FAQ
CROSS
F2L
OLL
PLL
ABOUTFrequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of questions that I get asked ALL the time, and I get a little tired of answering:
Cubing
Q: I've been cubing for X months, and my average is Y. Is this good? (X and Y are numbers)
A: This question has no good answer. It depends primarily on how much practice you had, and even if you tell me, I won't be able to say. Here is a graph of my personal progress. As you can see, while I practiced, I was getting better, and then since about January I haven't been too active, and it reflected on my times.
Also note that I was averaging about the same I average now back in June. The reason is that I simply don't cube as much anymore as I used to, and it clearly reflects on my times. The amount of practice I get now, which is 5-15 minutes daily at most, is just enough to hold me steady. (Which I'm perfectly ok with)
Q: What does X mean? (where X is some kind of a word or piece of notation)
A: If X is a move, check some notation page. If X is anything else, please refer to the glossary. If it is not in the glossary, use this webpage.
Q: What do the brackets mean in algorithms?
A: They are there to make the algorithm look nicer by grouping notation.
Q: When should I learn X (where X is some stage in some method)?
A: Watch my "How to become a speedcuber" video. Go down the list in the video description. If you get to parts that you feel completely lost in, you are going too fast.
Q: I can execute F2L algorithms quickly, but it takes me very long to find the pairs!
A: You are not special at all, sorry. This exact same problem haunts every single person that tried to get into F2L, and I received at least 100 messages about it. After some practice, you will learn to completely ignore all pieces that have yellow on them, and all you will see are the F2L corners and edges. Just let the brain do the work, there is nothing you can do to speed this up, except for more practice.
Q: Wait a minute... but isnt u the same as D?
A: No its not. In double layer turns you move the center. So actually there is a hidden cube rotation in there. In the above example, u = D y
Q: OMG BUT BADMEFISTO THER IZ LIEK 60 OLLS I CANT DO IT LOL!!!1
A: If you cant even spell, then there is a high chance that you indeed cant.
YouTube
Q: I Added you as a friend but you didn't accept. WHY DO YOU HATE ME?
A: I dont accept any friend invites. But maybe I still hate you, who knows?
Q: Where is the camera?
A: Its on my head, trapped between my head and my giant headphones. (see picture on right). It actually works out very nicely and allows me to completely ignore the camera most of the time, and just concentrate on the cube stuff. I occasionally glance at the computer monitor to see if everything is still in view, and adjust my head slightly as needed. The camera that I use is Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000
Q: How did you come about making the vids?
A: Back when I was starting out there was no such thing as a useful tutorial for anything really concerning the Rubik's cube.
After going through all algorithms for F2L and trying to memorize them, I discovered patterns and then one day it finally all 'clicked'. In that same day, I just right away took the camera, and in my frustration of there not being any video on this on YouTube, I just recorded the entire first F2L video on spot, and then it got really popular somehow. That was the start. The rest happened because I enjoy teaching and I also really like making and editing videos.
Q: What programs do you use to make your vids?
A: For video editing: Sony Vegas 7.0. For screen capture: CamStudio. For compressing the video after edit, VirtualDub.
Personal
Q: Your cube is sooo smooooth what cube do you use? ?
A: I use DIY cubes from www.cube4you.com. I use type A speedcubes, the first, original. (Not type II or III or whatever else they have)
Q: How long did it take you to learn all OLLs/PLLs ?
A: About 3-4 months, i took it slow without any rush. I learned roughly 1 a day.
Q: What lubricant do you use?
A: I use Jig-a-loo. You have to be careful on how you use it though or it can melt your cube. Otherwise its great. See this thread for details.
Q: Can you solve big cubes?
A: Yes I own a 2x2,4x4,5x5,7x7 and I can solve all of them, but I don't usually like to.
Q: Can you solve blindfolded? What method do you use?
A: Yes I can, in terrible times because I don't practice it, almost ever. I just use simple Pochmann method.
Q: What does your name (badmephisto) mean?
A: I've had this name for a really long time. I used to be a big fan of Diablo2, so when I had to create my email address username on hotmail, i decided to use Mephisto as my username. But of course Mephisto was already taken, so I tried Mephisto1, Mephisto2, all the way up to about 9, and all was taken.
So then I thought... "hmmm, what kind of chracteristic does Mephisto posess?" Now keep in mind that this was about 10 years ago, and my English language dictionary composed of about 20 words. One of them was the word 'bad'. Since Mephisto (the brother of Diablo) was certainly pretty bad, I punched in badmephisto and that worked. Had I known more words it probably would have ended up being evilmephisto or something :p