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#1 2010-01-31 15:42:58

phrew
Member
Registered: 2010-01-31
Posts: 1

d-star

I'm stuck on level 8.  There is one block I cannot get.  Any hints?

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#2 2010-01-31 19:32:35

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: d-star

Hi phrew;

I use this link.

http://www.java-gaming.com/game/4942/D-star/

I can't get past level 4!


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#3 2010-01-31 21:20:38

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

Hi;

This game is here on MIF.

Got through to the end! smile

Had to start again twice, though, and my 'strategy' is rather hit and miss.

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-01 00:56:36)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#4 2010-02-01 02:30:56

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: d-star

Thanks for pointing that link out!


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#5 2010-02-02 05:32:27

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

Hi phrew,

I don't know how to give a good hint for this. However, if you're still totally stuck on level 8 and you're tearing your hair out over it, here's a video of my solution that I uploaded: Level 8

It's not the quickest way (after recording it I noticed a couple of unnecessary moves), but it gets there and shows how I went about it. Others will have their own, and probably better, solutions.

Warning: If you look at the vid you will lose the satisfaction of conquering that level yourself...but it will save you from having to fork out for a wig!

EDIT: I've since bettered that solution - by 31 moves! (see my post #27 for the solution text and updated video). I've deleted the old vid.

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-28 13:13:08)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#6 2010-02-02 08:30:19

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: d-star

Good vid. But I did miss the annoying, earsplitting background music.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#7 2010-02-02 11:23:42

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

bobbym wrote:

...But I did miss the annoying, earsplitting background music.

Yes...the poor sound recording was a bit of a downer. I had to turn my speakers up nearly full-blast on the vid to at least get some annoying, earsplitting effect.


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#8 2010-02-02 16:54:28

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: d-star

Hi;

Thanks, to your vid, I now can get to the 3rd level with ease. I was just kidding about the sound.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#9 2010-02-09 10:55:00

John E. Franklin
Member
Registered: 2005-08-29
Posts: 3,588

Re: d-star

@phrontister:  What's the video capture software called? 
That game is clever, I can't do it, tried.


igloo myrtilles fourmis

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#10 2010-02-11 02:38:23

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

Hi John,

I use SnagIt for video captures...and also for general screen captures. There are many such programs available - some freeware - and I've tried several. SnagIt suits me best and has many features that I like (eg, captures scrolling windows; good annotation tools). It costs, but it's very reliable and I enjoy using it - which is quite often.
 

That game is clever, I can't do it, tried.

Yes, it's very cleverly done! Some diamonds are tricky to get, and you can even get stuck with no escape (other than by pressing "Ctrl").

Once you get the hang of it you'll find that the 1024-move limit is quite generous.

My fewest moves:
Level 1: 12
Level 2: 53
Level 3: 23
Level 4: 31
Level 5: 51
Level 6: 71
Level 7: 19
Level 8: 57
Level 9: 42
Level 10: 76
Total: 435

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-13 01:04:10)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#11 2010-02-11 14:15:51

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: d-star

Hi phrontister;

Snag It is the best I have seen.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#12 2010-02-24 00:21:08

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

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#13 2010-02-24 01:24:00

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

Hi Jane,

I hadn't seen that old thread. You've posted some good scores there, too. smile

I'm not sure whether to continue here or there...I'll stay here, I think, because more people have contributed to this thread.

From your thread...

JaneFairfax wrote:

I’ll be interested to know whether any level can be completed in fewer moves than I did.

Our score comparison:

         You       Me
L1      12         12 
L2      53         53 
L3      27         23
L4      39         31
L5      44         51
L6      44         71 
L7      19         19 
L8      41         57
L9      47         42 
L10    62         76 
       388        435 

We're the same on three levels. You have the lower score on four of them and my score is lower on three. Our combined lowest scores total 371. Looks like on three of the levels I was aiming to get the record worst score!

I'll have a look at the ones where you're lower to learn from your strategy, and for my better scores I'll try to remember my moves and post them. In fact, I should probably do as you did and post my moves for the lot for comparison.

Might have to wait until after the Winter Olympics before I can do that, though...and Bobby keeps me busy.

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-27 05:09:42)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#14 2010-02-24 06:57:30

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

I have now brought my fewest-move score down to 384.

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#15 2010-02-24 10:39:49

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

384...xlnt!

I've shaved some moves from mine, too! Down by 22 to 413 (L5 & L6). Nice to reduce L6's cricket score...but not down to yours yet. sad

Haven't looked at your paths...don't want to spoil the fun or challenge of trying to work it out myself.

I've updated our scores in my previous post.

Btw, Jane, I feel rather mean about this thread taking over from yours...especially after seeing your lonely post there re your good L3 score. Pity we can't splice threads.

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-24 11:35:45)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#16 2010-02-25 03:41:14

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

I’ve also brought my Levels 1, 2 and 4 scores down to 11, 48 and 31 respectively, so my overall score is now 370.

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2010-02-25 04:04:11)

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#17 2010-02-25 04:01:50

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

You probably spotted the same move for L1 as I did today...and, like you, I also thought 12 was its minimum.

I shaved another 11 from my total, so am down to 402 now. Unsuccessful with reducing L6 and can't work out how you did it, but am persisting. I'll probably try L8 & L10 next, although after reducing L1 & L2 - which I thought couldn't be bettered - I feel encouraged to revise the other levels too.


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#18 2010-02-25 04:30:01

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

And my Level 5 score down to 40! big_smile

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#19 2010-02-25 05:07:12

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

Took 31 off L8 and 20 off L10...down to 351.

I looked at L7 & L9 and couldn't better their scores. Still upset over not being able to reduce L6 further! <sniff>

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-25 06:16:34)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#20 2010-02-25 06:43:59

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

I’ve brought my Level 9 score down to 43 now.

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#21 2010-02-25 06:48:09

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

I've got a full-time job in writing up the scoreboard!

Funny...I'd thought that my initial 435 total would be hard to beat!

I've tried to get down to your L5's 40, but can't manage it yet.

Btw, Jane, do you have a way of saving levels to avoid having to start again when you run out of credits?

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-25 06:53:13)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#22 2010-02-25 23:24:28

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

Sorry to have to keep rewriting the record book, but I’m now down to 39 moves for Level 8, 41 moves for Level 9 and 57 moves for Level 10. So 353 is the best overall total I can manage so far.

phrontister wrote:

Btw, Jane, do you have a way of saving levels to avoid having to start again when you run out of credits?

When I want to do a level, I just start from the beginning and carry on to that level.

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2010-02-25 23:40:05)

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#23 2010-02-26 04:30:00

phrontister
Real Member
From: The Land of Tomorrow
Registered: 2009-07-12
Posts: 4,810

Re: d-star

My L10 score was wrong...should be 57, not 56. Total now 352. sad

EDIT: Have since reduced L5 to 41...new total 350.

Last edited by phrontister (2010-02-26 05:36:25)


"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

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#24 2010-02-26 07:49:42

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

Wow, I don’t know what you did in Level 8, but I managed to knock six moves off in my latest try and get it down to 33 (and my overall score to 347).

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#25 2010-02-26 08:02:24

JaneFairfax
Member
Registered: 2007-02-23
Posts: 6,868

Re: d-star

Wait a minute! I believe I’ve figured out how you did Level 8 in 26 moves (see my other thread). So I’m down to 340 now. tongue

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2010-02-26 08:02:34)

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