Re: 2009 decryption test
 

Yeah, it was a string of words like that. BTW, does anyone know if the previous years were like that as well? If they were, I might have a go at the manual with a dictionary attack

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

A. No, it hasn't always been a string of words
B. It's probably best to keep your decryption plans to yourself as people on these forums are liable to jump on you for it :P --something about it not being in the spirit of FIRST

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

2008: Drive!Straight?turn!LEFT!?
2007: 7sBg8H4x2f3R9C3tm5
2006: S1x240JrTBmsqf95DL06FdsTM33H
2005: 3XTr1pl3play2oo5
2004: FEma2X5E10vEir

Have fun finding any of those in a dictionary, or someone's rainbow tables. As Bochek said, it's also not able to be brute forced.

Just like the game hints, FIRST knows they are dealing with 40,000 high school students. With the encryption key, the give just enough so that some people think they can figure it out, but in reality, there isn't any chance, just like the game hint.

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

They've had problems in the past with people finding things on their website that aren't password protected, I'd imagine that's where these came from.

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

Some year I predict the password will be something simple like "HaHa".

Bochek, how would having 40,000 students on their own computers doing parts of the total change your calculations on solving the password? Personally, it would be the exercise of how to solve the puzzle and not the actual answer that would be more enjoyable, and in the spirit of FIRST.

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

I like that idea. My first college internship was in cryptography - that field is by definition full of fun and intriguing puzzles.

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

Assuming it was exactly 15 characters. It would take

79204840687 years for 40,000 average level computers to brute force the password.

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

Only 79,204,840,687 years? Guess we better get started then....:) By the time we solve it we'd have forgotten what the game was to begin with!

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

I couldn't open the last four images, but in one of the images we have a nice optical encoder type E4P-300-157 (datasheet) and in another what appears to be a 22 tooth sprocket with fancy holes in it...

Can someone describe the last four images, or explain why I can't see them?

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

I couldn't open the last four either. Is there anyone who opened these?

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

Am I the only one who thinks the first image looks like a set of frame rails?

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

i dont know...i couldnt open the last four either :(

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

Looks a bit more like linear drawer sliders to me.

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

I thought that too, but why would FIRST give us different sizes/hole patterns?

Re: 2009 decryption test
 

It looks to me like this will be the new kit chassis. Because FIRST split with IFI, and IFI made the old kit chassis, there is bound to be a new one this year or next. Andymark.biz currently has no products listed as C-base but i would guess that it is the name of the new kit chassis and will be up there after kickoff. C-base == chassis-base?