to enter prize draw, now what? is that it for the Uk entrants?

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think it's only the US people who have the different competition. We just go into the draw. Bit of an anticlimax I agree...

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

you have to fill out a screen then it will tell you what the prizes are. the first 10 thousand people get a cryptex repcla.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Lol.........Cassie has it...........

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

1 is 2
2 is so dark the con of man
3 is Madonna on the rocks

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hmmm... I registered, I guess they don't tell you if you were one of the first 10,000.... :(, though you probably are if you registered by now. :)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

UK people also have the register. My details are refused though!

LucyB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

what message did it give when refusing your details?

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

How do we know if we are finalists?

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It just says to 'click here to learn more about the prize you seek'. Is that the same as the US response?

iLovePuzzles [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Did anyone get a confirmation email for registering?

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

sorry, I would have answered sooner, but my firefox chrashed :(I REALLY hope that does not happen in the final one....
http://trex005.googlepages.com/final_quest.gif

JJ [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think it is Madonna of the rocks

Nate [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I've been done for about 7-8 minutes now, and I sure hop I pick up one of those nifty cryptexes. :)

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

What was up with the page not being available?
Was it just because so many people must have been on at the same time?

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Er, no. No confirmation email. Panicking now I put in the wrong address by accident...

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

LucyB I got this:

"We’re sorry but we are unable to process your request at this time."

It is on this page:

http://sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/registration/weighanhawu/uk/sorry_under.php

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You're too late! 10,000 have completed already.

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It worked perfectly for me! I'm looking forward to getting my cryptex!

J

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Hey, Chad--mine did the same thing for about 3 minutes too. Very scary. Then it came back. Hope you got all of your answers in. I got the first two no problem, but the last--did a google search and got "The Virgin of the Rocks," "Virgin of the Rocks," "The Madonnas on the Rocks," etc.... had to try them all. =)

BRAD [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i just tried to re submit to make sure i got it and it said the quest has ended, we all got in in time!

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I highly doubt that 10,000 people would finish it within 12 minutes!

J

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

So does something come in the post now?

angry [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I solved it a good 8 minutes ago, and the sony server is not loading! I'm at the page where it says to put in your google account. Anyone else having trouble with this?

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

So the people it says successfully registered are in the 10,000?

RB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


I'd be willing to bet a lot more than 10,000 got it in 12 minutes.

James [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah I am nervous that I havent been confirmed about being one of the registered people, but it sounds like everyone is still waiting for that confirmation.

RB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


How many people got some sort of confirmation e-mail?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

What's with needing to call us on May 24 between 2 and 4 EST? I guess that means it really is a drawing.

Bubble [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It's said that my registration was confirmed .. by no email

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

congrats to everyone who got in, i finished alittle over 10 mins ago and still havent gotten a confermation e-mail yet, but its probally hard for a currently overloaded server to send out 10 thousand e-mails, but im still getting nervous

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

no email here either

jeff mcelhan [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i also tried to reconfirm by registering again, and it told me the quest had ended. I'm lucky I made it, congrats everybody!

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm also nervous that I put in the wrong info...does anyone know if it screws up your submission if you re-enter the registration?

No confirmation e-mail yet...

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

where does it say all the people who made it??

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am in the UK so as far as the rules go there is no 10,000 or anything.

Has anyone in the UK managed to get it to work?

Bubble [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

how long do you think it will take for the emails to come through??

Mar_A [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

AHHH when the stupid server on google crashed I had to do the whole thing over again. It lost me precious seconds =(

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I'm at school right now (computer class)....(THANK GOD I finished my assignments before the puzzle was available!)........and I can't check my e-mail becuase it's blocked.......does anyone have the e-mail address it told you to put in your addresses for confirmation? It had someting to do with Sony and the Da Vinci Code (duh!) :)

RB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


I finished at 1:04... but then my stupid big fingers had some issues in entering all the information they needed on the registration form... then I put – in my phone number and it came back at me for that...

I stink and I don't like me.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

it says on the registration page that they will be in communication soon whatever the hell that means

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

where did you hear about the phone call?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I got it in two minutes guys... so yes, a lot more than 10,000 people got it in 12 minutes. and you should see this message if you're registered properly:

You have sucessfully registered.
Please be sure to add davincicodequest[put at-character here]sonypictures.com
to your email address book to ensure that we will be able to contact you.

Click here to learn more about the prize you seek.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th.
Visit the Official Da Vinci Code website

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

no i haven't gotten any confirmation e-mail yet, but i managed to get everything to work, and the phone thing would be if you one the final phase since the 24 is long after that phase goes on... man i hope i got one of the cryptexs

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

This is in fine print at the bottom of the "You have registered" page:

Phase 1 of Contest ends at 1:00 pm EDT on 5/11/06. Final Phase of Contest ends at 1:00 p.m. EDT on 5/21/06.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i cheated a bit i watched the video before the puzzle was ready

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

haha how did you know which video to watch? I was done at 12:02 (I'm in Chicago) I think it was the easiest video so far, honestly

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

More fine print:

The Contest is divided into two (2) phases: Phase 1 and a Final Phase. (A third Phase consisting of an essay competition will be employed only in case of a tie in determining the grand prize winner, as described below). Phase 1 consists of twenty-four (24) Daily Puzzles (collectively "Daily Puzzles") which consist of answering a series of skill based, time-sensitive puzzles (of various types and difficulty) which need not be completed sequentially as outlined below. Only the first 10,000 participants who, having correctly solved all 24 Daily Puzzles during Phase 1, submit a Puzzle Completion Form (and who thereafter submit a Contest Entry Form) in accordance with these Rules before 1:00 p.m. EDT on May 11, 2006 will be deemed "Finalists." Only Finalists are eligible to advance to the Final Phase. The determination of which specific participants, from among all participants submitting Puzzle Completion Forms and Contest Entry Forms before the Phase 1 Deadline, are deemed to be the "first 10,000" to do so (and therefore deemed to be Finalists) will be based on the Puzzle Completion Time and Contest Entry Time (defined below) applicable to each participant. The Final Phase of this Contest consists of a skill-based, time-sensitive series of five (5) puzzles which must be completed sequentially (collectively, "Final Puzzle Challenge") as outlined below.

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

SO what's the deal if we registered we are in????? I'm pissed I want to know if I am a finalist I answered those questions in like 2 minutes and filled out the form I kept refreshing till the puzzle was availabel so I have to be one of the 10,000 finalist.

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

See, the UK rules say this –

"Users must use skill to complete all 24 puzzles to be entered into the draw to win prizes."

So I think that's it for us...

gwen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

so do you think registered means we're in?? i don't know?? anyone have any clue?

Bubble [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

has anyone got the email .. or are we all waiting??

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i looked all the charcters up that havent been used yet and sophie was the only one that popped up! he he im so sneeky lol

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Okay, so we DO have to get something in the mail, but that seems rather odd:

Final Phase. Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery by May 18, 2006, a limited edition Cryptex replica and a screenshot of 4 codes (the "Finalist Prize"). One of the included codes will open the Cryptex. Inside will be a scroll with instructions on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge online. Prior to May 18, 2006, Finalists will also be e-mailed instructions at the email address provided by each Finalist on his/her Official Contest Entry on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I found this forum by googling where to find the announced winners or registered finalists. Wish I had found it earlier, it's great!

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

The final puzzle is going to be chess, be ready

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

We don't HAVE to get it in the mail as we'll get an email about it anyway, lol, but my guess is that the emails won't go out for a while, but who knows.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

cool beans, this just gets better and better huh?

KBru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

All – this is from the official rules.....

Notification: Phase 1: Finalists will be notified by email on or about May 15, 2006 and at time of receipt of their Finalist Prize which will be shipped by postal mail to be received by May 18, 2006. If the Finalist Prize or email notification to a particular Finalist is returned as undeliverable, or if he/she is found to be ineligible to participate in the Final Phase, and/or is deemed not to have complied with these Official Rules, such Finalist will be disqualified, and time permitting, the participant with the next earliest time-stamp will be permitted to participate in the Final Phase. Final Phase: Grand Prize winner will be notified by phone between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EDT on May 26, 2006, at the telephone number provided on his/her Official Contest Entry.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

This is also from the rules. Looks like we have to wait for a while to get our confirmations...

Finalists will be notified by email on or about May 15, 2006 and at time of receipt of their Finalist Prize which will be shipped by postal mail to be received by May 18, 2006.

josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I've tried Madonnas of the rocks, The Virgin on the Rocks non works what gives?

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i think it does mean we are in, because trying to register now, it says the Da vinci quest is over at around 1:20pm EST. so whoever got their registration in without a "Sorry" message is in.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Yups. I read the fine print a month ago. You guys just sit back and relax

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

This is crazy I'm at work doing nothing cause I'm waiting on an email.........I'm acually kind of pissed how hard is it to count to 10,000 Google geniuses?????

gwen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ARG i can't wait that long are they CRAZY i don't think i made it anyway i registered but my comp froze up so it wasn't as quick as i would have hoped

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hey other Josh, try "Madonna of the rocks".

Sweet. That means I am in!

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Well... getting the sorry message doesn't mean you're "IN" because it all depends also on how long you took to complete your 24 respective puzzles. Not just the last one

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

We have to wait til may 15th!? I can't take it anymore! lol

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

man dont they know we're all waiting in anticipation now. if we filled out the form and it says we're registered, does that mean we made it? or did they just do that to everyone?

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Registration was closed at approximately 1:20pm EST

gwen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

how do you know taht's when registration closed???

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

"Registration was closed at approximately 1:20pm EST"

To think they actually said in the fine print the dead line is 1:00 tomorrow....

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

try registering again. i tried and it says it is closed

Tim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I received the closed message around 1:10pm EST.

Fl_Fulfer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It entered me ok just now. And yes it's a drawing it dosen't stop at 10,000 people. You just have to complete all the puzzles and submit your info.
   Then you'll be in the drawing.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

HELLO.. I'VE GOT THIS MESSAGE:
------------------------------------

You have sucessfully registered.
Please be sure to add davincicodequest[put at-character here]sonypictures.com
to your email address book to ensure that we will be able to contact you.

Click here to learn more about the prize you seek.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th.
Visit the Official Da Vinci Code website

   -->Julian

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think the UK folks are out of luck...found this in the rules:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. Open only to legal residents located and residing in the 50 United States and D.C., 13 years or older as of 4/17/06.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Are you sure being a finalist depends on the other puzzles? I thought it was just the last one

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Soooooo, to recap, looks like those of us who finished the Registration page will receive an email by May 15 with Phase 2 instructions. They will (probably) verify mailing address and send us our cryptex. It should arrive by May 18 with directions on how to open it. On May 19 at 1:00 EST, we can log on and start the final contest without logging off, resetting, or whatever. Our total time is tracked and the first person to submit all of the correct answers wins the booty.

Did I miss anything?

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

if you got:
You have sucessfully registered.
Please be sure to add davincicodequest[put at-character here]sonypictures.com
to your email address book to ensure that we will be able to contact you.

Click here to learn more about the prize you seek.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th.
Visit the Official Da Vinci Code website

   than u are in as a finalist

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I don't think it has to do with the total time for these, I know the final phase does, but I think this one is just the first 10,000 to complete all 24, which would basically mean if all others were finished, the first 10,000 to do the last one, lol.

gwen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

OMG i want answers this suspense is killing me

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

J-Money

>I found this forum by googling where to find the announced winners or registered finalists. Wish I had found it earlier, it's great!

What is it? Post it in here! :)
  
>The final puzzle is going to be chess, be ready

How do you know its chess?

  

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I've just tried registering again in the UK (Different email address) and it let me. So it's all done now and I'm going to the pub.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Yups!! otherwise it'd be waaaaay to much contention

"Based on Puzzle Completion time and Entry time"

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thats crap!!! if we got it we want it fair and square, we worked hard and stressed for at least 24hours to make sure we were here at 1:00 and did it as fast as we could to be in the top 10 thousand! if thats true ooohhhhh!!

iLovePuzzles [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Capanda, i think it's the person with the shortest time to submit the final puzzle-- they can't make it the "first" person, cause then the USPS would be the winning factor

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

J-Money, where is the site that has all the finalists, and how do you know the "final puzzle" is going to be chess? ...even though there will be five final puzzles :)

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

check out google bloggers. One of the puzzle creators is a regular, that was is hint for everyone

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

BEXIMUS!!!! where in the uk do you live? i really want to move to england

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the hardest challenge will be chess...

Miles [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

To the person who said that the cumulative time on the 24 puzzles is what counts, I am afraid you are wrong. From the Official Rules:

Only the first 10,000 participants who, having correctly solved all 24 Daily Puzzles during Phase 1, submit a Puzzle Completion Form (and who thereafter submit a Contest Entry Form) in accordance with these Rules before 1:00 p.m. EDT on May 11, 2006 will be deemed "Finalists."

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

HAHAHA no I mean I never knew about "blog.outer-court.com forum (this forum) until I googled for da vinci quest finalists.

Tim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I believe J-Money was talking about this. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/can-you-crack-code.html

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i was thinking north london (where they shot shaun of the dead) i think its beautiful

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Yeah, although there are five in total, the hardest one will be the chess one. Dust your chess boards folks

gwen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

definietly will be chess

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ok after scouring the rules numerous times being paranoid as I am, the final phase is 5 puzzles in a row that all finalists have to do, they have a time clock that starts whenever you start the puzzles in the two days that the final phase is open, and ends when you finish, for the final phase, the winner is the one who completed the FINAL puzzles in the shortest amount of time, but doesn't have to finish first if they start later.

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Yes, Puzzles, I agree. Which means that you could log on with your "google id" on May 20 (a day later) and finish in 10 minutes compared to the person who logged on May 19 and took 25 minutes, but finished the day before.

And I thought that would be weird that my chance to win relies on my mail! =/

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Does anyone know if we can re-play the chess challenges to see what he is talking about?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Tim: Exactly right

Solver [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

During the wait before it started, I kept ketting the scene from Star Wars going through my head . . .

Read leader flying down the death star trench, tie fighters on his tail, wingman panicking, all he keeps saying is "All most there . . . ."

I got in! Congrats to everyone else who did as well! Just chill everyone, you'll get your e-mail in 5 days, they just need to verify everyone.

Beximus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Cassie, I live in Swansea, in S. Wales. I'm not Welsh, I'm English, but Wales is a very pretty place to live.

But then, so are parts of England... :D

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

gee, ya think the brainiacs at in san jose would have anticipated a large number of contestants, and worked their servers a bit better to handle the load, 10 minutes of wasted time waiting and looking at error pages..

nice going google, i think i might have to switch to ask.com ,

anybody want 105 open gmail accounts?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

MILES:

1st 10,000" to do so (and therefore deemed to be Finalists) will be based on the Puzzle Completion Time and Contest Entry Time (defined below) applicable to each participant. The Final Phase of this

From the fine print

Tim [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

This contest reminds me of the American Express wishlist.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

MORE DETAILED:

The determination of which specific participants, from among all participants submitting Puzzle Completion Forms and Contest Entry Forms before the Phase 1 Deadline, are deemed to be the "first 10,000" to do so (and therefore deemed to be Finalists) will be based on the Puzzle Completion Time and Contest Entry Time (defined below) applicable to each participant. The Final Phase of this Contest consists of a skill-based, time-sensitive series of five (5) puzzles which must be completed sequentially (collectively, "Final Puzzle Challenge") as outlined below.

from part 2 of the official US rules

JasonR [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Keep in mind they created over 12,000 puzzles doe the challenge.. there may be 100's of variations of for each of the 5 final puzzles.

-JasonR

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well i think that whenever your done with your five challenges, post the anwsers, ill do it too. maybe (but doubtfully since the odds are 10thousand to 1) one of us will win! and i promise if i win and use someone elses anwsers, ill take you on the trip, cause i only have use for 2 tickets.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

12,358 puzzles. Fibonacci. Silly isn't it

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

BUT I CAN'T PLAY CHESS!!! I don't know those stupid rules!!! =(
The only way that I completed those challenges was by answering the questions!!!

ARGH.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

is it expencive to live there? hard to get a job? how do you feel about americans who want to be citizens? (not illegal immigrants!)

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I dunno, after readin the rules, it seems to me that they are talking about the Puzzle Completion Time as the time it takes you to submit the Puzzle Completion Form AFTER the 24th puzzle. Because the rules then talk about you submitting the Contest Entry form AFTER the Puzzle Completion Form.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yeah me too, i know nothing about chess

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It would have been nice of them to send an e-mail. I know i am one of the finalists, but there is no sense of achievement without a record of it.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Capanda: Start learning :) Yahoo chess might be good for starters

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just use a chess computer program and set up the pieces as the puzzle would have them....

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I have completed the total game..."You have sucessfully registered"...but I have received nothing...why?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Josh: hmmm yeah, you may be right. Wow then we're all in

Crypto [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well that sucks I'm pretty sure it's only the first 10,000 US residents to finish the puzzels that get a cryptex. It seems that the Australian closeing dead line is in 19 hours. And here I am up at 3am completeing the puzzel within 1 minute ....sigh..

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Hehehe...thanks, J-Money. Guess I know what I'll be doing for the next 9 days....

The pawn...now that's the little guy that you have a bunch of, right?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

yups, then you go in from the last row: rook, knight, bishop, queen or king

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I think it's only US residents who compete in the Final Phase. I believe residents elsewhere are put into a drawing for winning other prizes (Frommer's books, Sony stuff, etc.)

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im lost i got the same thing but then the rules says something about contest entry form, i fifnished the puzzle rather quickly, how long did u guys take? Does this mean im a finalist that it says that i succesfully registered

Miles [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

J-Money:

First 10,000 is based on Puzzle Completion Time, and Contest Entry Time.

Puzzle Completion Time: The timestamp on your account when you entered your Google ID after completing the last of the 24 puzzles, and hit Submit.

Contest Entry Time: The timestamp on your entry when you completed the Contest Entry Form (the one asking for your address and such) and hit Submit.

This is translated from legalese and CAPS LOCK, but it does state that, if you are among the first 10k to submit Puzzle Completion Form and Contest Entry form, you are a finalist. (No mention that I could see in the case of somebody being, for instance, #9997 on the Puzzle Completion, but #10023 on the Contest Entry)

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

we are all very sad people!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey by the way did anyone see the access hollywood "hints" they were completely useless! why did they even do that?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

So hmmmm. Where are the contest entry forms?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

So whos a finalist?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Miles: OH. Ok

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey i just saw this on a different thread, for all of you out-of-towners over the pond

Have you noticed that different countries has different prizes and rules?

US has the most expensive first prize, and there are ten thousand (!) prizes for finalist. Total arv – $428,170.54

UK version includes only 121 prizes.

AU version includes 68 prizes, and those are the cheapest one.

And there are no PL version at all ;(

flash.sonypictures.com/movies/ ...
flash.sonypictures.com/movies/ ...
flash.sonypictures.com/movies/ ...

Official Rules length:
AU version – 2,130
UK version – 3,060
US version – 33,738 (more than 15 times longer then AU!)

flash.sonypictures.com/movies/ ...
flash.sonypictures.com/movies/ ...
flash.sonypictures.com/movies/ ...

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

if any1 can help me please contact me at this im screen name smyrh428 on aim

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Cassie, looks like it was just a stupid cross promotion!

J-Money, I think the contest Entry form is the form where you put your name and address and all that jazz.

Miles [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

If you got "You are registered", you filled it out.

Information required on the Contest Entry Form consists of participant's first name, last name, email address, home mailing address including city, state and ZIP code (no P.O. boxes), date of birth, gender, telephone number (including area code) where he/she can be reached between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 26, 2006, and the Google ID used to access the Daily Puzzles (collectively, the "Entry Information").

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i have to say,it's really unfair when googles servers couldn't handle the load and nothing came up except error pages, wasting valuable time instead of being able to solve a puzzle.
  

google you suck

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

SAMY

after you finished the puzzle you would have filled out an entry form then it would take you to another screen that said you had registered.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

That's no fun then. I've kept time and it took me an average of 7 minutes per puzzle. Should have saved the synapses for just today. Who knows I would have probably done it in 30 seconds :)

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

so basically every1 who got "You are registered" then ur a finalist

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

geeze i hope i put in the right google id as of yesterday i didnt know it 'cause i just automatically signed in. that would so suck.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Looks like it Samy

gwen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ummm is your google id your email address or just the name before your email address??? gmail that is

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thats what we think samy

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i hope its your email address cause thats what i put in

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thanks cassie,

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

and same here i put in my email adress b cuz it said the name you SIGN IN with being ur email adress

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

umm ok maybe i was wrong? it kept saying over and over the quest had ended, so i kept trying to re submit my registration form, and it finally accepted the registration. then took me to another page about the prize i seek. does this seem a bit odd? anyone else have this happen? and this was over a period of maybe 15 minutes

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it's the same... email in google is your login...! hey there are people saying the got a SORRY message.. i JUST registered with another account (another person that was playing too and asked me the favor) (2PM) AND I GOT the congrats message again...

Amy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I know this has already been said, but I have to vent...

I'm very upset that Google couldn't handle the traffic. I couldn't get to the puzzle for a long time and then only finished submitting at 1:19 (EST). I hope I made it, but think that I probably missed it due to the time lost being locked out. very sad...

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i tried to register again and it says that i have already registered

finalist [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i got a confirmation email stating that i am a finalist. did anybody else get that notification?

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I guess I am in, it says "Sorry, you have already entered." LOL, waiting for that combination thingy!
>I think you can just enter the id(w/o the @gmail.com), if you are not a Gmail user, enter the full email address.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Amy

congrats message?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

you butthole you already got one!!!

Amy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #


finalist – how soon did you submit your entry form?

Has anyone else gotten an email?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Finalist

What time did u finish ur puzzle and completion form???

iLovePuzzles [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think Finalist is just trying to get us all worked up--

Finalist-- can you paste the contents of your email confirmation here?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i finished by 1:05 and havent gotten anything yet! what kind of e-mail do you have cause probally gmail gets theirs first

Jeni [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Where do you guys find the time stamp? I completed really fast, but forgot to look for the official timstamp, so am not sure what the official time was.

ghostrider66 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

amy,

might keep trying, i kept trying to resubmit for about 15 minutes, and it finally accepted.

Miles [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I smell a troll named "finalist". The rules state that we won't be notified until "on or about May 15, 2006"

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i posted as soon as i hit submit on my entry form and looked at the time of the post which means i finished sometime between 01:04 and 01:05

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im not sure if there is an official time stamp, i do however think that google should post all 10thousand finalists so we know

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finished at 1:02 and I havn't recieved email yet......so I'm saying Finalist is what we like to call BULLSHIT

finalist [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i finished mie at 1:03 i have a gmail account

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yeah go away if you want to toy with our emotions, i bet you couldnt even figure out any puzzles past 4 if any

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

anyone else have gmail?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

SEND US A COPY OF UR MESSAGE 2 PROVE IT

i dont remember what time i finished i kno i did it really fast.. im freakin out

Jeni [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Notification: Phase 1: Finalists will be notified by email on or about May 15, 2006 and at time of receipt of their Finalist Prize which will be shipped by postal mail to be received by May 18, 2006.

That's from the official rules. And I have gmail, and have not recieved anything yet. I think we just all need to be a little more patient. :o)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

so i was just thinking weve all helped each other out so much through all this (you guys helped me more than i helped you because i didnt even discover this game until game 17 and had to play serious catch up) but we dont know anything about each other, so who is everyone?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i think that if ur not a finalist they would at least send a formal email back

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im Cassie, im 23, i live in ohio, and im a married mother of 2. little girl: colleen 3
little boy: connor 11 months

AmyDee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Okay...i'm way out of it then...I finished at 1:04 CST...I gat a congrats! please fill this out form....nothing about finalist though...just to win the cryptex....phooey!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im samy 14 ny, Midwood High, Skipped skool 2day just for this, been in love w/ puzzles and codes since grade 6 and will be my area of study

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it never says your a finalist it just says your registered or sorry. thats what we're all worried about

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i will go crazy if i dont get in, mising a day of school on report card day(probably got a 95 average)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

what if it ends at 1:20 in each time zone? then we could be really screwed, cause for her to finish at 1:04 cst and still register, thats 1 hour after it closed for all of us

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i registered again

rach [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

is there a way to find a timestamp on your submit page? i forgot to look at when i finished.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea same here

rach [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

sigh...frustrating.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Wow......looks like alot of confusion has been going on about timestamps, rules, time zones, whether people were finalists or not, etc...Atleast you finished all the puzzles, just sit back and wait to find out if you were a finalist or not.....all the stress won't help.....if you need more assistance about your stress, I suggest you use Dr. Google or Google Health! :)

AmyDee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Did everybody's registation page look the same? Mine said something like:
Please fill out the form below for the drawing for the cryptex repilac and to see if you are worthy of continuing the quest and competing for riches untold....

if we can determine if we all had the same thing...it could help

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im afraid to register again incase it messes something up, i wish i stopped to read the fine print though. damn me for being so excited when i saw it!

AmyDee [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

and there's also the fact that there were 10,000 spots...we may think that eceryone else is doing this, but we could be wrong....

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

YES MINE SAYS THE SAME THING

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I am in the same boat Cassie, I was in such a hurry that I didn't want to read everything!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

really cause we got alot of spots

finalist [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am sorry group i provided the wrong information earlier. The assumed the congratulations message was a confirmation that I was a finalist but I was wrong.

This is an extract from the rules:

A Contest Entry Form containing complete Entry Information and correctly submitted by a participant in accordance with these Official Rules shall be deemed the Official Contest Entry ("Entry") of the Contest participant submitting it, (TO ME THAT MEANS EVERY PERSON WHO COMPLETES ALL 24 PUZZLES CAN FILL THE FORM NO MATTER WHEN YOU FINISH IT)

but he/she shall be deemed a "Finalist" only if he/she was among the first 10,000 participants to submit a Puzzle Completion Form (ONLY THE FIRST 10,000).

So none of us will know if we are finalists today. So just relax and go back to work.

All Finalists will be notified and will receive a Finalist Prize as described below

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

unless of course none of us are finalists and we all have our heads up our bums

Amy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

the fact that Google crashed with all of the trafic at 1pm suggests that there was an overwhelming amount of people trying to access it right away. And, I think it's safe to assume that Google can generally handle a lot of traffic. I think the 10,000 finished entering a very long time ago!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/registration/weighanhawu/us/

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/registration/weighanhawu/us/thankyou.php

LMC [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

From the Official Rules:

"Daily Puzzles may be solved in any order the participant wishes before 1:00 p.m. EDT on May 11, 2006 ("Phase 1 Deadline"). "

May 11 is *tomorrow*.

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Oh, now I feel better! I thought I lost my chance to be a finalist!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

copied from the "official rules c/o davincicodequest.whatever"

   Only the first 10,000 participants who, having correctly solved all 24 Daily Puzzles during Phase 1, submit a Puzzle Completion Form (and who thereafter submit a Contest Entry Form) in accordance with these Rules before 1:00 p.m. EDT on May 11, 2006 will be deemed "Finalists." Only Finalists are eligible to advance to the Final Phase.

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

But later i tried to regester again to make sure i did it correctly typing so fast to be in and the second time it said soory the davinchi quest is over. so I think if you got the submit screen you are in?

finalist [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

LMC is right the puzzle will go on untill tomorrow.

Samy the link to the registration page dosen't matter, cause google has been tracking the status since day 1. The registration form is to only get information about you.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

did u guys click the link i sent that is wat i got

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

more from the "official rules"

The determination of which specific participants, from among all participants submitting Puzzle Completion Forms and Contest Entry Forms before the Phase 1 Deadline, are deemed to be the "first 10,000" to do so (and therefore deemed to be Finalists) will be based on the Puzzle Completion Time and Contest Entry Time (defined below) applicable to each participant.

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

And I got the game over screen at 1:13.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

This thread is by far the longest thread in the forum with 573 posts so far, and it beats the second longest, GMail Horror Stories, by 223 posts, thats alot!

Anyway, there seems to be new posts every minute right now, so the number is still escalating! :)

finalist [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Nick 1:13 is good time. Don't worry about it you will get an official notification before this weekend

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

even more

ONCE PARTICIPANT FILLS IN HIS/HER GOOGLE ID AND CLICKS "SUBMIT" ON THE PUZZLE COMPLETION FORM, HIS/HER SUBMISSION WILL BE TIME-STAMPED AND WILL BE DEEMED PARTICIPANT'S OFFICIAL PUZZLE COMPLETION TIME ("PUZZLE COMPLETION TIME"). AFTER A PARTICIPANT HAS SUBMITTED HIS/HER PUZZLE COMPLETION FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THE PARTICIPANT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DIRECTED TO A SEPARATE CONTEST ENTRY FORM ("CONTEST ENTRY FORM") WHICH THE PARTICIPANT MUST COMPLETE CORRECTLY AND IN FULL BY THE PHASE 1 DEADLINE IN ORDER TO BE DEEMED A POTENTIAL FINALIST. CONTEST ENTRY FORM WILL BE TIME-STAMPED AND WILL BE DEEMED PARTICIPANT'S OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY TIME ("CONTEST ENTRY TIME"). THE DETERMINATION OF WHICH PARTICIPANTS ARE DEEMED POTENTIAL FINALISTS ELIGIBLE TO CONTINUE TO THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CONTEST DEPENDS ON HOW SOON EACH PARTICIPANT WHO HAS SOLVED ALL 24 DAILY PUZZLES CORRECTLY SUBMITS HIS/HER CORRECTLY FILLED OUT PUZZLE COMPLETION FORM AND THEREAFTER SUBMITS A CONTEST ENTRY FORM. ONLY THE FIRST 10,000 PARTICIPANTS WHO SUBMIT A PUZZLE COMPLETION FORM (AND WHO THEREAFTER SUBMIT A CONTEST ENTRY FORM) ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE FINAL PHASE.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

this of course is the most important to all of us right now:

THE DETERMINATION OF WHICH PARTICIPANTS ARE DEEMED POTENTIAL FINALISTS ELIGIBLE TO CONTINUE TO THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CONTEST DEPENDS ON HOW SOON EACH PARTICIPANT WHO HAS SOLVED ALL 24 DAILY PUZZLES CORRECTLY SUBMITS HIS/HER CORRECTLY FILLED OUT PUZZLE COMPLETION FORM AND THEREAFTER SUBMITS A CONTEST ENTRY FORM. ONLY THE FIRST 10,000 PARTICIPANTS WHO SUBMIT A PUZZLE COMPLETION FORM (AND WHO THEREAFTER SUBMIT A CONTEST ENTRY FORM) ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE FINAL PHASE.

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

great, it was a fun game, the cryptex would be so cool. I wonder if google will release the number of players stats etc later.

finalist [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

So the only thing that is important is the contest completion time......as long as you complete the contest entry form and you are the 1st 10000 to finish the 24 puzzles u r in.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Good stuff. I had been confused if the time was counted on both the Puzzle Completion form and the Contest Entry form, but reading it again makes it seem that it is only the time on the Puzzle Completion form that counts.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well lets all wish each other good luck and keep our fingers crossed for the next FOUR days!!! uuuugggghhhhh! they need to tell us now!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Finalists will be notified by email on or about May 15, 2006 and at time of receipt of their Finalist Prize which will be shipped by postal mail to be received by May 18, 2006. If the Finalist Prize or email notification to a particular Finalist is returned as undeliverable, or if he/she is found to be ineligible to participate in the Final Phase, and/or is deemed not to have complied with these Official Rules, such Finalist will be disqualified, and time permitting, the participant with the next earliest time-stamp will be permitted to participate in the Final Phase.

So i guess we have to wait

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Why I've finished the game and I haven't received the mail??? I don't know what to think...

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yep, the waiting game is always the hard part...

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Marco, you won't receive an email until on or around May 15th.

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

ok I only filled out one form was there 2 and if so where is the other one???

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

nope just the one

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thrers only 1 form , i read the rules over

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

well it says puzzle completion and entry form that form was a "2-in-1"

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

...so nobody has received the mail?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Since you guys are constantly posting here :), I suggest you use the Chat feature of Google Blogoscoped in order to communicate more efficiently... :)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it was the blue "submit" button before you got to the entry form

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

no1 will receive an email until may 15, 2006

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

we should use the chat feature

molly deatrick [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the last question is the virgin of the rocks, isn't it? i've put it in every way i can think of and it still says it's wrong!!! What's going on...is that what you guys got? i'm getting mad!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

madonna of the rocks

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Molly, it is 'Madonna of the Rocks'

I hate to say this to you, but the 10,000 finalists submitted a long time ago... :)

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

leonardo da vinci didnt paint virgin of the rocks, it was someone else, he modified it to place his own secret within it, you should check it out and when u get this post try to tell us everything that you fill in every detail so we will be more confident and up to date

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Thanks Samy...

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

DID EVERY1 here READ THE BOOK?????

molly deatrick [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

thanks...gosh i'm soooooo mad!!! where did you find that? everything i saw only said virgin of the rocks!! i'm pissed! i've been playing this every day!

molly deatrick [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i didn't!

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well, the third clue was an anagram of "So Dark the Con of Man", since there is no "v" in there, it couldn't have been the Virgin on the Rocks.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea its said in the book, virgin of the rocks and madonna of the rocks are two different paintings and ...... It always helps to expand your mind on these topics, it will be necessary for the final phase (im onli 14, i probably wont win)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes, I read the book, pretty excellent book. Now I want to read Angels and Demons, and the yet to come Solomon Key, both of which have Robert Langdon as the main character. :)

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yeah just finished the book, started devils and angels. didn't realize langdon was in it too. so maybe ongoing series?

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah, I still haven't read Angels & Demons either, but I have it at home to read soon. Can't wait for the next book too

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Angels and Demons if very excellent... one of the greatest books ever published along with Da Vinci code.....i will go to the book signing of Solomon key since i live in NY

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I read Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and now I'm reading Deception Point (in Italy La Verità del Ghiaccio)...my favourite is Angels and Demons...fantastic!

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Angels and demons is a better book in my opinion

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Marco, does Deception Point also feature Robert Langdon??

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i actually tried 2 read deception point but i found it very boring and not as good as the rest

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

(I had to go to class but I'm re-joining the conversation!)

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

no robert in dec. pt

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

So... why aren't we using the chat again? :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Lol....we should really use chat.. :)

Everyone go there.......3...........2.............1.........NOW! :)

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Cause it is creepy and disturbing!

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

haha it sure is. If we do go, which room?

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

No Jay...there isn't Robert Langdon in Deception Point...but the book is interesting and I think that it could became a great movie!

Freaky [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I hope I made it, Shit no e-mail. Damn my computer crashed!!!. ARRRRGGG I beat my children with the keyboard!!! the f key does not work anymore I wonder if I made it!!! Why dont they E-Mail me. I am gonna shoot some heroin to calm down. FUUUUUKKK!!! :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Thnx Marco... :)

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Freaky, calm down man....the email won't go out until on or around the 15th.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Jay Amin: is that supposed to be "Jammin"?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Nope......Jay is my first name, and Amin is my last name.. lol :)

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Wow, great name if you ask me, Jammin

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

(Said with an attitude)

Freaky [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I of course was just kidding. But on a serious note. I really enjoyed just doing the puzzles. It would be cool if a site would do this... maybe have prizes. Hmmm I have an idea..... If it was made how many would play?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

hmm maybe with a bit of jamaican accent in there too hehehe

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

My friend from UIC started this same idea 6 years ago, a website with puzzles in it. You get tired of making them up after a while. Especially if you're going solo.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

If you do and it's just for fun it would really have to be something challenging and rewarding + original at the same time. Tough.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I'd definitely be in

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I made a riddle recently on my site for puzzlers wanting more. Only 8 levels so far.

http://riddle.davyson.com

David E. [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I'm just thinking out loud. It occurred to me on the way to lunch that several of the puzzles types (not including the follow-up questions) are good fodder for an automated solution search: Symbol, Restoration, Curator, Chess, even Geography if you're dedicated. If you had the skills, you could also write symbol-recognition code to take a bitmap image of the puzzle (from a screen capture) as input. (Well, maybe not for the geography since that would take manipulation to uncover the shape outlines.)

I wonder if anybody is planning to use such tools to help them solve the final challenge, and whether the folks at Google have considered this and modified the final versions to make them less susceptible to such an approach? It's also possible that the final phase will include new types of puzzles.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Thnx J-Money, I'll consider to start using your Jamaican accent suggestion, ;)

Lillaneth [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

LOST. THE RECEDA CUBE.
REWARD
$200,000

www.perplexcity.com

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

{ just looking at my stats very quickly – it looks like only one person made it past level 1 to level 2 }

I guess this is the end of this thread really. It has certainly been a long one. The longest ever I believe! The Google Da Vinci Code Quest was pretty good overall and clearly a win for both parties – Google products everywhere in the puzzle and all about the Da Vinci code film.

Nice one Google.

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I read Angles & Demons right after finishing D'V Code. LOVED it. Even with knowing how Brown leads you to think the wrong person is the bad guy, I was still surprised at the end of A & D! He's a fun and clever writer. I think they should make THAT one into a movie!

Flump [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Is anyone here gonna post the answers?

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam: this riddle site of yours is tough... but please don't spoil it with any clues!

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am wondering how many people have entered this contest. I would love for Google to post how many participants they had. I'd actually just like to know how many people have personalized homepages, since it's been out just about a year now. (maybe a week or so more). I got my puzzle in and entry form submitted by 1:10pm this afternoon, but even that seems a bit late to me. I kept seeing a different name for the same art piece as my puzzle solution.. and that didn't work.... I doubt I got into the finalists, but I really would like a cryptex.

IAnyway, love these puzzles! Way to go google. I tried the other da vinci code quest, it was sort-of stupid and used waaay too much media variation. I didn't appreciate having to call New York and stare at fake business websites. Still it was interesting.

I hope this google one spawns a bunch of new quests like it. In Flash, I love Flash! Plus I love the mystery behind them and the subject is just so intriguing.

Good luck to all.. I've got my fingers crossed for the 15th!
I want to hear if anyone gets in!
~Kristen

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Flump: to what? Da vinci code puzzle? They are all available in this thread:

http://blogoscoped.com/forum/27053-full.html

Tony: My lips are sealed :)

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

...however I think I won't continue this game because in the form, in the State menu, Italy there wasn't...

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Sam it doesn't show me the first question........it just says coming in 2006

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Italy is not a STATE it's country.......just wanted to throw that out there

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Going to try yours now Sam.. wish me luck.. and don't laugh if I take AGES to complete it ;)

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam: I'm stuck on Level 2 at the moment. I think I know what I'm supposed to be doing but haven't quite done it yet ;-)

Retard [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So funny – the name of the painting isn't madonna of the rocks but virgin of the rocks, at least according to the national gallery in the uk!

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

LOL what an idiot I am I found the question and know the answer just not sure how your riddle wants it

by the way Sam do you remove the /start at the end of the URL to place in your answer?

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

sorry...Italy there wasn't in Country menu

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

NickG – yes you do.

If you read the rules (/rules) you will find this info there.

Anyone saying there is no first level, or it is coming in 2006, or whatever – the riddle is up now up to level 8. You just need to look a little harder.

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam – I'm on Level 3 now :-)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Tony & everyone: you are all doing a great job!! Keep working through.

Disclaimer that I should probably raise at this stage: this riddle is pretty new. I have tested it with a few friends in the past but this is by far the biggest load of people playing it. There may be flaws in clues or whatever I am sorry about these – submit all bugs etc to the email address on the site.

Marco [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

"...THIS CONTEST IS OFFERED ONLY IN THE 50 STATES OF THE U.S. AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ("D.C."), AND IS INTENDED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THOSE AREAS ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU ARE NOT A CURRENT LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THOSE AREAS. THIS CONTEST SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND GOVERNED ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE U.S...."

...I have partecipated to this game for nothing...I live in Italy...and I didn't read this before...24 games & puzzle resolved...for nothing...

...but I enjoyed myself!

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am about at wits end with level 1... I get so flustered so easily with this type of stuff. :x

I do enjoy it though.. and refuse to cheat... and i did read the rules (which helped a lot).. ;) .. so right now i'm just stupid...

Cheers to stupidity

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

If you did read the rules (which I believe you in that you did) then you will have noticed that this riddle is hard. So no one is stupid. Even if you cant get level 1 you are not stupid.

Glad you are enjoying it! The answers are out there. I think there are two people on level 3 now. Nice!!

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got to 1.5.. LOL I've tried about everything I can think of... must be easier than I'm thinking.. I go too indepth...

with that triangle one I was thinking there would be a name for the angles drawn on the vitruvian man... I knew it was the Fibacci or however it's spelled code, I'm geeky enough to know that code ... but squares? Man, I felt sooooooo stupid..

I'm thinking I need to simplify here too..

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

*was = wasn't... i wish I could think and read as fast as I can type.. :x

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

If you are at the 1.5 I think you are at then all you need to do is do what it tells you. But there are a few 1.5s (I *think*). Some are much closer to the solution to others.

You may just be entering the answer wrongly for example. You must delete "start".

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I replaced the start.. I got that far.. at least... I'm edging in on the answers.. with time I'll get it ;)

I've got an idea for another round for you.. I love these things..

Oooh, side note.. we're getting a thunderstorm.. I love to watch thunderstorms :) :)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

(I have updated the 1.5 pages so they have unique names. What is the new name of the level you are at?)

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

1.5a1

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Ah ok. A full honest, professional analysis:

You are miles off. – Keep trying.

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

now I got 1.5a2 too

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Better :) It is the 1.5a2 that is more important. I am not saying anything more.

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

:) :) If the hints go through 30, I will hit all 30 before I realize the real answer ;)

That's

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

that's just me...

::disables laptop mousepad::... i've mistakenly clicked too many things today

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Boy that was close! I really need a page there actually.

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

LMAO, tracking me?

I finally got it.. level 2, here I am

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Aggregate all of the URLs requested to make the .5 levels. So yes – I am tracking.

Congrats.

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I hate to tell you I spent a few minutes there wondering if you'd spelled a certain word wrong.. considering your choices of hints

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Ok, point taken. – don't go into in depth feedback here. There is an email address for that :)

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have used it... I feel bad clogging up da vinci talk anyway..

I wish someone would made another quest like this... anyone game to help me make one?

kevin [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

after i completed the last stage of the davinci quest ...i filled out th puzzle completion form, but no contest entry form came up...is this supposed to happen

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam Davyson, can you post a link to your puzzles.. thnx :)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Not sure. I couldn't make mine submit at all.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Sam, I don't get it. What does the first level want?! I don't expect you to tell me I just need to vent.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam, I don't understand your web riddle either, what do I do from here? --

the web riddle

Coming in Summer 2006 to this very space is a web riddle. Right now I am working very hard to make sure that it's the hardest riddle out there. Complete with just enough levels for it to be possible, and enough to keep you entertained for a while.

User suggestions for levels are welcome.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay: I guess you found the link! http://riddle.davyson.com.

VP/Jay: You are supposed to move to the next level. How you do that is explained in the rules. But exactly what you do requires some detective work. That is all I am saying.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Sam: Are you kidding?? What kind of detective work? the source is transparent at best.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

No I am not kidding! You need to find the clues and then use them to find the next level. Aimlessly guessing is unlikely to get you the right page... :D

ChocolateyKisses [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got to level 2.. took me a bit, but I did it!!!

Keep trying!!!! and read the rules!!!

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

so, did anyone get a confirmation e-mail yet?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Wait, so the page I am at rught now has clues to it? And I have to replace 'start' in the url to advance? Wow......they must be some pretty discreet clues! :(

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Ruffus: Yes I think they did get some confirmations (way upwards).

Jay: Yes there are clues. But consider:

"Some riddles proudly call themselves "fair", some hide clues in pictures, in the source, or in audio. In this riddle I am not even telling you where clues might be hidden. Find out yourself."

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

ok, so it's not in the source, it's not in the pictures, and it's not in the audio since you're not telling us

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Sam, can there be spaces in the answer

For example, if the answer was sam davyson

http://riddle.davyson.com/sam davyson

or

http://riddle.davyson.com/samdavyson

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

No. I don't mean that. I mean to give you some ideas about where clues might be. When I say pictures I don't mean /pictures. When I say the source I don't mean /source. When I say audio I don't mean /audio. The clues for level 1 are all in ONE of these media (picts/source/audio).

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay: All answers are a single word.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Congrats to you Sam! You made one hell of a riddle! I'm still stuck on the first one! :)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Thanks! Seriously it is solvable in 2 steps. 1// Locate the Clue. 2// Do what it says.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I know. dang. Armenia? Iran? Iraq? war?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

There are a few of you banging on at this right now. I can't wait until one of you gets it. Please stop guessing. Find the clue (some of you have). Then do as it instructs. (J-M: Don't get too specific here please).

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am killing myself over this! How can there be a clue in the picture, source or audio when there are no pics or audio, but what do you mean by source??

Lol

An J-Money, where did you come up with Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and war?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

This: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Ok. Right Click. "View Source". See you on level 2.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

One of you nearly got it. Just missed one little thing.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Very clever Sam, hiding stuff in the source, amking it so you can't see it! :)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay: The tricky bit starts now if you have just found the clue...

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

After you replace start with the answer (I finally got it!), do you replace the answer again or put the new answer after the old answer(Once again I got it! YAY!) :)

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

im at 1.5a1 what do i do now?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Always replace. But Jay I have some bad news I think. Are you sure you got it? And that you weren't really at (one of the) level 1.5's?

Y Parsons [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Does anyone know what the "true Italian city is". I have entered every major city in Italy and Europe with no success.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

so the 1.5's aren't the right answers?

lala [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hey there, glad to find people talking about the quest. Since I don't think I made the first 10,000, I am concentrating on my sadness that the puzzles are over. I've been writing my own "live action" puzzle games for a few years and would love feed back from a few of you. I have a little bit of info on a website, but would gladly send out more to anyone who was willing to try a game out on some friends and let me know how it goes. Not nearly as intriguing and Sam's but fun all the same! www.occasionalgenius.com

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Y Parsons: Some guesses: florence, venice, pisa, rome, napoli...

VP: They are hinters. They show you are on the right _track_. So they are "right". But they are not the final answer. If you hit a 1.5 you know that the avenue you were pursuing might be worth a look. Particularly with 1.5a2.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yea...level 1.5a1 :(And now I am even more stumped, nothin in the source either.. :(

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Lala: Nice website. I may have a closer look tomorrow. I must go to bed now. So all you riddlers on my site now... I expect to see you on level 2 at least by tomorrow. Good luck.

TheOne [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

In the puzzle oof the 23 day I dont understand what classical sequence is requesting... I was hopefully to be one of the 10, 000, but now I can see that I can't, so only I want to end all the puzzle to be satisfy with my self

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Square numbers I think!

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the sequence is 'squares'.

look at the normal numbers 0, 1, 2, 3,

now square them 0, 1, 4, 9

hence squares

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

What does 'true italian city' have to do with Sam's riddle? what did you guys replace start with?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Hey guys, we are posting comments about Sam's riddle in The Ca Vinci Code Quest Forum' I'll start a new thread about it.. :)

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay: That is the Da Vinci Quest. Please don't say any answers on this forum, it might ruin it for others. Exchange ideas by email perhaps or IM.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Huh:::::::::::::;what do you mean that it is the Da Vinci quest?? I am am disturbingly confused right now! :(

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

ok i need to study for a final maybe ill try again later

allfizzle [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Help with the last part of 1... what is langdon referring to? and how many books are there in the flash back?! thanks

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think there are 2 books.

allfizzle [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

thanks got it :)

Yar [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

And he's referring to So Dark the Con of Man
I can't figure out the anagram, can anyone help he out with that?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

It is: Madonna of the rocks

liv [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Translate red herring to Italian = aringhe rosse

Toddg [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well, for some stupid reason, I thought the final puzzle for the DV Code was tomorrow. I got my final answer in at about 3 pm EDT. I'm guardedly optomistic.

If you've finished the Google webquest, check out the original Da Vinci Code Webquest. It is much more like playing detective. Go to

http://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/davinci/index-ctc.html

It is really a blast. My only advice is "Don't be afraid to try anything". Good luck.

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

This forum is great, I wish I had found it sooner as I just finished the last puzzle. Not bad for only starting the first on yesterday.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey guys i found a new da vinci contest, go to www.nbc.com and click on the link (ad) for the di vinci contest. its different and its fun. plus there are 100s of prizes to win and you get three chances to get the prizes.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

did you guys JUST start playing it? the quest on google?

Videlicet [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

If I just got in my last DVCQ puzzle, do I still have a chance?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Can anyone unscramble the anagram: "The Purest Pals" :)

V [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The Purest Pals – The Last Supper

no good to me though – i don't live in the USA so can't enter for prizes!

Art-One [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

C.f. http://blogoscoped.com/forum/31198.html#id31231

BTW The Google Search on my profile page has nothing to do with me...

Worried [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Oh god oh GOD. Did I make it? I wonder if I got it in on time. I registered 4 times, it says It was closed though. Did I type in the password correctly? I wonder. Crap my dog came by on the 3rd registration and nudged me. Damn him. I will take care of him later. That damn mutt. If I lose I swear I will beat him with a hammer. The small end. Oh god... man I wish I hope I pray!!! Langdon is so hot did I say that out loud. GOD WHERE IS MY E-MAIL?!?!?!

Antigen [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Sam – Very nice looking riddle so far! I found level 2 and now I see there were "hint levels" in between?! Is this something used throughout your riddle or just on the first level to help people "get going"?

I feel like I'm so close to solving level two, but none of my guesses so far have worked. I'm probably trying to overthink it, aargh! This has already challenged me more than any of the davinci google puzzles! :)

Nice work!

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Antigen: There are hint levels throughout. But more so towards the beginning since I have more stats to know what people think that answer might be for those levels. I think levels 5 – 8 have very few hints. Level 2 is a tricky one – good luck!

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

On the NBC site, the rules say that there are 4 different anagrams/puzzles. But if I go to the website, I can only get the Last Supper one. Does that mean we can only enter once on the site?

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

so...we have to wait until the 15th to get our answer about the confirmation?

JasonR [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well Post solution registration has finally ended.
"Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. We hope you had fun.

If you enjoyed the Quest, then you won't want to miss The Da Vinci Code movie, in theaters on May 19. "

I wonder if we will get notice prior to the Cryptex showing up at our door.

-J

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Damnit I know I'm on the right track cause I got the hint page.......just not clicking in my head

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

where are you, Im at level 1.5a2, and i am really lost!

Annunaki [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Log in to your google account and then go to the following URL. Does yours say what mine says?

http://www.google.com/davincicode

---

Congratulations! It appears that you have received our message and have completed all 24 puzzles. In order to reach the end of the Quest and be rewarded with untold riches you must quickly and correctly complete the Final Challenge.

The one to complete the Final Challenge in the least amount of time will be our chosen one. Beginning at 1pm EDT on May 19th, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th. Visit the official movie website at www.SoDarkTheConOfMan.com.

Anonymous [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah, mine says that too.

...Is this a sign of an email to come??? I submitted my registration ~ 1:35 EST yesterday, so I hope I'm one of the 10,000. I've got my eye set on one of those handy cryptexes ;)...

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Was that message on your personalized google webpage?

Anonymous [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

No – on my personalized Google page, it says "Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. We hope you had fun.
If you enjoyed the Quest, then you won't want to miss The Da Vinci Code movie, in theaters on May 19." where the module normally goes. However, after logging in using my Google account and heading to www.google.com/davincicode, I get the "Congratulations" message. Oooh boy, this is exciting! Anyone else getting the same thing?

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. We hope you had fun.
If you enjoyed the Quest, then you won't want to miss The Da Vinci Code movie, in theaters on May 19.

This is what I have on my page. Guess I didn't make the cut!

wacko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The message is only available if you click on the link....I think they are trying to figure out if it is available to everyone that has a google account or only to those who are finalists. I haven't checked but am guessing its available to all.

wacko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm referring to the link above in Annunaki's post.

Jeni [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

hmmm... that's interesting. If you aren't logged in, and you click on that link, it takes you to the google login page. If you log in as someone who hasn't been participating in the quest thus far, it takes you to a 403 error. And if I log in as me, I get that congrats message. I wonder what happens if you log in as someone who was participating but didn't finish the quest? Or finished but really late? Just a thought. I think somehow that page is where you will find the final puzzles once you have to start, but am not sure who it is available to right now.

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

so no one has gotten an email yet?

duke [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

not I, but the fact that we can get to that site at all make me believe that we are in.

Gubblebum [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can get into that site too, and I had finished at about 1:05 yesterday. What would be really helpful is if a few people that didn't enter until very late can confirm whether or not they can get in. Anybody submit close to the 1pm end of the contest today?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i think thats where the final puzzle is gonna be, because if you read in the address bar it switches to "http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_too_early.html"

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i was an hour and a half late and can get to the site

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

anyway it says FINAL PUZZLE TOO EARLY

megan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I can get to that "Congratualtions" message and mine wasn't submitted until almost 1:30pm EST (I can't access it at work, so I had to have DH log in and do it for me).

I'm guessing anyone could get that message.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I've asked someone who didn't participate at all to log in and try to get to the site. I'll post his results when he gets back to me, if no one else posts similar results before then.

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_too_early.html

me [PersonRank 8]

18 years ago #

i'm confused by you all, i've completed all 24 tasks, are you saying i need to do something else?

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

well i guess it takes awhile to get out 10,000 remails

ryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

how did you get this link: www.google.com/davincicode ?

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I had a friend try to go to that url...she didn't finish the last puzzle because she had a lunch meeting yesterday (bummer). So, this is the message she got:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google.

We're sorry, but in order to compete in the Final Challenge you must have completed the previous 24 puzzles correctly and registered prior to 1pm (EST) on May 11th.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I had to work and could not finish until late last night. Here is what is on my google page:

Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. We hope you had fun.
If you enjoyed the Quest, then you won't want to miss The Da Vinci Code movie, in theaters on May 19.

No congrats or anything

Annunaki [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It was one of the original links to start the Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. Everybody went to that site to register to start the game.

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I dont think you have to do anything else, me. If you are one of the 10,000, they will notify you and you will have the final 5 challenges to complete

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ruffus posted : We're sorry, but in order to compete in the Final Challenge you must have completed the previous 24 puzzles correctly and registered prior to 1pm (EST) on May 11th.

Looks more and more like this message is generic...definitely more than 10,000 people registered before 1pm today.

So that's my pessimistic view.

But the optimistic side – it does say : "Congratulations! It appears that you have received our message and have completed all 24 puzzles." ... but I didn't receive any message yet. So that's optimistic – perhaps a happy email will be coming in on May 15th??? The waiting game is harder than any of the puzzles thusfar...

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

OK I went to google.com/davinci code and this is the messge I found there.

Congratulations! It appears that you have received our message and have completed all 24 puzzles. In order to reach the end of the Quest and be rewarded with untold riches you must quickly and correctly complete the Final Challenge.

The one to complete the Final Challenge in the least amount of time will be our chosen one. Beginning at 1pm EDT on May 19th, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner

Does this mean that I am In????????

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

DAVINCI – That's what my friend who didn't complete the challenge saw at the google.com/davincicode, I get the congratulations message. I'm thinking that means I'm in. Unless we can have someone try it who registered at the last minute today, that's the theory I'm sticking with.

Can't wait to get my cryptex.

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i found same message

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Yeah, I got the "congratulations, it appears..." message when I first entered my answer (started 13:02, finished 13:08, then had to re-enter all my answers due to a spam-blocker problem, argh, finished AGAIN at about 13:11). I went directly to the entry form and filled it out. Today after 1 p.m. my message changed to the "We hope you had fun" message. No confirmation of being a finalist, but also nothing conclusive suggesting I am not one.

The only part that bugs me is that when I completed the last puzzle, it directed me to go and register "and find out if you've won a cryptex" (or become a finalist, or something --I didn't keep a copy of the screen). But I didn't "find out" or "learn" anything at all.

It's not like I need another silly toy, but I still would like to know! :)

Craig [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So, it sounds like most people are finishing each puzzle in around 2-5 mins...I'm trying to gauge what the "winning time" will be if we assume similar questions / level of difficulty etc...I worked on each daily puzzle around at work during lunch and it took me an average of 7-10 mins, which I thought was good, until I read this thread....

Craig [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

On a sIde note to a comment made earlier – the adminisrtator of the program is aWarding the 10,000 fInaLists with a Cryptex vaLued at US$30. IRS regualation alloW for NDG (Non-Dollar Gift) prIzes under $50 with No tax obligation. Prizes above US$51 have implied tax obligations. ThIs meaNs that aS the Grand PrIze is valued at $128,170.54, the winner will be taxed accordinGly. The rules state tHaT the wInner will be preSented wIth an IRS 1099 form, which further inDicated undEr current regulations, that this tax burden will be lumped in with your current income. So, if you are not bored of this yet and are still with me... Say you make US$50,000 / year and pay an average of US$7,000 in taxes a year, your income for 2006 will be $128,170.54 + $50,000 for a whopping $178,170.54. CONGRATULATIONS....Oh wait, since you only paid $7,000 on your taxes, you will owe the IRS another, say, $40K in taxes on your winnings...

They, not sure who they is, say that a tax problem is a good problem to have.

I would pay $40K for all those prizes anyway.......Good Luck to the 9,999 other contestants.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I know my average actually bumped up to 5.5 after completing the last five puzzles in lightening speed... before that it was 10 minutes or so. then I read the rules and buckled down to business. I'm thinking the winner is going to have to deadlock at 3 minutes first, then a second challenge is gonna separate them. Out of 10,000? it's bound to happen.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Personally, I think I was too late to have made the top 10,000. I mean, it's possible, but from what it sounds like the first 10,000 found the answers online within 1 minute of the puzzle, and I didn't get home until half an hour later. So the question remains ... why am I getting this "Congratulations!" message?

It's possible, like I said ... but ... still.

And my heart stopped today when a UPS man showed up outside my door and handed a package to me that was addressed to me. I thought it was the cryptex, and was wondering why it was so soon, but it turns out it wasn't. False alarm.

May 15th can't come fast enough.

someone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I submitted mine about 10:03 (PST), so I imagine I'm proably one of the first. But I wish Google'd be quicker about letting us know. How long does it take to check some time stamps?

WashingtonPerson [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Looks like no one will know until the 15th:

Thank you for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google.

This email is to confirm that you have completed all 24 puzzles within the quest and successfully registered for a chance to participate in the final challenge. Well done!
  
We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final challenge.
  
All remaining players who finished the quest will also receive a surprise message via email.
  
Thank you all for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google and making it such a success. We hope you enjoyed playing.
  
The Da Vinci Code In Theaters 5/19

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i just received the same e-mail.. let's wait until monday.. gosh! hehe good luck everyone

Gubblebum [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I just got the same e-mail as well. My guess is that Google will announce that everyone who completed the 24 puzzles will get a shot at finishing the final puzzle. That would explain why everyone who completed the puzzles and submitted an entry form can access the "final challenge" page/final_puzzle_too_early page. I still would love to win a cryptex though.

Tarman [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well, this is the email that I received so I'm not sure if I am a winner or not:

"Thank you for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google.

This email is to confirm that you have completed all 24 puzzles within the quest and successfully registered for a chance to participate in the final challenge. Well done!

We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final challenge.

All remaining players who finished the quest will also receive a surprise message via email.

Thank you all for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google and making it such a success. We hope you enjoyed playing.'

Toddg [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Supposedly there are clues about Dan Brown's next book, Solomon Key, on the cover of The Da Vinci Code:

Check out

http://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/davinci/index-utc.php

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yeah, this answers a lot.

Still...the cryptex looks infinitely cool...dunno why I'm so eager to get one, it just looks neat...

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Hmm.. I recieved this e-mail twice, even though I only registered once....

>Thank you for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google.

This email is to confirm that you have completed all 24 puzzles within the quest
and successfully registered for a chance to participate in the final challenge.
Well done!
  
We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding
their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive
instructions on how to participate in the final challenge.
  
All remaining players who finished the quest will also receive a surprise
message via email.
  
Thank you all for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google and
making it such a success. We hope you enjoyed playing.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

GUYS GUYS GUYS only the people who get the cryptex will beable to complete the final puzzle. the cryptex will come with 4 codes one of which will open the cryptex giving instructions on how to get to the final puzzle.

so you NEED THE CRYPTEX to PLAY THE FINAL PUZZLE

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Maybe this is all a code, saying implicitly that we WON...or lost...

You never know... :)

DaVinciyousneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I got the same message twice but from different sender

DaVinciCodeQuest and

Sony Pictures?

Did anyone else get this?

Took me about 4 mins to do that quest....faster than my other times! I guess we were all under that same frame of mind.

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Yes, I got the same email twice--from two different addresses.

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i got both like that too
waas happy for a secound

schmoe [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

It looks like they sent out the first message and then realized that they should have used the email from the registration page.

KBru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

TAXES? *$&^% I forgot all about having to declare the Grand Prize in with the taxes. Honestly, who here can afford to pay those extra $$$$$$$$$$$$ in taxes at the end of the year? Kind of takes all the fun out of it now. YIKES.

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

yeah your looking at like 40 grand at least......supid IRS bullcrap.....Someone please put forth flat tax and get rid of this nonsense......

I got the email twice too so good luck to all of you....however if I win I may have to take a second M*ortgage to afford the taxes then I probably won't have any money to spend on the trip.

So I hope I win just to say I did LOL.......but in my mind I could take that trip myself for 40 grand know what I mean???

anyway good luck everyone and may the best man or woman win

Annunaki [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It would have been great if the prize included cash or a cash option. The taxes could have been pulled from that. If I win, I really don't see how to afford the prizes. Who really has that kind of money? No way to come up with $40k by next tax year.

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I only got one email and that was from Sony....
:O(

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I didn't get an email. This probably confirms my suspicion that I did NOT "successfully" register. I completed the puzzle and had completed the registration form and submitted it within 15 minutes of the puzzle being released online.

But then... I know I registered, because I tried to register again (I was having some server issues) and got a message saying I had already registered.

Hmm. Why no email?

Maybe they're working on a special email, JUST FOR ME! :D

"Congratulations, you have won the secret, unannounced, $5 million prize, just you, yay!"

Yeah, right! :D

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hahahaha beks, keep your fingers crossed for that...

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wonder if you can take a cash prize instead???

That would be cool...probably not since all this stuff is donated from various companies so they can write off thier taxes, in essence it's not costing them anything to give it away in the end it actually makes thme money with the write offs

If WE win it will cost us 40 grand to go on a 10,000 dollar trip I don't know if it's even worth it to try to win anymore yanno???

They use Fair Market Value, who's market??? Cause I know damn well I could take that same exact trip for way less than they say it would cost, and frankly I don't think that's fair at all!

Annunaki [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Maybe we could petition Google, Sony or Dan Brown to front the dough. They could write that off too :).

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

If you want the cash that bad instead of the prizes, you could always try to sell them on eBay! :)

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The rules are pretty explicitly spelled out. You just have to read them. No cash value. You have to take the same three people with you on all trips (you can't take a different group to Paris than you did to NY). If you take less than three people, you just forfeit the other tickets. The train tickets are only valid this year from July to September or something, so unless you take your trip this summer, you'll forfeit that part of the prize. Etc.

I can't imagine you'd actually have to pay the taxes, but if that were real, you could just ditch any of the prizes you didn't really want (for instance, on the off chance everybody else is insanely slow that day and I win, I'm not planning to take anybody with me but my husband, so I'd be giving up half of the cost of travel). That way, the tax value goes down.

But ultimately, my point is... uh, the rules are online. Am I the only one that read them?!

Greg [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Of course you have to pay the taxes! They are sending you a 1099 form if you win – the IRS gets a copy of that, too. They'll come after you if your reported income is $130k less than what they have on record.

On a separate not, got two e-mails like many others...

anonymous [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

why are you people worrying about the taxes? you won't win the grand prize, and i bet 10,000 people finished the quest in under 4 minutes, so most who post here won't get a cryptex either.

Annunaki [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Regardless, the taxes are a real issue. Yes, most of us probably read the rules. And, even if most of us are not in the running, we still gotta dream.

BTW, got my 2 emails too.

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i bet the ones that got 2 emails get the cryptex. Besides just a few, I was pretty slow answering all the questions.

Also want to say, thanks for your help! i wouldn't have been able to answer all if it weren't for your help! This was fun!

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm an idiot. The 2 emails are in the new spam filter mailbox my ISP implemented. :D

krisko, check and see if you have a spam filter mailbox...

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I may have found a way to see if you are a finalist early. I was watching the davinci trailer on google video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4723905430340785083&q=davinci+quest
and in the beginning there is a brief advert for the quest, i clicked it and it took me to a page saying "Congratulations! It appears that you have received our message and have completed all 24 puzzles. In order to reach the end of the Quest and be rewarded with untold riches you must quickly and correctly complete the Final Challenge." but it says the final challenge wont start till the 19th. I logged out of my google account and did the same thing and i got nothing. what bout you all?

Quester [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It appears that if you registered click the link you get the following page:

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_too_early.html

if you didn't complete the puzzle, you get:

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_quest_overy.html

and nothing or error if you didn't register.

Question is what do users see if they completed the puzzles and didn't register or believe they registered to late?

Quester [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Oops the second link should be:

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_quest_over.html

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got my 2 e mails too. But honestly, I do not think for a minute that I am a finalist, because I had to work and did not finish the quest until late at night.

However it was very fun and also thanks to everyone in here for some of the answers. couldnt have done it alone.

:D :D : D : D : D

na [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hi, how many others are geting that congrats page after clicking the video link?

Colin [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Interesting thing about the video that Alex posted earlier, There are words and letters highlighted at the end of video. What I caught after watching it was "Seek The Codes". So I then went to Seekthecodes.com and it is a Davinci code site that is owned by Sony.

http://www.seekthecodes.com – Cryptophyle

http://www.seekthecode.com – Goes to sony pictures homepage

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

do ANY of you read the above posts? this has all already been explained yesterday. click the expand button, maybe your questions will be anwsered! we have all already learned that EVERYONE that completed all 24 questions gets that message cause thats where the FINAL PUZZLE will be. we also know that you can ONLY compete in said final puzzle if you RECEIVE A CRYPTEX. and you wont know if youll get on of those until MAY 15 VIA E-MAIL.

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Cassie,
You will get an email today(maybe yesterday)from Sony if you are the first 10K that completed the puzzle.
"Thank you for participating in “The Da Vinci Code” Quest on Google.

   This email is to confirm that you have completed all 24 puzzles within the quest and successfully registered for a chance to participate in the final challenge. Well done!

   We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final challenge.

   All remaining players who finished the quest will also receive a surprise message via email.

   Thank you all for participating in “The Da Vinci Code” Quest on Google and making it such a success. We hope you enjoyed playing."

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have a Mac and my spam filter is on training....so i couldn't have lost any e-mails.

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok now I feel stupid...I checked my trash and found the second email.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Haochi:

Are you sure that's for the finalists? Looks pretty generic to me, and it seems like (from what I've read) EVERYBODY got the emails if they registered. I got two emails: one from davincicodequest[put at-character here]sonypictures.com, another from spotlight[put at-character here]news.sonypictures.com. They both say the same thing, and notice the usage of "All remaining players ..."

You won't get an email regarding whether or not you're a finalist until May 15th. The email above is just a confirmation that you did register – it doesn't say whether or not you were one of the first 10K to register, though.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Can anyone get the anagram for "The Perilous Favor" – relating to the Da Vinci Code?? :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Nevermind, it is "The Louvre of Paris" :)

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Any ideas of how to "study" for the final?

ML [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

... "study for the final?"...
I suppose that would be... after reading the book and solving the puzzles... uhm, watch the movie?

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

That is the plan, eh? They want a really big opening weekend, and we are all to go see the movie to prepare for the contest.

I think I will take my chances. Movie tickets are awfully expensive to spend a couple of hours with a room full of people that cannot wait two hours before eating again. Ugh.

ML [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm just guessing... considering they made us watch several trailers to solve the puzzles. Nothing to stop them from asking about stuff we'd have seen only in the film. The movie is obviously an important element of the quest.

Just saying (I don't work for them or anything – but I do want to see the movie – if only to compare it with the book).

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can't wait to see the movie! It looks great! Did anyone else notice the vaue number of the prizes? I thought it was strange that they were not even numbers. Maybe you'll have to go to the sponsors web sites for answers to the questions. That would be a reason for a sponsor to give a prize...don't ya think???

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

There's a slightly modified message on the www.google.com/davincicode site: time for more speculation.

Anyone else getting anything different?

"If you're one of our finalists, congratulations! In order to reach the end of the Quest and be rewarded with untold riches you must quickly and correctly complete the Final Challenge. However, you're too early as the Final Challenge has not begun yet.

The one to complete the Final Challenge in the least amount of time from start to finish will be the chosen one. On May 19th, the Final Challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. Please note that this is not a race and that you don't have to start as soon as the Final Challenge is released. You can begin whenever you like during the 48 hours, but prepare well, for once you start there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks with the least cumulative time, not the first to complete, will be the chosen winner."

The generic part of this is "if you're one of our finalists.." but still, they've changed it, so maybe by logging in it shows something different?

May 15th is only two days away!!!! :):)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

the The player who completes all five tasks with the least cumulative time, not the first to complete, will be the chosen winner.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th. Visit the official movie

do you think thats what they did to find the " first 10,000" i sure hope not cause it took me between 3 and 5 mins and im sure there are people out there who did it quicker

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It can't have been, it said the "first 10,000" to enter in the contest entry form. I'm pretty sure it did.

BW [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Cassie, the player who completes the Final Challenge, not the 24 puzzles, in the shortest cumulative time will be the winner.

The first 10,000 contestants were based on the time they submit the last puzzle.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok everyone GOOD LUCK tomorrow. i hope we all get that coveted e-mail

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

good luck!!!!!!!!!

Tarman [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Amen!! I wish everyone good luck in receiving a prize. For anyone that does receive a prize, would you be so kind as to take a few snapshots of it and post it for the rest of us unlucky ones to see? For the rest of us that aren't so lucky, we can always order a custom cryptex from this site: http://www.cryptex.org/

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Part of me says, "Ha, yeah right, there's no way you were in the first 10,000. You were half an hour late."

The other half of me says, "10,000 people is a LOT of people. Plus you've gotten all these things that indicate you might be a finalist. Stop being so negative."

Monday cannot come soon enough.

Best of luck to everyone, and try to post pictures of your cryptex!!! And if you do win, prizes! Yay!

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Good luck to everyone!

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

More speculation woo hoo

If you're eager to find out if you're a finalist tonight, I think I might have found a page.

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/puzzle.html?puzzle=1

When I get there, I get the following message:
"Congratulations.

Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google.

We're sorry, but in order to compete in the Final Challenge you must be one of the first 10,000 people to have completed the previous 24 puzzles correctly and registered prior to 1pm (EST) on May 11th.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th. Visit the official movie website at www.SoDarkTheConOfMan.com.

Click here to get theaters and showtimes."

Also, the URL is http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_quest_over.html.

If anyone got their contest form in really fast, post your message here after visiting that website and see if its different. I guess then we'll know for sure. I don't feel like waiting until tomorrow.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

GOSHH IS monday!! 12:21 AM... not e-mail yet? :(i was hoping they send it just at the start of the day... maybe around 1:00 ?? hehehe.. good luck everyone

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

DaVinci – I get the same message.....shouldn't be too much longer before we know if we made it into the final challenge.

Those who do make it, keep us posted on the puzzles so we can live vicariously through you lucky ones!

Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google.

We're sorry, but in order to compete in the Final Challenge you must be one of the first 10,000 people to have completed the previous 24 puzzles correctly and registered prior to 1pm (EST) on May 11th.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th. Visit the official movie website at www.SoDarkTheConOfMan.com.

Click here to get theaters and showtimes

KBru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I feel sorry for my employer – I have a feeling that all I'm going to be doing today is 1) checking my email and/or 2) checking this website to see if others have received their finalist email.

The tax issue still bothers me. If all estimates are correct, the Grand Prize winner is looking at approximately $40K in taxes at the end of the year. So I asked myself "Self, figure out how much just the actual trip portion (air and ground transportation and hotel costs) will be". If my quick math is correct, the trip portion of the prize is $119,397.26. So $40K is a steal, right? Yeah. Right. I'm not in a position financially to simply write out a check – WHAT A DRAG!!

So, the big debate going on inside my head is do I even attempt to go forward with the challenge and SHOCK OF ALL SHOCKS actually have the fastest finishing time......do I take the prize or not answer the phone when they call, thereby calling the next fastest time? Grrrrrr. Trip of a lifetime for $40K, folks.

My question to all of you is...........say you are the Grand Prize winner. Answer the phone and accept the Grand Prize (and pay the IRS!) or turn it down?

GOOD LUCK TO ALL – I hope someone on this board gets it (just not me!) :)

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Best of luck to all!

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Luckily, I was able to register. But its torture waiting to see if I qualified. Keep us all informed if you get the confirmation!

godo [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

[put at-character here]KBru: When you get the call, of course you answer. Basically it sounds like Sony, et al. are offering the Grand Prize winner an 80% markdown on the trip and assorted electronics and stuff. Accept what you are willing to pay 20% for and decline the rest.

If Sony really doesn't kick in some cash to cover the taxes for the trip, it's kind of a gyp, but personally I was only playing for the cryptex and the opportunity to play in the final round.

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

LOL seems like the majority is playing for the cryptex. At least me and my friends are. Winning a grand prize is great and all but It's impossible for me to pull 40k out of my pocket to cover taxes. I'd rather decline and take the cryptex instead.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

So, do you think they'll send out their email at the same time they sent out the puzzles?

LeSenechal [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Don't worry about paying the taxes. The airfare is First Class for 4. By simplying downgrading the tickets you could raise the money to cover the taxes.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im so nervous where the *bleep* are the e-mails?!?

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

What I don't like is that it says they'll send on email on or about May 15. They could have at least given us the common courtesy of saying on or about what time its coming

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i got the last e-mail late in the day, i hope i get it alot earlier than the last one.

Quester [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Someone on another blog mentioned that they received the cryptex in the mail today.

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm hoping it's a lie that they received it, because I really want an email, since I haven't received one as of yet.

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

VP when sending out millions of Emails, depending on your technology behind it, it *could* take days.... (but probably will be a few hours) if they were only sending to the 10,000 winners, it would be less so, as it would be even more of a form Email and only 10,000 copies

crwth [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Someone on a mailing list also claimed to have received a cryptex in the mail this morning (but no corresponding e-mail today, so far). Together with Quester's corroborating story, I think it's for real.

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Definately a lie, all the cryptexes are going to arrive on the 18th. I got in pretty fast (1:03) and haven't gotten an e-mail yet.

Harold [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

At http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=22200521&postID=114767299047333346 there are links to images that look extremely authentic.

And yes, the person doesn't claim to have received an email yet.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

even the people who arnt part of the 10,000 will get a "special" e-mail, so we'll know either way hopefully later today

crwth [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

From the rules:

"Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery _by_ May 18, 2006"

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok, i know you guys wont believe me but i just recieved my cryptex in the mail. I swear to God. check your mail boxes

C [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Prove it with a pic! What is it made out of? Cool, or cheap plastic?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

its all a lie, they all said they opened it, but mention nothing of the four puzzles that come with it one of which contains the code to open it, plus the image is from imagestock.com, i could go there then post the "stock image" and say i got one...heres the picture. dont believe these people.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

tell us about the four puzzles

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

dude im not lying, how do i post a pic on here?
   the msg. in the cryptex says go to google/davincicode.com

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i was talking about the people on the other site, i you say you got one then i believe you dan. what are the four puzzles like?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

did you get the e-mail?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

dan what time did you finish the last puzzle?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Besides, I'm thinking that the email will be used to confirm addresses and verify email, so I don't believe anyone has received the cryptex yet.

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i only got those two e-mail from a few days ago, nothing today. i finished the puzzle at 1:07. all thats inside the cryptex is a message saying go to google.com/davincicode to continue. i went there and it said congrats but i was too early.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok guys hang on a second im on the phone with my mom whos address i used and she says i have the cryptex!!!!!! shes driving it over now and ill show you all on the web cast when i get it to prove it. screw the e-mail boxes and check the mail boxes!!!!!!

DAN im sorry for doubting you

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I BELEIVE THERE ARE PEOPLE GETTING CRYPTEX... the images doesn't lie... there are home made pictures, and in every blog there are people posting images... code quest rules are messy :s ... but dan, can you open the cryptex?? do it comes with some clue to open it?

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

haha its cool Cassie, i knew people would be doubting

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it will be here in about ten minuets and ill figure out how to get this web cam working so you can all see it. oh this is so cool. damn them da vinci people telling us it wasnt comming until the 18th. eeeekkkk!!!!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

dan honey we need to help each other out on the 19th

Harold [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Stupid rain, delaying the mail. Grr.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

cassie what's your email?? plz.. and dan's too if you might.. or add me to messenger julianruiz[put at-character here]hotmail.com

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Julian, on the back of the box for the cryptex (made by noblecollection.com) it tells you the cryptex code: grail

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

cool!

Harold [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

What did you guys say your times were?

Harold [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Cassie, I mean. Not Dan. haha

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

when i finished? between 1:03 and 1:05

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cryptexbk4gm.jpg this should be a photo of my son im just trying to figure out how to do this , if you all see a little boy, then were on track for when it comes please check it out and let me know

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

wow, i have to leave work early to see if i got one.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok guys i just checked it out and thats not my son..its someone elses cryptex (of all things) im still working on it

Michelle [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

If you all who have gotten the cryptex, go to Goggle, what does the divinci code box say to you?

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it still says the same thing Michelle

Michelle [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thanks

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

its here!!!! its heavy! im trying to show you guys give me a minuet

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

does anyone have yahoo messanger?

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hey Cassie and Dan,

Where do you guys live? I'm wondering if I might not get one til tomrrow since I'm out on the East Coast, and presumably, Google shipped them from the West.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im in columbus ohio

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

my sister just broke my cryptex but i guess were even cause i lost her, her man

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Thanks. I should get one here in Ga. then assuming I qualified by finishing ~ 1:06. Guess I'll have to wait til I get home to see – about time to get off my lunch break and back to work anyway...

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Sam, i was thinking about that too, i live in PA. the box it came in was postmarked on the 13th and came from Burbank CA. Now im not a postal expert, but I'd think people that live on the west coast should of got them sooner then myself.

Gen [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Thanks Dan – I've been fiddling with it for a few minutes, and the answer to the cryptex "grail" was written on the box all that time.

Now it's just a wait til the 19th ?

Lyndsay [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

hey guys i'm new to this forum but i just wanted to know did you guys receive an email saying you were one of the 10,000 or did you just get your cryptex in the mail? and since i live on the west coast and its only 10am here should i be getting mine (if i qualified) at 1?? so many questions thanks for any help

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i know what happened to the four puzzles that were supposed to come with it? i was alittle dissapointed when i saw the code on the back. i thought we were supposed to figure it out on our own

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i still havent gotten my e-mail

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i guess i didn't make it i have nothing in mail

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

to those who have gotten the cryptex, whos brent meyers?

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

what's inside the cryptex???????????????????

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

its a paper that says congratulations then it says to go to google.com/davincicode

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

please!! can you FULLY DESCRIBE what's inside the cryptex?? maybe scan it if you can?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I'm at school right now and can't wait to get home! I can't check my e-mail either because my school blocks AIM Mail because it is filtered as "Chat"............*groans*

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

brent meyers? what's that all about

mark [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I received the cryptex but no email yet. There is only a single piece of paper inside the cryptex and the code to open is on the back. This thing is really heavy for its size. Pretty cool. I was only expecting an email had no idea I would be getting the cryptex in the mail, nice surprise.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

its a brownish piece of paper about 4 inches by 1 inch that says exactly:
congratulations you have proven worthy of the da vinci code quest on google, visit www.google.com/davincicode to see if your journey continues.

and thats the end of it.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thanks 4 discribing it guys hehhe :)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

look in the return address, it says attn:brent meyers

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Just got mine. Taking pictures and will post soon!

Kevin [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

and so it begins ... the Cryptex Ebay auction that is ...
Somebody already has their Cryptex up for bidding , lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/Official-Da-Vinci-Code-Finalist-Cryptex-Google-Quest_W0QQitemZ7619980164QQcategoryZ197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I did get a Cryptex too, but I think i'll hold onto it.
I was surprised at both how small it was (fits in palm of my hand) and also at how heavy it was. It's pretty cool.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

check it out its only the last two letters that open it put in any three letters then I then L and it will open, like ZZZIL it will open

Gubblebum [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

YES!!!!!!!!! Just got my cryptex in the mail!!!

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

so, what happens when you go to the website that is inside the cryptex?

Lyndsay [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

how many of you guys are on the west coast? have you gotten you cryptex yet? and are you receiving them through the mail or like by fed ex or UPS?

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ok folks...the pictures can be seen at http://photos.yahoo.com/joshherndon

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Photos on my blog:

http://learn-something-new.blogspot.com/

Nate [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Man, I really hope I get one – if I completed the last (and all other 23 puzzles) by 1:02/1:03 (less than three minutes after the last puzzle went live), do you think I got in?

I did the math and in order for 10,000 people to complete it in that amount of time, there would have to be approximately 155 people completing the puzzle PER SECOND.

I didn't suffer through any of the server issues either – did the puzzle quickly, filled out the form, and was registered, all by 1:04.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I got my puzzle done ~ 1:08 PM Eastern, so if you got in before then, you are probably good.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

For anyone who may not have won, you can also purchase the cryptex too.

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?catid=52

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

You guys are killing me with the suspense! *grin*

With my server problems, it was about 1:11 EST, so I may not have got it in time, but we'll see. :) Either way, the suspense is the most fun part of all.

Kevin [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Check this out...

The Cryptex I got had a URL for the company that created it (noblecollection.com). They have an item for sale that matches the Cryptex I just received...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Official-Da-Vinci-Code-Finalist-Cryptex-Google-Quest_W0QQitemZ7619980164QQcategoryZ197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So, now i have questions:
1. is there anything about the Cryptex itself (other than the packaging) that distinguishes it from the one that anyone can buy online?

2. The cryptex available online says that you can change your password to open the grail whenever you want to. Is my Cryptex the same? ie. can I change the pw from grail to something else?

3. I also noticed the issue that Cassie found... really the password is * * * I L ... , where the first 3 characters don't really matter, as long as the last 2 are correct. That's kinda lame.

Ben [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

There wasn't anything about 'only one per household' was there? My wife got done about 5 after and I got done about 7 after.... man I hope we get 2 :)

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah, I noticed that the one you can buy says you can change the password. I have been tinkering with mine to try and figure it out, but no luck.

iLovePuzzles [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Brant Myers is:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=6256861

Ha-- i love the internet.

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The models you can buy from Noble Collection must be the "real" ones... our cryptex prizes are supposed to be valued at around $30 only, so there had to be a tradeoff in terms of features.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I live in MD and haven't gotten one ... assuming the worst. I finished half an hour after the puzzle was released (as I've said many times). =(

Oh well, congratulations to everyone who received the cryptex!

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yep, that is what I figured when I saw the price for the real thing. The way the one on the Noble Collection looks, it seems the password CAN be all 5 letters, as opposed to the ones we have where it is really just "IL".

duke [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I registered at 1:09 so I must be close. Am waiting for my wife to get home and check the mailbox... Congratulations to those of you who received yours and good luck to those of us who are still waiting :))

Colin [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I live on the west coast and this is killing me to know if I will get something in the mail when I get home today.

Kyle [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So of the people that have received a Cryptex, what state do you live in?

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

what about the e-mails!!!! damnn :(

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well, I am in Virginia, so if you are on the West Coast and qualified, you should DEFINITELY get one.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

anyone from florida got 1?

Quester [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Someone just posted on the Student Rant blog that they didn't finish the puzzle until 7:30pm EST and got a cryptex.

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I didn't get anything in the mail or e-mail!! I live in Nebraska, so I should have gotten one today, don't you think?

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just got mine...Charlotte, NC finished at 1:06 with server problems.

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Okay, reading all these posts and being at work is really killing me! I am stuck her until 5:00 (argh – Charlie Brown move- nose in air!)

I hope I have one at home. If not, well, I wont be happy. I cant say, "It was a fun game"- I want a CRYPTEX danget!

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

BTW- Austin, Texas here.

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Florida here.

Kyle [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Great to hear Jes, I'm in Charlotte and finished at 1:04. Just need to wait to get home from work.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wife got to open mine :<

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ruby, what part of florida r u? at what time did u finished?

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

*currently coveting others cryptex*
"clearly I am breaking a commandment here"

kprestipino [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i finished at 110. has anyone heard of people getting in with that time? i know, my time sucks...i'm a teacher and couldn't really schedule appointments around the contest.

AD [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Did anyone get an E-mail yet?

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

no email yet, finished @ 1:05.

bshaw [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finished in about one minute and haven't seen anything yet. Did everyone that received and email or crytex finish faster than that?

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

wow bshaw! One minute, the film is that long. How did you do it?

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Julian, Orlando... took me about 5 minutes to finish.

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finished at 1:02 only because I saw the video earlier, I was searching google videos early at work and found sophie lol. But I'm still waiting my cryptex. The darn mail-man doesn't arrive until 3 usually. The torture.

Stuffinator [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The video was posted earlier in the day, you could check it out beforehand if you were in the know...

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Not only that, but if you read the book, you could answer the last two questions and guess the first one.

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Rats!!! I am studying so much for this new challenge- I didnt realize they would do early posting like that.
Anyways... I have a good sporting chance for that final prize, I know I do... I am cramming like it is my final during senior year Doctrate.

I will worry about the taxes when they get here =-)

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

If you're really worried about the taxes, just forfeit the trips. They are most of the total value of the prize and you'll still get the TV, laptop, mp3 players etc. Of course the trips would be cool too.

Lyndsay [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

regarding taxes...my boss said that she was one on a show and won an african safari trip valued at like $5000 but when it came time to do the taxes i guess if you can find another of the same thing for cheaper you can claim the cheapest price. ie the safari she found online was valued at $2000 so she only had to pay taxes on the 2 grand instead of the 5. by the way are these cryptex's being delivered with the regular mail or by fed ex or ups? and has any body on the west coast got one?

duke [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

My wife just called and my cryptex arrived in the mail today, whooo hoooo!! I completed the registration process at 1:09 – hope this helps! Good luck to all.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Mine came USPS.

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

USPS

bshaw [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I was able to do it in a minute because questions two and three did not need the video and as for the first question, I quessed 2 and was right.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I got my cryptex! On the back of the box it says "CRYPTEX CODE: GRAIL" right in the center!

In reality though, that is not the code, it is one of hte possible codes! Actually, you only need to put "I" in the second to last band of letters and "L" in the last one to open it. It is only sensitive to those bands, so the first three could be anything! :)

bshaw [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks for the response "duke", this makes me feel better.

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

What a bummer that the answer is given to you. I thought we would have to fight for it.

Michelle [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

All of you who have gotten your cryptex. Could you please post the hour in which you submitted the final game? Im trying to calculate if I got mine in on time.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

1:06 EST

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Check out my cryptex! :)

Lol...I put in APPLE from the book :)

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3690/cryptex0015br.jpg

You only need to put I and L in the last two bands though instead of the full G-R-A-I-L :)

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2391/cryptex0020mx.jpg

Yay! :)

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6982/cryptex0036rv.jpg

Hope you guys get one too! :) *smiley crazy* :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Whoa.....the pictures I posted are huge! :)

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay Amin, none of the links are working! Panic, Mayhem!

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I seriously doubt there were more than 10,000 adult US residents not affiliated with the sponsors who had the time, resources, patience, and whatever it takes to solve the puzzles. I'm thinking even with the 24-hour submission deadline, there might not have been that many registrations. I wish there was a way for us to find out. I'm pretty sure everyone on this forum who registered successfully will get a cryptex.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Why do they not work for you? They work for me!

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Jay Amin, pictures worked fine for me.

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I just got it!! I'm in Florida.

Ben [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The pics worked (and looked great btw) for me... Ruby, with that one post about someone who didn't submit till later that evening and got a cryptex today.. that is a possibility... but i'm in Kansas City and did not recieve a cryptex today... the mail already came.... i hope that at least i receive a friggin' email...

Ruby [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ben, lots of ways your mail could've been delayed... wait until tomorrow... or at least until the 18th, which was the date they said we'd get the packages.

DaVinciyouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay, there they are, earlier I clicked on all three and it kept telling me "Page offline". I have stopped ripping my hair out. I can now be in peace.

Amy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ruby,
I hope you're right, but there were so many people trying to get to the puzzle at 1pm EDT that Google couldn't handle the traffic. I think the first 10,000 were determined fairly quickly.

I hope I'm wrong, though, since I couldn't submit until 1:23 due to all the traffic on Google. Stuck at work and can't check my mail...

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i didn't get to do my last puzzle till an hour and a half late and i have heard nothing so far today. did ya'll get an email today? ups doewn't deliver untill 7 or 8 at night around here.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

No emails yet. The package actually came USPS, not UPS.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

So of all the days... my husband hasn't answered an email or answered his phone. I can't find out if we even got any mail. Pffft. I think he's doing it on purpose.

But yeah, no panic --we should all be looking for stuff through the 18th.

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oh man, I finished at like 1:50...

Moe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

For those who got the cyrptex. Could you let me know who big it is? dimensions....

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finnished at 3:00 roughly.....had a lunch appointment :(

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Yeah, what is the Length x width x height of the cryptex?

KBru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand (and a regular sized mailbox)

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got mine. Very sleek. Alot heavier than I had expected.All metal.

J

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I logged on at 10:03 my time and finished the last puzzle at about 10:06 .. My wife logged in and did hers around 10:20 .. Haven't received any emails and haven't received a Cryptix yet. Mail has already been and gone for the day. We'll see if I get it later.

Pizzle [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Woohoo. I just got mine in the mail. So, my question is this...what kind of puzzles/codes should we expect for the final challenge? Will they fall into the categories like before (geography, observation, etc.)? Or will they be various forms of codes to break? Anyone have any ideas?

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I just got mine in the mail. I finished the last puzzle and registered 3 or 4 minutes after 1:00 EDT. I haven't recieved any email though, and am curious why it didn't come with "a screenshot of 4 codes" like it says in the rules. I am in Santa Cruz, California by the way.

Ben [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well i guess the mail hadn't come yet.. because we got 2!!.. My wife completed at about 12:05p and I completed at about 12:07p.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I just Got mine! I finnished between 1:07 and 1:09, I hope that gives hope to some more people that they will get a cryptex aswell!

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

From the developer of the puzzles, he mentions chess game without the multiple choices questions. Would help to know Chess I assume

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

or use a chess program....

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

my guess is a skillful google searcher should be able to solve it

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

They would obviously want their Google products used in solving any final challenge...

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Google has also used contests in the past as part of their recruiting effort...could this also serve as one of those? In that case we could probably expect some heavy chess/math problems which most likely would require some programming/incredibly good insight.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Anyone recieve a cryptex that completed the form after 1:20 PM EST? I've heard rumors, but I'd like a real confirm. I finished and completed the form around 1:19 – 1:20 at work (damned customer service duties kept delaying), but I know I haven't recieved one in the mail yet nor have I recieved an email...

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I read on another board, someone got a Cryptex, went to www.google.com/davincicode and saw this:

If you're one of our finalists, congratulations! In order to reach the end of the Quest and be rewarded with untold riches you must quickly and correctly complete the Final Challenge. However, you're too early as the Final Challenge has not begun yet.

The one to complete the Final Challenge in the least amount of time from start to finish will be the chosen one. On May 19th, the Final Challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. Please note that this is not a race and that you don't have to start as soon as the Final Challenge is released. You can begin whenever you like during the 48 hours, but prepare well, for once you start there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks with the least cumulative time, not the first to complete, will be the chosen winner.

The Da Vinci Code is in theaters worldwide May 19th. Visit the official movie website at www.SoDarkTheConOfMan.com.

Click here to get theaters and showtimes

Is this true? No cryptex but when I go to this page, I get this screen and text to. What did others get?????

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

sorry, i was alot eariler.

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I got the cryptex and see the same screen.
"If you're one of our finalists......"

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Birdo: I got the same thing. And if you look at the URL it says "too_early" at the end.

Wondering [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Anyone in NY get one ?

Ben [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

They'll be wanting everyone to login with their google login for the final puzzle... you know, keep out the riff-raff :)

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well is that a good sign? Or did everyone who finished receive that page? Also remember not all Cryptex will come today. I imagine many will come tomorrow and the next day if you made the cut.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

same one its just a genaric message until the game starts, if you dont get the cryptex google will know and you wont get an option to play on the 19th, you'll get a different generaic message

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wondering: I'm in NY too, haven't gotten one yet, I've heard rumors of someone getting one that completed the form at 1:30 and another of a student completing it at 7:30 that also got one. So far only on the West Coast that I've seen tho.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

But everyone who made the cut will get an email today.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i still havent gotten an e-mail and ive had the cryptex for hours

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It is generic if you finished the puzzles I assumed. My wife logged in and had not done the quest and go a different message. About too late to enter or something like that

Wondering [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I heard everyone who finished the 24 will get an email if not to tell them they are in the finals, to tell them they will get something else.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Everyone WILL get an email either today or tomorrow. In the emails I recieved upon completion, they stated a "special suprise" for anyone who completed the quest but did not make the cut. So for those of us on the east coast, it looks like we won't find out for sure till then.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Perhaps they are mailing them by Surname vs. Location

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Yeah they sent the first email after 8pm EST...

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Re;Perhaps they are mailing them by Surname vs. Location

That is a thought

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

DaVinciYouSneak : any basis on that hypothesis?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i live in ohio and my surname is mcnulty, so i live in the "midwest" i suppose and my last name is in the middle of the alphabet.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

NCSUgradstudent : I got my first emails confirming my completion of the form 5 min after completion. I'm still waiting for the email that would confirm wether or not I made the cut though.

Wondering [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am at the END of the alphabet :)

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Google could invest more people and time into this Quest. However, it's a giveaway and they aren't making any money on this. So the lack of information and quick timing is totally expected.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Well they have to have some order. Apparently time taken to complete puzzle is not since we have had answers all over the board with that, location is not because they have been receiving them all over the country.

That is of of the few orders left, and they did ask for our full info. on reg.form.

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Looks like Google is starting to get hammered?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea, cant do much with google for past couple of minutes.

So dark the con of Google.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

DaVinciYouSneak : By that same theory it could easily be by our google usernames....

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

mine starts with a c

Birdo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Or my theory....random ;D

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I like where this is going Ellisera...............

*dancing the Snoopy dance in office instead of working*

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

You would all think that it is alot easier to send emails. The emails could've been sent automatically as they were shipping the cryptex. Furthermore, the cryptex was supposed to be mailed out today, not received today.... Someone at Google HQ dropped the ball.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I like where this is going Birdo...............

*dancing the Snoopy dance in office instead of working*

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hmmm. I live in San Francisco, finished the final questions and registered without a hitch at 10:03, and my last name starts with a C.

Why are there only bills in the mail today?!?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Anyone else have Google pop up a, "You appear to be a spammer trolling our search engine," and request form for an image challenge auth...

I received that three or four times while doing searches for the contest...

Definitely no Cryptix for me today. Since someone earlier indicated that they received one for both themselves and their wife.. This seems to say they don't disqualify based on family... And I finished fairly early.

So, maybe tomorrow.. Or not at all.

Oh well.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

How quickly does Gmail update, I hope it's not like hotmail.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

someone up there hit the nail on the head; where are the four screen shots? why was the cryptex so easy to open, it was supposed to be another puzzle.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Cassie's right, maybe these cryptexs' for the non-finalists because they are so easy to open.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

NCSUgradstudent : Now now, don't scare Cassie like that.....

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thats a lot of cryptexes to mail out to people then. just wait for the email later today, that will settle this all.

Stuffinator [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I just got my email from google saying that I was a finalist and a whole case of cryptexes were delivered by carrier pidgeon an hour ago...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Impossible! We did not read that in any of the rules. There must be something else we are missing here.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

No email=no finalists yet.

Jack [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Maybe all this confusion is all part of the challenge?!?!

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

WOOT!

I take that back. Mine just arrived baggage handling via USPS. My wifes hasn't shown up though.. and she said she completed it from work reasonably soon after I did.

So we'll see.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

NCSUgradstudent : Early delivered cryptexes = someone fucked up in the mailroom and some were mailed out before the rest.
No email = they either haven't finished calculating the finalists or they're a bit delayed.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

JG: What time did you complete it?

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well I was at work too. :o(and didn't get the final quest done until 4:05pm EST. No emails, no cryptex, no joy... I did get the page that told me that I was registered and to log their email into my contacts list. I'm still hopeful...

John [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ellisera: if they haven't finished calculating the finalists, why are some people getting their cryptexes then?

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Dan: there's a rumor of a student that completed the form at 7:30 EST and recieved a cryptex. Might just be a rumor, but there's still hope.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

NCSUgradstudent : Now now, don't scare Cassie like that.....

really, my heart just stopped for a second! that would really suck if the REAL cryptex' arent going out until the 18th and everyone who got one today isnt a finalist?!? im gonna hyperventlate!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Can we cuss of here?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Ellisera: i guess ur points are reasonable, but such a huge fuck-up means that they were mailed out Thursday or Friday, meaning the calculation of finalists occured quickly.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

John: perhaps I should rephrase: mailing labels for 10,000 people would take a while to print, right? what if they are still printing, yet some overzealous clerk mailed the first few?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Sorry Cassie, this message board really encourages extreme speculation.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

... Anyone notice that the opening code is not the cod required for opening the codex? And that the codex has more tumblers than necessary for opening it?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Google is doing things it's way and on it's timeline. They don't want anyone knowing what will happen next.

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Good point on why there weren't 4 screen shots to open the cryptex. I hope that those who got them got them as consulation prizes. I didnt' see anything about cumulative times for the first 24 quests; only the final 5 that start on the 19th.

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

NCSUgradstudent: USPS priority is 2-3 days, but USPS also does overnight shipping, so if they started printing automatically on friday and above-said "overzealous clerks" may have confused them w/ regular mail. Who knows? either way it's possible w/ either option.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Ellisera – I completed mine somewhere around 10:15 overall. Can't remember exactly though..

err, my previous post s/cod/code/

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yea, you only need the last 2 letters I L to open it

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Rules dont mention four screenshots, they say the following:

Final Phase. Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery by May 18, 2006, a limited edition Cryptex replica and a screenshot of 4 codes (the "Finalist Prize"). One of the included codes will open the Cryptex. Inside will be a scroll with instructions on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge online.

A SCREENSHOT OF 4 CODES.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I don't Google wants to spend more money than it has to. I work at a UPS store, and USPS overnight is much more expensive than USPS priority. 14 dollars or more for shipping a 30 dollar toy isn't reasonable.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it came regular usps the stamp on the box is a $4.50 stamp

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The posts I've seen all indicate that the box had GRAIL written on the back and that it was the only code offered. Seems sort of silly to just offer up the one code that opens the cryptex doesn't it?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

maybe screenshots will be in finalists' email from Google.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Cassie.. Doesn't that seem odd to you? I vaguely remember reading that the codex is necessary for the final bit of the context.. Would seem that there may be more to the codex than initially meets the eye..

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

yeah $4.50 is priority mail (might as well send it on a donkey). these cryptexs were sent out Thursday and google knows all the finalists.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

even the one on e-bay says the code is grail as stated on the back of the box

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

NCSUgradstudent

That's a possibility. Anyone able to access the WWW.Google.com/DavinciCode site yet or is it still giving a server error?

Troy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So how long did it take you guys with the cryptexes to complete the last puzzle?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

3 to 5 min

dw [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

this is all speculation and stupid

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

dw- you can leave

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Guys who got their cyptexes, at what time did u finishe ur puzzle?im frekain out, by the way hi cassie!!

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I can't wait to get off work to check my mail................the suspense is killing me. I hope my thieving neighbors didnt try to steal my precious cryptex.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey sweetie, did you get one? youre a shoe in

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

okay, going home early, will log on at home and notify you guys of anything new.

Lots of Mona Lisa Smiles!

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ok, I gotta go. Keep up the good attitude and be hopeful.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

dw, of course it is speculation...this is how we comfort each other.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

omg im only 14, am i allowed 2 sign the thingamagiggy for the UPS person??? and i dont know if the super intendent received it??? she better get me my friggin cryptex

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yeah, we spout wild conspericy theorys at each other all day and get great nights of sleep because of it.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

samy it comes regular mail, you dont have to sign anything

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i gonna go check if the lady upstairs got it delivered there instead of here, damnit she does that all the time, what irresponsibility.!! ARG

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i thought it came thru UPS???

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

yeah Cassie, but what will we all do when this Quest is over?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

How could they have enough money to send everyone a crytex though?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

nope USPS united states postal service

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

From what I gather, people are thinking that a cryptex is a consolation prize? Didn't the rules say that only 10,000 limited edition replica cryptexes would be sent out? And didn't the inside of the cryptex [supposedly, I haven't gotten one] say "You are worthy of the quest" or something similar? I have good reason to believe that those who got the cryptexes today are definitely in the 10,000 – they seem legit.

Enjoy your cryptexes. Cherish them. ... And wish me luck.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

mines didnt come then bcause i checked the mail when i got home from school, by the way when i got my report card it was a 94 average 98-math 98-band 95-science 92-global 99-spanish 88-health 88-enlgish

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Samy, UPS would be too expensive.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

true......but im going crazy right now,.... the thought of skipping school 4 the first time just 4 that and not 2 be a finalist.......

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

NCSU i have no idea we will have to find something else just as trivial to emerse our lives in. maybe oh i dont know kintting, or maybe that prank where the old lady was going to climb everest with her lap dog?!?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I'm surprised they didn't send movie tickets instead, lol

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I still haven't recieved my cryptex and I finished within 15 min. of the puzzle being out. I know that's slow but...

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I live in Oregon (pacific time) and finished around 4:00 pm. I know I finished late, but I still got the registration form after finishing, and it said I registered successfully. Is there any chance I'm a finalist?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

or we can watch David Blaine try to hold his breathe for 9 minutes.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

DaVinci, the Cryptexes are solsoation prizes for the 10,000 who don't make the top 4 when it's all done.

Samy, I see why you received an 88 in enlgish ...

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i finished mine in like 4-5 minutes
i havent gotten mine either.....sad cry.......

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

congrats samy, dont worry some will probally go out tomorrow, i cant imagine the face on the mail man if they tried to send 10,000 boxes out of one building in one day

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

J G, that's a low blow on Samy.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

lol thats tru.....

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yeah david blane....or we can get really obsessive with deal or no deal. "ITS IN NUMBER 17! NO DEAL!"

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i wanted 2 go see david blaine , no time though, its in lincoln center and i live in bk so... i wasnt able to

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

why to try to be mean to samy, THEN spell english wrong. big props to you dude.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Is finishing at 4:00 pm pacific time definitely too late? I still have hope. Please crush it for me!

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Spelling in this country has been reduced to "copy", "paste" commands and Spell check on MS Word.

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Ok, I'm back. Went to check the rules and it says...

Final Phase. Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery by May 18, 2006, a limited edition Cryptex replica and a screenshot of 4 codes (the "Finalist Prize"). One of the included codes will open the Cryptex. Inside will be a scroll with instructions on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge online. Prior to May 18, 2006, Finalists will also be e-mailed instructions at the email address provided by each Finalist on his/her Official Contest Entry on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge.

It definitely says a screen shot of 4 codes and only one of them will open the cryptex. So why did they all get the same code and only one code???

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

30 minutes left before clocking out of this crappy job.
10 minutes to get home.
finding out I am a finalist....priceless.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

what time would 4 pacific time be in eastern standard time? ive never been good at knowing where the time zones are

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Stop argue over best speaking englisher!

hahaha...anyways...

I finished the quest at about 3:10, and got mine today. I'd bet the others will come tommorow.

J

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

9:00 eastern time. It seems like I'm way too late, but I DID register successfully.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

so the big question now is where are the darn e-mails? im gonna check my mail yet again, but i know its not there. ill be back in a second

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Dan,

That's really really wierd. First, we get them early. Second, there's only one code (mine said it on the back of the case. lol). Third, There are no screenshots.

Wierd.

J

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

4 pm Pacific = 7 pm eastern

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Sweet. Just got home and mine was in the mailbox...

Now on to the final 5 puzzles – I doubt they would use the same 5 for everyone. From a statistical standpoint, Google just needs 19 different puzzles will yield 11,628 combinations of any 5. If they were diligent enough to develop 30 puzzles, we're looking at 140,000+ different combinations of 5.

This is going to be interesting...

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Cassie

Relax. They'll send them once you've worn down your last nerve.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

dude 3:10 eastern time????if u did then im definitely a finalist.....ud think so many people whould know about the quest but to find a bright mind nowadays is very difficult. lol

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

no e-mail yet

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

wait, crap, I meant to say 1:10, not 3:10

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I hope so, I had to pull stings at my school to get to the library in order to even co the puzzle. And to have done that for nothing, well....

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

No email here either. Mail man has come and gone for today. Still got 3 more days of hoping...

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I wonder if they would accomodate for the time difference. If I finished at 4:00 pacific time, maybe they put me in line with the people who finished at 4:00 eastern time. I hope so!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well i have to run to the store, ill be back in a little while and i probally still wont have the e-mail. google why have you forsaken me?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

My apologies Sammy. It was meant as a joke :(Good grades – I never did that well when I was in school.

Dan – Rules seem to say we get the code via the mail, but it could also be via email.

We definitely have instructions on where to go for the final step. It assures us we are finalists.. So, that leaves a few questions. Is the Cryptex usable for anything else? Or is it a merely one off toy? I suppose it can be used for spelling other words via codes on the main line. I know it's looking for too much in something so simple. But I noticed the end of mine will completely unscrew.. And the code doesn't seem to line up. It acts almost as if the Cryptix is openable in a different way with an alternative code.

Who knows though. Just mindless speculation.

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Matt
Doubtful dude. Nice thought though.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey has anyone played the OTHER DA VINCI QUEST YET? they have lots more prizes and lots more chances to win them

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Would it be safe to store valuables in a cryptex, or is it just cheap? It would be cool to have a usable mini safe!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

dan i thought you had one?!? or are there two dans here? dan was the first one to get one today. he told me mine was in the mail, and there it was hes my hero isnt that you?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am home! I have one!!!!!

Oh the joy! its like Christmas

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finished the 24th puzzle and submitted my registration form at 1:01:43 PM EST on May 10th, and I've received just the confirmation email from Sony & Google the day after. I haven't received a notification email today stating that I'm one of the 10,000 finalists, plus there was no Cryptex in the mail as others have indicated.

I find it hard to believe that 10,000 people finished in under 103 seconds. Can anyone that has received a Cryptex confirm their finish time? Has anyone received a finalists email today as was promised in the Sony confirmation email from last week?

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

JG
Were there any other instructions inside the cryptex or just the one saying you were worthy and the www.google.com/davincicode site listing?

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Still no email.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Thanks dan. I'm sad now :*(

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Cassie
No I don't have one yet and I just popped by an hour or so ago to get in on the fun..

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

IMO the cryptex is merely a "better than average" marketing piece. I don't know why they would only put the notches in for the last two characters, nor allow modification of the "code."

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Dan, just the one to go to the website. Havne't found any other way to open it either.. And not in the mood to even make a bare attempt at all the possible codes.... to see if it may be openable in some other way.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

so then there must be two dan's man thats confusing. maybe you should be like "dan the man" or "dan #2" i dunno but the other dan got his about 11am

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I was hoping the cryptex to be a well made toy worth buying. That sucks that only the last two characters matter.

Dan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

JG,
LOL Can't say I blame you. Either way it was a fun quest and I'm gonna see the movie and make Mr. Brown even richer.

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

In the email from Sony, they state –

"We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final challenge."

It's odd that they can get the Cryptex delivered in time, but they're late on their emails.

I guess they still have 5+ hours to get the emails out – technically.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

if you go to the web site theres one for $59.00 and its the same size but all 5 tumblers work and i think you can change the code

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Admittedly the paper does say.. "To see if your journey continues." Which makes me wonder just how many cryptexes they sent out. . To send out more tha 10,000 just seems excessive... Going to be interesting to see how this plays out. Until Friday I suppose.

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Cassie,
Not a problem on the two dan's thing. From this moment forward I am inucya.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

omg
shoot me
blow me
kill me
do w/e but dont take away the chance of receiving a cryptex, cruel cruel people =*(

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

awesome thank you im just a simple folk with a simple mind and get cornfused very easily

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Did anyone in New York get a cryptex? Maybe they haven't sent them to NY yet. Just a little thought......

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I suspect if you gave it some effort you could change the code.. But you would have to buy a separate barrel to make it require more than the las ttwo characters...

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

JG
So was there only one piece of paper inside or two?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im from ny i havent gotten 1 yet, to think that its one of the most important cities and they cant get friggin cryptexes on time and fixed roads.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Anyone in Oregon get a cryptex?

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm from upstate NY as well. I've seen at least one on ebay being from NY.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

just one piece of paper inucya

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

this is weird, go to sodarktheconofman.com and enter the site

in the lower right corder of the page next to sophie, there is a flap that you can click, when you click it it kinda jerks

click it and hold, and drag your mouse to the left, and the page unfolds revealng a side of the glass pyramid to the right with three symbols on the bottom and reverse handwriting on the back of the page you lifted :)

can someone figure out how to make it stay?? :)

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok, so I got home and checked the mail --- and there was a cryptex in the mailbox! ....only, it was for my roommate =(

I'm confused now because I finished by 1:03pm and it took my roommate until 1:20. Maybe mine will come tomorow?

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I hate the suspense.............

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

LOL Steph! Do the boxes fit in normal mailboxes? Maybe a cryptex is already in the mailbox.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

idk? my mailbox is type small..

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok jay what is the actual address of the site my pop up blocker is on the fritz

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wow – there are 15 Cryptexes for sale on eBay.com right now and another 4 have already sold on Buy-it-now auctions.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=so&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=cryptex

Jenn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum, and I just got my cryptex in the mail. I just wanted to point out that the rules say that you will recieve instructions by email on how to access the final puzzle. With that in mind, you wouldn't even have to open the cryptex to still be able to access the final puzzle, so I can imagine that the cryptex wouldn't be too hard to solve. That still doesn't explain the missing screen shot though.
And Cassie,
I've started the other Da Vinci Quest (the one on Eurostar, right?) but I'm stuck on the circles one where you have to figure out which one is the odd location out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
DaVinciyouSneak, when you get on, did you get yours today? I'm in Austin, and mine just arrived in the mail a few minutes ago.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

2 of them show the paper inside.

Jenn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

oops, sorry about DaVinciyouSneak, didn't see your previous post

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

jenn- i got that one by accident i was moving the outer circle to find another word, and all the sudden it said congratulations, i dont know what the word was but if you just keep moving it clockwise you'll eventually get is (do it slow though)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

in Austin too- Zup ATX! back to business.

I just got mine too! I am very excited-- asked for Friday off from work!!

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Matt – My roommates was in the mailbox (its about 6x4x4in). ...but it was the only one in there! Two could easily have fit in the mailbox.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok now i really have to go, ill be back later.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Only one piece of paper inside...

www.google.com/DaVinciCode
"to see if your journey continues."

heh.

Basically it's the mini cryptix sold at noblecollection.com .. but instead of having a full combination bar it only has a partial.. and no obvious way to recode it..

It really seems to have a bit of the feeling that there may be more to it than meets the eye.. That would make sense.. But after spending too much time playing with it, I see nothing else to it.. Other than the extra letters.

Do S, J, & N line up with the open codes for the unused portions of the combination for everyone else?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

gotta go too, cook dinner! good luck everyone.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

HELP!! i finished mine b4 1:20 and didnt get the cryptex yet, is it bcuz im in ny, has any1 in nyc gotten theirs yet?????

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Where are those darn emails????

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The other three unused portions on my codex are N, J, and O. maybe it is part of the final challenge then?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I thought it odd my box doesn't have a return address on it.. only a stamp for $4.05

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

For me, the notches are:

TEUIL

I think we're looking too far into this thing...

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

George. That's odd. Either that or random manufacturing. It would make sense if you could open up more on it.. But who knows.

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I'm gonna sign off for the night. Bye everyone! Better luck tomorrow......

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Yup.. Lack of these lining up between each of us.. seems to say it's not as straight forward as we would like. Oh well.

We'll know Friday or when we get the email. :)

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm convinced it's random – logically and engineering wise. Really, would Google say "Now get a flashlight and look inside your cryptex and try to see which notches line up."

This would make a good conspiracy forum though...

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Sam. No. But they could have had them engineered with similar codes and have an alternative lineup to open an additional compartment on the cryptix. Although the casting looks too thin for that on further inspection.

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

and after some searching, the letters N-J-O-I-L are not an anagram for anything. and don't appear to be a website or anything. just more speculation.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Everyone confused with the code for the grail, any code ending with I-L will work, like grail........it was made so that only the last two notches count, and only I-L will open it......having the word grail was only for it to make sense.....it is not more complicated (i.e. another part of some puzzle or quest) :)

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I guess my logic is: when a contest has server issues on the 24th puzzle, sends the cryptex before the promised email, has the code printed on the box instead of the four possible codes as defined by the rules, etc., they're probably not going to have some super secret cryptex (which would be a specialty run of 10,000 at that)...

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?catid=52

They only gave us the mini-cryptexes! :(:)

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Are you sure they're mini?

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

"If, for any reason, Contest is not capable of running as originally planned, Sponsor, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify Contest or any portion(s) thereof..."
it is in the rules, maybe that explains, sort of, why we didn't get "a screenshot of 4 codes"

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I guess it is...(It's even cheaper, the Prize page says that it worth only $30)

C [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Remember, the cryptex in the book (SOFIA) had another one inside of it (APPLE)...

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

huh???

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Pretty weird...
Could google have had 10,000 extra cheap crytexes made exclusively for the contest?

missy lightner [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

did you get them in the mail today?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

How do you sign up for the Eurostar davinci quest? It takes me to a black screen then nothing happens.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

George, good point.

Sam – true.

J Admin: I believe we're aware of that. We were noting the other empty slots.. And for what it's worth, it would be possible to have a multi slotted barrel inside a cryptix requiring a non traditional lineup for it to open. A series of combinations would then be required to step open the side.

Doubt they've done that. As has been pointed out we were given the mini-cryptex (cheaper by far), without any special features, only two locks (even cheaper), not settable to other codes from appearances (even cheaper), and fairly straight forward.

Somewhat disappointing, but from a financial perspective it makes perfect sense.

According to the rules each finalist prize has an ARV (approximate retail value) of $30. The mini-cryptexes are $59. So, we received the half-price version, with half the features..

It seems to me that they've still produced a specialty run of cryptexes, just cheaper cryptexes.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

C – that was my line of thinking.. THe one in the book had another inside.. At least another embedded code. It seems it'd be possible for these to have that.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

breathe............
omg i got mine in just nw im gon a die......omg ....pain is good!!!!!

missy lightner [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

hmmm... so did it come in standard mail... because i'm pretty sad i don't think i got one...

;*(

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Never mind me. I just took mine all the way apart – took quite a bit of twisting and poking. Nothing more to it : Unless I missed something.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im not sure
the lady from upstairs had it in her car i was so mad, i went up there and asked her if anything had come in for me, my sis' ipod had also come in adn the cryptex but my sis' ipod was in fedex box, the cryptex came in a norml box that looked almost completely distroyed and had a stamp with mi address and a return address.

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

To everone that got them – what time did you finish? I still don't understand why my roommate got one and I did not when I finished well before she did!

Gavin Sherlock [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Gack! Even though I got an email on the 11th saying:

"This email is to confirm that you have completed all 24 puzzles within the quest and successfully registered for a chance to participate in the final challenge. Well done!"

now when I log into google.com/ig, it says:

"The Quest has come to an end. You completed 23 of the 24 puzzles."

yet I know I finished all 24. Did anyone else get this behaviour?

:-(

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Went and checked out that website Jay Amin talked about. I found all kinds of hidden stuff and messages.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

huh?
send me the website and i finished like at 104 or 105

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

What kinds of hidden stuff?

tahlula [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

gavin – same thing is happenning to me. did you get a cryptex?

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Messages and stuff. No shit. if you pull back the page by a little corner it reveals a pic and also you can use a mirror to read the message. AND... click on the little bluish light and move your mouse to reveal hidden stuff in the blue light that is produced. You'll be able to find little movie clips hidden too.

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

No Tahlula, I didn't get one yet.

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Has anyone else discoverd these hidden messages?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i got one...and can someone send me this site pleez?

Gavin Sherlock [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

tahlula – I haven't been home to check my mail yet. I didn't finish the last puzzle superfast (maybe 12 minutes), but at least would like to fail to get into the last 10,000 'cos I was too slow, rather than them screwing up.

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The official Sony site for the movie.

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey ppl,

I'm ticked! My Google home page says this:
"The Quest has come to an end. You completed 23 of the 24 puzzles."

WTF! I finished all 24 and received a confirmation email.

Anyone else seeing this?

-Subaru

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Is anyone checking out the official site for the hidden stuff I told you about?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I couldn't find it. Post the exact url.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

The stuff on the site has been there. You dial the codes in quickly as you find them.. iirc some were actually needed to solve the puzzles...

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

i got my cryptex. waiting for the final challenge.

billy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

www.sodarktheconofman.com (official movie site)

here are all of the secrets I've found:

you can go through the da vinci gallery. watch the movie then use the weird rectangle thing to navigate through the gallery. find all of the hidden symbols (there are six) and you can use them to enter codes and access other parts of the site. the home page and the character pages can be peeled back revealing a symbol sequence you can enter by clicking the symbols at the bottom (once you've found them in the gallery.) Some of them show you character movies, some of them show you other stuff, like the meaning of mona lisa and something about saint sulpice, I can't remember haven't done it in a while.

Also there is something hidden on every character page you can click to view a movie about them. Also, you click on a purple spot that roams around the site to use ablacklight on whatever page you're looking at. The character pages contain hidden videos when you look at them, and some other pages have videos of silas killing someone in a car. Also, on some of the character pages when you peel them back there will be a reversed message on the back side of the page. i think there are about 4 of those.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Subaru – I had to finish a few of the puzzles more than once before it registered them as complete.. when I originally did it...

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

try to call them
look for a number
it not fair.....we all deserve the cryptex...but who will be worthy to win

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

So the hidden stuff is meaningless???

billy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Oh yeah after you go to www.sodarktheconofman.com, you have to click 'enter the site' to get to the part with the hidden stuff.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I completely took my cryptex apart, there is no hidden code. You can change the opening code, but it would still just be the last two letters that open it.

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

J G –

It's just strange that I received a confirmation email from Sony and Google. They must have thought I competed the 24 puzzles. I finished at about 1:10 EST. If the cutoff was @ 1:05 EST , then it makes no difference.

I don't understand why it is telling me that I haven't completely all the puzzles, when clearly, I have!

ugh... I hate computers

billy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Umm yeah I think the hidden stuff is just for fun

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

inucya, it's cute previews to the movie? Possibly more. But I'm not sure what. May be useful in the final five puzzles, may not be...

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Subaru, true enough. It may just be your browser acting up and they have correct info elsewhere. You can always try emailing them to see what happens..

Anyway, I best be off, later.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Do the emails from Google and Sony mean you're a finalist? In them it says you have a chance to participate in the final contest. Did anyone get the emails who knows they're not finalists?

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

As far as I know, yes.

Email from Google and Sony:
Thank you for participating in "The Da Vinci Code" Quest on Google.

This email is to confirm that you have completed all 24 puzzles within the quest and successfully registered for a chance to participate in the final challenge. Well done!
  
We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final challenge.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

That's strange because I only finished around 4:00 pacific time (7:00 eastern time)! Surely 10,000 people finished before me.

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Matt – Did you receive a Cryptex?

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Subaru,

I completed all the puzzles too yet I log on today and see that it says I only finsihed 23 of them. I distinctly remember seeing it say that I solved all 24 when I was finished. Maybe it's a glitch or something? Does anyone else see this message on their Google Homepage?

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yes, Matt – did you get a cryptex???

jk47h3 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the cryptex will not be recieved by anyone until 5/18, that is when the finals start, has anyone recieved an email other than the confirmation that you completed the first round saying that you are being shipped a cryptex?

Squirrel [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Everyone that participated in the contest and registered to win got the emails from Google and Sony. They don't mean you're a finalist, just that you finished. I'm getting the thing where it says I only finished 23 puzzles too, even though I finished all of them and registered to be a finalist.

Squirrel [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

People have been getting cryptexes already, not everyone has them yet though since the post office isn't that precise that it can deliver all 10,000 of them on the same day. No one I've talked to has gotten an email yet either.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

JK, I received my Cryptex today, so they sent them out earlier. No email yet though.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i got my cryptex 2day no email though!!!!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i have the cryptex but still no e-mail.

jk47h3 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

thats messed up, i thought everyone was going to get them on the 18th thats what the official rules said

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well I thoroughly searched the site for those hidden items and I think I found them all and I guess you guys are right... they're meaningless.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

YEAH!!!! SAMY i told you you would get a cryptex! where was it? did the super have it (or who ever you said might have it)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

NO the rules said by the 18th all the cryptexes would be were they need to be

Elika [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I received a cryptex today!!! I can't believe it!

I received the two emails: one from Sony and the other from Google, I think.

Anyway, I haven't gotten any other emails from them, but was surprised to find the cryptex in today's mail. I think they are supposed to email instructions for the final puzzle. Wish us all luck!!

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I got the cryptex in Raleigh, NC from California. So that is one of the longest distances.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

congrats i knew you'd get one too.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

actually congratulations to everyone for coming this far.

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am getting the strange message about 23/24 puzzles being completed.

Everyone who received a Cryptex:

What time did you complete your registration?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

is everyone who got the cryptex going to do the final challenge on their own or get help from family and friends?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I will do it on my own, friends and family will only get in the way. They know little about this

Elika [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Oh crap... I figured out the code to open the cryptex. Is that ok?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I think everyone who got the toy has been able to open it.

Wratz [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Figred it out? It's printed on the box.

Elika [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It wasn't hidden, that's for sure. Did anyone follow the instructions? I don't want to do anything early out of fear that they may DQ me.

Wratz [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

BTW, noblecollection.com is selling them already for $59.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

i think everyone has been to www.google.com/davincicode website to "see if their journey continues".

Elika [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

and what does it say there?

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=NN5335&catid=52

NN5335 $59.00
Order Today, Ships on 06/15/2006

Wratz [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

it says the code can be changed, has anyone been able to change theirs?

Horsecountryart [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I have been to other websites like this and seems like alot of people have gotten them. Does it mean that we are all trying to figure out what to do since we haven't seen an e-mail yet, or does it mean that more than 10,000 people recieved a cryptex?(are people getting these even if they dont qualify for the final challenge?)

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Wratz,
ours are the cheap $30 Google version. Nobel collection is selling a higher quality version that allows for code changing.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You can change the code on these. Open the cryptex, hold the open end of the wheel section up, there are 2 small screws on the end, remove those and the end plate comes off, you can remove each wheel and change the position of the letters on the wheel. However, the last 2 letters are the only 2 that matter.

Anon [PersonRank 7]

18 years ago #

Got a crytex, too! But no e-mail.

Finished the puzzle and the registration at about 10:07 a.m.

I think noble collection is setting the price too high. I don't think I would have paid $59 for this crytex. The bigger one may be worth it, though, with the password setting capability, and if the pretty wooden box is included.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

People on ebay seem to be willing to pay more than 70 dollars for the Google version. Google made it quite clear that it is mailing the $30 version.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

you guys, id advise you not to playa round with the cryptex or try to change the code, not that i dont wan to do it as well but, u never know, it might be needed in the final 5 puzzles, so there fore u guys really need to leave it alone b4 ur DQ or mess up the cryptex.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

If you go to sodarktheconofman.com, and you go into the gallery if you click on the symbols you can enter new sections of the web site. Does anyone have any Idea what those sections might be for. It looks to me like something important!

kprestipino [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i got one too, but no email. i finished at 110 and i live in raleigh, nc.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

www.google.com/davincicode is the only website that matters. it will be updated for the final challenge.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

kprestipino, what part of raleigh? I leave near NC State campus.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Have you seen any of the stuff there?

Anon2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm getting this odd message on my Goggle home page too:

"The Quest has come to an end. You completed 23 of the 24 puzzles."

Anybody have any idea what it means? Because I completed all 24 puzzles and have their earlier e-mail that says so.

For anyone that received a cryptex today: what does your Google page say now?

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

That web site was important in the begining which gives me reason to belive it may still be important

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got mine here in Austin, TX today! Finished about 1:05....no screenshots included though...and no email....

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

How do you get back to the page that shows how many quests you've completed? It isnt' on my google homepage.

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ive got my cryptex too!! (weston, fl) no email yet!

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Update for those of us who got the message saying that we only completed 23 puzzles out of 24. I just checked again and it's back to normal. I'm guessing it was a glitch.

I still haven't received my cryptex though despite finishing the puzzles in time. I'd love one though.

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Never mind...I got it. Mine says thanks for playing and hope you had fun. I did get the message that I was registered but I've gotten no emails.

Anon2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I never deleted the Quest Module that I added to my homepage after 5/10 (the module that kept track of your puzzle results). But now it's back to the message it showed yesterday:

"Thank you for participating in The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. We hope you had fun."

So I don't know what's going on.

inucya [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I guess I'll just sign off now and wait by my mailbox and hope. Good luck everybody!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

PAIN IS GOOD!!!

Anon2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

One wonders about the possibility of other "glitches." I suppose it's still possible that more cryptex are "in the mail."

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Strange.

I still get the message:

The Quest has come to an end. You completed 23 of the 24 puzzles.

so disapointing....

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Do you think they will send out the Emails around the same time as the last emails sent out

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

[put at-character here] adwore
I got my confirmation emails at 9:20 PM EST and 9:44 PM EST last week.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The other email said they would email us today

www.albinocode.com [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i got my confirmation emails around the same time as Subaru.

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think we are all waiting for that email. I just wish I was waiting with a cryptex. Instead, Google tells me I didn't finish!

"The Quest has come to an end. You completed 23 of the 24 puzzles."

I'm just a little bitter my account isn't correct. I may have been one of the finalists

>:/

-Subaru

Ryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So, has anyone received the email explaining if you won a cryptex or when the second half of the quest will begin? It's 9:10PM EDT and I still haven't gotten an email yet.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got my confirmation email last week at 9:14 PM from Sony and 9:43 PM from the davincicodequest email. So I'd imagine they're coming.

If not, Google has a lot of explaining to do.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

shouldnt they have sent the email b4 the cryptex, google is weird. I hope the last challenge is extremely fun, i think that if ur not a finalist and completed the 24 puzzles u get to play the final challengebut u cant compete ud be doing it for fun i think.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

From Official rules:
Notification: Phase 1: Finalists will be notified by email on or about May 15, 2006 and at time of receipt of their Finalist Prize which will be shipped by postal mail to be received by May 18, 2006.

That may mean that we may not get emails today!

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


From the Contest confirmation email:

We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final challenge.
  
All remaining players who finished the quest will also receive a surprise message via email.

10,000 people should be getting emails tonight at the very least. There are a few us us here. Myself, not included. Let us know if you hear anything?

Any luck on other websites?

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I got a cryptex, and now just waiting

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

adwore: This is from my e-mail. We should get an e-mail today.

"We will be contacting the 10,000 finalists on Monday 5/15 via email
regarding their cryptex shipment. Within that email the 10,000 finalists
will also receive instructions on how to participate in the final
challenge."

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

That is true but the offical rules say ON OR ABOUT MAY 15

I dont know what to tell you

Anon2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

A lot of wiggle room in that phrase: "...on or about..."

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I Know

Ryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Has anyone received a cryptex yet?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

several of us had. there are currently 34 of them already going on Ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=DA+VINCI+CRYPTEX&category0=

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'd buy one for $15.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hmmm, I believe we misinterpreted the rules. I think they must've meant that the emails would be distributed on May 15, 2007. :[

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

[put at-character here]Davinci

You beat me to that punch line. lol

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Actually, The next time that the 15th of May falls on a Monday isn't until 2017.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

then 2017 it is!

Ryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well, I guess those who are in the final received their cryptex already. I'm guessing that if you haven't gotten it by now, then we're out of luck. Oh well.

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just got my email....received the cryptex in the mail earlier today. It says:

Congratulations ------!
You are one of the 10,000 who have proven themselves worthy of continuing the journey and solve the Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. Please enter your area code in the Fandango search box below and choose a movie theater to see the sneak preview of the Da Vinci Code Thursday night, May 18 at your local theater with other winners.

Prepare wisely as your new quest begins Friday May 19.

Once again, congratulations from the Google and the Da Vinci Code!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well then on may 15 2017 when we all get e-mails im taking everyone to the sizzler for a celebration, mark it on your calenders people, the reservations will be under "screw google"

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

no way!!! so do you take the e-mail or the cryptex to get in?!?

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

neither one....you enter your zip code into this fandango area code box, choose your theater, and print out the tickets...the sneak preview is at 10:05 Thursday night...the tix are free

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

there is a free ticket code that automatically pastes in when you click to buy the tix....it only works once though...i've tried to get more tix ;-)

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

longhorn,

that's mighty generous of Google. What a surprise they never mentioned it in the rules. did you receive the email at a Gmail account?

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I GOT THE EMAIL:
Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

sure didn't...my university account

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

longhorn, ur not a finalist. sorry

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

wow...that's freaky NCSU! I was just rattling the cage a little bit and filling the board with a little B.S. to increase the anticipation and after I saw your post, checked my gmail account and saw the REAL email!

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I GOT IT TOO!!! there is definately no free tickets though.

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

yeah, not tix though...that was a figment of my imagination

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i am glad ur cage was rattled longhorn, lol.

Steph [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

GOT THE FINALIST EMAIL JUST NOW EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT GET A CRYPTEX YET! THIS IS WHAT IT SAYS:
Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I AM A FINALIST! What about the congratulatory message from Sir Ian? How would i know about that? ;-)

Ryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Guess what I just got in my email inbox....

My cryptex should be here any day!

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Tom hanks looks so tired...

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i just got the email :D and i already have the cryptex hehehe

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i just got my email
yay!!!!!!!!!

George [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

now i am just curious what happened to that screenshot that was supposed to come with the cryptex!!

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

yeah, the screenshot kind of has me wondering too. they probably found out the code to the cryptex was on the back and decided against adding the screenshots...that's the most reasonable thing I can figger.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i kno

Jack [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

for those who didn't get make the cut, i would like to know what the "special message" is. please post when you get it.

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

George,
it's obvious that they just wanted to ship out the cryptex right away...it is cheaper and easier to just include the code on the side of the box. sending screenshots is a waste of time....

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

THE BOX IS THE SCREENSHOT, HAVENT YOU GUYS FIGURED OUT THE OTHER 3 CODES?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

it took me a while, but I am pretty sure I got it. I think it helps you prepare for the next challenge. Kind of like a study guide.

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

there aren't 3 screenshots on the box, only 1 LARGE ONE

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

care to enlighten us?

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

My e-mail inbox is still empty. Disappointed? Yes, but I can't say I haven't been expecting it.

The "special surprise" I believe is a 40% off deal on a cryptex that you can buy. From what I've seen though the cryptex is not nearly as nice as the brass one; these cryptexes are made out of wood and ... well ... they're just not as good.

:*-(*sigh*

Will post the "special surprise" when I get it. Congrats to everyone who's a finalist!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Really, I want to win this but read the rules.

"A SCREENSHOT WITH FOUR CODES, ONE WILL OPEN THE CRYPTEX"

As I said before, there aren't four screenshots. Who started that rumor?

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the code is on the back of the box"

CRYPTEX CODE: GRAIL. very easy to understand so that all 10,000 finalists logon to www.google.com/davincicode.

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Google doesn't want anyone to really know what the final challenge is so they won't be putting it on some stupid box.

Luke Pickard [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Just got the email: sorry to those who didn't get it.

Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/teabingmessage/finalist.html

fyshy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i just got my email, like right now. im not a finalist :-(

ah well...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yes one is clearly given to us. the others well.........we have to figure out on our own.

They can not NOT include the screenshot. They will deviate from the rules, thus, opening opp. for winner to argue the original agreement.

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I GOT AN EMAIL!

I am not a finalist :(

At least I know now.

Good luck to everyone who is a finalist.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

What does your email say

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Never mind, the "Special Surprise" is nothing like I expected.

Though others have finished before you, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded! Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and [sales] from our Quest partners.

Thank you for playing the Da Vinci Code Quest on Google.

Exciting. A special MOVIE! No [sales]. :(Very disappointed.

(Sorry, the word discoun* was blocked.)

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the who purpose of the cryptex is to learn how to enter the final challenge. it is not linked to winning the final challenge.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

What does the room suppose the other three codes offerred in the screenshot are for?

I personally think it is a cheat sheet.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Da vinci
Can you post the link to The message from Ian McKellen

BW [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/teabingmessage/endofquest.html

HaiWolfe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got my e-mail, not a finalist, watched the sneak preview.

BUT

Did anyone else notice the highlighting of certain letters in the names of those interviewed in the special? Can anyone piece together the significance of it?

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/teabingmessage/finalist.html

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

HaiWolfe... Intersting. I'll watch it again.

Maybe there is more to not being a finalist.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i dont see any screen shots...what are screen shots...some1 help me

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

finalist "benefits"
http://sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/offers/finalist/

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yeah really whats the deal with the screen shots?

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Here are the Letters I get. They are in the order they appear in each name:

HITR
MEAN
AUNIV
NF
DTIV

any ideas?

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The highlighted letters are:

HITR
MEAN
AU
NIVNF
DTIV

Tell us what you think

HaiWolfe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got that too, only AU is in one name, and NIVNF is in the next.

Still trying to figure out what it could mean.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Its in the finalist video as well

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

19 letters, no idea

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i still have no email, any truth to the rumer about the sneek preview at a movie theater?

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

NO

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i TRIED THE whole subs. by putting alphabet backwards under it. didnt make any sense.

Also it is 19 letter cant be Cesaer box...

things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm?

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The letters spell out "FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN"

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im trying something from digital fortrress but it doesnt work

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Do you think this has something to do with the finalist puzzle as well?

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

davinciyousneak, do your codes from the cryptex help decipher this 19 letter enigma?

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Wow

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

nice work Josh... interesting

HaiWolfe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

In case it matters, here are the letters again, only split up based on the two lines each name is displayed on.

H M A NIV DT

ITR EAN U NF IV

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Once again...The letters spell out "FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN"

HaiWolfe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wow, nice work indeed, Josh.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

nice

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It is on display in the Gallerie dell' Accademia in Venice, Italy.
From wikipedia

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

good work josh! Amazingly quick,

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the vitruvian man is in Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, Italy.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Could it have something to do with The
SODARKTHECONOFMAN website

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hopefully the quickness will pay off in the final challenge...lol

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

So I tried playing that other game online, and found all the symbols, then got stuck with Bezu Fache staring me in the face!

I found a fleur-de-lis with the use of the flashlight but it didnt let me do anything with or to it.

Does anyone know where to go from here?

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

it could be one of the final challenges

Nick [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hmm... i wonder what this can mean.... i am not a finalist however i am intrigued by the anagram they put in the preview... anyone have any idea of what this might mean????

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

good job im impressed

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Josh, I wish you the best of luck.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

we should save this

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Josh, I am also interested in what this means. I'm on google maps looking for a possible hint.
Nothing so far.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

did anyone unlock the symbol bar from the gallery on the website

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I also remember seeing letters in the official trailer at the end where they show the credits. I think those ones spelled out "FIND THE CODE". Not sure what they all mean, but it is fun!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well in the movie (book) the curatior of the louvre is layed out like the VITRUVIAN MAN. its a message to sophie, it starts them on their grail quest. its the beginning of an important quest. i think we all see the significance. (sorry if i spelled that wrong)

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i did

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

has anyone NOT gotten the e-mail yet besides me?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hey cassie

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

whuddup?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I have a cryptex, no email Cassie.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thank god im not the only one, you are my beacon of hope davinci

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

nm u? ive got so much hw i hate my english teacher, shes making us rite out 2 outlines for tom sawyer the most boring book(now y cant we read da vinci code instead) and its due 2moro it the most awful thing.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

try checking ur email now cassie

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Samy you sly dog. are you sending out the emails? =-)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i hated that book, i always got him a huck finn mixed up.

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

what email provider do u use cassie?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

has any1 noticed that the vitruvian man in the gallery on the official website has the fibbonacci sequence? and this weird formula

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

YES, all other pictures have a little something like that too

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

could that mean something

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the last supper says, San Greal
the mona says, Find Robert
another says, Rose line
another says, P.S.

I dont know if it does. But I like this

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

does any1 have a literal black light???? myb the box has 4 codes under black light....

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

remember Da Vinci enjoyed writing backwards too

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i have hotmail and no e-mail yet, am i missing something about the box?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

will someone please give me the actual address of the gallery, i keep going to sodarktheconofman.com but my pop up blocker is on the fritz and i cant get any farther. please someone link me to it

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Cassie, I have hotmail too.

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

cassie, hotmail is terrible. i've waited on emails for many days to show up in my hotmail inbox...that;s why i used Gmail. you must;ve gotten the email. you just have to wait.....

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i have hotmail 2

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

you really are my hero, how come we're in the same boat? dont tell me your from ohio too.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i was wondering if the code 2 the box had to do with writing backwards or blacklight writing,

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

me???? i already got my email, like 30 minutes ago

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the Text from the movie states to "find the vitruvian man"

The Vetruvian man has Fibinacci numbers written on his side:

1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21

The movie might be directing us.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

sorry no i meant da vinci i know your in new york samy

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

who has read the book?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thats what i said

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

ive read the book but i lent it,, arg......im gonna go and buy a new 1

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

ok enough for tonight...back to my Ph.D. qual exams...good luck everyone!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i bet you could win this thing samy, with your grades and all, you're a smart girl.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

u 2 .....is any1 here below 20 years old or a teenager?????

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hey im a dude>>>>>>

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i shouldve put my full name which is samuel

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

sorry i mean boy

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yay! I got the email!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

congrats...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

You like me you really like me.

I have read the book several times, just finished it for this last time last week.

If you put the box against the mirror it reveals a name. All I got was John P. and something like Tomo or Domo

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

yeah i thought samy was a cute girl. damn it.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i dont kno if ill be able 2 skip school on friday???
ill have to ask my sister if she can pick me up early froms school

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Austin, Texas here Cassie, Longhorn Country

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im 14 and im close 2 having a gf i think....

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

our one fork in the road davinci damn

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

ok is any1 here a teenager????

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

u dont have to skip school samy. just take the challenge when u can.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

23 sorry

Diley [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Sorry I forgot to quote it for you guys. Here it is; "Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

While you wait, Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and d*i*s*c0*u*n*t*s from our Quest partners."

the link they gave for the congratulatory message is http://news.sonypictures.com/rspba/r2.php?b=131&986290/67724716/986294/H/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sonypictures.com%2Fmovies%2Fdavincicode%2Fdvcqog%2Fteabingmessage%2Ffinalist.html

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I really think there is something with the SODARKTHECONOFMAN webpage if you unlock the bar by the gallery ther are many things to find

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

they make it very clear, it is not a race as was the final puzzle. This is timed. you can start as late as you want, take your time Samy.

I am 26

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

23 on May 27th. wooohoooooooooo

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i wonder what preperation can be done for this. i mean it's too late to raise your IQ.

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey davinci you sneak, i'm in austin too

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

YEA, Your name gave you away, you reek of burnt orange! I too bleed orange.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i dont understant u mean if you take the shortest time, for example if u start at 1 and end at 1 30 but i start at 5 and end at 525 i win because it took me less time???

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

yup, thats it

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

YES, THAT IS WHAT THE RULES SAY. AND THAT ONE LINK. LET ME LOOK FOR IT AGAIN.

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

yes of course. the shortest time to complete the whole challenge.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_too_early.html

HERE IT IS.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

omg thank you , ur a life saver, i was gonna skip a test just for the challenge...id rather solve puzzles than read tom sawyer and fail a test on it..

NCSU [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the winner's prize seem a little overpriced.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i dont kno how people can sell thier codex on ebay(better for us though since i might be included in the final challenge and less finalists that we dont know) what a disgrace to DA VINCI!!!! Aya la Vida!!!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok guys im accepting defeat im going to bed; maybe when i wake up ill have my e-mail. let me know tomorrow da vinci if you got yours. i will miss you all until tomorrow. and NCSU....ill be thinking of good things to obsess over for after the 20th

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Davinciyousneak...i wouldn't say that I BLEED orange...I do have a bachelor's degree from good ol' Texas A&M! ;-)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

cassie, have the best of sleeps

dream of mona lisa smiles

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

you got it

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

A&M came together this last time though, it was amazing! I loved it all of Texas as one!!! A&M , Longhorns, & Texas Techs all in same room, getting along.

Priceless.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

On the website there is a preview of the secnce with the vituvian man I think theres something going on with this

andro [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

well if u haven't gotten your emails yet i finished a hour and half late and did not make it, so if u were later then that srry.

Samuel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

theats interesting, the vitruvian man is what they were reffering to in the video, now thats probably what they mean, what site is it??//? ill check it out

Subaru [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finished at ~10 minutes after 1 PM EST and I am not a finalist.

Samuel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

im a finalist and it rocks

Kat [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have a cryptex with no email. I am assuming that means I am not a finalist.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

did anyone else play the one online, I cant get past the symbols. I found them all but now dont know what to do.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I think the obsevation in the final may have to d with the THE VITRUVIAN MAN video on the movie website

Ben [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hey all, You can change the pass word to be what ever you want... when you open it you'll see 2 small screws... just unscrew those and pull off that end... then you can remove the letter rings... to change the letter you can slide off
the plastic ring with the letters on it... the letter that it will be is the letter that is lined up with the larger notch on the inside of the metal part of the letter ring... taadaaa... pretty simple...

Samuel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

if u got a cryptex then ur a finalist so congrats

notafinalist [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Dude, I finished about 4 minutes after 1PM and I am not a finalist. (got an email at about 10:26PM, last night) Considering the times that other people posted, I'm wondering if this contest had some technical issues.

I'd love it if google gave us access to our timestamp info, to verify this fact. That probably won't happen though...

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I just got home from my two jobs and my cryptex is here! Also got the email that my "journey does not end here." Of course, I'm hopeless at some of the games and know that there's no way I can win the big prize, so let's just say "We're all winners here...." ;)

Cryptex-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got an email saying i am a finalist, and will recieve a cryptex... but am to understand some of you already got yours???? Are they high or low quality??? What shipping service will it come through???

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

For those of you who recieved the email with the sneak peek videos....

I noticed that some letters stodd out in the video, and I got this: hitrmeanauhivnfdtiv .

Anybody know what this can mean, or what it can be if it is unscrambled?

J

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got my cryptex yesterday but no email. What does this mean? Did anyone with hotmail get the email (good or bad one)?

Cryptex-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It says "Find the vitruvian man"
-credit "Josh"

Cryptex-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

hey email, what shipping provider? is the replica of High or low quality???

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Cryptex-less,

Odd...it brings you right back to the Sony Da Vinci Code page.

J

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Got the email and am a finalist, but no cryptex today. Email-less, maybe you and I are supposed to be partners. :)

I'm surprised that some are getting emails and saying they're NOT finalists. Do I understand you correctly that you got an email that says, "I'm sorry, you're not a finalist"?

In any case, my understanding of the rules is that if you got a cryptex, you ARE a finalist. I've noticed they've been sending email notifications out in batches (10,000 is a lot, and if they're also notifying non-finalists it will be many, many more), so you'll probably get your email sometime today.

No way in hell I'm winning the big prize but of course I will give it a shot. :)

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

got the word late last night.......not a finalist. Boo hoo. Good luck to you all who are finalists. Post your progress so we can see what it would have been like

Cryptex-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Beks, i need a partner too... I got the email telling me i am getting a crrptex but dont have it... so now I am dying, as you probably are, of anxiety trying to imagine what it will look/feel like, so im trying to find out how high or low quality it is, and what truck to look out for b4 i need to go to work/meetings today...

bodysurfer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

got the no winner email
did finish puzzle and was told that i qualified.
sony sucks
tom hanks as the lead sucks

anonymous [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

no fair! i got the stupid "im sorry you didnt win!" e-mail. o nice sony, argh! > : (

BWJM [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

What's the deal with the "find the vitruvian man" from the non-finalist video? The only thing I can find on it is the Fibbonacci sequence (look on the DaVinci Gallery on the official site).

Also, the game that you can download... I heard there was a way to make it the full version without actually buying it. Something about a code that was supposed to be emailed to non-finalists? I checked my email and didn't see any sort of code.

Simple Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yep it SUCKS, got the "confirmation e-mail and then the insulting "NOT A FINALIST" e-mail. Sensisitivity PLUS way of dealing with people. Glad I couldn't afford the taxes if I won anyway.

Lets see whose relative or significant other is the big winner.....

Tarman [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yeah, I got the NOT A FINALIST email this morning. I have learned that the store for the movie will have the Cryptex for sale when it becomes available when the movie launches. This way, we can all have one – even if it does cost money.

Good luck to the rest of you.

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

As far as the quality of the cryptex goes I'd say it is better quality than I thought it would be. It is basically all metal except the letters so it has some good weight. It should make an interesting conversation piece or paperweight in the future. I'm still wondering if anybody out there with a hotmail email address has received any kind of email notification. I finished the last puzzle in about four minutes (by 1:04pm EDT), received the two confirmation emails about registering (which makes me think my spam blocking is OK since I received both of those), and have my spam settings set to never delete anything automatically. Beks, maybe as you say, they are releasing notifications gradually and mine may come today.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got my Cryptex in the mail last night and then I received the FINALIST email this morning.

Pretty easy to open it, the code was printed on the box with the Mona Lisa...

Inside was a small scroll (just a piece of paper) with calligraphy on it that says log onto google.com/DaVinciCode to see if you're journey continues...

The Finalist email had a video from Sir Ian McKellan congratulating us, then a trailer for the movie with some shots of ron howard and basic behind the scenes stuff.

Then you could click to some basic affiliate links for deals on stuff I'll never buy.

The video of Ian McKellan was pretty cool though...not spectacular, but I knew it was targeted to me...one of 10,000 people

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Didn't we get something that said non-finalists would get a "special surprise"? I'm guessing this will be the code to make the game free --or perhaps you'll receive something in the mail.

I'd like one too, please, whatever it is... since I don't expect to win AND I couldn't afford it anyway. :)

And Cryptex-less, stay calm!!! It's just a trinket, eh? I'm excited because I got this far, and for no other reason.

ConspiracyNut [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

So get this. I complete the puzzle at work and then my coworker completes it using my machine 5 minutes after I was done. She's a FINALIST, I'm not. WTF?

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Actually, the cryptex is weighty and quite cool...I was surprised at the quality of it....you can actually use it to lock something inside!!!!

great quality....good job google!

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

conspiracynut

did you submit the form properly as soon as you solved the puzzle or did you wait? the rules said you needed to submit the form ASAP after solving the puzzle...

ConspiracyNut [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

completed everything. got the confirmation mail with everyone else. but i was all done and complete. five minutes passed, then she used my computer.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

man, that sucks...

i was wondering if they also had some kind of way of tracking how quickly people solved the other puzzles as well and if it made a difference....rules didn't say it...but there had to be a way to determine tie breakers.....

sounds strange that she got in and you didn't...but I think my co worker who also submitted his about 30 seconds after me (we were in the first 2 minutes for sure) ... didn't make it...but then again, he may have typed his username wrong since he has not heard anything either way...

i just feel lucky....the odds of winning the final deal are gonna be slim....

1 in 10,000 odds...

they did say that you would be given something else for completing all 24 puzzles within the time....

ConspiracyNut [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

some crappy free flash game download. (not that i'm bitter or anything.)

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Heck, I'd be bitter and I just did this on a lark. Something is obviously screwy with their system, and that's bad advertising for Google/Sony, when all is said and done, eh?

RB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


Got the confirmation e-mail that I'm a finalist... but I live in the remotest of remote areas, so no Cryptex yet...

Can't believe people are buying them on e-bay. As of this morning's bidding anyway, $60 for a 1 in 10,000 chance at paying $30,000 in taxes? Hmmm....

tiggerstail [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I saw on another message board that people were posting their completion times. Several of them were in the 1:10-1:13 time frame. I also saw one as late as 1:19 that claim to have gotten the cryptexes. I completed the last puzzle at 1:08 and thought I was a shoe in. Nope. Got the loser email this morning. I think our "special surprise" was the "thanks for playing loser" e-mail from Sir Ian and the clips. It wasn't special for us, because apparently the winners got the same thing. Ok.....I think I was robbed.

ConspiracyNut [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i think we need to blow the lid on this thing. the contest was flawed.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I was wondering how much you could get one for on Ebay.

Honestly, it is totally userID driven, so unless you give that up, the cryptex is just a gimme...

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Well, all I can say is that the time is according to... I think the rules said a Sony clock would determine the times. So the times we report may not be accurate in terms of who actually entered when, if that makes sense. Still doesn't account for ConspiracyNut's coworker situation.

Like I said, something screwy.

And RB, surely the Ebay buyers can't think they can use these to get a chance at the grand prize? Because you'd have to enter with your same login and password, as one of the finalists. So even if you sell your cryptex, you can still try for the grand prize.

The commercial replica being sold is retailing at something like $80, I believe, and while there's every suggestion the quality will actually be higher, it doesn't have that "collectors" value of one of the 10,000 finalist cryptexes. So what people are paying $60 is probably a collectors' piece.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i'll never sell mine...

well, unless I could trade it to get rid of all religion completely that is...that would be a deal well worth it...

problem with dan brown's book is that in order to give it credence, you have to believe that jesus even existed...

too bad he never lived...so many people...so misguided...

his life is mapped right out of the stars in ehyptian mythology...

that is the puzzle you should be spending your time on...

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok – 9:00 AM EST and I still haven't received an email confirming or denying I made the finalist cut. I know that they have my email address correct since I received the confirmation emails last week stating that they received my registration.

Has anyone here not received an email confirming or denying their finalists status? Of that group, has anyone received a Cryptex and not received an email yet?

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

egyptian mythology...

ConspiracyNut [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Who cares about this Jeebus guy. I just want my damn cryptex...

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

www.heseesyou.com

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok, this is rather annoying, I completed the form at 1:19 EST, and I've seen people getting cryptexes that completed as late as 1:30 EST, and yet I got the "Not a finalist" email. Is it me or do Sony and Google have some explaining to do?

Nate [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

All I know is, I got my congratulatory 1-of-10,000 finalists e-mail last night around 10:00 EST, so I'm hoping to get my cryptex today or tomorrow. :)

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

fiscap

I'm still waiting for the email. I got the cryptex yesterday so I'm hopeful the email is just late for some reason – though in this age of technology you'd think sending out the 10,000 finalist emails that were supposedly going out yesterday would not be held up. Would be nice if there was someway of getting the email resent in case it went out but got delivered to a black hole somewhere.

Dlboy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I finished around 1:07 and got the NOT A FINALIST e-mail ... Damn!

Ellisera [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok, I see over here http://googlefact.blogspot.com/2006/05/not-finalist-da-vinci-code-quest-on.html#comments
that there have been people that completed the form as early as 1:01 EST and have gotten the "Not a finalist" email. Something definetly does NOT click.

pokey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I also finished at 1:07 and was not a finalist.

Cheated by Da Vinci [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

THIS IS NOT A JOKE, PLEASE READ THIS COMMENT CAREFULLY

First of all, I would like to congratulate all of the finalists on the Google's Da Vinci Code Quest! Way to GO!!!

I am starting a Class Action Lawsuit against Google and Sony.
For those of you who completed the puzzle along with the 2 forms, (completion form and registration form), by 1:15pm EST on May 10, 2006, but did not receive the congratulatory "finalist" email nor the cryptex, there may be a serious reason why.

Although Google stated that the FIRST 10,000 finalist will be entered into the contest as finalist, it seemed that Google's system was not capable of handling multiple submissions at the same time.

Some of you may have seen the weird glitch page while trying to refresh the page prior to 1pm on May 10, 2006, the 24th day of the puzzle. The page may have been accompanied by a strange "virus" message along with a "random word" entry form to regain access back into Google's Da Vinci Code Quest.

Simply put, if you submitted the form at 1:10pm along with 2000 others at the same time, you should've been a finalist (assuming that you filled out everything correctly), since we already know that people, some of whom finished the puzzle and form past 1:15 got their first phase prize along with the finalist status.

I for one, finished all of the puzzles within 24 minutes, (should there be such thing as a cumulative score), solved and submitted the form by 1:09 pm on the first day of the 24th puzzle.

I am not upset about not receiving the cryptex, since these aren't numbered nor that limited. The Noble Collection has these for sale and will have them as long as they do not stop production on it.

However I feel cheated at the chance to win the Grand Prize.
This is not a matter of the prize, it's the principle.
By the glitch that occured on Google, some of us whom finished the contest a lot sooner than others, got deprived of hopes and dreams.

If you are a participant in the quest and did not receive anything but the "NOT A FINALIST" email, please email me at CheatedByDaVinci[put at-character here]hotmail.com. Please include the time of completion for the puzzle and 2 entry forms, along with details of any suspicious, strange glitches while playing the quest.

If you are a finalist, please send an email to the same address along with your completion time.

If any personal information needs to be obtained an attorney will contact you.

Thank you!

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Stop wasting your time, it is just a game...

Read the fine print...

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

really! i mean damn. i still havent gotten my e-mail! my cryptex came at this time yesterday, but still no e-mail.

and to CHEATED: i finished between 1:03, and 1:05 not sure of the exact time, but i didnt even start until 1:01 because of the google screw up message, but smartly i copied the word into the little box and got on to google and got on with life.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Cassie, NO email her yet either. and I have a cryptex

ConspiracyNut [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm ticked about my situation. but i don't think i'm going to join the class action lawsuit. I'll send him my info though as it definetly proves something is up.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I dont think Google/Sony deliberately screwed things up if indeed there is something wrong.

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Good luck with that lawsuit. It won't get you ANYWHERE. Please read the following from the official rules:

   By participating, participants agree that Contest Entities shall have no responsibility or liability (including, but not limited to, liability for any property loss, damage, personal injury or death) in connection with: the participant's participation or inability to participate in the Contest (or in any phase thereof), acceptance/possession, use/misuse, defects, damage, loss, or delay arising out of or relating to any prize awarded in connection with the Contest; misprinted or typographical errors on the Web Site or other Contest promotional materials; unauthorized intervention; disputes over Puzzles solutions or ambiguous Puzzles; Final Phase Cryptex code; online traffic/congestion; any technical malfunctions of the telephone network (including participant's internet connection speed), computer online system, computer timing/dating mechanism, computer equipment, software, interruption or inability to access or utilize the Internet, the Web Site, the Module, or Personalized Home Pages designated for this Contest on the Web Site for any reason, or any combination thereof, or any injury or damage to a participant's or third person's computer and/or its contents, related to or resulting from any part of this Contest, even if caused by the negligence of any of the Contest Entities.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

nicely put ItIsI

AlsoCheated_butWhoCares [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well, I submitted mine at 1:05 and wasn't a finalist. It's not like I really thought I would win a prize worth $100k+ and be forced to pay the taxes on it anyway. I am a little disappointed that the contest was so flawed, though, and while I'm not mad enough to join a lawsuit, I would be interested if anyone did something a little more simple like a petition email or website or something like that just to tell the sponsors how bad they screwed up.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

To those that are Finalist –

Has anyone attempted to "Find the Vitruvian Man"? The movie clip highlights certain letters from the names of the actors that, when decyphered, reads "Find the Viturvian Man".

It is on display at the Gallerie dell' Accademia in Venice, but the site is in Italian. Anyone else have a clue what we need to do with this?

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

There is a vitruvian man video clip on the Da Vinci Code movie official website, but I don't see anything interesting in it.

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

In any web contest, the fine print will always disclaim liablity for being unable to manage a load of users that is over the capacity the server can handle. The "weird virus page" was a Google captcha that started showing up because too many people were making requests for the Google Personalized homepage, and this could be perceived by the server as a potential DOS attack. I don't think that any legal action could be taken for such circumstances.

AlsoCheated_butWhoCares [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I guess the problem is that I received my confirmation that it went through, and apparently it didn't. If I never got that, I would assume it's my own fault. But like I said, I wouldn't pursue it any further than writing an email to the sponsors telling them how bad they screwed up.

angelivy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hi All,
   I got my cryptex in the mail yesterday...but still no email. From reading above I see its a trend... Can anyone shed some light?

Petro [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Got my cryptex yesterday and my email today. Finished at 1:01, don't know total time.

angelivy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

If I remember correctly werent there supposed to be 4 picture clues coming with our cryptex's? I have no idea why I'm thinking that but I couldve sworn I read it somewhere...anyhoo....

arensia [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i got an email as a finalist and i finished in about 4 minutes.

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes angelivy, it said in the official rules there would be 4 (or was it 5?) screenshots and only one had the code. This didn't happen, as they instead just printed the code on the box. Strange.

angelivy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

wait the code to unlock the cryptex is on the box??

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I haven't gotten a finalist email either. Got the cryptex in the mail yesterday though. I'm a little miffed about their being no screenshots though

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I played the game because I like games. You should NEVER invest more than your own amusement into contests like these, because even when there's a "skill" component, it's still ultimately a form of lottery.

But for what it's worth, I got all the glitches being mentioned. I had to run through the puzzles twice in order to finish, because my first submission got interrupted by the "virus" message, and when I entered the "prove it's really you" text, I was bounced back to the beginning of the puzzle. And this wasn't the only time --I had to get over that problem two more times before I was done, but I still finished pretty fast.

When I filled out the registration form, I'd been under the impression there would be two forms, so I kept looking for another link or maybe a confirmation email. Nothing. So I went back and tried to register again, just to be sure. After filling out the form a second time, I got a message saying that I could not register because I had already registered.

I guess my point is... that technical problems are always possible. There is literally NO way to guarantee there won't be problems when doing stuff through the net. So yes, they covered their butts but I also covered my own by checking and re-checking and perservering.

I'm sure some of you with the "not a finalist" emails did the same. Just... don't be too bitter. Hopefully you enjoyed doing the puzzles. If not, then why did you bother?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

good point!

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

SPOILER!

yes, code is on the box.

that is why the mailing package said OPEN OTHER END FIRST

so that you would not look on the bottom of the box...

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The rules state: Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery by May 18, 2006, a limited edition Cryptex replica and a screenshot of 4 codes (the "Finalist Prize"). One of the included codes will open the Cryptex.

I guess the whole box is a "screenshot" that has the 4 codes , one of which is obvious, the code "Grail" to unlock the cryptex.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

You think the other codes are on the box itself?

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well said Beks. Although I did get my finalist email today, but I haven't gotten my cryptex yet. I did get the virus message, but was able to quickly get through it and complete the puzzle at around 1:05 EST. Of course, just prior to that, I had to subtly get my boss to leave my office so I could do the puzzle. Although, he is pretty cool and I would have just told him what I was doing if I had to.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Well, that would make it more interesting, I guess.

I'm still not planning any kind of "preparation." It's just a game, you know? I buy lottery tickets, but I don't get upset when my tickets don't win.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

my only preparation will be to search google for the answers to the puzzles on sunday after someone else has solved them...LOL!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Cassie, have you gotten your email. I haven't

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can't say for sure if the other codes are on the box but given that there really isn't anything else I can think of that would be considered a screenshot included in the cryptex mailing.. Unless there could be a second mailing with the screenshot but this doesn't seem likely.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

If the puzzles are anything like the last ones, they could be different for every person

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

true....

but then that would not be an apples to apples comparison as a timed contest????

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yep, don't count on using Google to find the answers. I know I want to win, so I won't share my answers! And with the number of puzzles, I doubt it will be easy to get all you need from those who decide to share!

Alex [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Only the last two letters are necessary to open the cryptex, and it works because they have notches underneath them. However, the G, R, and A do not have notches. Instead, O, V, and D respectively have the notches. Can't see quite how this is important, but notable.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

real quick, what web browser and OS (MSFT OR MAC?) were you using if you feel like you were cheated or got some kind of warning page?

as a finalist, i used IE on the PC...

but I remember before that I had an issue with one of the puzzles on Safari on my Mac at home...

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

SPOILER

Yes, the code is on the box. Also, you only need the last 2 letters of the code....you can have anything for the first 3 letters. As long as you have the last 2 right, it will open.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

In German contests there's always a fine-print reading "you can't sue us" ("Der Rechtsweg ist ausgeschlossen").

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Josh
do you think that the FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN might be the video of the VITRUVIAN MAN on the offical movie website. do you think that might be the observation

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Alex, on mine, FNI has notches in addition to the IL

Doubt it means anything...probably just the placement of the letters during manufacturing...

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

if you open the cryptex, has anyone taken out the small set screws? it seems as if they undo the scroll wheels....wondering if anything is hidden underneath?

doesn't seem like there could be since the wheels spin aruond and if you look inside it doesn't show anything

doubt it is that complex anyway...

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Mine has VAO

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

It would be cool if they had something hidden like that. Then some of us would figure it out beforehand and they could give out clues on how to find it once the final puzzle begins for others.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

TO Anyone
do you think that the "FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN" might be the video of the VITRUVIAN MAN on the offical movie website. do you think that might be the observation

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i am at work and don't have a small screwdriver...there are 2 screws...

i'd take mine apart just to find out...

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

what is all this nonsense about find the vitruvian man?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Did anyone figure out how to make pages in the official movie site stay when you pull it back?

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Last night we found highlighted letters in the finalist video after anagraming Josh Figured it out that it says FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN. After searching I found on the Movie website a Video Intitled VITRUVIAN MAN, I think that might be the observation video in the final.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The pages are not whats important when you pull it back its the symbols on those pages if you unlock the symbol bar in the gallery then you can open up new sections on the Web page with the symbol code under the picked up pages

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Jay pull it to far left and leave your mouse on scroll bar then release, you can move your mouse but not click on anything else.

Once you have found all the symbols. There are legible writings behind the scroll.

Robert Langdon – Symbols are .........
Sophie- Professor Hurry
Leigh- A secreat so powerful that if revealed...........
Silas-

well you get the drift, also they are in DaVinci's fun writing, so you will need to pull out a mirror to read it.

Have fun.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I haven't found any links to FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN thing. It could be an observation thing, but I think more than anything it is just more clever promotion.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

There is a video on the offical website called VITRUVIAN MAN

krisko [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got the "you're not a finalist" email! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh!!!! LOL!

Now, I'm bitter! All I wanted was a shiny little cryptex!!!

I thought for sure Tom Hanks was going to give me mine in person......

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I have yet to get an email.

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I received the "not a finalist" email.....I didnt even care for the cryptex or even the final prize....I just wanted to have a chance at the final puzzles (I love puzzles)....if anybody needs help w puzzles Id love to help....for free :D

Kat [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have the cryptex, but still no email here........waiting.

pokey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I really wanted a try the final puzzles. I hope they post them after the contest is over. If google doesn't I'm sure someone else will.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Kat I am in the same position...............but I a more than just waiting.........I am pacing.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Do you think its possible that they would send something else in the mail too? (the four screenshots) Or does the cryptex have nothing to do with the final puzzle?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

VP- There is NO mention of four screenshots anywhere.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Final Phase. Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery by May 18, 2006, a limited edition Cryptex replica and a screenshot of 4 codes (the "Finalist Prize"). One of the included codes will open the Cryptex. Inside will be a scroll with instructions on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge online.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Right :

A SCREENSHOT OF FOUR CODES. A = ONE.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

ok, 1 screenshot, 4 codes. Did they decide to just confuse us all or what?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think they knew exactly what they were doing. Making sure everyone knows the final challenge is not a race too.

It is a time game. so you dont have to log on as soon as it becomes available.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

VP= I think some of us have agreed the box IS the screenshot. It has a name of there written backwards put it up against the mirror.

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

what does the name say? (for those of us not lucky enogh to have one!)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I make out something like John P. Tomo or Domo. It is very hard to make out. all fancy and italicized like that.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

where is it on the box?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Written all over. overlapping at times.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

does anyone know if tomo or domo means anything in latin or italian or any other language? It sounds familiar.

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

still no e-mail, just checked

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Has anyone placed the box under a blacklight to see if any other codes appear? That mirror image on the box is interesting!

Waiting to get home and check the mail..

Doesn't have the cryptex yet!!!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

no email either.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Did you guys see the writing behind the pages on sodarkco...........?

It was cool...........That also required a mirror

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

on sodarktheconofman.com when you get to bezu fashe (or whatever) theres another pull back screen

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

All char have pull pack screens. Also where ever you see the black light, click on it and it gives you a flashlight, use it to view the collar area of each person and they each have a symbol on them.

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

http://john-domo.deviantart.com/

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

John P. Tomo or John P. Domo seems to make no sens :S

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

maybe the cryptex replica artist?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I know...............Hence I am going crazy

Anonymus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hello folks,

I know some of you here are pretty worked up about the Google game, and I got my cryptex this afternoon in the mail. I saw they're going for anywhere from $5 to $200 on Ebay, but on the box, there is the website for the makers and seller of the same one that was sent to finalists.

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=NN5335&catid=52

It's $59, or you can get a full-sized version for $125

I read through this thread while I was waiting, so I figured I'd let anyone who didn't get one know where they can be had. I don't know if it's worth $59, but they're pretty nice- better than I had expected, anyhow. Certainly less expensive than the price some of the ones on auction.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks for the link. I noted that the mini-cryptex pictured on their site has 5 key locks, whereas the cryptex we were sent only has 2 for the final I L letters of GRAIL.

I am wondering if this was intentional as to identify these as the true 10,000 cryptex's as part of the contest?

The website with them for sale states that you can set any password to open it that you want....BUT I am wondering how you do that if the letters have the notches locked into them.

I really wish I had a small screwdriver so i could take this thing apart to make sure there is nothing else hidden inside...

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

My son accidently unscrewed the end off the cryptex. It is just a hollow end on each side that screws on and off. At least mine was hollow...

Still waiting for the email...

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i am not talking about the end, I am talking about the 2 tiny set screws that you see after you open it up.

i am sure there is nothing there...

BUT...

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I took my cryptex completly apart. There is nothing else in it. You can change the code on these, but you have to take it apart. Of course the only letters that matter are the last 2.

angelivy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

anyone get an email yet......still waiting. dont know what else to do with the cryptex...or myself...haha

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Okay everybody calm down, it's not a chocolate bar with a hidden invitation to the factory or anything... *silly grin*

My box has apparently arrived in the mail. I'm at work and won't get to take a look until I get home, but I'm not expecting any surprises.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

You can see instructions of how to change the code on the cryptex at the following website.

http://www.imgplace.net/cryptex/

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm fairly certain that this is all straight forward. Finals at the end of the week, everything else is just promotional. At least, that's what I tell myself. This is some interesting brainstorming going on in here. I also found the "FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN" anagram. This is interesting stuff.

Anyway, just wanted to make my presence known since I've been lurking the past couple of days.

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

In the trend of Mattypoo, I'll also announce my presence as i've seemingly fit into groups which are already present... I'm one who has a finalist email but HAVEN't gotten my cryptex yet....

What state were they sent from, and what state do you that already have them live in???

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Virginia, got mine last night, cannot recall where it came from...

angelivy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

California....got mine yesterday..

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

wow... virginia and cali??? the only way location could make sense then would mean a midwest distribution... and I'm in Illinois...
I want it!!!

Also, any thoughts on a purpose for the 2 letter keying versus all 5??? maybe this will make a difference in the final challenge for several complex reasons... like a trick where we werent supposed to notice this ahead of time... or also something having to do with an anagram of the keymarked letters for each individual person even though they have been different for many people...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I recommend not pulling your cryptex apart, its best not to mess with it ahead of time, you might end up needing it exactly as it was sent to you.

Once again --------no email for me.

Dude Whatsit called? [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

There is no postage mark on the package, no return address, just a 4.05 postage stamp marked through with Blue marker.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Mine had a return address of Burbank, CA.

Cheryl [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hi All... I got my cryptex yesterday, it had the code on the bottom of the box :GRAIL
So I moved the dials (5 not 2) and it opened. Inside was a slip of paper congratulating me and directing me to the website. I guess on Friday the screen will be active.

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I don't think the cryptex will be used for anything more than giving you the website address (on the paper inside). It's not a very complicated mechanism. The box it came in may have some clues on it in all the writing, but I doubt it.

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Leotheswede-

My theory is that the 2 keyholes is designed to mark the 10,000 winners only.

The ones for sale show a picture of all 5 keyholes available.

This could be the only reason.

I think the cryptex has nothing else to do with the final challenges...I think it is basically just a feel good prize.

There cannot possibly be any other use for it...unless something is hidden on the box itself, but I cannot decipher anything...

I am wondering if the paper the note is written on may have something hidden in it...like lemon juice or something where you hold a smoking candle near it or something like that

doubtful though...heh-heh

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

btw, this is pretty sweet

not a game, but some great information

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/davinci/explore/lastsupper.html

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I agree, my cryptex looks too simple to hold any complex message. It's a cheap version so that Nobel Collection can sell it's own version. People who are buying it on eBay are going to be very disappointed with what they get. I would sell mine, but I'm not sure I can live with the guilt of ripping someone off.

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I believe the boxes and cryptexes were both manufactured by the Noble Collection as a commemorative for the Google Quest but are not actually part of the Quest or in any other way associated with Google or the Quest. If noone ever received a cryptex, they would still be able to participate in the final challenge because all pertinent information is in the email.

With that said, I can also see where there are some interesting points concerning the cryptex. Yes, only the last two dials matter for opening it, and the one for sale at noblecollection.com has all five dial combinations. If you notice on their website, the larger cryptex has only two dials to unlock it (the inner cylinder looks like ours). Probably just a time thing. Maybe they decided to make the ones for sale better after they already ran the original ten thousand?

RumblePak1 [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I too agree that the cryptex will have nothing to do with it. I took the cryptex apart and mechanically, there's nothing else to it. It only accepts the last 2 keyholes, where as the one on the web site has 5.

Not only that, but the ARV on these is $30, whereas the web site version is $60, so I'm guessing they had to cut out the first three to manufacture 10,000 of them at a cheaper price.

Of no consenquence. I'm just happy I got one and that I'm a finalist. Good luck to everyone...

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

The prices are rising on eBay. do you guys think the value will continue to go up? Basically: is it worth selling it now, or keeping as a collector's item?

Blur35mm [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i'd keep it....

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I am definitely going to keep it

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well, what I am seeing on eBay is that because of the high prices they are going for, people are starting to think, hey, I should sell mine too! As a result, the prices that they will actually sell for will go down. The whole supply and demand thing. So, to be honest, don't expect to see the high prices for long. I was going to sell mine, but decided that it was too sentimental already to sell.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

* this is my precious, they are trying to take it from us, no but they are your friends, no they are not your friends they will kill you, but they are good to you, my precious *

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Good one!

Just in monitoring eBay today, I have seen the number available go from 77 this morning, to about 130 7 hours later. I bet the number will just increase as the days goes on.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Yeah, i re-registered with eBay but decided not to list my cryptex after noticing supply increase too much to really make it worthwhile for selling. I'm keeping mine, maybe after 20 years it'll be worth auctioning off, lol.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah, my little cryptex has already become attached to me. For the collector in me, it is too difficult to part with. That and it is a symbol of my accomplishment.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am not as big of a collector as I would like to be ,*cough, POOR*, however, I agree with Josh, a def. symbol of my accomplishments.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I dont' know though, it doesn't seem to have much value. Being one of the 10,000 isn't a huge accomplishment since the 24 puzzles were very easy and made so that many people would play. This is something that my little sister would be proud of...
Now winning the grand prize is the true victory!

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

if you are to sell, I would sell it now, as I expect prices to drop in a couple of days....right now supply is limited (many more people will offer later) and there is euphoria due to the competition....then again itd be interesting to see what happens the firsst week of the movie's release...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

NCSUgrad. it may not feel like a huge accomplishment to you. It does to me, please dont burst my bubble =-(I have been working since age 14, gone to school my entire life it seems, am married and proud parent, I often dont get to do fun things.

*tooooo late, bubble is burst*

AlsoCheated_butWhoCares [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

For those of you who are still steaming over not being a finalist...

I used Google desktop to search my PC and found that I was directed to

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicode/dvcqog/registration/weighanhawu/us/thankyou.php

at 1:10 PM ET on May 10. I thought I got in a few minutes quicker, but maybe 1:10 was too late. Seems proof enough for you guys if you want to try and argue for your entry (Sad that I used Google to find a problem with Google...)

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

It all depends on how many people discover the Nobel Collection website. drey is right, it's really all about selling now or finding a way of selling it in a foreign market.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

i didn't mean to burst your bubble Davinciyousneak. I'm honestly disappointed that there is a different version of the cryptex being sold by some stupid company. I guess everything has to be commericalized in this country.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

******** lying under desk in fetal position instead of working ***********

Colton [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Finally got my email, not a finalist. Oh well...... I'll probably buy one from the site anyway.............................

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Awwww Sneak –

You have * your precious * to prove your worth and that fact that you did have fun! (I LOVED all the LOTR movies)

I'm with you....a working mom, single most of the way, in college (again) and have become quite obsessed with this little marketing ploy.

I can't wait to get my *toy*......as well as play the final games this weekend.

I've had a lot of fun with this!!!

Haha all of you are losers [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

You all suck, i got my cryptex but no one else shove it up your guys ass.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

haha-- What? no one else what? What exactly is it that you want me to shove up my arse?

So many questions.

Sarah [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Why sell the cryptex? I'm keeping mine. There are only 10,000 of the Quest Cryptex and they seem to be distinguishable from the one for sale. I'm sure there will be a number of knockoffs as well. It's like owning one of a limited edtion. Finalists...hold on to yours!

Does anyone know how many people completed and submitted all 24 puzzles before the deadline?

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah, I love puzzles like this, so it was a lot of fun for me and the cryptex is my souvenir of that fun. And I know that only 9,999 others did it too, so that makes me feel special...lol

Bonbon [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

New to this site (I found it by chance when I used Google to search for Da Vinci Code Quest Finalists), so forgive me if this as been asked...

I have gotten both the cyptex and email on exactly the day they were supposed to be delivered, but it seems a lot of folks that thought they had the puzzle done in time have not recieved any indication that they are finalists.

Would anyone that has received a cryptex & email, please post their location, they day they got their cryptex or email and the time they submitted the final puzzle. This might also be an interesting start to a list of the finalists. I have searched a lot of other sites, and I haven't seen any particular gathering spot for the finalists. It may help to have this in case any one else is "googling" for the quest finalists.

Also, has the topic of helping each other with the "Final Quest" been approached? And does anyone have any ideas on what the "Final Quest" may be?

Thanks.

me [PersonRank 8]

18 years ago #

man, you were a finalist...grr... i really wanted one of those crytex things i didnt care much for the grand prize. i just didnt realize that it was timed till like halfway through the game... :(

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Bonbon, here's an explanation of what the final puzzle will be:
http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/final_puzzle_too_early.html

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Me, I know you probably wanted to win one, but you can buy a cryptex directly from the Noble Collection.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

What about the postage stamp?

does anyone else have a computer generated pic. of an x-plane? It is not even timestamped, like it didnt go through the mail or something.

Isn't that the plane they use to go to london?

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yeah, that was a pretty interesting stamp.

Bonbon [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I didn't know that the post office made $4.05 stamps. Seems like a very odd amount to me.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Check this out, this thing called Holier Grail weighs

4.05

http://www.midi-classics.com/h/h21548.htm

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

That is just the stamp for priority mail...

http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=11834&productId=22851&langId=-1

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yes, but did they chose it for a reason, remember we are missing 3 codes here.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

That is the only priority mail stamp for $4.05, they didn't have an option.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

WHAT DOES THAT BAR NEXT TO MY NAME MEAN?

WetWookie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Recieved mine yesterday.

I completed the puzzle at 1:04

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Good Jes, thank you for not letting me obssess over this too. I think the way you keep you feet on the ground.

Anonymous [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Finished the puzzle about 1:05, but server errors kept me from getting the registration complete screen until 1:10. Not a finalist

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im a finalist. im onli 14 years old....yay

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

DaVinciYouSneak – any email for you yet?

I still haven't received an email and I'm still at the office so I don't know if I have a Cryptex waiting at home. I really would like to get an email stating one way or the other if I'm a finalists.

This is really starting to bother me now – I finished the 24th puzzle and registered at 1:01:43 PM EST. I also know that they have my email correct since I received verification on my registration.

I'm sure that some people finished in under 2 minutes, but I really would like to know one way or the other if I made the cut.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

fiscap- no email yet.

and I received the cryptex yesterday......... that is very good time fiscap.

me [PersonRank 8]

18 years ago #

how do u kno what time u registered at...do they tell u or did people just look at their clocks?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

look at your comps hx.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hx?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

sorry, my profession makes me write that

hx = history.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

kk
thanks

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

WOW.....my history teacher is a BUG Da Vinci Code and Da Vinci fan, and she gave me extra credit for bringing my cryptex to show her! Yay! :)

Kat [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Still no email here, received cryptex yesterday. Last week received the 2 emails from Google, so I know they have my email correct.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

how old r u?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Me? I am 15....

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

kwel im 14, i thought i was the only 1 under age into thi stuff

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I had my clock up on my desktop – domain controller syncs with navy's atomic clock.

Thanks for the heads-up DaVinciYouSneak. Maybe I have a Cryptex waiting at home.

Robotguy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN seem to be a link to a website along the same lines as www.seekthecode.com and www.seekthecodes.com

BTW, thought I'd pop in and say Hi. I submitted at 1:02 and got my cryptex and email last night

Jenn [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hello All,

Got my finalist email this morning after getting a notice from the Post Office that I have a package waiting for pickup (which I received last night).

I'm in California as well. Just thought I would poke in and say hello. I'm looking forward to getting my package. Kind of reminds me of A Christmas Story, when the kid gets his decoder ring; although I am pleased to hear that it is a little more substantial than the plasticky thing I thought we would get.

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I got my email, they said I am not the first 10K, pretty upset right now, I finished at 1:50 EDT.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

the cryptex is beautiful....i showed it off 2 all my friends!!1

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I think the FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN is referring to the video on the official website which has the title VITRUVIAN MAN I think that it may be the observation puzzle in the finals.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Can someone please comment on this I have been looking for feedback the whole day.

Anonymus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

A thought regarding the cryptices-

A few people posted that the first three letters of the code were set to something other than "G – R – A", and each of those posts mentioned different sets of letters. It occurs to me that the cryptex itself may be a code that is tied to a finalist's user name. There are more than 10,000 possible combinations of the first three letters, so it is possible, and looking at the website for the manufacturer, the photo of the mini cryptex displays a locking bar with five notches- not two. Looking at the internal tube, it is obvious (at least on mine) that it originally had the full lock bar, but the end had been ground off at some point.

If this is the case, I guess I'm out, as I changed the code without noting the placement of the rings. There may be a generic code, or the variance in settings may just be a manufacturing process- but it is not a bad idea to check the notched letters and write them down just in case.

Mar_A [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Anonymus, just look at the unopen boxes people are selling on ebay

Like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/Official-Da-Vinci-Code-Cryptex-Google-Quest-Finalist_W0QQitemZ7620098288QQcategoryZ197QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

it just says GRAIL

Robotguy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I just mentioned the website thing because www.findthevitruvianman.com links to the Sony Davinci Code site, as does www.seekthecode.com

I do plan to study the vitruvian man video on the official website, though, just in case ;-)

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Thank you

corey [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

adwore – can you go over how you unlock the things on the Sony website, I remember you talking abotu it but i can't remember what you said

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm only 15, so I'm a proud part of the youngins!

Anyways, as it has been said before, the only letters that really matter for the cryptex to open are the last to, the I and the L.

And yeah, I'm guessing that in a few days, findthevitruvianman.com will be up, as it is probably under construction. This would explain why it redirects to the Sony movie page. I mean, why else would they have us go through so much trouble just to get sent back to where we had started?

Also, has anybody tried unscrambling the letters on the Sony page that are floating around?

J

Mar_A [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Where is the Vitruvian man video?

I'm sorry, I can't find it.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Why is everybody looking for some Vitruvian man video......where did you guys find out about this??

Mar_A [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Also on the unlocking the bar thing, I can't for the LIFE of me find the last symbol – the fleu de lis??? It HAS to be there but I've gone through it 50 times! It's frustrating me.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It's in the guy's hair.

Mar_A [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Oh nvm I found it. And WOW it does help a lot

Mar_A [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

And thanks

BWJM [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I had a tough time finding the fleur-de-lis too. But now I forget where I found it. LOL

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Check this out..

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/movies/dailypulse/051606/_a/crusade-against-the-code/20060516114209990002?ncid=NWS00010000000001

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Yup, officially selling cryptex on eBay.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

wait...i don't understand why you guys are finding the symbols on the site, anyway, i can't find the fleur-de-lis either, its not in his hair??

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i would never sell my cryptex

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

When you become a poor college student you will understand.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i still havent gotten my e-mail. anyone else still waiting/

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

seriously????hey cassie, how come u havent gotten ur email???

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

its in the guy whos sitting and pointing (painting was in many of the curatior challanges) in his hair to the right side, by the leafs

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

no clue, now im starting to think that they sent me my cryptex by accident

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

try to email them, and ask them.....i did that on last wednesday and i got my email last night

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

u finished b4 me cassie, u gots 2 be a finalist....and im sure google doesnt want to spend money for no reason...remeber its price is actually 59 dollars

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Can someone please answer my questions! :)

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Is it more important to win the final challenge or get the prizes?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i did look above you find my name and thats where in your anwser lies

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

for me it was more important to get the cryptex, cause i know im not gonna win the big prize

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

it's actually worth 30 dollars. but on eBay the price is rising.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

some buy it now prices are $249.99

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Is it possible to change the code for our cryptexes?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

one guy on ebay says it is and you will get instructions when you buy it. i dont believe it

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok im checking my e-mail now then going to spend time with my family who havent seen me since this whole thing started. ill be back after everyone is in bed.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You can change the code on the cryptex. When you take it apart you can take the rings off and move them to the position you want them. But of course the only letters that matter are the last 2.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

is there any way to open the other side???

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i can see how it may be easy to take apart... but no offense im not touching mine tilla fter the final challenge

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Guess what was sitting in my mailbox when I got home a few minutes ago? Yup, got my Cryptex! The irony of it is, the only other piece of mail I received today is my weekly issue of U.S. News and World Report and on the cover:

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE DA VINCI CODE – Behind the Vatican's war with Dan Brown's blockbuster book and movie – LOL

I'm still waiting on my email though :-/

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the other side is glued

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

kwel....congrats and can any1 pleez answer my previouis question

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thanks jes

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Got mine... Funny thing is I had no idea the box said "Cryptex Code: Grail" I fiddled around with it, tried JESUS, SOFIA, QUEST... THEN I tried GRAIL. Dammit

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i really didnt like the fact that they gave you the code....that was no fun..I wanted a real challenge to feel like....real

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

And most people will spend the longest on the chess part of the final challenge. So dust off your chess IQ and I think you have a good chance

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Yeah... My father is the one who found out that the code was on the box on our way out to eat. I was being smug at figuring it out @_[put at-character here]

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well its 10pm on the 16th and still no e-mail, google please e-mail me and let me know why you sent me a cryptex

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

no email for me either

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

so whos gonna watch the movie before you play the final puzzle?

Kat [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

no email here either.......received cryptex yesterday

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

no bid on my cryptex yet.....posted it for sale this afternoon.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I'm going to play the final challenge after drinking a six pack of beer. my brain is much more focused that way.

Kat Wood [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yes, you can change the code.

When you open the Cryptex, if you look on the outer ring you will find two small screws. If you use an eyeglass screwdriver, you can undo the screws. The top ring will come off. Carefull its greasy. From there you can pull off each of the rings. There is a gold layer and a white layer with the letters. Carefully you can remove the white part then change the letters to whatever you like. When you put the rings back on, the hard part is putting the small screws back in flush.

There you go.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I think I'll go see the movie first just in case the final problems are more movie oriented. I have another idea on the "Find The Vitruvian Man" anagram. I found easter eggs on all the pictures in the "Davinci Gallery" section EXCEPT the image of the VM. Could one of the final problems be there?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

JUST got out of class, no email.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

viturvian man is a video on the movie website, Plus www.findthevitruvianman.com will take you to the movie website so it could be all a gimick or a hint that the video observation is the vitruvian man video.

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Wow, keeping up with this post is a full time thing I swear. So many things going on and so many questions. I think we need some organization to get it all straight.

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Oh, and for those of you who may not be aware of it, a few years ago a challenge similar to what this is becoming was posed by David Blaine. In his book, Mysterious Stranger, there were something like 21 anagrams that had to be solved to figure out where a treasure was hidden in the real world. Each anagram gave instructions on how to create the clues to find the treasure.

I'm thinking that all of these anagrams along with the "prepare well" advice from the final challenge page are hints that solving these anagrams may have something to do with the final challenge. Even though the page isn't open, essential clues for the Final Phase may exist through finding the anagrams and determining what they mean.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Would it be possible for someone to have completed the first 24 puzzles with multiple accounts, made it to the finals with all of them, then practice and find the answers with the first accounts, then have a perfect time with the others?

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I don't think so. There are going to be an assortment of puzzles so it's unlikely any two people will have the same set of puzzles. You could however get a good handle on what the puzzles are before actually going for it. I imagine Google expects this and the winner will probably be audited to a certain degree to make sure no cheating happened. It's not in good faith, but certainly a clever idea.

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

That seems semi possible, but not probable since i dont think anyone would have realize that being a finalist would have been a tossup not based on real ACTUAL times... I got done at 1:02, and figured i may have just squeaked in... In reality, i probably did as in the REAL first 10,000 but i was lucky enough to get recognized by the computer for this (credit: sony time) feat.

I'm pretty sure everyone figured even those extra 30 secs to a minute of data entry/login for each account would have been too much to actually make it feasible...

4 guys in a room together at 1ET that day though....... who knows what could happen there... 2 get lucky as finalists... then one is a practice puzzle

NCSUgrad [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Matt, i think Google would have figured out that possible senario. therefore, there would be numerous variations of all five puzzles.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

There's so much at stake that I'm sure professional cheaters will find ways. On top of the cheaters, there's bound to be puzzle champions playing this, so I doubt any "Normal" people will win.

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

We made it this far, who's to say what can happen and to whom.

NCSUgrad [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It's more likely that professionals are working together to win the prize, i can imagine 2, 3 or even 4 people hovering over a computer screen, nailing each puzzle.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I can too. The guy at google is a four time puzzle champion, and I doubt many puzzle champions make much of a living (correct me if I'm wrong). I'm sure there's many who would love 125,000 worth of prizes.

Sarah [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Matt, I think you really hit on something here. I have no doubt that you're right.
BTW, I received my email on the 15th and received the Cryptex today.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i feel special, im probably the only 14 year old that is a finalist and possibly...id become famous if i won.....theyd question themselves how a fourteen year old hispanic kid can beat over a million people in a skillfull race to untold riches....d you think id get to skip grades or go directly to college????thatd be nice

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Samy, I think you're getting a bit caught up in fantasy. I don't know you, and maybe you are a genius, but the odds are against you. You'll be competing against people older, more experienced, and quite possibly cheaters. If you did win, I doubt you would get to skip grades, cause this challenge has nothing to do with school.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

DECEPTION!!!!! PAIN IS GOOD

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Quoting from the book, eh?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

do u think that the floating letters in the official site mean something

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Samy I do think most people here already know that you are 14, it is not necessary to keep repeating it.

Sounds a bit, COCKY!

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i didn't know...

but it is a bit cocky, and it makes me jealous!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea ok.....can u still answer the question above... and by the way when did u get her Da VInci.??

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

How many people do you think finished all the 24 puzzles withing the time requirement?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

alot...since it didnt require much skill and intellect as they mentioned in the rules

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

when do i got who Samy?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The evil witch

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

witch? is there something I am missing, I am writing her and balancing my checkbook. so I will need you to spell it out for me.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

here* damn typos

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea ok.....can u still answer the question above... and by the way when did u get her Da VInci.?? <----------- I AGREE. DAMN TYPOS

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So, how long have you two known each other?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

You'd think we were married huh? =-)

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I just discovered this forum a few days ago. It has alot of good info about the google davinci quest. And people respond withing seconds.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i think since that wednesday rite may 10

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

whats that bar next to our names by the way

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

But, as we all know, Samy is only 14, so that would be against the law. BTW- A genius like Samy would not want a fool like me.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im a guy anyways

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

lol. I wonder what the bar is too? Does it have to do with starting forums?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

and what exactly does that mean Samy?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Now the truth comes out!

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!....

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

arent u a guy? that wouldnt exactly b rite

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

But us said your a girl earlier. and your name seems girly.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am a 26 yr old. Hispanic Female from the best city in Texas-------

Austin, Texas.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

FOR THE RECORD:

Samy is a boy--- BLADE
DaVinciYouSneak is a girl--CHALICE

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

o ok....i though u were a guy thats y i said >>>>>>>but im a guy anyways

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Wait...
Davinci's female, and Samy's a guy?

I thought it was the other way round. Or are you guys tricking me?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So you lie about your sex depending on whether I'm a guy or not?

Trying to turn me on or something...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

NO TRICK HERE, i EVEN HAVE A MYSPACE, YOU CAN LOOK MY ARSE UP

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I believe you now.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

first 1ns rite...im a guy....da vincis a girl....and nice analogy with the chalice n blade

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Who lied to you Matt, I have never been asked, nor have I willingly admitted that information.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Samy. She said she was pretending to be a girl cause she though I was a guy. Pretty weird and (s)he's only fourteen!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Matt and you are blade or chalice?

You could be Mattalina for all I know. =-)

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i am reall lost right now....

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

LOL!

I'm the star of david.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

let me guess....you're the next ciara???

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

No, just a messed up kid.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Who is the next Ciara?

miguel rivera [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i'm 12 and im a finalist

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am feeling really good about my chances!!!! Thanks for all your support and confidence!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Matt how old are you?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Miguel I thought the age limit was 13.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

RE: I am feeling really good about my chances!!!! Thanks for all your support and confidence!

WTF!

Where did that come from. Was that completely random?

Haha

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

It was random. Hence, I ignored it.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I believe Miguel. I notice a pattern: everyone's Hispanic!

You two are as well as Miguel.

BlackDiamond [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I agree FoneJone! Good luck everyone!

It gets better all the time...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Well, personally I am too afraid to go to work because immigration might come by and pick me up!!! So I had plenty time to do the puzzles. JJ
I know that is a sensitive topic........just couldnt help it. =-)

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

What do you think the last puzzles will be like? I think they will probably feature a few game types from the original series but also word associations from the novel as well as hidden messages within the movie. I will probably watch the film between 2-4 times before I attempt the final challenge.

What about you guys?

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I bet BlackDiamond is the same guy as Fonejone. I wish you could boot.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

no movie watching here. I am going to have fun with the puzzle, nothing more.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

TMy HS called INS on me for having really high grades!!! =-)

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I doubt you'll need to watch the movie...
What about all the poor people who can't afford movie tickets. Likewise, what about the rich lawyers who don't have enough time to see the movie.

BlackDiamond [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

No, not the same person but FoneJone makes a good point. Has anyone watched the congrats trailer from Ian McKellan? Clues in there perhaps???

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Good attitude Davinci. Don't let your hopes up or else you'll be depressed if you don't win.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea there is....hence find the vitruvian man

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

if they cant afford movie tickets , then they cant afford a computer. This is a battle of wits between the middle class!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i live off my parents right now so....basically i am classless

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Samy you loafer! JJ.

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Don't you have to be 18 to win the trip? I think our chances went up again!

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

same.

My dad doesn't want me to do online contests. He thinks they're all scams. However, I did win 250$ off answerbag.com. It's an awesome site, and was easy to win. Easier than the google thing.

BlackDiamond [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

What's answerbag.com??

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

you have to be 13 or older in order 2 win anything... so no Fone Jone

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

A site where you can ask questions or answer them. It's great for quick research, and is mostly reliable.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

well ill talk 2 u 2moro guys, i have to go to sleep for skool 2moro

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I do too.

Adios

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think you are wrong Samy. Especially on a big ticket item like a trip. But what do I know?

BlackDiamond [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

FoneJone you don't know anything. The Da Vinci Code is timeless. D-uh.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I got $120 for my cryptex. woohooo.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

goodnight, I am signing off, things are getting pretty instense in here.

W00tMa5ter [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I tried this earlier and found that www.findthevitruvianman.com takes you to the official web site, just like sodarktheconofman. i wonder if the hidden message in the preview was just an advertising gimmic to get people to go to the website.... hmmm..

Simple Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

If you're still in with a chance to win, Good Luck and Best Wishes.

If you're not and looking for a hidden suprise in links/clips/URls etc this is it

"Thank you for your e-mail/snail mail details, "We can use them to send lots of SPAM". Now BUY SOMETHING cos we put up a lot of $$ to have this competition!!"

Hell it's just a movie and a competition, if you feel it was a life changing experience then your life needed changing; even if the outcome wasn't for the best, it has to be better than it was

Have a laugh and remember to have FUN.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

well put Dude. If only the rabid religious types would get on with life! Geez, it's a Hollywood movie based on a fiction book! If their dogma is under threat by THAT, then religious belief must be a real drain on intelligence.

bodysurfer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the movie is a dud
tom hanks is a dud

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well 9:30am on the 17th and still no email. someone please help me im getting nervous

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

NO email here either and it is 8:45 Central.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I know this has been covered, but... Did you two check your spam filters? Your ISP may have a spam filter that filtered this out. Mine filtered the first two emails, one from Google and one from Sony. If I hadn't looked in the spam mailbox, which I can only access through webmail (versus what's downloaded to my own computer at home), I would never have found them.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

maybe that means that were the winners, ok you can bring one person and ill bring one person and we can see the world together!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Beks I have- and the first two emails got through just fine, and I also added that one address they indicated for us and the end of registration.

What I have not received is the , "Your a finalist email".

Cassie-- Sounds like a plan. What about the other prizes, how will we distribute those?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

we'll drawl straws, i want the camera though, you can have the laptop

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

You get four cameras, I believe. :D

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Ah, I stand corrected. One camera.

Four mp3 players, whatever...

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

even better

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Great! I dont need a camera. I do need a laptop. You can have the rest of the prizes if I can keep the TV.

I am big on flat screens! =-)

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I don't have my email yet either, I got my cryptex monday.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I don't want the stuff, I want the trips. But naturally, it is the trips that cost the most and therefore put the greatest tax burden on the winner.

So I have it figured out that I'd forfeit 2 of the 4 travelers --which is good because I would want to go alone with my husband anyway. And then of course I'd take one or two trips in 2006 -London/Paris, so I can use the train tickets, which aren't available after September 2006 if I remember correctly- and then the other trips in 2007, breaking up my tax burden.

Hopefully they'll award the prizes in that manner, eh?

Heh. As if I even have a chance. I don't! But it's fun to imagine.

MyXa [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Beks,
they will send you the 1099 form at the end of 2006. They don't care when you use the trips. :)

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Well, that's it, then. I have no choice but to become a famous blogger, reporting on my trip plans and then on my trip activities, and selling advertising on my site to help pay off the taxes.

*sigh* What a drag...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Beks, good luck with that! You can also downgrade your tickets to coach. that might help.

AD [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Anyone interested in making a deal...? Here's my sinister plan... Someone who is also a finalist takes the test, gets the answers, and then helps me get a super quick time, which when I win, I'll split everything 50/50... Provided all the games are the same answers of course... It's that easy...

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm not going coach. If I'm traveling coach, it'll be on my own schedule and there'll be no tax burden because it'll be from my own income!

I've never traveled 1st class and probably never will. So I'd want to take at least one of the trips.

I looked at the rules again (yeah, because obviously I have nothing better to do? lol... I'm on my lunch at least!). Since the 1099 is based on the ARV... technically they could give you an IRS form that reflects the whole amount, whether or not you accept it. Pffffffffffffft.

So, watch for me on CNN, talking about how I need "sponsors," eh? You'll recognize me: I'll be the one with the stupid grin on my face.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

If you win Beks, I will give you $20.00 , so you wont have to deny anything.

Kat [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

HI, Still no email here, Cryptex arrived monday. Hoping sometime today!

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

if you win ill give you 40

Francois [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Also waiting for an email even though I already got the cryptex. I am using a hotmail address. I wonder if it has anything to do with it.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i got my e-mail one day after i got my cryptex......

Kat [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Francois, so am I, well actually an MSN account. But I did get the first two emails that were sent last week with no problem, and added those senders to my safe email accounts. I use MS Outlook to access this email address.

I guess I will just log into, the website on the cryptex scroll tomorrow and see if it lets me in to compete.

email-less [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I also am a hotmail user with cryptex and without an email. I see a trend...

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I'm using hotmail too.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Now, I'm no genius or anything, but if I understood the rules correctly, if you got a cryptex you ARE a finalist.

And I didn't get some kind of secret code or anything when I got my email. It's practically just an advertisement.

Remember, they have your login name and password. If you login by that name and that password, and you got a cryptex... that's that. You'll be able to do the challenge after Friday at 1 p.m.

I'm expecting the final to go more smoothly than last week's fiasco, since there's no reason for everybody to be trying to enter at the same time.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Also a hotmail user, with a cryptex and no email.

Maybe MSN cant handle it!

Ano e mouse [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Some guy is selling his finalist spot on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/kpvtt

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Are you freakin' kidding me! I can believe that guy. Sell your slot!!! BTW- Only one entry per household, so no, you cant go in and do it twice, you will somehow be traced im sure.

NSA everybody!

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Someone on the Killerbetties site is claiming that an entire family got crpytexes and will be competing in the final challenge. Too bad the rules say that they will be disqualified for that.

In theory, if you used someone else's user information and address. My fiance and I both made it to the finals, but we used the same computer, just different accounts.
...
Just a thought

Niraj Sanghvi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think as long as you provide unique addresses, you would be fine. That's why they don't allow P.O. boxes.

Bonbon [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can't believe that guy is trying to sell his spot for $1500.00!!! On top that, he wants the buyer to be responsible for making sure it is in accordance with the rules.

BTW, I know someone who got a cryptex, but no email that also has a hotmail account. I have a gmail account and got my email very quickly.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

He technically can't. Google and Sony want the person who the account belongs to, to be the finalist. He can try to sell it, but it will only make someone mad, and someone else rich.

BE WARNED

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

OMG! I just uncovered 24 movie scences in so darkcon of........................! I am so excited. watching them all now.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

DaVinciYouSneak, how did you uncover them?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im a big liar! there are only four. every character has the same . but I didnt know they existed, I may be just way behind from all of you guys.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Where do you unlock or view them?

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

same four
...
if you look on the back of the wallpaper their are codes in backwards too...

Ickabod16 [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Saint, There is nothing in the rules that state the contestants cannot be in the same household. It states that its one entry per email/google ID.

Bonbon [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have watched all of the videos. I think they may be important.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

As a side note for those who want to see the film

The critics hate it! None of them had anything good to say about it at the Cannes film festival,

So, it should be pretty damn good for the rest of us!!!

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

One person who reviewed it could write one sentence without including the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Got a bit redundant if you ask me.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

This thread is about to break 2,000 posts, while second longest thread is only 346 posts or something like that....

By the way, can you guys see my posts in this thread, because no one seems to be responding to them! :(

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

They can see you Jay

drey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can see them

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Lol.....ok... :)

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hey Icky,
   Immediate family, as in those who worked on the quest in anyway.
But my favorite phrase is this:

<i>"Any person attempting to defraud Sponsor or tamper with Contest in any way will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law and will not be eligible for a prize."</i>

So everyone that attempts to use their family members as a means to get more positions/tries for the finals can be prosecuted.

Oh what fun!

ps~ the nickname is Elphie. I've never been a Saint

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Actually, in the official rules it says the following:

Limit one (1) prize person/family/household with the exception of the Grand Prize winner who will have also won a Finalist Prize.

But I hear some people got multiple cryptexes in the same house, so they didn't follow through with it. They probably would with the grand prize though.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i still havent gotten my email. dammit its 7:36est. im so aggravated

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hi Cassie,
I'm Cassie. Also using a hotmail account starting with "c". Also received a cryptex but no email. I emailed sony pictures today but have not heard back. I'm not too worried. We already know we're finalists. Good luck to ya!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

good luck to you too.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

NO email here my account starts with "b" and is also hotmail. I got the cryptex on Monday.

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hmmmmmm...thought I'd interject.

"And now for something completely different!"

Not a finalist, but I'm still living, no harm done. Sure, a cryptex would've been nice, but too bad – a hearty congrats to everyone who received one. Plus, this hasn't ruined my outlook of the movie – I'm still planning to go see it on Friday!!! (Coincidentally, Friday is the last day of school for me before I graduate. Good timing!) =)

Great job everyone!! And good luck in the Final Challenge!!!!

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hey DaVinci, congratulations!!!!

Joel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Let it go, Cassie...

if you haven't gotten an e-mail by now, I will bet my life that you won't get one at all.

just stop.

want to know something more annoying? I got the finalist e-mail on Monday night and still haven't gotten my cryptex in the mail.

THAT is something to be going "AHHHHHH!!!" about.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i got the cryptex on monday, and no e-mail, were in a right fine perdicament arnt we joel

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

So it seems that the majority of people, have either/or but not both.... what the heck is this all about... is it like a 4000/2000/4000 split? or are ther 10000 w/ one and 10000 with the other and only the 10000 who got a cryptex physically will do the final challenge??
Any guesses or more info??

Surly Teabag [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

It's hard to say anything about how many people got cryptexes/e-mail notifications since those who didn't are more vocal – there are no hard numbers (unless you looked only at people like Cassie and Sami, who have been posting all along). But maybe neither e-mail nor cryptex is important. Everybody can find the URL for the Final Puzzle, and anyone who thinks that they are a Finalist and hasn't received the "NOT A FINALIST" e-mail, should try logging in this weekend.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

damn good point surly, i like you with your common since

Cross-eyed [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Forgive me if this has already been discussed...has anyone actually found all six symbols in the da vinci gallery on sodarktheconofman.com?

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

how do i find the URL for my final puzzle? I got the email but not my cryptex

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Just so everyone knows.... I got both the cryptex and the E-mail. But yes, it is a generic website, so you can probably enter even without the Email.
www.google.com/davincicode

Enjoy!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

cross-eyed ive found all 6, your missing the boy scout sybol arnt you?

Cross-eyed [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

duh...i found it. thanks for responding though, cassie :)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I dont have an email either Cassie, and I dont care anymore. I am not looking every ten mins as I was on Tues. and every 30 as I was on Wed. I am going to kick back , and relax. I will go to the movies and buy a ticket for my cryptex – we will sit side by side.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

thats awsome just make sure you two hold hands you dont want to get seperated.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oh definitely, perhaps I will buy three tickets to be sure nobody sits next to my precious!

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok smeegal (or however you spell it)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

So.. who else has calculated the total taxes from winning this?

Total FMV of the prize:
$128,170.54

Ignoring State Taxes (which you will also have to pay), your Federal Taxes would be at least:
$32,000.

That doesn't even count in that it will push you into an entirely new tax bracket, unless you're already in one of the upper tax brackets. Bringing your total owed up to as much as $51,268, or more.

So. How do you plan on paying your $32 – $60 thousand dollars in taxes this year?

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ill borrow it from my in-laws

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

For me, that's all of my netsegg and more for a downpayment on a house.. For a little fling. I have a feeling a lot of my prize is going to charity :

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

My new plan is to ditch all the prizes except the laptop. Maybe the camera.

But I'll promise to do it very, very publicly. Like, CNN will very likely run the story about how the winner of the grand prize had to give up all the prizes because she can't afford the taxes and Google and Sony didn't make any allowance for that.

Maybe they'll cough up some money just to avoid the public relations disaster.

And if not... my lover has a new laptop, at least. :)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Funny thing.. is used Orbitz.com to calculate the price on a trip like that... $4,776 per person was the highest it could come up with. Tack a bit onto that, say it's $10,000 per person. That's still $40,000 at most. Coming nowhere near their $97,000 in airfare.... I think their FMV stinks of tax writeoff for them.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

For what it's worth, they can't pay your taxes, you'd owe taxes on that also. And once you take one portion, you're liable for all of it. Unless you sell it, then you're liable for the taxes owed on receiving plus your taxes on selling.. And I have a hunch nobody is going to pay $100,000+ for that trip. Maybe $20,000 .. so there's part of the costs.

fiscap [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey Cassie – I'm still waiting on my email as well :(

On Tuesday night, I replied to the two emails I received stating my successful registration confirmations, but I still haven't heard back.

At this point, I'm not counting on the email showing. I'll just check the site tomorrow to see if I'm truly a finalist or if I simply received a Cryptex in error.

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

J G,

You can actually forfeit the trips and any other portion of the prize. Just get documentation and you will only pay taxes on what you accept. You can also forfeit parts of the prize. For example, only take two people on the trips instead of four and fly coach instead of first class etc.You are really ony responsible for taxes on what you actually received. It is also possible to get documentation that you could plan the same trips or buy the prizes for less than the stated value. Then you could only pay taxes on that price.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Yep, ItIsI has it right. I read about this on the Motley Fool today. There is a tax reporting form where you can declare the more accurate price of what you received.

Mind you, I still couldn't afford it, even at the actual market value.

The prize doesn't even provide spending money for the trips --so you'd better have the money to eat out in Paris and London and Rome and New York, eh?

I don't know, I'm beginning to think they either REALLY didn't think this through... or they deliberately set it up this way on the hope that whoever wins has to forfeit most or all of the prize.

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

As Beks mentioned, they could have given you money as part of the prize whcih you could have used to pay taxes. Another possibility is to find losing L*O*T*T*O (annoying filter) tickets. They can be written off as g-ambling (annoying filter) losses on your taxes. If you can find $130,000 worth of discarded tickets, you're golden.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

And understood about the fact that if Google/Sony gave me money for my taxes... that money would also count as income, so my taxes would go up some more. There's probably a point of equillibrium, but I'd have to hire a tax accountant to figure it out! :D

That's why my original plan is best: Google/Sony HIRES me to blog the whole thing (I'd start the blog as soon as I'm announced as the winner, start planning our trips, introduce my traveling companions, etc., so people could follow along on the whole adventure --and of course post pictures while we're on the trips and stuff). Then instead of GIVING me these trips, they are SENDING me and my family, on a business trip. And that way, my taxes don't go up, except by whatever they might actually pay me (I'd do it for $1 --although if Google wants to hire me as a consultant for the next year at $40,000, I'm perfectly willing to quit my current job!).

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I like that Beks. That's high quality thinking.

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Has everybody seen this on the personalized google home page:

From: Wei-Hwa Huang
Googler & Four-Time World Puzzle Champion

Many of you wrote to the Google team to let us know how much you enjoyed the quest, so I decided to keep creating puzzle challenges. Stay tuned for your first challenge on May 26 and get ready for a mental workout.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Yepper. That'll be fun. And tax-free. :)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

ItIsI – hmm, I knew you could challenge for actual value. But I've always been told as soon as you accept a portion of a prize you're liable for the full prize package.

Didn't know you could downgrade the prize package either. That makes sense.

I'm pretty sure if someone was ingenious enough they could get the prize package value down to under $30,000.

As for eating out in europe, it's really not that bad. The only real trick is not to go to the highly-rated restaurants. There are plenty of small mom&pops that want to make some dollars and cents and have really good food.

... As for the puzzles in the final competition itself.. I keep hearing people speculating that they'll include observation puzzles from the movie.. like they did with the first round. All I can say is if htey do that I hope they give the questions up front.. and let us run down to the movie, wach it, and gather all the info.. That would just be painfully difficult. On the other hand, anyone with a spouse in the house also in the final gets an unfair advantage (and a sure likelihood to win, unless the puzzles are significantly different).

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hey, whatever happened to the whole "screenshot" controversy?

The decoration on the box sure didn't look like a screenshot to me.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

If you're in a lower tax bracket, and you downgrade most of the trips, (And, I hate to say it, sell some electronics) I think you could work around it.

Personally, if I won, I'd solicite Google/Sony for prize money in leu of some of the items. I mean, anyone who wins can take it to the press, and say that there was never a chance that anyone could win, and that Google/Sony have abused 'questers' across the globe in their advertising escapades making it so no one could win.

They do have the handy little line that says that the sponsors can change the prizes when they see fit. I think, if you push some buttons, you could get those prizes in the reasonable taxes range and take a shot at it... And most of the time, any prize money is there to help with taxes....

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

and if someone gives me the specs on the prizes, I'll put up a running sheet to how much you can find everything for.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I'm only 15, so I don't have to worry about taxes! :)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

You parents would either claim your "wages" and/or you would have to report it on your own.

I have been working since 12 yrs of age. since then I have had to report end of year, since wages are tied directly to your social security number.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

da vinci; does your family own a buisness?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

No. No business here.

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

J G,

Yeah, I was doing some reading up on it the other day. Since the trips have to be lined up through some travel agent after you win, you can change the parameters. The official rules also say that you forfeit any travel not taken. So I think that if only my wife and I were to go and fly coach etc. we could easily knock half the value of the prize off, if not more. I think the important thing to do is to keep meticulous documentation so you can provide it to the IRS.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Ah, that makes plenty of sense. Thanks ItIsI (or are those l's..)

Amin, your parents would be stuck with your taxes or you would.

SaintA, good points.

If someone wants to run up a spread sheet on actual costs – and do a cost estimate on the trip, the details are as follows:

First-class round-trip air transportation for four (4) to New York, Paris, Rome and London courtesy of Orbitz.com. (Approximate Retail Value: $97,000.00)

Four (4) nights deluxe hotel accommodations and ground transportation for four (4) at each travel destination courtesy of BooksAMillion and Frommer’s. (ARV: $16,600.00)

Four Leisure Select return tickets from London to Paris and London to Avignon courtesy of Eurostar. (ARV: $5,797.24)

One (1) Sony® 40″ BRAVIA™ S-Series LCD HDTV Television (ARV: $2999.99)

One (1) Sony® VAIO® VGN-TX770P/B Notebook computer (ARV: $2,599.99)

One (1) Sony® Cyber-shot® DSC-N1 Digital Camera (ARV: 499.95)

One (1) Sony® Platinum DVD Dream™ System (model DAV-X1) (ARV: $799.99)

One (1) Sony® NV-U70 Portable Navigation System (ARV: $599.95)

One (1) Sony® DPP-FP50 Digital Photo Printer (ARV: $149.95)

Four (4) Sony® Walkman Core™ MP3 Players (ARV $639.80)

Four (4) copies of the Frommer’s Guide Books and Day by Day Guides to New York, Paris, Rome and London. (ARV: $483.68)

--- Could definitely drop the guide books, the walkmen MP3 players, the photo printer, (the navigation system is cool), the audio system, the television, (another laptop is always good.. wouldn't mind the audio system though), the digital camera (although mines broke :p), and downgrade the trip all the way across the board. Even with everything "first class" I don't think it'd cost near their ARV for four people, heh.

Wonder if you could downgrade and request the cash difference, thus paying the taxes ;)

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Interesting tidbits

Travel arrangements are made through the travel coordinator designated by sponsor.

Travel must be completed by 5/13/07

The Eurostar Tickets are Non exchangeable, non-refundable and subject to avaiablity. Between 8 July 2006 & 9 September 2006(Their not even roundtrip tickets, they're return trip only)

Once the trip(s) have been booked, they cannot be altered in any way shape or form.

Grand Prize winner must take the same 3 guests with them on each leg of the trip prize.

No substitutions, transfers, or cash equivalents for a prize (or prize component) except that Sponsor, at its sole discretion, may substitute a prize (or prize component) with a prize of equal value, due to unavailability of advertised prize/prize component.

My favorite, is the ARV for the cryptex(s) $30.00! People have sold theirs for, at the most I've seen, $250!

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Thanks JG I'm working on a spreadsheet right now, The travel coordinator is probably going to be Orbitz. The other thing is the hotels. That one (since I don't know exactly where they are sending people) will be left alone for right now. I'll link the spreadsheet when it's all set to go!

Nate [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Got the finalist e-mail earlier this week, STILL NO CRYPTEX. It had better be in the mail today when I get home. ><

LEH [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

You could always accept the trip and then ebay it... make money and pay the taxes

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Even if you ebay the trip, you wouldn't make up the taxes, unless you could argue the FMV as having been lower.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm almost done guys. I've got the total for all the flights down to $16,200. from $103,200.

And by the way, you can't ebay the trips.

The Grand Prize winner has to be present on all the trips or they are forfeit

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

The flight reduction. Are you counting separate trips to each location, or is this all one trip – a nice big loop? The prize information isn't really clear about this. I suppose it is possible someone would do 4 separate 4 day weekend trips (insane).

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The 16,200 is the sum of all the trips in economic.
I've done everything individually so you can see the progression.
I'm finishing the Frommer books right now and then I'll post

You've got till next may to take ALL the trips. so each can be individual.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I wonder if you can take a different set of guests on each trip....

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

as long as the winner is present. it looks like you can. (rotate guests I mean)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

So, the other question is.. Would they pay roundtrip airefair and let you stay more than 4 days in a location, but only pay for the first 4 days – so each additional day is at your own cost.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I don't think so. If you stay past the 4 days and stay on your own, they may not try to kick you in the balls... I would suggest getting a lawyer to read over this crap. I'm only a 1st year and I understand the guist of it, but they try to muddle their rights and yours... It's pretty ugly

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Heh, I more or less had the same experience... <- paralegal.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Woh! Go Us!!!

I'm almost finished, just writing some notes

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Should I just place it on a new thread?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Wherever you like.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

> Should I just place it on a new thread?

This thread is fine for the Da Vinci Code Quest :)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

and god has spoken. yikes

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Thanks Phil! You're cool in my book!

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

http://www.deviantart.com/view/33483664/

This is the link to the spreadsheet.

Good Luck everyone!

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Thanks SA.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

No problem J G! Us nerds gotta stick together!

The only thing I had a problem with was that return ticket from london to avignon. You couldn't book anything!

Oh, something to note.

All the numbers come (actual price) from the sponsors themselves. Google was helpful in getting me to the actual company sites instead of dealers!

ps~ The nickname is Elphie; I've never been a Saint

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Elphie,

That makes sense. I believe London to Avignon is seasonal.. Hmm, yes, it does appear to be:

-------------

During the long summer months (9 July to 3 September), Eurostar offers a weekly direct service that whisks you from London Waterloo straight to Avignon Station in just 6 hours 10 minutes.

For the rest of the year, Avignon is still within easy reach. You have two options – you can either change in Lille or Paris.

Choose to take the connection in Lille if you fancy a simple platform change for your onward train journey to Avignon. The average journey time is 6 hours 15 minutes, which includes the safe connection time in Lille of 20 minutes.

Alternatively, you can make the connection in Paris for a wider choice of onward trains to Avignon, with one simple station change. From London Waterloo, your Eurostar train will whizz you to Paris Gare du Nord. From here, the easiest options are to take a taxi from the station rank or to hop on the RER high-speed commuter train (take RER line B in the direction of Châtelet-Les Halles, then take RER line A in the direction Marne-la-Vallée Chessy) to Paris Gare de Lyon and your onward train to Avignon. The average journey time takes just 6 hours 45 minutes including a comfortable connection time of 1 hour 20 minutes at Paris.

--------------

end quote.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

for that matter, everything will cost varying amounts depending on time of year you travel and how far ahead you get tickets... Hmm, I wonder, if you get the tickets now but the trip is for February of next year – which tax year you have to claim it on ;).. But seriously, really want to save money, do it mid winter – and be absolutely miserable in London.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm not worried about being miserable. I can spread those suckers around. But it's just trying to convince the sponsors that me taking everyone on coach is the best thing in the world!

I mean, if you just substituted the prices on econ for first class it would be a lot cheaper.

You could even downgrade the accoms!

Joel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Anyone still not get a cryptex? I got the finalist e-mail at 7:13pm on Monday just like the 9,999 other finalists...but have not received my cryptex yet.

Does anyone have any idea of how to get a hold of Sony or the Marketing company that ran the contest to ask them about this?

thanks,

Joel

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The other thing, was I looked for to book the london to avignon and they didn't have any options for July at all!

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

They'll claim you wrote your mailing address wrong. My bet is they get around 2,000 cryptex's back.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

And the rules say that if they cannot reach you, (IE your cryptex is returned or they can't email you) You're disqualified.

Next project
Number the freakin' rules so I can direct everyone to a line and a page

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

what about a cryptex and no email?

I got two original emails and thats it

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Let me check right now Vinci, I'll give you your answer

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

http://www.deviantart.com/view/33483664/

Website has the spreadsheet for figures on prizes.

Try to keep it on the current page, okay guys? Thanks

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Vinci,

You haven't received an email containing instructions about how to access the final puzzle, or the status of your Contest Entry correct?

If this is the case, you may initally been a finalist, but there might have been some type of discression with your entry.

Under #3 under 'How to enter' states:
"Prior to may 18, 2006, Finalists will also be e-mailed instructions at the email address provided by ach Fianlist on his/her Official Contest Entry on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge."

Under #6 Under "Notification" it states:
"Finalists will be notified by email on or about may 15, 2005 and at time of receipt of their Finalist Prize which will be shipped by postal mail to be received by may 18, 2006. If the finalist Prize or email notification to a particular Finalist is returned as undeliverable, or if he/she is found to be ineligible to participate in the Final Phase, and/or is deemed not to have complied with these Official Rules, such Finalist will be disqualified, and time permitting, the participant with the next earliest time-stamp will be permitted to participate in the Final Phase."

LINE TO ACKNOWLEDGE:
"IF THE FINALIST PRIZE OR EMAIL NOTIFICATION TO A PARTICULAR FINALIST IS RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE, OR IF HE/SHE IS FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FINAL PHASE... SUCH FINALIST WILL BE DISQUALIFIED."

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

davinci i still havent gotten it either and i really dont think we will,

so whos gonna do the puzzles tomorrow and give us the anwsers? i bought a sudoku book with puzzles in it so im getting better at those, and ive been messing with the anagrams on sodarktheconofman.com just incase. i still need to work on chess though cause thats for sure gonna be there.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Cassie,
   Do you have a gmail account or hotmail?
which did you initially use to sign-up for the contest?

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I got the initial 2, congrats emails. the cryptex and no final email.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

both cassie and I used hotmail.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

is it the exact same email that you used to sign up for the contest?

AND

are you absolutely sure that it was spelled correctly?

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hotmail. and i received both confermation e-mails like last week, just fine. theres alot of us who have hotmail and have gotten a cryptex but no email.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Had I not spelled it right, I would not have gotten the confirmation emails.

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

so true

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

receiving the cryptex means that your address was received by the Sony and AT THAT TIME you were a finalist. But Hotmail has been filtering a lot of the DaVinci Code emails.

I can direct you to a page where someone has posted their Finalist email, but until tomorrow, I can't just come out and tell you you're a finalist right now.

Read the Capped sentence in my entry just above yours. That is referring to the Finalist email, not the initial emails.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I will sue hotmail if they filtered out my Finalist email.

They cant let the other two go through and then say later, it was junk or nondeliverable.

For all I know the CEO of hotmail is playing the game too.

I will take action against that, I will!

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I suspect that Hotmail filtered the mails as Spam.

My advice is to try and enter the finalist contest tomorrow. You'll probably be allowed to play enter it. Also, add the addresses from Sony & Google to your address book so that hotmail hopefully doesn't filter them.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

You can take action against Hotmail, but against Google or any of their Sponsors you can't.

When you submited you entry you agreed to the contest rules which state:
"By entering this Contest, participants agree to waive any right to claim any ambiguity or error in the official rules of the Contest, or the Contest itself, and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by all decisions of the Sponsor and Contest Administrator, whose decisions are binding and final in all respects."

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea J G they have been added since Monday

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I have nothing against google or any of the other sponsors, but how can Hotmail be flip-flopping like that.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

heh, I really doubt you will sue hotmail for filtering your email.. and even if you do, what are you going to gain? A $30 settlement in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars of legal fees? Congratulations, that's even better than the tax burden the grand prize winner will receive.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hey, i have hotmail as well and i got my finalist email.....i dont think that hotmail filtered it because both cassie and da vinci finished before me

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

hey J G , try not to take everything so literal and sound like an an arse alright, This is a pretty civil thread.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Be nice J G. I'd be pissed to if I didn't get an email from davinvicodequest[put at-character here]sonypictures.com too.

That's who I received the finalists email from.

The Title of the email reads :

"FINALIST – The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google"

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

So according to what you have just stated Samy.

Cassie and Vinci could have been disqualified due to powers beyond our control.

wow,
that sucks

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

wow , did they find out that I am really a five yr old! They are good.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

oh, and Vinci

J G is just showing you what could happen if you did that. (sued hotmail) He's not trying to be mean or anything like that.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

5-yr olds know how to work hotmail? *wags finger* where's you guardian young man?
*laughs*

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yikes I am a little girl.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

as in, 'pansy' little girl? Or an actual Little Girl!?

*laughs*

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

O, Draconian devils!

I am sorry J G. I am just a little on the edge right now, fixing to jump. not really, just eating some Doritos with sour cream.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am a Lady. as in my "Hips dont lie" men want to date me.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I am glad Shakira!
*laughs*
You know the public URL to the site for tomorrow.
If you're still a finalist they'll let you on to play.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea, I mean whats in an email. a finalists by any other contact is still a finalist.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

'see how she leans her hand upon her cheek. Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek.'

Romeo and Juliet. Nice Choice

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i do like R and J. but prefer

"Let the wounded deer go weep"

Hamlet. I love the tragedies.

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

i am bald in one spot from pulling my hair out everytime i check my e mail. and now i have a large streak of gray, one gray hair for everytime someone tells me i must not be a finalist. please let the madness stop. ok fine im gonna find a phone number and call these people.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Same here

but I relish

"Time is a very bankrupt, and owes more than he's worth to season.
Nay, he's a thief, too: have you not heard men say,
That time comes stealing on by night and day?"

Comedy of Errors.

Plain old mischief and mistaken identity

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I have all his works, he is excellent, if it really was him

*squints eyes*

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

No wonder your screenname scream conspiracy!!
*waves hands* OOOOooooooooooo!

*laughs*

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

"How canst thou say that thou art out of breath when thou hast the breath to say the thou art out of breath?"

-- Romeo and Juliet

ITS AN ANAGRAM...........SOLVE IT!!!!! :)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Cassie, you'll be fine. You'll know tomorrow if you're a finalist or not.

Wasn't trying to be mean.. Think that's the second time I've been told to be civil in this thread *hides*. Was just.. oh, Elphie already said it for me.

You want pulling your hair out? I'm going grey (literally) waiting for SOMEONE, ANYONE to respond to my many job apps out there and interview me. Ever job I've ever been interviewed for, I've got. But getting to that interview stage is always a major pain in the assets. Meh, non traditional education my ear. Since quitting my last job (new CEO, bad man, bad!) it's been an utter pain to get a new job. Le'sigh.

Oh wait, that's off topic. Apologies.

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

*sigh*
Jay I just quit anagrams for the night!!!
*laughs*

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

well... you have a 'the' where it should be a 'that'

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

and the quote is incorrect

"How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath to say to me that thou art out of breath? Is the news good or bad, answer to that."

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

juliet quote to her nanny

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Lol.....come on.....it was straight out of my head......sorry for the tiny errors!..........*hmph*......lol

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

well, now you beg the question if it is your quote that has the anagram or the original quote itself

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

ur a real scholar rnt u SA

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

only a first year law student, and you really cannot hold that against me when it comes to the legitimancy of questions.

My one weakness is spelling though

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

quite, Google wouldnt allow such a mistake, they will tell you

Good, but only two of your three answers are right.!

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

and thus, my position is justified.

well said 'Shakira-Vinci'

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

JG,

obviously you're overqualified, what with the French and all.

Don'tcha know other languages are out of fashion here, now?

But I grok entirely too well. You'll get an interview. Just hold on...

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

*Shakes hips*

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

so once again I ask you Jay.

Is the anagram within your quote or the original?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Beks, thanks. But I don't know French (other than a lot of please and thank you).. My second language is Arabic. I suspect that works strongly against me ;)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I studied four years of it and lost most of it.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i speak spanish if that helps

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea, I am bilingual too in Spanish

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I got bored and am running both the quotes through an anagram program....
*sigh*
I should probably go home now....

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

u have an anagram program
r u serious
if its downloadable can u pleez send me the site of where 2 download it

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hi All.

I finally got caught up on the thread.... ;-)

As to the tax issues, you'll get a 1099 from SONY (or whomever there financial group is) with the ARV. But the ARV is Approx. RETAIL Value. So if you can come up with lower prices (say in a best buy circular?), if you take it to a tax pro, you can probably get it ammended. Also, I think you can spread the tax burden from "windfall" income over a period of at least a few years. But read your last tax-filing instructions or go to the IRS website and check into it.

As to the "RETURN" train tickets, in Europe, round-trip train and bus tickets are called "RETURN" tickects, so I'm pretty sure they will be round trip. I don't know why they say the round-trip plane tickects are all from the "major airport near winner's residence" though. That seem to indicate the option of taking 4 separate trips. I think the line "air transportation and hotel accommodations must be taken together and cannot be taken separately" means you have to use the Paris flight and the Paris hotel in conjunction, the Rome bits together, etc. . I don't think it means you have to go, come home, go, come home, go... and so on. However it does seem to imply that we will be told WHEN we can go (probably within reason, but likely NOT over weekends or holidays).

BUT I DON'T CARE!!! I AM PLAYING, DEATH AND TAXES BEDAMNED!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Samy, do a google search for "anagram online"and you'll get a few good link to freen online anagram engines.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Sorry for the typos.. optical moucs and touch-pad are having dominance issues...

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

geez.......... hope my finger dexterity improves before the game...

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

For those who got cryptices, did your outer (white) box have a hand-written number on the top?

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

my number was on the bottom of the box, but yes, it was.

The rules say that it's up to the sponsors for most of the stuff.
Have ya seen the chart? That shows some of the stuff that I found through the sponsors themselves.

I mean, come on, Best Buy got me a 2GB Flash drive for 20 bucks.
You can find any electronic there

SaintAelphaba [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

ps~ U will be alone for a little while, no one checks the board constantly, we all run intervals on the messages.

Like I won't hear from anymore of ya'll till tomorrow morning.

Joel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I would let you know, but I never received my cryptex. I got the finalist email on Monday at 7:13pm to my GMail account, but have yet to see any box in the mail.

I want to know the correct people to contact to see what the problem is, but I'll I've done so far is write an email to davincicodequest[put at-character here]sonypictures.com. I'm not even sure a real person will receive this email, though.

I'm pretty dissapointed. I wouldn't care as much if I didn't make the final 10,000, but since I'm a finalist, I really expect to get the prize that was promised to me.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

my box doesnt have a hand written number

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I wouldn't worry about not getting a cryptex. It could have gotten lost, delayed, stoled from your doorstep, who knows. If you got the FINALIST e-mail with the Teabing link, you are probably in. Proof will be in the access after 1 PM tomorow. Good luck to us all, and I hope one of us gets it (even if it ain't me).

Thanks, Elphie, you're a charm!

Back to rereading a certain book...

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

J G,

Arabic ought to be treasured. Not only is it a beautiful language on its own, but it is the origin of a great deal of our own written language. So pfft on anyone who would be negative about that. They're idiots.

Knowing two languages makes you stronger. Being able to manage two of significantly different styles makes you SIGNIFICANTLY stronger. I am quite envious.

Joel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I'm not worried about not being able to compete in the final challenge...that's not my biggest care. 1) The chance of winning is 1 in 10,000, where as the chance of being a finalist could have been 1 in 5, 1 in 10, or 1 in 100. 2) Even if I won, there is no way I could pay the taxes for anything in those prizes. I just graduated from college two weeks ago and hardly have enough money to live on right now.

I just want my cryptex. I hate being all excited every day to come home and check the mail, only to find nothing there. This is B.S.

I know I'm in the final, i just want the prize that I earned.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Beks, you forget. I'm american. Too many americans (particularly politics) hate Arabs for no reason at all. Prejudice is an ugly thing.

The maximum chance of winning is 1 in 10,000.
Guestimates:
2,000 people didn't receive the cryptix or email – or both and are possibly disqualified or think they are.
1,500 people won't even try.
2,000 will crash or reload their browser, disqualifying themselves.
2,500 won't even be able to complete the final puzzles.
3,000 will start, wander off, come back, take so much time that they are near guaranteed to lose.

Of course there are overlaps in these numbers. But in the end somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3rds will be out of the running for one reason or another.
Leaving you with 5,000 to 3,000 to compete against. At least your odds ahve doubled ;)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Well everyone, I wish you guys the best of luck, I certainly wish one of you win it, vs. some non-blogger! =-)

Have a good night sleep and remember – once you start you cant stop! Be quick and most importantly, BE RIGHT.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Are you guys going to see the movie first?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Don't have time for the movie, VP--have to do my brain exercises, get at least 10 full hours of sleep tonight, eat a hearty breakfast of brainy food, stretch, and sit down to uninterrupted quiet time at the computer! ;)

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Wow, no one's here!

I'm sad : ^ (

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

good luck all on you final quest tomorrow

ballynita [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm here

ballynita [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

good night all and any....sleep well and play well tomorrow.

Linda [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well, the day some of you have been waiting for is finally here. Good luck! Let us know how it all goes. I'm going to the movie first thing this morning. Hope it's not a disappointment after the book, the contest, etc....

Daniel [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The final quest is accessible if you go to google.com/davincicode

who's gonna be the first to take the plunge?

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Not me. I am going to wait until sometime tomorrow afternoon when I have a block of uninterrupted time. I almost had a scare because I went to the site and thought it was starting. Then I read and realized that it wouldn't start until you hit the start button. Whew!

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Whoa......I thought it didn't start till 1:00 pm today!

Cheryl [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I'll be seeing the movie this afternoon and doing the contest tomorrow after a good night's sleep and a good breakfast (including at least one pot of coffee...). That will give me time to compare the movie with the book (which I am almost finished rereading). Other that that, I just plan to have fun.

I also got the game from Real Arcade (I am a monthly member so I got it for my free choice this month). If you like things like Jewel Quest and Bejeweled, you'll like it. Nice graphics and music. Played it until about 1 am, so my butt is dragging here at work...

Good luck all (I hope it's one of us!).

Ickabod [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Has anyone done the puzzles yet, apparently they are available now. I just wish I had time now to do them.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey – Calling all Finalist. I just found this site!

http://www.frappr.com/cryptex

You can post your zip on the US map to and see where the finalist are located. Pretty Cool!

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

For those who want to, use the same nic on Frappr that you use here so we'll know where everyone is.

Ryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So, I just did the final challenge and it was very disapppointing. I was expecting the final challenge to be something different than the original puzzles. Instead they were just the original but much harder. There was the sodoku puzzle, the restoration puzzle, the hanging pictures puzzle, the chess puzzle, and the regular puzzle where you put the pieces together. I thought we'd be trying to answer questions and doing web searches, but no luck there. I'm not that great at puzzles so it took me some time. I wasn't in it to win. The challenge was fun enough. Besides, who wants to pay all that money in taxes. I wish you all the best of luck. Enjoy!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Just logged my zip on Frappr... good luck again all.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ryan – How long did it take you to do all 5 puzzles?

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

She, you're not Rebecca in Louisiana, are you?

Grarky [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ryan-How was the chess puzzle formulated-still a choice of three moves in three different steps?

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Nope, that'd be you in Staen Island.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

OK, so when you go to the site it doesn't start the puzzle right away right?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hi Matty..That would be me in Staten Island...

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

VP, From what I can tell on the other blogs, no, it doesn't.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Found you Matt in Gretna, LA

Where's the rest of the gang???? Everyone gone to see the movie already?

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Stillin, Yeah, that's me. Sitting here at work a mile from the house reading everything I can on this final challenge. Better to be informed.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Man, I really thought that they were gonna make us go see the movie to get some of the questions right. Now that'd be a way to make money.

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm actually wondering where Sneak is. She's normally around here during the day trying to keep us all grounded.

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

VP, I thought we'd need the movie, the book, the website, and every ounce of stuff that we've found with the FTVM anagram and symbols on the official site. I thought we'd need it all.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

So, when is everyone else planning to do the puzzles?

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I'm thinking sometime this afternoon

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

VP – I'd wait to hear from others concerning the puzzles. I would guess that these are different for each player. Ryan may not have had any questions, but others may.

Matt – I agree.....better to be armed with as much DVC knowledge as you can.

Sneak oh Sneak.......where are you?

Robotguy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Anyone want to reveal what size the sodoku puzzle is? The last one in Phase 1 was 6X6 if I remember correctly. I use Excel to solve them and it would be really nice to have the grid setup before I log in...

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Does anyone have a link to other forums on the quest?

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I don't think there are gonna be questions for anyone. That's what I was saying: I thought there would be, but apparently not. I'm looking for other threads more like what we have going on, but this seems to be unique. No other groups of people have been working together.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

This has probably already been posted, but just in case, here's the email I received, which all finalists (aka, all of you who received cryptexs but might not have got your email) should receive. If you didn't get it, follow the links anyway!

Dear Da Vinci Code Quest on Google Finalist.

Today is the day! The Final Challenge begins shortly. We have heard that some of you had not received the Finalist notification that we sent out on Monday. This may be due to our mail being directed to your spam filter. Therefore we wanted to send another email in the hopes that it reaches those of you who may not have received our last communication. In order to participate in the final challenge visit the link below and start your quest for spectacular prizes.

http://news.sonypictures.com.au/sb40/c3.php?SAL/56058/58420/T/N/www.google.com/davincicode

Keep in mind that this is a journey. You must complete the challenge by 1pm EDT on Sunday 5/21. The winner is not the first to complete the challenge but the one who finishes in the least amount of time will be crowned the champion. Be sure to leave enough time to finish, for once you begin you may not pause or stop the clock.

Good luck and enjoy the final challenge.

We have also heard word that some finalists have not received their cryptexes in the mail yet. The cryptexes were sent out Sat 5/13 and Monday 5/15. They were sent to the addresses provided on the contest registration form, therefore if anything was not provided correctly the cryptex may have been shipped to the wrong location. Be assured that if a cryptex comes back in the mail we will be contacting you to get the correct address.

The Da Vinci Code now in theaters

http://news.sonypictures.com.au/sb40/c3.php?SAL/56058/58421/T/N/www.SoDarkTheConOfMan.com

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

VP, I've been googling all day, but like I said, nothing quite like what we have.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

That's what I'm finding too

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just received an email saying that the contest is starting. It also said that they were sending the email in response to those who hadn't received their previous final email. Hopefully this one will get through. They also said that if your cryptex gets returned to them, they will contact you to verify your address and resend it.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

VP – Here ya go

http://solomon.dailygrail.com/node/44?from=450&comments_per_page=50

They have a post concerning the final puzzles

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

AHA! I finally got an email!

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

And I haven't done the final challenge yet. Home sick, so time is not an issue, but I'm feeling out of it and not wanting to try, yet.

We're going to be out of town tomorrow and Sunday, though, so I'll have to do this tonight or very early tomorrow. I'm kinda glad to hear it's the regular puzzles, in a way, even though I know that guarantees I won't be first.

If any of you are the final winner, remember what I suggested: Use the media. And put pressure on Google/Sony to HIRE you. You "forfeit" the prizes and travel as an employee. That way, THEY pay the taxes.

Otherwise, it looks bad for Google/Sony, that they offered a prize that nobody but a really rich person could afford. So this is a nice sideline. You get to blog everything as an employee. (Yeah, they'll be "working" holidays.)

As an extra bonus... *grin*... I would be happy to contribute to your blog as a commentator. I want to live vicariously through your adventures!

And if by some freakish twist of fate I should win... ya'll are likewise invited!

g'luck...

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

http://www.killerbetties.com/DaVinciCode_Google_Quest

This is the other one I've been monitoring.......

Anyone know of any others????

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Beks, I'm in your boat. I have to go out of town early tomorrow morning, and I have to work a second job this evening. I might get to the final puzzle late late tonight, which is waaaay before I wanted to.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm going to an early show tonight and do the puzzles tomorrow. We have thunderstorms predicted later today and maybe tonight. I'd hate to be whizzing along then have the power go out...

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I think we'll see more and more information on the final as the day wears on, especially now that the "official" puzzle availability time has come and gone.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

looky what i got!

Dear Da Vinci Code Quest on Google Finalist.

Today is the day! The Final Challenge begins shortly. We have heard that some of
you had not received the Finalist notification that we sent out on Monday. This
may be due to our mail being directed to your spam filter. Therefore we wanted
to send another email in the hopes that it reaches those of you who may not have
received our last communication. In order to participate in the final challenge
visit the link below and start your quest for spectacular prizes.

http://news.sonypictures.com.au/sb40/c3.php?SAL/48699/58420/T/N/www.google.com/davincicode

Keep in mind that this is a journey. You must complete the challenge by 1pm EDT
on Sunday 5/21. The winner is not the first to complete the challenge but the
one who finishes in the least amount of time will be crowned the champion. Be
sure to leave enough time to finish, for once you begin you may not pause or
stop the clock.

Good luck and enjoy the final challenge.

We have also heard word that some finalists have not received their cryptexes in
the mail yet. The cryptexes were sent out Sat 5/13 and Monday 5/15. They were
sent to the addresses provided on the contest registration form, therefore if
anything was not provided correctly the cryptex may have been shipped to the
wrong location. Be assured that if a cryptex comes back in the mail we will be
contacting you to get the correct address.

The Da Vinci Code now in theaters

http://news.sonypictures.com.au/sb40/c3.php?SAL/48699/58421/T/N/www.SoDarkTheConOfMan.com

bryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

are google searches going to be allowed during the puzzle?
or does that count as a pause?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I'm just wanting to confirm that the final puzzles are puzzle only with no trivia.

I can see why they would do this, it seems to make plenty of sense. Basically, if the final are just puzzles then we can't collude for solving them and it guarantees a more even playing field.

I would be interested in knowing what size the puzzles are though. I do the sudoku like puzzle on scratch paper (Robotguy, how are you using excel to solve these? As a place to try multiple combinations, or somehow automating it?), the Chess puzzles I actually set up on a board and do, the restoration puzzles I found best to do with a Go board, and the jigsaw puzzle is just blind effort on the screen.... So are the sizes standard? Sudoku is still 6x6? Restoration is still 8x10 (although never encountered a puzzle bigger than 7x9)? And how many pieces to the jigsaw puzzle (I hate jigsaw puzzles, always have, take me forever...)

Thanks.. I hope that isn't asking too much along the lines of "how to do them" so much as more info so my setup around here is ready for what I need to do... Although, with all of my setup time, I suspect I'm going to get my fanny whooped :(

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Bryan, as long as you keep the page open I suspect you're fine.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Sudoku is 9x9, some people report 8x8 or 10x10 though

Good luck everyone, this time I think you'll need it.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

has anyone already done it?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

If there are only the puzzles and no DVC trivia, then we won't need extra windows. I am not too worried about most of them, but my chess playing pretty much sucks...

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

.. I just ran into the following:
-------------------------------
   " I completed it this morning. About an hour is what it took.

I started with the SuDoKu puzzle – a 9x9 grid. That went quickly.
Next was the stupid paint splotches. That took me nearly 30 minutes.
Next was the thing where you hang the paintings.

4th was the chess game. No questions, you have to know how to play.
I brute forced it. 3 moves, 4 options each move.

Last was the puzzle. Smaller pieces. 20 or 25, somewhere in there.
When you get it all in place it turnes into a movie trailer. Then you get the final screen.

Do not start the puzzles unless you can finish them in the one sitting.
If you close the browser you are done. If you try to go back in to finish, you get disqualified.

Good luck! "
------------------------------

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I can see the news on Monday:

"Today, world famous chess master blah-blah has won the Google DaVinci Code Quest...."

Robotguy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I use excel to a) try different combinations b) keep track of which symbols are possible for a given location and c) save points where decisions must be made due to insufficent information. This allows me to back up when I realize I made the wrong decision.

I'd be willing to post my saved '.xls' files for the last phase 1 puzzle on my website if anyone is interested in looking at them.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Tons of people are bragging their answers online. As I mentioned last week or so on this blog, the chess is a pain. So is the restoration crap. The fastest I've seen published is 15 minutes. Gotta beat that to be "the one"

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

For sudoku, just use the horizontal and vertical positioning of the symbols and you're straight. Hasn't failed me since day 1.

GinaB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

where are the bragging their answers??!! LOL.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

someone please just put up the chess anwsers thats all i need

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

But, will the chess games even be the same?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Are the 9x9 sudokus in 9 3x3 boxes, because the other wierd shaped ones are hard, and there are tons of solvers for the normal ones...

mikey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i just finished in 55 minutes, anyone have their times?

i don't understand people who expect those who have alreayd completed the puzzle to post screen shots and solutions. why woul di hurt my chances like that?

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

J-Money: You're abesolutely right those shaded areas are here to play with your mind......if you simply solve those just like the first ones paying attention to only the horizontal and vertical positioning you will be fine.

I agree though the chess one will be the deciding factor.....and even if you play chess, which I do, it doesn't neccesarily make it easier......those set moves and certain scenarios are Bobby Fisher type style of chess not many people even know what the Nimzo-Indian Defence is or what is for. And from what I have seen so far that's the kind of scenarios the show. I guess you could study classic checkmate setups then you would know the next move in the sequence by the positioning on the board......but who has that time I'm still figuring out when I should do it..

The Curator challenge is always easier to go big to smallest there are only a couple of places the bigger paintings can go and after that the rest fall into place.

Restoration challenges are a pain in the ass but they are for everyone so there is really no skill involved to help you.

The puzles are easier once the border is up always put the pieces with righting on the bottom together first that should give you a decent run to start with...

Just thougght I would share a few hints and tips I use in hopes that someone can use them to thier advantage.....good luck to everyone and may the best man/woman, boy/girl win.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Mikey – Possibly due to the fact that most of us here could not afford to pay the taxes on the grand prize. A team effort could improve the chances of winning as well as spread the wealth and tax burden.

If there's a clue/hint/tip here that helps me to win, know that I will share the purse.

Some are people are extremely selfish.......others like to share...

Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Restoration challenges are a pain in the ass unless you've got something to help you solve them...

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

mikey, I haven't seen anyone requesting that.

Is there a Curator challenge in the final puzzles? I haven't seen any mention of that... anywhere. THose were by far my least favorite.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

J-Money and NickG, the shaded areas actually are helpful in narrowing down the spots for where a certain symbol might go, :)

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

J-money Everyone I've seen has finished in 30-60 minutes, where did you see the one for 15 min?

CL [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Dude – are there solver aids for the restoration challenge??

Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I wrote one! It solves it in less than 1 min.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

how tell us

Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It's quite dumb, tries out all possibilities.

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Tips for the restoration challenge puzzle I found at another site:
__________________

I had trouble with this until I was taken to a different image which included hexagons (after several attempts and by refreshing & restarting the game a couple times:
http://www.barrydebruin.com/images/mona.jpg)

The logic quickly became clear. There is a grid of hexagons and pieces must be directly across from each other to be combined. The winning move is to be sure and have the last two pieces be directly across from eachother separated by one hexagon.

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well dpending on how it works........ if you have to enter the location of all the pieces of "dust" .....and I assume you do coming from a coders point of view, and then wait a minute for it to solve the puzzle......althought it may seem quicker from less thought work involved you probably could have solved it in the same amount of time or less yourself without any help

Dude [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You're right, if you can solve it in 1 or 2 minutes on your own, it's useless.
The last daily restoration challenge took me more than 5 minutes so it's definitely speeding me up.
But typing the input is tricky...

SJ [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The puzzles are the exact same for everyone. (Me and 2 friends compared notes). I think the fastest time we got it down to was about 10 minutes.

Cindy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I wouldn't give out answers until May 21 1pm EST. Who wants someone to beat their time? Isn't it the fastest time that wins not the first person finished.

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Unless you got a miserable time and wanted to help someone out who may return the favor...

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I saw this on another blog

"1) SuDoKu (maybe my excel solver will come in handy if its a traditional 9x9)
2) Restoration (the annoying paint splotches)
3) Curator (hang the paintings)
((((4) Chess – with no questions. The most sited solutions seems to be (((2-2-4))), lets see))))))
5) Movie trailer jigsaw puzzle – mixed observation / geography?"

Dont know what his solver is. Good luck guess

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I saw this aswell

"Anonymous said...
21 minutes flat!"

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

check out some screen shots

http://googlefact.blogspot.com/

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Good stuff adwore.

Cindy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I'm already seeing screenshots on other websites. Ugh such crap. It's going to come down to who can do the last puzzle the fastest- no genius needed. *sigh*

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Cindy, only way that could have been prevented is by having an absolutely enormous database of potential puzzles.. or an automatic puzzle generator, which would then guarantee or attempt to guarantee that each person had a slightly different puzzle.

Would have been cool if he did that.. On the other hand, if one person had received a series of easy puzzles and another person some really difficult ones.. It would have been hardly fair.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The last time I did the curator puzzle it didnt take me that long

I stayed to the top and was observant

If you have to do it again just be smart and observant.

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

It looks like everyone has trouble with it anyway

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I'm curious as to what the fastest time is.

bryan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Your odds of winning are now 1:9999 because after spending well over an hour on the first puzzle i gave up. I hate sudoku

Ickabod [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I saw a posting that someone finished in 11 minutes.

GinaB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

one side has posted screen shots of the answers for the sudoku and the paint blotches!! but I guess regardless it will take them some time...I don't know, those ppl are so wrong *shakes head*. I just finishes and it took me 32 minutes, without cheating..lol :)

Haochi [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am going to the movie today, it just came out yesterday! Yek! (I am not a finalist)

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yikes Bryan, well I gave myself a mental note of that and after 30 min on Sudoku, I quite myself and stuffed my face in a whopper. (BK)

On a much lighter note,

I saw the movie this AM

Robbit [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Just posted my location.
Been lurking for a while and will do the puzzles tomorrow when I can relax away from work.

Good Luck and I hope one of you fantastic people win this competition!!

Ickabod [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I have seen the screen shots, but I havent seen any that solve the blotches.

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

and oh yes! The movie was legendary! I liked it tons, it is two and half hours long,so dont drink too much.

CG [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

New guy here,

Just started reading this blog and now I am in a moral perplexity. I would like to win. I am pretty good at chess and soduku and had planned on doing it without "cheating", but after seeing the screen shots and hearing that the chess puzzle is the same for all, there is no way anyone could actually figure out the puzzles faster than someone who already has the answers.

So should I compete honestly or actually try and win and use other's screenshots?

Mattypoo [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am too excited to try this right now. I really need like percocet or something. Maybe I'll just smoke a whole pack of cigarettes....

StillinTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hello Sneak – Been wondering where you've been today!

Did you see my post earlier about Frapper.com

.....The finalist are posting their zips to see how many are from what corners of the USofA......

Curious too that there are many more men listed than women....

Here's the link. http://www.frappr.com/cryptex

Up to 276 ppl so far.

Hmmmmmmm

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

CG Good question. Google all along has been promoting their search. If their search is bringing you the information you need to complete the puzzle, is it wrong?
I'm trying to figure out if the Terms forbid this, and I don't really see anything. There is a whole section about attempting to defraud.... but is this doing that? maybe they will just disqualify anyone that does it in a short enough time that they think they could not do it, but then if there is a real genius that could disqualify them. is it just resourceful? (http://trex005.googlepages.com/minecleaner)

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I just finnished, The curator took a long time,
the puzzle was hard because it dosent stay as one picture the whole time, the image changes every second and a half.
best startage is to look for end pieces, then place strange shaped pices in the places.'good luck. I did it in 36 min.

chess was 2,2,4

Sudoku was the same as on the sight I posted earlier

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You can do it in a short time without using the blog cheats if you worked in a group, as I did. The 3rd time was right around 10 mins. The jigsaw puzzle is the deciding factor.

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

The only things that I have seen online were the sudoku and the paintings.....

what other puzzles are there?

J Soll [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Shoot. I finished it in like 30 minutes!

The one that killed me was the fuzzy spot one. I HATE it!

J

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Do it and find out for yourself :)

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Couldn't resist any more and did it in 20 minutes.... life sucks hehe. Well at least I got a cryptex and a few milli hours of blog time out of this

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

and whoever came up with that restoration challenge deserves a freakin medal

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

any one looking for a group partner? hehehehe I did pretty good and I think after doing the restoration 10 times over I can help

Jack [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Does the challenge at all require having the book at hand or having seen the movie?

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

no book needed just brains

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Did someone claim of actually finishing in 10 minutes or...?

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

my partner was around 10mins.

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I, for one, can promise you that I did not finish in 10 minutes. Au contraire...

Wow, do I feel like an idiot.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Hmmm. Am I blacklisted? or no one is replying to my posts? anyone know what the fastes rumored time is so far?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

O WOW... ok well *bye bye dreams*

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

hahah Beks tu parles francais? Hey anyone who wins the flat screen TV I'll buy it if you're putting it for sale to offset the taxes

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

haha the taxes will offer everyone secretly hoping to win an opportunity to bash the actual winner

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Shoot.. thinking about it already makes me feel better... anyone second that? and Oh.... I by no means intend to be insensitive or bitter... this whole thing's been a ton of fun. I'm currently on Mensa's website doing their workout

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The taxes are outrageous, close to 40K so it seems, the winner might also need a good lawyer to read the fine lines. GL with that.

Ickabod [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Has anyone seen the solution to the blotches?

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I honestly don't think my team was fast enough. In 10,000 how many other people grouped up to become fast? Plenty. All it takes is to be a hair faster. It was fun to do with a couple of college buds. Good times.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Friend just called me.. To brag that he did all the puzzles in under 4 minutes.

Ugh.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

IM SCURRED, I JUST GOT HOME i dont wanna do the challenge yet,,,,,is it difficult, is it just the 5 same ones just harder? and is there any chess cuz if there is im dead...

Jack [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

4 MINUTES!!! i don't think that is even possible. you would have to know all the answers already ahead of time and then just put them in.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i hope i win even thought the chances are low, i cant wait, but i cant do the challenge by myself, does everyone have the same puzzles and are there any questionad and about what??

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Is that even possible if you know all the answers? It still takes time to put everything in.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I think I'm just gonna go take the final challenge. I'm sick of just waiting and trying to figure everything out. Its not like I'm gonna win anyways. this is supposed to be FUN

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

4 minutes is pretty intense. Even with knowing the answers, that is some quick fingers there. If thats not a joke, then Kudos!

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

4 minutes is impossible. not with the jigsaw at the end

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

dude...the chess is impossible...that will for sure be the limiting factor...the sequence has to be something relevent, right? Fibonacci?

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Sometimes living in a big town isn't so hot. Even though I bought my DaVinci tickets online, I have to go early to pick them up and get decent (non-nose bleed) seats.. that's after passing the devoted catholics (no offense) who will be praying outside the theatre in quiet protest.

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

got it...random guessing...one more...only 7 minutes so far...

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Je said le francais... NON!

LOL... Not what I should know, given my heritage.

Under 4 minutes, J G?

Oh man. Do I ever wish I'd paid attention back when I was a kid in that chess tournament. I FORGOT HOW TO PLAY CHESS.

I'd been relying on the googling.

Like I said, I feel like an idiot. Congrats to everyone who's less stupid than I. We're going out to eat sushi. I plan to drink sake and forget.

But I enjoyed the puzzles. :) and now we still have Euroquest AND some new stuff.

Maybe someday my brain will wake up.

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

The hardest part is the paint splotch challenge....the answers to the sudoku and the art hanging are online, the answer to the chess is 2-2-4, and if you work the puzzle at the end by placing all of the edge pieces first and then place the inside pieces as far on the edge as it will allow you before trying to put them in their place, it's not all that difficult....my time was 2 hours, but i started ealrier this morning before people started posting their answers.

Ruffus [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

DONE! That's under 12 minutes...

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It kills the competition when the answers are posted everywhere, but there's nothing anyone can do about that I guess. It was fun and I didn't use any sites.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I hate that there are no runner up prizes... ha doesn't really matter though out of ten thousand people the difference is hair triggered anyways. There must be 1500 people between the winner and my 20 minutes. Kudos Ruffus

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Beks, yah. His roommate did it first, printed out all the puzzles. Then they sat down, mapped out how to do everything in the least possible moves, and basically logged in to click as fast as possible.

I'm aiming at getting 30 minutes. I don't have the time to work on them right now, but plan to when I get home. No sense at looking at the answers when I'm sure someone will be doing it as fast as they possibly can.

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Yeah it sucks that there's only 1 grand prize. It also states that if there is a tie there would be an essay writing contest. lol

NCSUgradstudent [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

My computer froze as I was doing the restoration puzzle. I guess it's over for me.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

that really sucks

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

ah man, that's not cool.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im not going to do my puzzle till tomorrow when im relaxed

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Do you guys think Google will fine comb the blogs in the hopes of determining who cheated on the final challenge?

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

How did you solve the restoration? I've been at it for over an hour.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

J-Money, I doubt it. Waste of time.

Would be interesting if they run al algorithm across it to calculate min and max times... Honestly, anyone under 15 minutes is likely to be cheating.

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Even "cheating" requires sum skill IMO. The restoration you still have to figure out on paper and duplicate it under pressure – and the final jigsaw there's no way to preplan..

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

sum = some

adwore [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

make sure not to leave anything on the outside in the restoration

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I personally think that the people who have said that they finished in less than 10 minutes are not telling the truth. Because the jigsaw takes time to do and with it flashing like that it makes it even harder.

Robotguy [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ethically it's cheating. Legally? I doubt it...

According to the rules:
-Any person attempting to defraud Sponsor or tamper with Contest in any way will be prosecuted to the full extent permitted by law and will not be eligible for a prize.

So it just comes down to whether combing the web for the answers is something that Google can prove is an "attempt to defraud or tamper with the contest." I don't see how they could if the contestant has submitted no false information. If they had wanted to avoid this situation, it would have been easy enough, just make everyone start at the same time and give the prize to the first one to finish, just like Phase 1.

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

well, if they cut out all the cheating people, I might have a chance!
well... maybe not! But I guess it was fun!

The Schwab [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

My guess is there will be a random drawing from those who completed all the puzzles. No one can prove they were the fastest, and I dont think anyone would go bragging that they won even though they werent the fastest. I wouldnt...especially if Google gave me all that stuff.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Schwab: That's the most sensitive thing I heard for a while around here. With you 105%

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Actually, may make more sense to have everyone that completed the puzzles in under 10 minutes to submit an 100 word essay.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

True... that would automatically discredit their rules though... as opposed to a behind-the-doors drawing (people WILL go and say they tied for the grand prize)

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Still having trouble with the restoration. Did you start on the left, right, top or bottom?

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

need to start by pulling in all the stragglers then work your way from the top down

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

Thanks, I just finished with a total time of like an hour and 45 minutes, doesn't look like I'm going to Europe! o well, it was fun while it lasted. Good luck to everyone!

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

k, I'm flabbergasted reading about people writing things down... I mean, I must be a TOTAL idiot for missing how writing stuff down would help. But VP, I'm with you. Took me about an hour to finish everything.

Admittedly, some demon decided I should do the puzzles after a couple shots of vodka. Yeah. So now I can happily blame the vodka instead of my own admittedly slow brain. Ahhhh, life is good. :)

Seriously? I've never been fast. I can generally figure stuff out, but there've always been fast people around me who could do better. So, to those who are saying, "you'd have to be cheating to finish in under 5 minutes," you're wrong. I've known those people all my life.

Just always wanted to be one of them. *sob*

Congrats, whoever managed it.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So, I got it done just now. Not sure how long it took me, but after hearing of people who had done it in under 10 minutes, I just decided to have fun with it with no pressure. At least I have a cryptex from it all.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

You guys,
I am so depressed.
I have spent the last two weeks rereading the Da Vinci Code and highlighting anything that may come up as a trivia or observation question.
I have taken notes (!) on the website sodarktheconofman.com.
I can tell you how many police cars are seen in the movie clip for Bezu Fache and how many symbols are seen when you pull up the edge of the page.
I even know that, in the geography puzzles, first you didn't find anything in the puzzle to click on (that's 0). The second puzzle (1) , the third (4) and the fourth (9). Those are square roots. That meant there would be 32 to click on in the geography challenge in the finals.
I even spent hours taking notes on the regular puzzles. Just ask me what year Jean Cocteau was born. I can tell you, it was 1889. Does anyone want to guess how long that took?
I finished the puzzle 24 in under a minute because I watched the movie clip till I thought I would have a migraine.
   And now people are cheating?
How stupid do I feel right now.?
Et tu Da Vinci Code Quest? Et tu?

Gasp,
gasp,
die........

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I'm going in now and I think I will use those screenshots posted online – honestly, one still has to manage the restoration (or memorize a click pattern of 2 dozen +) and be mad-good at the changing jigsaw – might as well be resourceful as possible :-)

slowlemur [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

So...has anyone given thought to the fact that some people may say "I finished in 12 minutes" just so once anyone hits that point they would give up and take it slow. Then the person has a better chance of winning. Just a thought. Has anyone seen a screen shot or anything that proves someone did it in some incredible amount of time?

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Italy's coastline is 7,600 KM long.
*sob*

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Paris is 105 square kilometers.
*gasp*

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

the italian word for 'rosewood' is palissandro.
die......ing...............die.......ing....

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Ahh *hugs Cassie*.

Just remember, for the amount you would have paid in taxes, you can schedule those trips and many many more. Heck, for the price in taxes – you could do a world tour with 5 of your best friends!

We'd have had the same problems with cheating, maybe even worse, if they had given us a Trivia portion for this.. I almost wish they'd picked tons of tidbits from the movie, requiring you to start the puzzle – go watch the movie – then come back and finish it.

Oh well. It was fun, the puzzles were great, and we all know a lot more now than we did before!

Sam [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I just did it in under 10 minutes with the screenshot helps. I was flawless on all the puzzles except for the sudoku which screwed up for me by shorting me one blade (really, it did! I know you're thinking I'm crapping you guys or was probably just missing something but I literraly counted the number of blades on the board and there was only 8 and I was out of them...). The puzzle at the end was psychadelic...

Stupid sudoku...

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Yeah! Yeah!!!
Maybe I will earn all that money back by designing the Da Vinci Code trivial pursuit game.
Yeah! Yeah!!!
Galileo was born in Pisa, Italy.
There are 478 airports in France!!!
Yeah!!!!!
My head is full of useless facts.
This game wasn't designed by the Church of Scientology was it?
I feel brainwashed.

.................and I kinda like..................it

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

does anyone know what the eurostar challenge was like today? was it good?

RB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


I just hit the one-hour mark and I'm still in the restoration puzzle.

I refuse to look up answers... maybe there's a consolation prize for the dumbest guy in the contest.

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

The Eurostar was pretty cool. Some good headscratchers today!

mikey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

to anyone who isnt going to win (like me) at least we won't have to cry when they tell us "yes, you have to pay alllll the taxes."

anyone notice that you can go back to the page and do it again after you are done? any thoughts on that?

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

why is everyone talking about cheating? There are no cheats. Every puzzle can be reset, and is random.

Stop flipping out, for crying lout loud.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

All the puzzles are the same. They just reset the same ones to start over.

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I don't understand why they didn't do a random puzzle thing. I mean, wouldn't they expect people to post the answers?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

10 minutes 34 seconds, no cheating – other than what I've read here and asked for.

Pretty much whizzed through everything. Chess was about 30 seconds, Sudoku was about 3 minutes, Restoration was 4 minutes (messed it up twice), Curator was around a minute (was about the easiest curator puzzle I've done yet), and the final puzzle took me around two minutes.

I really don't like their jigsaw puzzle interface, hard to get puzzles out of the way – and tell where one ends and the other begins.. They need edges until they're placed :

mikey [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

stop being an ass.

anyone notice that you can go back to the page and do it again after you are done? any thoughts on that?

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

VP – to keep the playing field theoretically even. I'm surprised they didn't utilize a bit of tech to prevent posting of screenshots. That would have at least slowed down the sharing of answers.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

mikey, what is your problem? Who stop being an ass? Who here is being an ass? Only person I see that fits that description is you, with your out of the blue, one time remark, to stop being an ass.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

So.. who else had already prepared their 100 word essay? Cassie?

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

J G!!!

omg that tears it you MUST look me up. I dunno.. god I hate public shit how about my stupid myspace? lovey206[put at-character here]hotmail.com, beks.

Prepared the essay... embarrassed to say I thought about it. But my entries were so slow it's hardly worth mentioning. I could write that essay in a pinch and win, though.

Try me. :)

Beks [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Cassie, btw, how did you do?

I have that lovely certainty that you all completed it faster than I did! Whew! No pressure! :)

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i am on eurostar right now and i cannot find my copy of the da vinci code anywhere (you know, my highlighted one) :) does anyone know any grand masters of the priory of sion besides Flamel and Da Vinci?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Maybe they want to have a whole herd of us to write their 100-word ads for them?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Cassie2:
Da Vinci, Debussy, Flamel, Newton, Hugo, Sauniere, Cocteau

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I thought the movie was good, BTW. Will still wait till tomorrow to do final challenge.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks she,
I turned it off though. i give up for tonight. i'll go again tomorrow.
the game asked me if i was sure i wanted to stop because my progress would not be saved. maybe it only times you if you finish it. HOPe. HOpe. hOpe.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i have not done the da vinci quest on google yet. saving that for when i am prepared (rolling eyes at self right now) . have a good night guys

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

my essay is already written and sent in they called me yesterday and said they had drawn my name and i was the winner, and just for technical purposes they needed an essay. im taking davinciyousneak and guest of davinci's choice with me.

NOT REALLY, im just kidding i still havent done the puzzles, im doing them tonight after i do all the cramming i can do. my goal is 10min and 33seconds. i must practice.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

and to cassie2 the hardest part of eurostar was the pyrimid thing, the puzzle is pretty tricky too, until you find one piece that goes somewhere, then they all fall in place, but finding the first one sucks. the hardest puzzle was the prize cryptex theres like 9 slots with 19 numbers each, it really took me like 20min or something.

if you go to nbc.com theres another davinci code thingy, you have to solve 4 anagrams. it took me all night last night because i could only figure out 2 but i finally figured the other ones out.
1.) the mona lisa!
2.) the louvre of paris
3.) the last supper
4.) the cryptex

StillInTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Priory of Sion Grand Masters

René d'Anjou
Nicholas Flamel
Sandro Filipepi
Leonardo de Vinci
Robert Fludd
Johann Valenin Andrea
Robert Boyle
Isaac Newton
Charles Radclyffe
Charles de Lorraine
Charles Nodier
Victor Hugo
Claude Debussy
Jean Cocteau

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I just finished the eurostar thingy! Yeesch! It's harder that the quest. Final is a 10-dial cryptex, 0-19 on each. My best was 8 tries at 15 min 11.71 secs. Have to wait until the 25th on that one now.

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

If there is a prize for the person who took the longest time to complete the finall challenge..........I win! :)

I started, then my mom told me we were going to my aunt's house, so I had to leave it on for about 6 hours, then finish it! :)

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

congratulations!!!!!!!! i really think you win the longest prize! that is determination to finish the puzzle right there.

ok everyone wish me luck im starting now, ill let you know my time when im done, im timing it with a stop watch.

Cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

ok guys i gave up! it took me like 25 mins on the symbol puzzle cause my daughter kept comming up to me and asking me for food or to look at what she was doing and i kept loosing my concentration and kept getting meaner and meaner to her (well she shouldnt have been up at 12:45 anyway). but i cant stand trying to ignore my little girl (especially when shes up in my face going on and on about nothing) so i just gave up. luck to the rest of you.

Julie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Wow they even have full flash tutorial videos of the final challenge on eBay

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=Google+Final+Challenge

ozer esat [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

HELP!

   I'm stuck on the sliding puzzle and the wife will divorce me unless I start going to bed early!

(Hold on! Perhaps that's not such a good excuse?)

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

so..... thanks for the help with the names on eurostar......She and Still in the game... does anyone know how they are scoring those challenges with the cryptexs? by time or attempts? maybe you'll want to kill me but i have to tell you that my last attempt at that cryptex i got 14 attempts in 1 minute 52.90 sec. there is a large component of luck in that game.

StillInTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just finished in 31 minutes.....that knocks me out of the running, but hey, it was fun!!!!

ozer [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

12 attempts and 1 minute 25 secs + 3 pushups!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Way to go cassie 2! and you are welcome.
As to who wins, I think, if I read the rules right, its judged by fewest tries first, then of those, the one with the fastest time. If that is true, somebody who got it in 1 minute but took 10 tries would lose out to somebody who took 10 minutes but only needed 5 tries.

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

On another website for Eurostar I read someone did the 0-19 cryptex on their 1st try in 44 seconds.. that is pure luck.

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

No, I'm sorry it was the 1st cryptex that was 0-9.

MarkA [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

But for the 0-19 I had 8 attempts in 14:33 mins, 6 in 11:54, and 9 in 16:09. Not bad for 4:30am. I enjoyed the challenge. On the last attempt, 1st try I got all reds. But even that information is still very helpful because I knew all the correct numbers on the next try, just not in order. heh

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Okay, so I'm getting ready to do my puzzles tonight after the 4 year old goes to bed. It should be a fun time (no way for me to win), but . . . I REALLY DON'T KNOW CHESS!!!

Is there a move generator online that I can arrange pieces and then it shows me the final moves?

Why, oh why couldn't the puzzle have been checkers..... =(

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Capanda, I would say try a google search worded something like one of these (using quote marks around the mate in three or 3 will reduce the hits):

chess "checkmate in three moves"
chess problem "mate in three"

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Okay all blogosians... here I go, jumping into the void... wish me luck?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Thanks, She.

Okay, totally different question: when we post here, what does the bar with the green stuff next to our name mean?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

It's your personrank bar, it goes up as you post more posts, but Philipp changed it recently to depend on some other things too....some algorithm stuff which I have no clue about....... :)

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

kk does any1 kno hw=ow to play chess, im like lost, i have no idea how to play chess, its such a stupid game, y couldnt it be checkers

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Okay finished... not as bad as I feared, but it does look like the problems are all the same for everybody. If you ignore the flash images on the jigsaw and just concentrate on the piece shape it is a little easier.

But, alas, my time won't be the fastest (somewhere between 13-15 minutes). The folks at Google aren't stupid, so I wonder if they were expecting that there would be some collusion and are disqualifying anybody with a time of less than a specific minimum? Or if they are just going to toss all the less-than-half-an-hour folks into a random drawing? Or have us all write that essay (easy way to get a few 30 second sound-byte radio/tv ads)?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

MarkA; good job on the 0-19 cryptex! You beat my best of 8 tries in 15.11 mins. I was writing down my results which probably slowed me down some. And I made a real goof by accidently clicking a symbol instead of the arrow! so I might have had it in 7 tries if I had been more careful. **hits self in head**

Doe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I don't know how people finished the whole thing in 13 minutes. I am still on the 3rd challege and I am 3 hours into this.

Doe [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Ok I just finished, It would have to take someone at least an hour to finish all the challenges, at least that is what I think. The 1st and 2nd challenge took the longest for me.

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

this thing is frustrating especially the first challenge which i am on

DaVinciYouSneak [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Has anyone gone to watch the movie?

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i just finished. it took me exactly one.............hour...... :)
sammy try working from the top left down to the bottom right hand box last

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i loved the puzzle flashing. i thought that was pretty cool. can't wait to see what the maker comes up with next

Tom [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

If you want to watch the final challenge before taking it, someone is selling his video version on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:11&item=7621711921.

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey guys. Hope everything is going well. Is 6 minutes 22 seconds good?

Thanks. Oh and good luck!

SammiJo [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

It wasn't that bad for me. I love sudoku, and solve it and other logic problems in my spare time. I will admit that my roommate gave a little help on the chess part. It is completely do-able in less than an hour without cheating if you're exceptional at math, logic and other problem solving. However, solving it in less than 10 minutes, without any prior knowledge of the material, seems impossible.

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

It's possible to solve it all in about 10 minutes without prior knowledge other than the nature.

The restoration puzzle is the one that should take most people the longest. There are tricks to those types of puzzles and how to solve them, but they're not that easy to explain.

The chess one is more about looking at the three sets of options, then realizing how to work them together – than a mate in so many moves style game. The first move isn't the one I would have taken to reach checkmate, heh.

I'd say anything under 10 minutes is near impossible, even knowing the answers ahead of time.

Frankly, I have a tendency not to believe anyone who says they performed under 10 minutes. Especially when they quote exact seconds. On the other hand, I have a friend who swears him and his roommate managed to do it under 4 minutes. So we'll see. Will be interesting if Google announces the winners speed.

bsqwared [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

just a quick question... does it state anywhere in the rules that you can only play the final once? I just reread them, and it says you cannot stop or pause in the middleof doing the challenge, but it doesn't say you can't play it all the way through, and then go back to see if you can do it faster. as long as you don't quit in the middle you should be okay. anyone else thinking the same way? that would certainly level the playing field for those who started it without help...

guest [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

it allows anyone to play the final challenge?!?! ijust sent the link to a friend who NEVER did any of the puzzles and is NOT a finalist.. and it let him play the final challenge...

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I assume so, guest, but Google wouldn't be able to contact your friend. Remember that they got a registration page from each of us with address and phone number, etc. You let your friend sign in with your google i.d? Google would think it's still you playing a second time.

Jes [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I got the 0-19 cryptec puzzle in 6 attempts in 5min 40sec

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

WTG Jes!

Bryan W. [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Just finished all the puzzles without cheating, took me like 6 minutes.
To be fully honest, it wasnt that hard. I kick ass at the restoration so i flashed through that (fully lucked out). Suduko is always easy for me, but the jigsaw at the end was tough. There was a glitch or something when i did it and the text from the "Congrats, your finished" page showed through and made it tough, but it took me the longgest. If there is any advice on the jigsaw, ignore the image untill u get all the pieces with flat tops up top, all the ones with flat sides on the right to the right of the screen and so on. Thats simple jigsaw advice for any jigsaw puzzle.
I know this is kinda late, and I really don't expect to win with all the cheating going on, but its just my opinions. I think google should re-do this or just pick a random person to give the prize too.
Good game everyone!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im still on the second puzzle.. i suck ive been at it since 4 41

Dolly hominic [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

stuck in the curator puzzle.... i definetly wont win this one

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

im stuck in the restoration
omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!fck

Billy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

whats the fastest time so far on the Final Challenge?

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i think 4 minutes(rumor)

Billy [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

do you think thats possible though?
I am fairly sure it would take 'bout 10 minutesish or more

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

yea
4 example im not done yet its been 7 hours

NDB [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Hey Samy?

Have you ever played that game with golf tees or pegs where you have to jump over the other one? Try to think of the Restoration Challenge that way.... it sure helped me.

I thinks it's wonderful that you made it as far as you did at 14 – Congrats!!

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

thanks but its so frustrating with the paintings

Julian [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it's very hard to do it in less than 10 minutes.... but you can do it (if you have the answers)... a lot of sites posted the screen-caps (for curator and sodoku are exactly the same) also, the chess options (2-2-4) are also the same, and also they posted how to solve restauration easily, the only one that everyone has todo "legaly" is jigsaw puzzle...... ... i spend like 40 minutes but not cheating, then i solve a friend of mine puzzle (finalist too) and it took me like 10 mins (with the answers)... but also i heard some people were developing software that record the keystrokes and make everything incredible fast, almost automatically.. humm ... so.. may the best cheater win... lol :S

Samy Hernandez [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

i finished wow man!!!

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

is there anyone that has not done it yet? I can help you win ;)

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

let me give you a hint of how http://trex005.googlepages.com/minecleaner

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I got it in 6:32 . I hear that someone got under 4 or something though. We'll see, but I thought I was close to flawless. The last puzzle killed me the most.

StillInTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

For Anyone who has not yet done the final challenge, these are the screenshots I found. Hope they're a help to you!

Arrange the Paintings
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3057/2255/320/painting.0.jpg

Resoration (Splotches...it works, but still difficult to understand!)
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3057/2255/320/splotches.0.jpg

Soduku
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3057/2255/320/sudoku-solved.0.jpg

Chess is 2-2-4

Jigsaw.....haven't found anyone who could post a screenshot for this one.

Saw the movie last night. It was a great as I expected it to be. Critics be damned, Opie did a wonderful job with this movie!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hi again all! There have been entries here and on other blogs about replaying, multiple entries and those who sold their "extra" spots on eBay. In the official rules (particularly # 7), it say those who attempt it will be disqualified. And that the entry ID will be deemed the "natural" person who is the original owner of the said e-mail address. So the guy who said he could give the e-mail id to the winner, as well as the poor sucker who bought it, will both be disqualified. If this is true, the odds are getting better for those of us who only entered once, played only once, and didn't buy anything relating to the final challenge from eBay. So that's like, what: 25 people? Maybe I'm still in the game after all! LOL

It was a lot of fun anyway, and I'd do it all again even if there were no prize. He**, I do it all the time anyway with online SuDoku, trivia, etc.

If you like puzzle games and still want some Da Vinci Code fun, I highly recommend the game that was in the e-mail. It's neat. Also, it looks like Sony may be starting an online version of the PSP game here:
http://www.2kgames.com/davincicode/unlockthecode.html
You can only get so far, then go to the compass, use the mouse to dial the "N" around and back to "N" (straight up as a normal compass) and a new window opens with a holding screen about a "web expedition coming". You can find hints in other blogs to get the first 5 letters and the next-to-last one, but I guess the rest must wait until the web game is active.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

P.S. I really liked the movie as well (except for the Bible-thumpers who mobbed us as we were leaving).

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Finished mine this morning, trying to beat the 4 year old before he woke up (didn't work). Had to break to get him cereal, but I started at 6:40 and ended at 7:10, no cheating. I also love Sudoku (do them all the time), but had to print it out and do it on paper like normal. =) Restoration took the longest for me (has throughout the challenges) but seeing the hexagons actually helped for the first time.

I don't think it's humanly possible to do all 5 puzzles in under 4 minutes without knowing all of the answers ahead of time.

We saw the movie last night. Very fun, although we had a funny audience--people laughed at a couple of places that aren't supposed to be funny (e.g. Robert tells Sofie she's the last in Christ's bloodline). Also you would have thought it was Rocky Horror the way the audience shouted back at the screen a couple of times. I wish they had stuck to the book's ending though. I like in the book that Sophie's brother lived too. I thought it was kind of creepy for the town to show up and stare at her like that. =)

Anyhow, what is the 0-19 cryptex puzzle that people are talking about here?? I saw a couple of references to Eurostar--what's that?

StillInTheGame [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Capanda – Here's the link to the Eurostar quest. Similar to Google's.

http://quest.eurostar.com/en-us/game.php

I just started.......

Anyone already done with the maps? What's the "Quaint joke" at V&A museum?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hi Capanda, good luck to you & all who are using the Eurostar quest to help with the Google Quest withdrawal symptoms =)
I did them a while back, can you refresh me a little more about the V&A bit?

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Yikes! I'm starting late. Entries must be finished by May 30!! I better get to puzzlin'!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

relax Capanda. Just be sure to have a second window open just for Googlin' =)

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

One final thought on the Google quest before I get on with life:
Do you suppose, given the flaws and the ability to "cheat" with posted tips, answers, screenshots and eBay sales, that the Final time trial would be the jigsaw puzzle alone? That appears to be the only one of the 5 that couldn't be tipped (other than the usual general jigsaw help).

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

the eurostar one is really fun, in some parts its more tricky than the google one

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

by the way DAVINCIYOUSNEAK how did you do. i ended up giving up.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Does anyone know when they will post the winner or where? Maybe we should keep this thread going until we find out.

One good thing for me that came out of this contest......

I can now where my favorite necklace..... it has a pentacle on it......without being glared at because people think it is devil worship.

Thank you Dan Brown and Ron Howard!

DanFan [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

What a joke this Quest has turned out to be!!

We all started out in the best interest and the spirit of Da Vinci, but have now been decimated to a number of big time cheaters. Anyway I saw that coming from day 18, and did at that time sign up five account with two different addresses – anticipating that some 'practicing' in the final would be an advantage.

I ended up with 4 winners in the final – even with 3 on the same address (so far I have only received three cryptex's!).

Reading through the blogs Friday evening, I quickly realized that simple cheat like practice accounts was not going to cut in, so a new plan emerged: Macro's.

After some serious study of the listed solution I found that basically two mouse PointAndClick macros were needed: one for Puzzle 1 – 4 and one semi-auto for the jigsaw.

The first for sure took the longest based on the fact that Icons did not appear instantly and the splotches had some lag time as well. Solution: Place the icons in a very specific order to optimize the lowest numbers and for the restoration not going in the standard order, but switch from buttom to top for each pair (cursor movements edited out anyway in the macro). End result was a macro only with the MouseDown and MouseUp clicks and relevant lag time (<50 ms for the first and up to 450ms for the last icons). For the restoration in average 60 – 180 ms for the 48 clicks. The painting and chess board was straight forward so no big advantage there. Puzzle 1 – 4 could now be solved in less 68 seconds on a continue basis.

Next problem: the jigsaw. New layout every time, so apparently no fancy way to solve. Solution here a semi automatic macro used to place each piece. I found that a piece would 'stick' if placed in the correct position, so I created a mouse macro which would pick up a piece if you place the cursor in the center and then with 15 ms lag time would try out all 36 locations, so about 1/2 second per piece. Running it did take somewhat longer because of the manual action moving the cursor around, but after a looot of testing I manage to to the puzzle in about 50 – 70 seconds including the load time.

When I ran this on my 'real' account I managed a total of 2:05.

I don't know if this will be the winner entry (I may already be DQ'd), but if it is I will take the opportunity to tell the guys what I feel about this 'programmers' Quest when they call me on Friday. I will not be able to pay the taxes on the prizes anyway, so why not just get some fun out of it! Maybe they will give me the Sony computer and LCD to not spread the word any further.

Good luck to all of you. At least we have had a fun week!

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Your honesty is so awesome danfan. Who said cheaters never prosper anyway. Peace!!!

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Looks like this whole quest has turned out rotten. It will be impossible to determine who is the true winner. I don't care though, I didn't even make it to the finals, and thought the finals would be a joke anyway. I think they should sell the prize on eBay and donate the money to charity. That would create much better publicity than the contest, and then even the Christians might go see the movie!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

"...and then even the Christians might go see the movie!"

Only if they promise to behave... =)

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

I hope they cut off the times within the first 12 hours. Just too many people that cheated. Could also disqualify most multiple-single-ip attempts, heh.

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Has anyone seen the film yet?

Was it any good?

The reviews that I am hearing aren't really singing it's prasies.

NickG [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well I finished in 33 minutes no screens shots or cheating of any kind......will that be enough probably not.

I told myself that it was my challenge I could care less about the prizes, I have most of that stuff already anyway.....and the trip could be taken for far less than they say.....

Bottom line I had fun and I think 33 minutes without any help is one hell of a good time and that's prize enough for me.

Just my .02 Cents

Trish [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Well I finished with no help somewhere around 25 minutes or so. Won't be enough though. Wonder if they will even be able to get someone to take on approx 50k in taxes to say they won. If you look at the rules it says a 1099 will be issued for the "total arv of the grand prize" so I don't think you can choose not to take the trips and only get stuck for the electronics value – tho we can hope.

As to the movie ... severe disappointment. I knew they were going to have to condense some for time but it killed me to see Langdon as a wishy washy wimp using words like "myth" to describe the priory and quoting the arguements against the Grail in Sir Leigh's study. Where did the "council of cardnials" come from? And the cop as a stooge for Opus Dei? Not the novel. The only character that was the same in more than name was Silas, and Paul nailed him. I'm sorry I wasted the approx $30 to see it opening night. I should have stuck with the book I loved, as a religious studies student the arguements had me wondering.

Oh well best of luck to all, and to the poor player who has to pay the taxes ... ... ... even better luck. I played for the cryptex and the challenge.

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I agree with Cassie2 about keeping this thread going until we find out who the cheating sap is that wins the contest and takes on the tax implications.

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it says in the rules somewhere at the bottom when they will announce the winner, i think they call the winner on the 24th then if you go to a website on the 25th it will tell the winner. DANFAN whats your whole real name so we know if its you?

longhorn_pharmer [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

What's the fastest that y'all have done the cryptex challenge in (the latest one) on the Eurostart website? I got it in 1 minute 59.81 seconds in 26 attempts.

RB [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #


I finished in a mind-boggling 1 hour and 21 minutes. It was my 9 year-old who finally did the "dust bunnies on the painting" thing. I knew the restoration puzzle was going to be the killer for me.

It was fun, I got a Cryptex, and I didn't cheat. I got all I wanted out of the whole thing.

Met a few of you and made a new friend or two... all is good.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I'll be watching the movie tomorrow... I didn't hear good reviews so far but I stopped believing in most movie reviews... they hardly ever work out for me :)

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Honestly, I thought it was a good movie overall. Now if you didn't read the book it would kind of be confusing to some people(my husband didn't read the book and he was kinda confused part of the ways, I had to explain it to him); and if you did read the book then you will be a little disappointed because they changed some things. But what movie that starts out as a book doesn't change things, ya know??? My Epert and Roepert review = 1 thump up..lol :)

VP [PersonRank 4]

18 years ago #

I understand that they have to take some stuff out of the movie, otherwise it would be way too long, but did they have to take all of Sophie's good parts out? She's supposed to be the big code cracker and it seems that just because Tom Hanks is the big wig in the movie they make him seem like the one who solves all the puzzles. What do you guys think?

DaVinci [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I saw the movie on opening night. It was FANTASTIC.

I don't understand what all the disappointment is about though – it's a work of FICTION, people. Anyways, the movies that critics always seem to hate turn out to be big blockbuster movies, so...I think Da Vinci Code has a fair shot. Well shot, well planned, well written ... just a great movie in general! I think I might go see it again.

But if you're kind of like me and not really into sudden loud moments – you may want to sort of mentally prepare yourself. There's a lot of gunfire and a few moments that made me jump. (I'm a wuss though, so ... um ... yeah.)

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I liked the movie, even though it differed from the book in places. I have learned (especially since "Blade Runner") not to expect movies made from books to be as good as the book. By necessity, much must be left out, and if any of the left out parts are crucial to the story, then it must be compacted into the movie in some other way. Left-out parts crucial to understanding the main characters need to be manifested in the way the actor portrays the character. That said, everything is finally at the mercy of the editing team, so if crucial parts of either story or character get edited out, there is a gap. Those who read the book may be able to fill the gap from memory, but those who didn't rely on what they see.

I do think Howard, et al, may have tried to ameliorate the "believers and belongers" of the major Christian sects by toning Langford's skepticism down and making Teabing seem a bit more off-kilter earlier in the story line than he was in the book. And I think the ending with Hanks kneeling in prayer at the tomb of the Magdalene was a bit lame and tame. But still, both the book and the movie are worth the price of admission, and are good entertainment. (But GEEZ! How I hate the 30 minutes of commercials and previews. I actually saw—not 1, not 2 but 3!!!—previews for "Remote Control." Now THAT looks like a real waste.

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I did the final cryptex on the Eurostar quest in 5 attempts, 7 1/2 minutes. The key to that quest is the lowest number of attempts, not the lowest time. That means that you can't just click and spin over and over again quickly, that you sort of have to use logic (or at least process of elimination). I would post my trick, but people are already mad at me because I'm one of the so-called "cheaters" for the Google quest. j/k, if you want help just let me know.
But my time was over 8 minutes, so DanFan kicked my butt (although he really did cheat, and wasn't just "resourceful," as I'm calling what I did). (:

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

p.s. I heard that they are going to eliminate people who used multiple accounts and just use the fastest time on the puzzle (not really cheat-able, although DanFan seems to have done it). So there is hope for you all, don't worry.

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

where did you hear that? that is great!

Josh [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Well, I am not looking to win at all. Didn't even keep my time. They should just disqualify everyone...lol.

I did see the movie on Saturday and I thought it was great. As all book adaptations, things were taken out, but the spirit of the movie was still there. Good job Howard, Hanks and company. And hey, at least we can still read the book over and over if we want.

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

The blogosphere, unfortunately. (: Here's another one:

http://esylum.blogspot.com/2006/05/dvcqog-final-challenge-newsflash.html

About a video that it physically takes five minutes to complete (so the 1-3 minute people are lying), and that the top ten finishers are in the running...

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

wow, that is just insane. He is definetly out of the running though. No one can really know what Google is going to do until they do it though; eventhough flying the last 10 out there would be a good idea because then they could watch them and make sure they did that one honestly. I think that if they do that they will find that their times will be significantly higher because they won't have their keylogging things. And it will be easy to find out if they had multiple account or not even if they use a different address because of the IP address; it will lead it right back to them. But to me winning didn't really matter(it would have been nice though); I just thought it was neat to be one of the finalists and get a cryptex. To all of the people who did it honestly, good luck. :)

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Okay, I just read that someone finished in 7 seconds because they reversed engineered the flash where all they had to do was type "completed" and Sony thought that they completed the puzzles. How low can someone get?

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hi everyone,

Obviously there's no way to get one of the top times without "bending" the rules a bit, but I did manage to get a time of about 3:15 -3:20 without using any automated mouse clicks, breaking any rules (arguably), or logging into another account, as described below:

A group of 4 friends and myself tried to become finalists, and 3 got in. After reading online that all the final puzzles were the same for everyone, I had one of the other guys come over to our apartment. He logged into his account and "almost" solved each puzzle, so I could write down the answers and study them. I would not argue with anyone that says this is breaking the "spirit" of the rules, but I'm not sure it actually breaks them.

Since every second counts in a contest like this, using an "answer key" would add too many seconds. On the Soduku puzzle, I converted each symbol to a letter (up triangle = A, down triangle = V, star = S, key = K, etc.) and came up with mnemonics for each column that way. After a few hours, I was able to visualize each step of the puzzle (...it's not quite as hard as it sounds, since you only have to remember the order of 45 missing symbols, not 81 total symbols).

The next step, for the restoration puzzle, was to print out a hexagon grid, get some pennies, and practice for a couple of hours until the series of steps could be visualized without actually moving the pennies.

The picture-hanging and chess puzzles were quick for anyone who had seen the solutions ahead of time.

The jigsaw puzzle? Well, that was the hardest for all of us rule-benders it seems. My friend "almost" solved the puzzle about 30 times, so I did have the advantage of becoming familiar with the different screenshots. Like others have done, I moved all of the non-edge pieces off the grid, solved the edges, and filled in the rest as quickly as I could. Due to a combination of adrenaline and good fortune, my "real" puzzle time felt quite a bit faster than any of the practice attempts I had watched my friend make.

I was too afraid to screw things up by using a stopwatch, so I can only guess at the final time. It felt like about 1:30 for the first 4 puzzles and about 1:45 for the jigsaw.

Two final comments:

1. Given the way this contest has played out, I feel like using automated mouse clicks is fair game. There's nothing in the rules that says you can't use them. However, someone would have to set it up on a separate account...i.e. one person uses their account to generate an automated solution program; then, if they give that system as a gift to a finalist friend and that friend uses it to win, then no rules have actually been broken.

2. I'm in the same tax-boat as everyone else. I could probably afford the taxes on one of the Frommer's guides, but that's about it. But I'd be interested in others people opinions about the marginal legitimacy of my entry, and whether anyone else took a similar approach.

Good luck everyone!

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I honestly don't think what you did was wrong. If people want to come together to get a better time and share the prize, that is one thing. But it is the automation and reverse engineering thing that gets to me the most. In the rules it says this:

"Contest Entities are not responsible or liable for multiple Entries/Puzzles, or Entries/Puzzles that are entered by other than human means or Entries/Puzzles that are late, incomplete, lost, misdirected, forged, damaged, destroyed, tampered with, or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules (whether due to the fault of the participant, Sponsor, or any other Contest Entity), and all such Entries/Puzzles will be disqualified."

So the way that I understand it is that if they find out about the automation they will be disqualified.

But in the end it is about smarts; and if you use your smarts to study the puzzles and then do them that is fine; it still takes a alot of brains, time and studying to do what you did. :) Good luck to you :)

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I hate to say it, but your effort sounds legit, Crispix. I agree, it definitely violates the spirit of the rules, but I don't think it violates the actual rules.

Since this is the first-ever quest of this sort, you know that Google is watching and learning. Their biggest "mistakes" were 1) not starting everyone off at the same time (maybe the idea was it would be more fair to give everyone a chance over the entire weekend, in case they had other obligations), and 2) not making variety to the puzzles (maybe you can memorize one series of sudoku, but not ten, and it would have been simple for them to make twelve chess games, with twelve unique solutions, thus rendering cheating impossible there...).

That said, since the people at Google are not dummies, don't you think that they anticipated this, and they are actually interested in tracking down that guy who answered in 7 seconds? That guy is skilled AND thinks outside of the box.

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Thanks Gina and J,

Wow, I didn't remember that line in the rules about "not entered by other than human means"...I suppose that automated mouse clicks would unequivocally break the rules. I stand corrected.

Also, I completely agree about having multiple puzzles of similar difficulty, so that not everyone has identical questions. Even though it might not be exactly fair to get a slightly harder puzzle, that's the luck of the draw and it's not unlike a spelling bee where, for obvious reasons, not everyone can get the same challenge.

It will be very interesting to see how Sony/Google try to sort things out from here. You can't really exclude people under a certain time due to speculated cheating, because the winner might end up being someone who automated the first 4 sections, then did poorly enough on the jigsaw puzzle to get their final time just above the arbitrary cutoff.

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Crispix,

You are completely right about the different puzzles and it being like a spelling bee.

Really, all they would have to do is look up their search history (Google keeps track of it, which is kinda scary..lol) and see what sites they went to. Because when I think about it how many people convienetly have a keylogger on their computer? I don't know anyone. Now I may be wrong about that, so correct me if I am. But you are right, you can't really cut off at a certain time because just the opposite, what if a savant or something did the puzzles? They would be way below the cut off time and not have a chance, when they did it honestly.

J,

Oh I am sure that they will be contacting that person who did it in 7 seconds for a job. And that is great. All I am saying is that he just shouldn't win is all.

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Gina,

If they could search our web history, that brings up another interesting question...is it illegal to go to a public website (this forum for instance) that has solutions and screenshots posted? It can't be, right?

I'd be curious to hear what sort of search history you feel might disqualify a contestant.

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I dont think places like here and other blogs would get one disqualified, but maybe like if they looked up "keylogger" in google or something than it is obvious. But otherwise they couldn't do too much. That is what I meant :)

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Forgive my ignorance...what's a keylogger?

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

I agree with you Gina; we want the winner to have violated neither the spirit or the letter of the rules, while we wouldn't mind Google hiring the most competent sneak. Like my husband said, my problem is that I was unethical and incompetant (of course, he was teasing me, but he meant that not only did I not follow the spirit of the rules, but I wasn't good enough at "cheating" either).

Google does track our search histories, but they would never access that to determine the winner of the game. Can you say "see you in court?" It would be a huge violation of privacy to dig at that level, with a name associated (as opposed to a general monitoring of "what people in general do," in the style of GW and his phone records scandal).

Also, how could they differentiate between someone who just read comments on the site, and someone who stared at/memorized a screenshot? And so on...

I agree that it will be very interesting to see what they have in mind for quality control. And I have a feeling the NEXT quest will be very different.

J [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

By the way, check out the Eurostar quest if you haven't done so already. It seems to have more variety, more educational value, and parts where it's impossible to cheat. They have a 10-row cryptex with numbers 0-19 to solve for one of their three contests. Lots more prizes on timed trials, etc.

Leotheswede [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Haha, or get cheated on top of, and not get a cryptex like me... It seems like every part of this challenge, except the emails, have been against me...

Any ideas on when i should and how i should contact google about getting my friggin cryptex?!?!

Kevin [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

well, it IS possible for someone to find a keylogger/macro doo-hicky using a search engine OTHER than google...

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

What's a keylogger? (I'd look it up on a Google search, but now I'm afraid to do so!)

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

It is a program that you set up the clicks of your mouse and where you want the pointer to go and then when you run it it does that. So they could go and do it once on another account and then go back on another and play his actions at a higher speed to get it done faster.

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Oh I know they can use a different search engine, it was just something to bring up. :)

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Got it...thanks.

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

da vinci code quest = Google hiring stunt

PS: not an anagram, thank God, I'm getting sick of those

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Well, I played the game hard and it took me about 45 minutes.... I knew that I was out of the running so I decided to have some fun and "be resourceful" (sorry to again site this, but http://trex005.googlepages.com/minecleaner (Mr Lenssen if you want to permanently nofollow that I'm okay... I'm really not just trying to get links))
I didn't use a keylogger, but I actually wrote a program that I fed the solutions to and it played it for me. (Thank you Google for letting us play it repeatedly)
All in all, I could finish the Sudoku in 9 seconds, (had to wait on the stupid animation as sited in the link above) the paintings in 7 seconds, the restoration in 16 seconds, the chess in 3 seconds and the puzzle was of course up to me by hand. Total I could get it done in about a minute and a half. I of course only had one account to play with and submitted my "legitimate" round first. I had fun though!
I think that Crispix followed both the letter of the law and the spirit. Google is totally about innovation. Whatever advantage that one takes while staying within the rules, is really "resourceful" (see link above even though it is a more sarcastic version) I think that Google can respect that. I hope that is actually what they intended. Why else would they have let people play repeatedly in the first place?
As for the guy who supposedly finished it in 7 seconds, if he lives in the US (as he should if he was in the US version of the contest) he was actually violating the DMCA (which in itself is wrong) and I'm not thinking that Google is out looking for people to get their company in legal trouble... in short, even if it did not violate Google's policy, he did violate the "rules"! and quite frankly, I don't think that was very out of the box. it was one of my first thoughts, as I'm sure it was for many others. Why would Google hire someone who appears would be outright insubordinate? They are better off hiring someone like Crispix, who clearly knows how to work within the rules, but outside of the box to get what he wants done.
Lastly, whereas those people who used a keylogger (or wrote a complex program like me) I think were violating what Google meant by the "human" section, I think that when it comes down to it, it was quite ambiguous and if it were court, they would be good. Clearly a human is able to develop a program. I think if you go by the letter of it, this would only prevent things like Deity (except Jesus since he became human ;o)), animals who just so happened to walk across the mouse and keyboard in the perfect sequence, collapsing house roofs that dropped shingles perfectly (and so on) from winning. But if a human trained a monkey to do it, he would still be in the running!
Now, I know I might get flamed for that unorthodox thinking, but when it comes down to it, we need to see it for what it is. Google/Sony could choose any level of human interaction, and none of us would have any right to tell them they are wrong.

Once again, I do want to point out that these puzzles were fun... but this book/movie is a bunch of fiction junk that is made to look like a fiction plot telling real fact... but it is not... it really is all bogus!

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

when am I ever going to learn to put double newlines in between my paragraphs for much easier reading?

Ickabod [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I must agree with Travis on this point: I don't think Google was holding this quest to find talent. I am sure that some "script kiddies" that can log key strokes or reverse engineer a flash program are not going to be able to create the dynamic and innovative type of programming that Google creates. Being a software engineer and web programmer, I also thought of different ways to beat the system and be able to pay out exuberant amounts of taxes, but I chose not to and enjoy playing that game.

I do think that Google is going to have a hard time verifying if the winner followed the rules and used "human" means to complete the puzzles. For a company that "is not evil", They may have a hard time explaining how they came to pick the sole winner that followed the rules to the letter and spirit of the game. I doubt that google will fly out the top ten people and make them take another puzzle quest. Most likely, they will try and weed out the duplicate entries and the entries that obviously were done by programming (the 7 seconds guy) and then they will pick the lowest time. I personally don't think this is "fair", but i'm sure google just wants to get this quest over. The movie has already been released in theaters and they got a lot of people to look at the different types of searches that google offers. I'm sure they just want to move on to thier next ground breaking adventure. Even though to be fair, take the top 50 times and have a random drawing. Google has the right to do this as it states in the rules, they can do anything they want.

It definately has been a lot of fun playing the puzzles and earning a Cryptex that I can share with my family.

iZeitgeist [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I am sick of this thread!

I was just happy no to see it among the 1st threads for 10 hrs or so. I don't know what the Google Da Vinci Code Quest is, and I am not interessted to.

Even if It was indeed interessting, I can't understand how you can be following a ~ 3000 entries thread!

I am so overwheled and disgusted.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

iZeitgeist, no one forces you to read any thread. It's easy to track a thread you like (because early posts will be collapsed) or to ignore a thread you don't like.

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Zeitgeist, then don't read the thread if you don't like it, go to something else that interests you more. But please don't come on here bashing us for talking about something we want to talk about.

iZeitgeist [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

[put at-character here]Everybody here:

My bad.... I do respect eveyone's interests!

I guess I just reacted with emotions!

Sorry, ;-p

Gina [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Its okay, no prob :)

Veritas Vos Liberabit [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Just thought you all might want to see this. I read it on TV Guide Online:

Hot off the almighty box-office performance of The Da Vinci Code, Sony has inked the film's scribe, Akiva Goldsman, to pen a screenplay based on author Dan Brown's first religious thriller, Angels & Demons. According to Variety, no deals are in place yet for either Tom Hanks (whose Professor Langdon character appears in both books) or director Ron Howard to return.

Me [PersonRank 8]

18 years ago #

NBC is going to have a new reality show begining June 18th called "Treasure Hunters"

http://www.nbc.com/Treasure_Hunters/index.shtml

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Just saw the movie. It's great, I can recommend it. Interestingly enough, I don't know if it has been mentioned before, the search engine used on a cell phone later in the movie isn't Google but something called "quicksolver.net" or something...

And thanks iZeitgeist...

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

hey has anyone played the videogame for ps2 yet? its not bad and some of the puzzles are real mind benders, i think its a good investment for anyone like us. nobody else probally.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

mind bending puzzles? i know what i'm going to rent this weekend. thanks cassie!

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

your welcome, the biggest gripe i have about it is you have the option to save anywhere but it will take you back to the last checkpoint. so if you do awhole bunch of stuff but have to turn it off and havent passed a check point you have to do it all over again. eeek! it gets on my nerves ive done it twice.

Travis Harris [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

iZeitgeist... I felt much of the same way about this thread... if you look at the top I was a fairly big contributor, but as soon as it started getting hundreds of posts a day I was like "forget this"... as soon as it slowed down I came back :)
Honestly.... if you just dropped the "and I am not interested to." and "and disgusted" that post would have had the completely different tone!
___________________________________
I am sick of this thread!

I was just happy no to see it among the 1st threads for 10 hrs or so. I don't know what the Google Da Vinci Code Quest is!

Even if It was indeed interesting, I can't understand how you can be following a ~ 3000 entries thread!

I am so overwhelmed.
___________________________________
whoops! I bumped this thread to the top again!

J G [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Just did the EuroStar final quest. 9 Attempts 3 minutes 57.98 seconds. I suspect someone probably has a program to do it for them and will get more like 30 seconds.. or very few attempts. But it was still fun.

Every attempt I did I got 9 attempts, I bet if you get around 6-7 attempts you're a potential candidate for the winners circle, heh.

Grarky [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I don't think a program will allow you to lower the number of attempts, since the strategy is pretty simple. It's mainly luck--I lucked into one with 5 attempts at 3 minutes 00.54 seconds

Nate [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Well, I'm a finalist, and STILL have not yet gotten my cryptex! The bastards! :*(

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

like i said earlier meet me at sizzler reservations are under "screw google."

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

If anyone finds out who won DVCQ – will you post it here?

Thanks!

Quester [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

They are supposed to notify the winner today, right?

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yep...between 2 and 4 east coast time, i think.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Oh boy! Thanks for the times Chris. I just looked it up and I can confirm. From the rules which can be found at http://flash.sonypictures.com/movies/davincicodequest/us/rules/

"Grand Prize winner will be notified by phone between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EDT on May 26, 2006, at the telephone number provided on his/her Official Contest Entry."

My hopes were beginning to drop since I haven't received a phone call yet. But I'm still hoping!

I really hope Google releases a list of all entrants and their times.

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

CJ-

Do you think you really have a shot at winning? I'm just curious...how long did it take you to complete the final?

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I think I do, but I know the chances are slim. My time was around 5 minutes I think, but I didn't time it. Does anyone else reading this post have hope of winning? What were your times?

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It was already announced. Jacob Millston of Georgetown, VA won. Damnit, I thought I had a good chance with my time of 54 minutes.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Thanks for the update. Where can we find this info?

Man. :-(

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Can anyone else corroborate FoneJone's winning name?

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

It is found at the website that I took the challenge at.

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Im sorry what website did you go to? because I am not seeing ANY information ANYWHERE

FoneJone [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Oops

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Are you talking about
http://www.google.com/ig/davinci/puzzle.html?puzzle=100
?

If so, I don't see anything announcing a winner. Do you have the URL for the announcement?

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I dont see it either..... if you could provide us w/the website that shows the announcement, that'd be REALLY cool :) and you'd think the person "if they picked one yet" would be on SOME web board or SOMEWHERE posting it. LOL or at least posting whatever they could :)

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yeah! I've been searching several forums, with no luck of finding anything that corroborates this. But I don't see why FoneJone would want to mislead anyone, so I believe him. Even though I don't want to. :-) I wanna know how fast the winner was, and what place I came in! Does anyone else want to know this stuff?

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

What do you mean "ooops"???

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

OOPS?!?!?!

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Exactly, I may not of gotten a phone call (well I got one, but it wasnt from them LOL) but i'd AT LEAST Like to know how I finished, and I think it would of been better if google took the top 10 REAL finishers, and brought them together for one final showdown, where they KNOW that it'd be skill on skill withOUT any keylogging

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yeah, Hawks! :-)

Maybe FoneJone was talking about the Europe Quest or something? I know there were two quests going on at one point, so many that's what happened.

FoneJone, you still around? Wanna shed some light on what's goin' on? :-)

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I really think that the person who DID win this, if they've named him yet, should be coming forward at any point now....I dont know about that FoneJone thing.... I just think that with the way people can manipulate computers, and sell answers and things, why wouldnt they do something that would require the 10 fastest to TRULY show their worthyness of the taxes ERR PRIZES :)

J-Money [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Jacob Millston doesn't exist, or doesn't live in the US. My wife finished this thing in 45 seconds, so yes Hawks, I'm with you about the 10 fastest.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

lol Agreed Hawks!

Google wants Engineers. People who can write code. Not someone who can record macros and play them back quickly. Or reverse engineer the flash file. If the puzzles were random, that would've eliminated the macro strategem. I don't know much about flash programming, but I do know about the client server model, and it seems to me that they should've been able to put the puzzle completion method call in the server-side code. That would've eliminated the reverse engineering strategem.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

45 seconds? Wow. :-) How?

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

WOW how did she finish EVERYTHING in 45 seconds????? that's AMAZING.... and yeah... why not let it fairly be won by someone?

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

i wish there was someone we could call to find out whats going on w/everythin

Crispix [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Just out of curiousity...what's the fastest 'non-automated' time any of you know about?

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I finished in 6 1/2 mins, my girlfriend got her's done in 8

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I didn't time mine, but I'm pretty sure it was faster than Danny's automated time of ~5 minutes by a good amount of time.

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

you can mail a self addressed envelope to the address on the bottom of the official rules and they will send it back with the winners name. also they might say something on access hollywood, because they helped sponcer the whole thing.

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

yeah but you know how long Access Hollywood takes to put things up, and even when they do, its for a SHORT period of time lol just wish they'd let us know one way or another what they plan on doing w/all the finalists :)

glumgas22 [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

only one way to find out.....ask the man himself Wei-Hwa Huang
http://onigame.livejournal.com/

caprice [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

found this:

winner Says:
May 26th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
i got a phone call. they told me i won, and that i must use my vacation from july 1, 2006 to september. or it is void. taxes are going to be a huge deal i think its about $20,000 dollars worth but i have my friends and family chipping in for me so i am a happy camper. thank you nathan weinberg for your dedication to this blog. it helped me get my time in 2 min 22 sec on first try. apparently those who did it more times were disqualified so thats a bummer sorry to all you but thanks for the answers.

http://google.blognewschannel.com/index.php/archives/2006/05/16/google-da-vinci-code-quest-not-a-finalist/

IaHawks03 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Where can you find the link to the actual statement from that person, and what is that persons name? I cant find that ANYWHERE On the website

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

The above is on Nathan Weinberg's blog, he has a few threads going on it, but I saw that. Frankly, I do no belive that one either. We'll know sooner or later, meanwhile... on to the next puzzle!

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

ARGH!! I'm on level two of Eurstar and canNOT get that 9-piece puzzle in the correct order. This takes me back to when I was a little girl and would play those same puzzles in plastic form. I always ended up popping out the final square and snapping it back in where it's supposed to be! =)

I can't do that on the computer!!! ARGH! Good thing I won't be flying to London as a finalist.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Capanda, have you gotten a hint on that level? I can't remember if they give one or not.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I don't think "winner" (if he really did get a call) was an honest win. Say hello to Macro-Man (or maybe his side-kick Key-Logger Boy).

For those of us who played honestly, well done! We were never in a fair game, but at least we had fun. Those who used screen-shots, macros, key-loggers or multiple entries can now slink back under their rocks until the next "game" comes up.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Capanda,
The easiest way to do that sliding puzzle is to reset until it is the middle piece that it missing. Then just slide them in #1 through #9 using the middle to store the next #piece you need. Then just slide them around in a circle....er....square until they are all in order and the then...walllah! Old man with a square butt reading books!

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Yep...count me in as one of the faithful doubters of that "winner."
I still need better proof.

I'm mostly just curious to see what method the winner used and what his/her time was.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Me too. I wish Google would make an official announcement somewhere.

Capanda [PersonRank 2]

18 years ago #

Yes, She, the hint was the complete picture, but that was pretty obvious.
Thanks, Cassie2 for that hint. I'll try it again. I did have the puzzle where the middle is missing . . . a few times . . . but didn't figure out that suggestion.

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Sorry Capanda, I didn't realize it was the slider puzzle. I have always hatd those, and it took me a VERY long time to doit. I think I reset a few dozen times and quit completely once. I was thinking it was the one with the shaped blocks that you put together like a jigsaw or tangram.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

has anyone found out who won this thing?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Not a clue! Did we all imagine the whole thing? Was the final challenge a hoax? Will I wake up and discover...

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

it never even happened, there was no final puzzle, no final prize! the cryptexes were just given to the 10,000 fastest people and that was the end of it! the 10,000 of us who got the cryptexes were the real winners. i bet the trip really went to a google programmer and his wife for their anniversary or something, thats why nothing has been announced.

Nath [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Hey,

I try to typ good English so you can understand my question.

I'm trying to finish the last puzzle of the Eurostar Quest, the one with the 7 grandmasters of the priory of Sion. But I only find 6 of them. I'm getting seriously stressed of that stupid puzzle!

Can somebody give me a tip? please? :)

Greetz.

Nate [PersonRank 5]

18 years ago #

Well, my finalist e-mail is now over two weeks old, and STILL no cryptex. I'm really getting steamed. In the e-mail, Google said they'd be contacting people to verify addresses if for some reason the form was filled out incorrectly (I don't believe it was.)

Where's my cryptex?!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

Hi Nate, do you still need a name? Which six do you have?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I didn't read this forum forlike 4 days,

does anybody know who won the Da Vinci Code Quest?

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

nope

Sarah [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Nath,

I believe the seventh name you're looking for is Nicolas Flamel. It is in the left bottom two rows of one of the pyramids (I don't remember which). I tried it once and it didn't work but there are two adjacent '"L"s in one of the names so that you could use either. The final solution with the wrong "L" looks like a sawtooth. The correct solution breaks the sawtooth pattern.

Lisa [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Nath,

which 6 do you have...I also only have 6 and have one whole side without a name on it...been looking everywhere and haven't found a name that fits...lets compare

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

For those who are interested, here are my thoughts on the Da Vinci Code contest and why the winner is still unannounced.

http://www.cjmillisock.com/2006/05/da-vinci-code-quest-winner-not.html

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

CJ ,
I read your blog and am also wondering the same thing. will we ever see a winner?

Come on Google!! Fess Up!!!

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Cassie2 and others who are still interested:

Wei-Hwa, the creator of the puzzles in the contest was asked some questions, and his response was that he's been instructed to say nothing. You can read the full question and response here:

http://onigame.livejournal.com/23472.html?thread=41392#t41392

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Has anyone gotten a reply from their written request for winner information?

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Yes, as said before, the Quest might be a quest to find people with enough potential to become an effective Google employee, (people who 'bended the rules, or used some program to make their mouse movements go fast), and they'll announce the winner as the person who takes the job offe

Or, they even might announce that that it was all a search for employees! :)

Jay Amin [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

Speaking of Wei-Hwa CJ,

did anyone get any of the Why-Me rhymes, or the tree in the woods question?

Sam Davyson [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I was dissapointed by that offering. I got a few of them.

Claire [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I got:
Daughter laughter
genial denial
gross cross
touches douches
Viscount (-$ blocked).

I'm sure I should be able to get others, but I can't think of them right now...

ItIsI [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

Got all of the Why Me Rhymes except "Newer Style of Patio Furniture"

cassie [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

has anyone considered that Wei-Hwa is the davinci code quest winner? i mean who is that guy anyway? and why isnt he allowed to say anything?

Claire [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I haven't checked the rules, but usually employees of Sony and Google and their families wouldn't be eligible to enter...

He can't say anything because he'll get sued if he does, he only made the puzzles, I don't think the prizes are his business, that's all up to Sony.

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I am still die..ing to know who won this darn thing. Do you hear me Da Vinci Code Quest?! I need closure so I can get on with my life! :)

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I second that!

she [PersonRank 3]

18 years ago #

I think we are all suffering from a group delusion. There was never a quest, nobody won, there was no prize, right?

Cassie2 [PersonRank 1]

18 years ago #

I refuse to give up until I find out who won this thing. I will keep checking this list daily until we find out who won. Does anyone have the contact info for the winners list?

Sarah [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I received this message from Eurostar this evening EDT:

Close but no cigar

A record-breaking 1.2 million people were drawn to the Eurostar Quest site to uncover the secrets of London and Paris. Of these, only the smartest 2 % had the skill and cunning required to make it through to complete all the puzzles. You are one of the elite players worldwide who managed to do this, so give yourself a pat on the back and be proud of the fact that you are one of the best code-crackers on the planet.

However, we are sorry to let you know that you narrowly missed out on being one of the Grand Finalists. There were other players who solved the final puzzle in fewer attempts or were that little bit faster, but we very much hope that you enjoyed taking part.

We also hope that the Eurostar Quest has fuelled your curiosity to discover all of our destinations and that it has encouraged you to dig a little deeper and experience what lies beneath the surface of two of Europe’s most intriguing and evocative cities – London and Paris.

If so, look out for our next email, as we'll give you some tips of how to organise your own quest to discover London and Paris. Since you made it all the way to the very end of our Quest, we think it’s only right to help you unravel the real mysteries of London and Paris for yourself.

Thanks once again for taking part. We hope you enjoyed the Quest.

Did anyone here qualify?

Claire [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

I got that message too.
But given I think only 5 people actually qualify (one from each nation), I reckon our chances of finding anyone are um... slim!

R. Scott Sutor [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

On Friday 6/9, I received this mail:

<snip>
Mr R. Scott Sutor

URN <Removed>

  

Congratulations! You are a Eurostar Quest code cracker

  

  

You are one of the sharpest players to have cracked the code and solved
the Level 1 prize puzzle. You have won a PS2 Game.

  

We have your details on our files but we want to make absolutely certain
that your prize reaches you. Please click on the link below to confirm
your name and address and we will send your prize within 28 days of
receipt of your email confirmation. If we don't hear from you on or
before the 23rd June 2006, you will forfeit your prize and the next
fastest contactable player (with the same number of attempts) from your
Territory will be awarded the prize*.

  

<URL Removed>
  

We hope you enjoyed solving the mysteries of the Eurostar Quest and that
it has inspired you to make your own journey with Eurostar to uncover
the hidden secrets of our many destinations. Your discoveries have only
just begun!

  

Kind regards,

  

  

  

  

The Eurostar Quest team

Visit www.eurostar.com

  

* The Promoter is not liable for any loss or damage to the Prize during
portage or delivery

  

Please check for viruses before accessing attachments. Although we
endeavour to keep files clean we take no responsibility for any damage
caused by contagion.
For the legal protection of our business any email sent or received by
us may be monitored or intercepted.

</snip>

It seems that 3 tries in 36 seconds was good enough to qualify for the top 1/2 of L1. I was expecting 3 tries in 16 sec to be good enough for L2, but it must not have been as I didn't get a notice about that. I also didn't get the "top 2%" mail, so I must have blown the final also.

Cheers!
-S.

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Any lawyers out there?

Is Google legally bound to reveal the winner grand prize, or could they tell us all they gave it to -someone-, but really they didn't give it out. Or are there loop holes in the conditions that mean they don't even have to give anything out? I thought google was trustworthy, but lately it seems pretty sketchy.

Sarah [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Matt, and others -

The suspense is killing me too on who the final winner is (and, more importantly, what their time was). Having done the final challenge, I think that anyone who did it in under 5 minutes must've been cheating in more ways than one! The mouse can only move so fast...

If you want to find out the winner's name, according to the rules, it says: For an additional copy of these Official Rules or the Grand Prize Winner’s Name, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The Da Vinci Code Quest On Google “Rules” or “Grand Prize Winner’s Name” (specify which), P.O. Box 10301, Burbank, CA 91510. All requests must be received by July 21, 2006. The Official Rules will also be accessible from the Web Site during the Contest Period. Grand Prize Winner’s name may also be posted on the Web Site and/or other media including on-air.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

18 years ago #

I asked Google who won the Da Vinci Code quest, and here's their answer:

"We appreciate your interest in the DaVinci Code Quest, but we're unable to answer questions about the contest. For information related to this game, ülease contact Sony. You can reach the Contest Administrator at:

Sullivan Compliance Company
P.O. Box 7398
Burbank, CA 91510-7398

We appreciate your taking the time to write.

Regards,
The Google Team"

Chris [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Philipp-

Are you planning on contacting Sullivan, and if so, will you post their reply here?

Thanks!

Matt [PersonRank 0]

18 years ago #

Maybe google's gonna turn release the winner's info as publicity for the dvd release. Just a thought...

William [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

I sent 3 requests long before the deadline and I have yet to hear a thing even though the deadline for the winner info has past. SONY sucks

Metro Mapper [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

I sent away for the winner, and google mailed me (via the post) the winner's name. Anthony N. from Collierville Tennessee. Has anyone heard this yet, or know who he is or what is time is?

Michael
[signature removed]

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Michael, thanks for posting on my blog.

I received the letter today as well, and I can confirm that Anthony N. from Collierville TN is the winner. I wish I knew what his time was, and how I did compared to the other finalists.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

I posted more details on my blog if anybody cares to read it:
http://www.cjmillisock.com/2006/07/official-google-da-vinci-code-quest.html

Matt [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

Thanks, I'd like to see more info too. I was one of the lamo's who waited till school was out to finish, and never became a finalist. From what I've heard there was a lot of possible cheating in the final round. Google must of had a hell of a time figuring out the winner.

Robert Rimmington [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

I won a Sony Ericsson Mobile phone, but I can't find any other winners!

Robert Rimmington [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

[moved]

I too have been trying to find out who has won what, but all I know is that I have won a Sony Ericsson mobile phone and I have received it and am using it! But who else has got anything, I know not.

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Robert, are you talking about the Eurostar quest? What country are you from? As far as I know, the US contest only had one winner, and he won hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of trips/prizes.

Congratulations on the phone, by the way!

Matt [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

Yeah. It seemed to me like the grand prize winner took all in the google quest. Maybe Robert's confused. LoL

Robert Rimmington [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

Sorry seems like I have the wrong cometition. I am from the UK, but even so we can't find out any winners.

Luke [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

I won a Sony Playstation 2 slim from the Eurostar Quest. It came with a Da Vinci Code game. At first they sent me a European model, but they eventually sent me an American model.

Claire [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

No winners announced from Aus either that I can see...

Anthony N [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

hi im the winner of the eurostar quest i won enough travel checs and crap like that to take 100's of holidays in gangsta places this is the only good blog i could find about the quest all the others are rubbish

anthony

Matt [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

What other prizes did you receive?

CJ Millisock [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Anthony N, you say you won the Eurostar quest? Is that the same thing as the US Da Vinci Code contest Google had?

Bill [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

I enjoyed looking around your web site. It is very well done

Best site in bleep! My thnx to webmasters.

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