Perplex City Wiki - User contributions [en]

User:Lhall/dragonscales

2015-02-03T00:11:40Z

BrianEnigma: delete content, per user request

The Receda Cube

2011-01-01T03:02:36Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Trevor75 (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

{{Cube_fFound}}

==General==

[[Image:Receda_Cube.jpg|center|A close-up of the Receda Cube, showing the markings on its side.]]

*'''Pronounced:''' /''reh-KAY-deh''/

*The Receda Cube is the main attraction at [[Perplex City Academy]] [[Museum]]

*An excellent primer on what the Cube is, and why it is so important, can be read at the Academy Website:
:'''http://www.perplexcityacademy.com/cubehistory.html'''
*Really, you should go the clever way and find that page yourself:
:''http://www.perplexcity.com/walkthrough/index.qbuild''

==History==
*It appears the cube was designed as a very top secret project by a team including [[Dr Kennard]], [[Dr Cook]], [[Anthony Granier]], [[Edwina Mountling]], and overseen by [[Vianne Adamek]]. ([[Hobbs_Island_Transcript#FRIDAY.2C_26-SEP-06|reference]])
*It was "discovered" in the [[Catbite]] gorge in 7AC.
**Some speculation suggests the cube was actually a weapon, as the "gorge" is more of a massive crater.
**It does not appear as though anyone else in the city has made this connection.
**And indeed, there was a [[War]] on. One of any number of causes could have created the crater.
*[[Perplex City Academy]] was, at the time of 'discovery', a repository for any unusual or potentially dangerous articles discovered.
*[[Perplex City]], having just come out of a state of [[War]], collectively was awed by its beauty, and beguiled by its appearance.
*After deciding that the Cube was not immediately dangerous, Academy officials placed it on public display where it remained as an uninvestigated curiosity for over 30 years

==Physical Properties==
*It is a metallic cube measuring 10cm on a side
*It is of indeterminate mass, as weight measurements of the Cube have been known to fluctuate over time.
*It will react with water, liquid mercury, and acetone.
*One face bear markings, and it is still unknown within [[Perplex City]] whether the markings are original or later additions.

*As designed, it has a capacity for conscious decision making; Nothing one would call "thought", as such. It has intelligence, of a sort, but it can neither talk nor think. It needs a weak intelligence to govern the trillions of material processors inside it, but it has no capacity to disobey.

*In the modern era, detailed scientific analysis using a range of tools, including electron microscopy, MRI and TNI scans, as well as various metallurgical and spectrometric investigations, has provided limited information
**[[Hesketh Zeller]] died spectacularly while researching its properties.
**[[Susan Marchant]] intensively conducted early research on the Cube, and her descriptions proved eerily accurate once technology caught up over a hundred years later. In her later years she began to claim that it was a self-aware entity that could communicate directly with her senses.

*The people of [[Perplex City]] have determined that the Cube is not made of any known naturally occurring substance within their world.

*[[Monica Grand]] speculated that it was some form of weapon.
**This was supported later by statements made by [[Miranda Katsoulis]], just before her death.

==Spiritual Signifigance==
*The Cube is acknowledged as a beautiful artistic object in its own right.
*The presence of the Cube is said to convey a sense of peace and harmony.
*Many observers have reported a sense of tranquility overcome them when they are in the presence of the Cube, but researchers are undecided on whether this is an objective phenomenon or a cultural one, perhaps inspired by Perplexian Cube-focused spirituality.
*A number of religious groups in [[Perplex City]] hold it in special reverence, including [[The Brotherhood of the Six]].

*The Cube was discovered following a period of turmoil and trauma for Perplex City;
*The discovery of the Cube coincided with the onset of a peaceful era for the entire region which has continued through to today.
*The city, then, has come to consider the Cube a talisman of this lasting peace.
*Superstition holds that loss of the Cube will result in new peril and conflict for its people.

*After the Kiteway daughters' escaped in the [[Lancewood]] Labs revealed the cube was in fact a great weapon designed and built by the Academy, a heavy sense of despondency settled across the city.

==[[Cubism]]==
:See main article: [[Cubism]]
*Cubist Theology extends back through history for centuries.
*A fundamental tenet is that cubes are works of man, and never to be found in nature.
*The shape of a cube is representative of the struggle for civilisation to improve itself and provide for its people.
*The Receda Cube, then, with its undeniably unusual physical properties, holds a special significance for the religious faithful in Perplex City, as a manifestation of the aspirations of mankind.

===According to [[The Brotherhood of the Six]]===
''with some edits''

{{quote}}
'''The Cube'''
*Currently held without cause in the [[Perplex City Academy]] by those who do not venerate its ancient light.
*It is an incarnation of the One True Cube, which is One with the Universe.
*It is mentioned in the writings of the Holy [[Ealianos]] as one of the true forms of the Lord.
*From time immemorial, the Cube has been a secret symbol of holiness among all worshippers.
*It takes many forms including:
**the four [[sacred pillars of Jagesh]] (which are doubled at festive times, symbolizing the creation of the cube from the square)
**the square-walkers at the [[Temple of Barribant]], who walk a square, labyrinthical path.
**the ancient monuments at [[Rhat-Mamar]], built with cube-shaped stones and the standing stones which were unearthed in our own [[Catbite]] Gorge
**"Cube-shaped stones in a pattern of squares" ''(It is unclear what is meant here.)''

The Perplex City Cube itself has been worshipped by many societies and cults (although without the true writings of [[Gyvann]] this worship has been incomplete at best). Some of these names will be very familiar, although their link to the Cube has often been concealed: [[The Archers of Dawn]], [[the Quadrilists]], [[the Fire of the South]], [[the Third Power]], [[the Society of Elders]], [[the Tarsians]], [[the Kababah Clan]].

Those who wish to learn more about these ancient organisations should read Andrew Lencival's masterwork: '''The Third Power, the Archers and the City of Dawn: An investigation into the Power of the Perplex City Cube and those who have guarded it'''.
|}

==The [[Theft]]==
:See main article: [[Theft]]
*Stolen 16-JAN-04 (267 AC), sometime before 2AM, during the fireworks display at the academy ball.
*Security cameras and sensors were offline throughout the Ball
*Thieves reprogrammed portions of the Academy's security systems, disabling three different forms of security without tripping warning alarms
*Security personnel discovered the theft at 2am when security guard [[Fran Mendling]] failed to check in for her shift change
*It is now known who stole the cube, and why.

{{quote}}
'''Cube Returned Safely'''

The [[Academy]] has reported to the [[Sentinel]] that the Receda Cube has been safely returned to [[Perplex City]]. The Cube has already been transferred to the Academy [[Museum]], where it is expected to return to public display as soon as next week.
|}

==Meaning of the word "Receda"==
Receda has been speculated to mean a variety of things.
*In Old English, Receda is the the plural of Reced, with the meaning "Houses", "Buildings", or "Halls".
*It appears in the text ''Beowulf'', in the sentence "receda under roderum"
*Due to the fact that Cubism focuses on building and construction spaces for mankind as a spiritual activity, this root has some potential.
*References:
**[http://www.sogang.ac.kr/~anthony/mesak/mes121/01.htm "Translating Beowulf"]
**[http://higinio.gq.nu/part1.html "Old English Grammar"]

==References==
* [[Perplex City Sentinel]]
**several post theft articles {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/focus/recedacube/index.html}}
**article, 08-FEB-07 "[[Receda Cube]] Found on Earth" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/receda_cube_loc.html}}
**article, 09-FEB-07 "[[Council]] Speaks on [[Cube]], [[Third Power]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/council_speaks.html}}
**article, 09-FEB-07 "''[[Sentinel]] Exclusive'': [[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Violet Kiteway]]: "I Stole the Cube"" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/violet_kiteway.html}}
**article, 13-FEB-07 "''[[Sentinel]] Exclusive'': [[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Violet Kiteway]]: "I Was Wrong"" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/sentinel_exclus.html}}
**article, 19-FEB-07 "[[Violet|Pair]] [[Kurt|to]] Receive [[Leitmark|Award]] for Foiling [[Third Power]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/pair_to_receive_1.html}}
**article, 19-FEB-07 "[[Academy]] Plans to Bring [[Receda Cube]] Home" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/academy_plans_t.html}}
**more news in brief, 22-FEB-07 "Cube Returned Safely"
**article, 23-FEB-07 "View from Earth: On the Journey" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/view_from_earth_57.html}}
**article, 23-FEB-07 "All the Earth Deserves the Thanks of All of [[Perplex City]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/all_the_earth_d.html}}

* '''The Perplex City Academy''
**http://www.perplexcityacademy.com/museum2.html#cube
**http://www.perplexcityacademy.com/cubehistory.html

==Artists' Impressions of the Cube==
<gallery>
Image:ccube.jpg|''The Cube'' - By [[Tanner]]
Image:Ccube2.jpg|''The Cube'' - By [[Tanner]]
Image:55_1_b.jpg|eBay Auction Image
</gallery>

Tanika Rogers

2010-07-21T21:42:53Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Julieta (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

===References===

*[[Perplex City Sentinel]] 21.03.05

===Whats Known===

* [[Perplex City Sentinel]] Sales Manager
* After [[Ryan Klein]] was revealed by the [[Recon Encryption Puzzle]] to be a secret member of the [[Reconstructionists]] cult, he was removed from his job.
* [[Tanika Rogers]] replaced him in his position of Advertising Manager.
* However, after [[Lauren Grove]] was sacked over his firing, all was restored.

Talk:Characters

2009-01-08T23:26:46Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by PaselTtada (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

Given that this page is sorely neglected and will be extremely long if properly up-to-date (see [Hesh Employee Listing] for an example), might it be better off being retired? Most people are placed and more easily found under their employers' pages. Those who are throwaway mentions in the Sentinel or don't have an employer or other pigeonhole can have their own page - "Minor Characters" or something and can get promoted once they have a pigeonhole. Cuts down on replication instead of adding people to their employers as well as here. [[User:Weefz|Weefz]] 16:02, 21 May 2006 (PDT)

*Mmmm, quite right. Really I have a [[Main Characters]] page which does a fFar better job of listing the important people. It too fFalls a bit short, but it does the job I think. I am tempted to erase the contents of this page and make it a redirect to that page, except it's not entirely useless, yet. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:00, 21 May 2006 (PDT)

** Eek! Don't erase it yet! I'll flag it up as non-current so ppl don't try to add to it, write a minor characters page to collect all those misfits and orphaned people pages and then move people into their respective homes, deleting them from this page as they're done, okay? [[User:Weefz|Weefz]] 02:35, 22 May 2006 (PDT)

*** Okey dokey smokey. Sounds like a plan, stan. Right on john. ... I'll just go sit down now. :) [[User:Scott|Scott]] 11:01, 22 May 2006 (PDT)

User:Enigmaster

2009-01-07T18:10:00Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by RochiAlric (Talk); changed back to last version by Enigmaster

==General==

*Perplex City player
*Master of the Enigmas
*Fond of abstract words, but not as much as dear [[Violet]]
*Contributor to the [[Tales From Earth]] collection - authored the short story '[[Tales From Earth:The Assignment|The Assignment]]'

==References==
*Personal:
**[http://noxiousideas.blogspot.com Personal blog]
**[http://www.perplexcitytrades.com/Enigmaster Trade profile]
**[http://www.perplexcity.com/profile/view.nbuild?player=Enigmaster Perplexcity.com profile]
*Perplex City Sentinel:
**letters, 03-MAR-06 "Who Copies Whom?" ''Letter of the Week'' ([http://qube.netninja.com/pxcmirrors/20060305-0700/perplexcitysentinel.com/letters/index.html link])

Old Town

2009-01-07T18:09:54Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by OloacBocra (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

==General==
*A part of [[Perplex City]], the Old Town is the location of [[Perplex City Academy]]
*Delineated by [[Caldera Street]], [[Restoration Lane]] and [[New Hampden Street]].
*The Old Town is featured in the [[Tour Guide]] which came with the [[Parcels]] from [[Sente Kiteway]]

==Renovation==
*Crime and rising real estate prices are becoming a serious issue.
*Many want to see the Old Town redeveloped; No-one wants to actually do it.
*Some suggest Developing other areas around the city, such as the [[Northside]].
*The general sense is that the Old Town is somehow doomed or jinxed in a way noone can quite identify.
*Past revitalization efforts have all failed, and there is no reason future endeavours will do any better.

*23-AUG-05 - Councilman [[Roy Yolen]] whimsically suggests tearing down all of Old Town.
**This poorly thought out statement raises quite a furor.
**Later apologized, saying it was "an ill-considered expression of frustration"

*12-SEP-05 - [[Raoul Valentin]] of the [[Old Town Renewal Committee]] announces [[The Lighting of the Way]] Festival in old-town
**The festival, one of typical gift giving, and observed religiously by [[Cubists]], is being chosen as the perfect time to begin a spirit of renewal in the usually drab Old Town area.

*04-MAY-06 - A flashcrowd is organized in protest of the [[Council]]'s treatment of the Old Town -- or rather, lack of treatment at all.
**[[Raoul Valentin]] decried the protests, saying that citizens were demanding "rash action rather than careful consideration of the situation." & "What good would it do to spend a billion lecks today if we spend it doing exactly the wrong thing?
**Citizens, however, say this is absurd, and the situation has been studied to death; the time has come to take action.
**The protest took place in [[Key Square]]

*05-MAY-06 - Massive explosion rocks the old town.
**See: [[Old Town Explosion]]

==Located within Old Town==
*The [[Perplex City Academy]]
*[[Subdivision]]
*[[Five of Cups]]
*[[Complications]]
*[[Locus Technology]]
*Renovated [[Montclear Court and Gardens]]

==References==
''Note: the Old Town is central to Perplex City and is referenced often and in many places, if only by its noteworthy orientation; The following may not include all occurences of the Old Town in any context, but should cover the important points where it comes up explicitly.''

*'''Perplex City Sentinel'''
**feature, 23-APR-05 "The Perplex City [[Tour Guide]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/tourguide/}}
**article, 26-MAY-05 "'Earth Artefacts' Fraudulent" [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/05/earth_artefacts.html link]
**feature, 08-JUN-05 "Holiday Fun Schedule" [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/06/holiday_fun_sch.html link]
**article, 13-JUN-05 "[[Northside]] Preserve [[Northside conflict|Development]] Killed" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/06/northside_devel.html}}
**article, 30-JUN-05 "[[The Brotherhood of the Six|Brotherhood]] Supports Urban Renewal" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/06/brotherhood_sup.html}}
**article, 25-AUG-05 "[[Roy Yolen|Councilman]] Gaffe Brews Storm" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/08/councilman_gaff.html}}
**article, 12-SEP-05 "[[The Lighting of the Way|Lighting]] in [[Old Town]] Begins Renewal" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/lighting_in_old_2.html}}
**letters, 19-SEP-05 "[[Old Town]], Old Tactics"
**article, 28-MAR-06, [[Jessica Holyoke|Reconstructionist]] Accuses [[Reconstructionists|Cult]] of stealing Cube" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/reconstructioni.html}}
**article, 04-MAY-06 "[[Old Town]] Residents Hold Protest Rally" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/05/old_town_reside.html}}
**article, 05-MAY-06 "[[Old Town Explosion|Explosion]] Rocks [[Old Town]] Apartments" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/05/explosion_rocks_4.html}}

*'''Quirky Acuity'''
**blog, 06-JUL-05 "blue day" {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2005/07/blue_day.html}}

Ceretin 6 Preliminary Results

2008-06-05T18:12:56Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Adamgilcrist (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Season1}}

<div align=right>J. Cognitive Enhancement</div>
==Ceretin takes a leap forward: preliminary results from Ceretin G6 phase 1 testing==

[[Alan Rayleigh]], [[Jonas Thomson]], [[Andrew Hodgkin]]

[[Ceretin|Ceretin Division]], [[Cognivia|Cognivia Research]], [[Perplex City]]

Preliminary results from Phase 1 testing of the sixth generation of Ceretin demonstrate significant
improvements over existing broad-spectrum cognitive enhancers. Formation of long-term memories, recall and alertness are all enhanced, with performance remaining at a near-constant level during the effective period of the drug. However, issues concerning overdose protection still remain, relating to the conformation of the a2 subunit in C6 Ceretiva.

Citation: Rayleigh, A. & Hopkins, E. (268) Nanosecond imaging of Ceretiva interactions in the cortex. J. Cognitive Enhancement 16(38): e52131.

J. Cognitive Enhancement 1298 April 269 - Volume 17 - Issue 19 - e54137

---------

Development of the first generation of Ceretin began in earnest in
255 ''([[Timeline:History|timeline]])'', building on earlier research in alleviating abnormal brain chemistry
and function. Improvements in the treatment of narcolepsy,
aphasia, short term memory impairment and problems with recall and
spatial navigation all translated into the realisation that these
treatments could also be used to enhance cognition in normal
individuals1. This team combined the active molecules in the
treatments and synthesised a working drug cocktail that was safe and
effective2. In 260, Ceretin G1 was released by Cognivia, and Ceretin is
now the world's leading broad-spectrum cognitive enhancer3.

Since then, updates to Ceretin have been released regularly, with
Ceretin G5 providing a significant leap forward in performance, resulting
in part from new insights into penetrating the blood-brain barrier
(BBB)4 and harnessing the hypothalamus to alter the state of the
autonomic system5. The main areas we tackled when working on G6
included the drop-off in performance during the effective period and
incompatibilities with ~8% of the population. We also aimed to
incorporate new developments from MNS G36 and improve molecule
targeting with the aid of functional terahertz nanoscale imaging
(fTNI).

In this paper, we describe preliminary results from phase 1 testing of
Ceretin G6. Significant improvements in the performance of G6 over a
24 hour period were evident, in addition to memory and recall.
However, a satisfactory form of overdose protection has yet to be
incorporated; computer simulations indicate an issue with the conformation
of the a2 subunit of the Ceretiva derivative, which may also
cause problems when different forms of Ceretin are mixed. There is
also an unusual consistent outlier whose below-average performance
cannot be accounted for.

===Standard dosage testing Methods===

Subjects were 15 male and 15 female volunteers at the joint
[[PCAG]]/[[Cognivia]] testing facilities in [[Perplex City]]. All were graduates
over 18 years of age, and gave informed consent to the procedure which
was approved by the AUC oversight committee. Serious psychiatric or
medical illness, cognitive enhancer dependence in the last two years or
a history of substance abuse, resulted in exclusion. Mean age was 30.2
years (range 22-37 years). All were tested as genetically compatible
with Ceretin and all had used Ceretin in the past.

Subjects were tested on the WCAS (standardised) with additional
domain-specific modules (see additional resources for more details)
one month prior to drug administration. Comprehensive biometrics
and blood chemistry status were monitored with the APM module
(APM17, Academy Neuroscience Group, Perplex City).
Subjects underwent double-blind oral administration of a standard
dosage of Ceretin G6, Ceretin G5 or a placebo on hour 0. Subjects also
had an fTNI scan prior to administration in order to detect any anomalies.
During the testing, subjects continued to be monitored with the
APM module. Subjects were tested every three hours on the WCAS
(adaptive, abbreviated v3) while being monitored by magnetoencephalography
(MEG).

===Results===

Performance of Ceretin G6 over a 24 hour period as measured by the
WCAS was significantly higher than G5 (figure 1). From hours 0-9,
performance was approximately equal to G5, within the bounds of
error. Beginning from hour 12, results began to diverge with G6
maintaining a performance increase over control of approximately
40%, with G5 steadily decreasing.

<center>'''''Image Forthcoming'''''</center>

Figure 1 Performance on the WCAS (adaptive, abbreviated v3) intelligence test
in the 24 hours after administration, measured against performance of control
subjects. One subject in the C6 group (’HG’) performed significantly poorer
compared to group and is marked as an outlier. However, APM data on the blood
chemistry of HG was inconclusive (see discussion).

Sandbox

2008-02-15T20:12:50Z

BrianEnigma:

{{title|Holy CARP, I can't believe it's not butter}}

Test edit on the sandbox --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:32, 15 August 2006 (PDT)

Second test edit --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:32, 15 August 2006 (PDT)

Third! --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:33, 15 August 2006 (PDT)

Test edit with custom skin --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:36, 15 August 2006 (PDT)

<form name="MyForm"><input name="MyText" type="text" size="10"></form>

According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun] E. Miller, The Sun, (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23-5.</ref>
The Moon, however, is not so big.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon] R. Smith, "Size of the Moon", Scientific American, 46 (April 1978): 44-6.</ref>

This is a test, using the new bad-behavior plugin.

==Notes==
<references/>

Meta:Spam Blacklist

2007-08-30T15:06:54Z

BrianEnigma:

# <pre>
#
# In simple terms:
# * Everything from a "#" character to the end of the line is a comment
# * Every non-blank line is a regex fragment which will only match inside URLs
#
# Internally, a regex is formed which looks like this:
#
# !http://[a-z0-9\-.]*(line 1|line 2|line 3|....)!Si
#
# A few notes about this format. It's not necessary to add www to the start of
# hostnames, the regex is designed to match any subdomain. Don't add patterns
# to your file which may run off the end of the URL, e.g. anything containing
# ".*". Unlike in some similar systems, the line-end metacharacter "$" will not
# assert the end of the hostname, it'll assert the end of the page.
#

# Test blacklist
example\.com

# Spammer URL partials added 2006-10-16
casino-games
adipex
tramadol

# Spammer URL partials added 2006-12-22 because of User 1166728278
dgo5d.info
ringtone

# More spam terms, added 2007-06-10
diazepam
xenical
ringtones
wellbutrin
ativan
viagra
lorazepam
vicodin

# Pages that have been hacked (the spam keywords aren't in the URL, so blacklist isn't effective against the link)
stanford.edu/seminar
sunysb.edu
bc.edu
sc.edu
ku.edu
usc.edu
msoe.edu

# More spammy URLs from 2007-08-17
helmed.info
nobinters.org
davte.info
amohseni.info
psisemiya.com
ashythro.info
kinuia.cn

# More on 2007-08-19
ifrance.com

# 2007-08-22
rigour.info
110mb.com

#2007-08-30
sneck.info
primonona.info
funkall.us
veggis.org
klohy.info
budget7i.info
svike.info
manoke.cn
xionny.cn
wedner.info
soler.net.cn
polex.com.cn

#</pre>

The Lighting of the Way

2007-08-30T15:03:23Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by QmuTf6 (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

==General==
*One of 4 major holidays practiced by followers of [[Cubism]].

*Takes place at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumnal_equinox Autumnal equinox].

*Is described as "the festival of re-affirming our dedication to the Cube and of witnessing Gyvann's message to the world."

*A celebration traditionally takes place in [[Old Town]].
**The festival includes traditional cubical lamps lining the streets, with beeswax candles lit within.
**The celebration includes fire-dancers, singing, and of course vendors selling harbonnes with cinnamon-sugar, mulled cider, and fresh apple pie.
**"The colourful lamps are perfect in the setting of the Old Town, because they emphasize the graceful architecture of these old buildings." --chairman [[Raoul Valentin]] of the [[Old Town Renewal Committee]]

*The holiday is particularly a time of giving gifts.

*It may represent a last big festival before the end of summer; a sort of opportunity to get out and have some fun before the bitter winter winds roll in.

{{Template:Solstice-equinox}}

==References==

*'''[[The Brotherhood of the Six]]'''
**"Way of Life" {{WaybackS1|www.brotherhoodofthesix.com/wayoflife.html}}

*'''[[Perplex City Sentinel]]'''
**article, 12-SEP-05 "[[The Lighting of the Way|Lighting]] in [[Old Town]] Begins Renewal" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/lighting_in_old_2.html}}
**letters, 19-SEP-05 "[[Old Town]], Old Tactics"
**more news in brief, 25-SEP-06 "[[Lighting of the Way|Lighting]] Mishaps Set Three Fires"
**article, 25-SEP-06 "[[KT]] Weds in Seaside Lighting Ceremony" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/09/kt_weds_in_ligh.html}}

*{{Card|060|Celebration}}

Misprints and Rarities

2007-08-26T16:33:47Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by DjaUhc (Talk); changed back to last version by BrianEnigma

A few cards were part of limited print runs, were special promotions, or had errors or changes in printing. This page attempts to record them.

==Promotional Cards==
===Group 333 cards===
* Given out with [[Parcel Letter|Sente's Letter to the Cube Hunters]] by solving a puzzle in the [[22.04.05 Update]]. The parcel included several promotional cards with "Group 333" in the place of the silver scratch panel, some stickers, a tourist information packet, and a [[Leitmark]].
<gallery>
Image:027-333.jpg
Image:041-333.jpg
Image:074-333.jpg
Image:138-333.jpg
Image:170-333.jpg
Image:219-333.jpg
</gallery>

===2005 E3 cards===
These were given out at the 2005 E3 conference, with one exception. Card #172 was not available in paper form, but was being shown in a film loop playing on a plasma television.
<gallery>
Image:025-E3.jpg
Image:079-E3.jpg
Image:085-E3.jpg
Image:120-E3.jpg
Image:181-E3.jpg
Image:172-E3-onscreen.jpg
</gallery>

===NY Toy Fair===
At the February 2006 New York Toy Fair, A number of cards were handed out at the [[Mind Candy]] booth. Most of them were simply Wave 1 or 2 cards. However, {{card|001|Dem Old Bones}} and {{card|004|Zoo Zanyism}} were previewed for the first time. Also of note is the fact that the cards were special limited prints with no scratch off code, only the text "NYC Toy Fair 2006 Gamezone, Stand #6160".
<gallery>
Image:001-promo.png
Image:004-promo.png
Image:010-promo.png
Image:024-promo.png
Image:041-promo.png
Image:044-promo.png
Image:056-promo.png
Image:085-promo.png
</gallery>

===Gold Card===
*{{card|257|The Cube}}
*The only (to date) Gold Card.
*A limited run, only three hundred and thirty three of these cards exist (making them very expensive on ebay)
*They do not have the silver scratch panel found on other puzzle cards
*Card reverse features Mind Candy Design employees, Guest Puzzle Architects and Guest Artists
*See: [[List of gold card holders]]
<gallery>
Image:257-TheCube.png
</gallery>

===2006 ComicCon Card (#P01)===
*#P01 - Issue 0 - A Call From the Past - snowflake
*Card reverse: "Solve the puzzle on the reverse of this card and go to booth #305 to claim your free pack of Perplex City cards."
*Some have observed the answer is annoyingly simple, however the card was actually to be solved on the spot at the [[Mind Candy]] booth, so no additional tools or prior knowledge could be expected.
<gallery>
Image:A Call.jpg
</gallery>

==Select Misprints==
===#251: The Thirteenth Labour===
In the recent print run of cards, about wave 3 or 4, a batch of #251's which were entirely purple emerged.
These new purple-silver hybrids now apropriately displaying the difficulty level of #251, that of "Purple + Silver = Well hard" were welcomed by new and old players alike, amusing and confusing respectivly, and probably at the same time too.
Below we'll have some scans of the original #251 and the new and, in my opinion (which is the one that counts) improved!

[[Image:Misprint_all_purple_-251.png|Card #251 (13th Labour) with shiny purple edges]] [[Image:Thirteenthlabour.JPG|Regular copy of The Thirteenth Labour]]

==Print Changes==
Several cards had minor changes, typically related to brightness or contrast, between print runs. The changes are not drastic enough to be considered "errors" exactly, but they are certainly visible changes.

===#083: Pawnbroking===
[[Image:083-both.png|Pawnbroking, before and after]]

===#182: Transit===
[[Image:Comparison-182.png|Transit, before and after]]

===#185: Spin Cycle===
[[Image:Comparison-185.png|Spin Cycle, before and after]]

===#206: Mexid Massege===
[[Image:Comparison-206.png|Mexid Massege, before and after]]

==Discontinued==
The following cards are no longer being printed. UKver2.0 [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16297&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 discovered this] when he did not receive them as part of the [[Video Competition|PXC film contest]] prize.

===[[Riemann]]===
[[Image:Riemann.png|Riemann]]

http://perplexcitycardcatalog.com/1/238/

===Relativity===
[[Image:Relativity.png|Relativity]]

http://perplexcitycardcatalog.com/1/245/

==Card Backs==
===Versions===
The backs of the cards have gone through at least 2 versions. These two versions are not intrinsically unique in any way. They do, however, show some differences, as follows. Version 2....:
*...is lighter in color. [[Sente]]'s face is less rosy.
*...is zoomed out a bit wider from the instruction sheet, showing more of the surrounding decoration.
*...uses the newer gradient Perplex City Logo
*...is less fuzzy, and much easier to read.
*...does not have the number to text for hints printed directly, but shows instead a web address to go to for texting hints. http://www.perplexcity.com/hints
*...shows a different leaderboard sampling (instead of a list of Mind Candy employees, it shows a list of actual players, probably taken from live leaderboard sometime in early 2006)
*...(most interestingly)'''has an ''actual'' picture of [[The Receda Cube]]!''' This was the first time the cube was seen anywhere. The same picture later became seen, a bit larger, and in more places (including the upper left corner of this wiki).

===Deviations===
There have been, for various reasons, a number of cards which have been printed with alternate backs from what they otherwise would be. These are typically promotional runs of cards sent to players to be distributed in their neighborhood. When this is the case, the idea is to make the cards most useful to new players, with a full set of instructions on the backs of all cards, effectively making them very good sampler cards. So as a result, there is a relatively small number of cards which have been printed which do not have the standard ''Map Back'', but instead have the ''Common Rules Explanation'' back. They are:
*Cards sent with [[Scarlett]]'s card distribution challenge:
**{{card|089|Forever Foe}}
**{{card|117|Band Name Etymology}}
**{{card|120|Cube Tube}}
*Cards sent as part of Mind Candy University Invasion:
**{{card|039|4 Colour Theorem}} -- most unusual about this card is the fact that it actually has the standard ''Map Back'' one expects to see on Algebragraffiti. In effect, these two cards' backs have been swapped.
**{{card|069|Algebragraffiti}}
**{{card|080|Cruel And Unusual}}

{{CardCat}}

Meta:Spam Blacklist

2007-08-19T20:11:02Z

BrianEnigma:

2007-08-17T16:56:45Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Fz3Jx4 (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

[[Image:frontpage.gif]]

''This page lists advertisements, as seen in the [[Perplex City Sentinel]].''

==Perplex City Publications==
An effective mini banner, pointing readers at [http://www.perplexcity.com The Perplex City Website].

[[Image:Ad pxcpublications.gif]]

==[[Seaside Press]]==
[[Image:Ad-SSP.gif]]

==[[Gates, Franklin]]==
[[Image:GF-ad.png]]

==[[Earthworks]]==
[[Image:EW-ad.png]]

==[[Soupery]]==
[[Image:S-ad.png]]

[[Image:S2-ad.png]][[Image:S3-ad.png]]

==[[FractionMedia]]==
[[Image:FM-ad.png]]

==[[PCBC]]==
[[Image:ad-pcbc1.gif]]

[[Image:ad-pcbc2.gif]]

[[Image:ad-pcbc3.gif]]

{|
|[[Image:ad-pcbc4.gif]]
|[[Image:ad-pcbc5.gif]]
|[[Image:ad-pcbc6.gif]]
|}

==[[Ceretin]]==
[[Image:ad-ceretin.gif]]

[[Image:ad-ceretin2.gif]]
[[Image:ad-ceretin3.gif]]

==BBC Mind Games==
This is the only advertisement on the site which is for any non-perplexian product or service. Clicking on the ad in the sentinel takes the user to: http://www.bbcmindgames.com/

[[Image:Ad-bbcmindgames.gif]]

==[[Precious Stones]]==
Ostensibly, an ad for some sort of stone dealer, such as a jeweler. However this is something of a misdirection, as it is more realistically a potential rabbithole for the [http://www.perplexcityboardgame.com/ Perplex City Board Game Trail].

[[Image:Ad preciousStones.jpg]]

==[[The Academy]]==
[[Image:Banner-academy.jpg]] [[Image:Banner-cube.jpg]]

''See: [[Sente Kiteway]], [[Vaughn Mukherjee]], [[Cassia Temple]], [[The Receda Cube]]''

==The [[PCAG]]==
[[Image:Banner-pcag.gif]]
''"Sapere Alude" has been translated to ""''

==[[Synapse]]==
[[Image:Banner-synapse.jpg]]

Category:Cleanup

2007-08-17T16:56:12Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by ZetJ32 (Talk); changed back to last version by Lhall

'''Please give these your immediate attention!'''

Trails

2007-08-17T16:55:56Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by FlmOiu (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

This page is intended to list all Timelines involved in chronicling the Perplex City World.

==Timelines==

'''[[Timeline:History]]''' - This page will list the very extensive and deep history behind Perplex City. Eras and epochs, births and deaths, anniversaries and foundings. Everything we can pin-point will be here.

'''[[Timeline:In-game]]''' - This page will list everything everyone has been doing for the past year or so. [[Sente]], [[Violet]], [[Scarlett]], [[Kurt]], [[Anna]], and the whole gang. want to know where someone was on some given day? It's probably listed here.

'''[[Timeline:Meta]]''' - This page should be used to list events such as pre-game, first contact, introductions, and the like.

==Trails==

'''[[Theft]]''' - While not exactly a Timeline in its own right, this very handy document lists everything we know about the Theft specifically, with some handy dates and times and facts and figures.

'''[[Articles By Date]]''' - The [[Sentinel]] newspaper has been publishing its articles to the patrons of Earth for the past few years. All the articles are collected in order with cross links here.

'''[[Salklogs.doc]]''' - Between early May and mid June 2005, [[Pietro Salk]], a [[Sentinel]] reporter, began working on the greatest scoop ever written. It cost him his life, of course. You can peep in on his conversations with [[Monica Grand]].

'''[[Timeline:Scarlett's Adventure]]''' - Starting in August 2005, [[Scarlett]] took a very, very extended vacation in the [[Tanraga]] mountains, and beyond. Lying to her family and friends and leaving her boyfriend, she seeks The Truth.

'''[[The Receda Trail]]''' - Over late September and most of October 2005, we ran ourselves ragged hunting a bunch of obscure clues and web-sites. The trail is collected here, for your enjoyment. Laugh at our pain.

'''[[Leaked E-mails]]''' - The Academy has utterly horrid security, at times. We on Earth are fortunate enough to receive some shared emails from within the ivory covered halls.

'''[[Theft Case Notes]]''' - [[Helena Frye]]'s case notes regarding the Theft of The Cube. An interesting look at what was going on behind the curve.

Meta:Spam Blacklist

2007-08-17T16:53:03Z

BrianEnigma:

The War

2007-07-10T06:18:42Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by JhqCkz (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Season1}}

{{cleanup}}

==General==
*There was a war, which occurred just before the modern era, between Perplex City and [[Anjsbourg]] & others.
*Pre-war tensions began in about 1677 (60BC).
*At some point, a number of treaties were signed into effect between such elements as Perplex City and Viehattle.
*It is suggested that Anjsbourg was the first to engage Perplex City in the war.
*Soon after, Machiantes joined with Anjsbourg.
*In the year 1 BC, during the height of war, Viehattle broke off their cease-fire treaties and took the side of Anjsbourg.
*A great event caused the end of open fighting, the details of which are enshrouded in some mystery.
*The [[Halley Peace Accord]] was signed in March 2005 (268 AC), which is to lead to the official end of all hostilities.

*In the year 1702 (35BC), stories of the ghost-children [[Ilja and Anja]] came to rise.
**These stories were mostly intended to pull at the heartstrings of those who spoke out in favor of war, and suggest the tragedies incited upon the innocents in the countryside.
**Also, this is the subject of one of the earliest pieces of fan-fiction about perplex City by [[User:Scott|Scott]].

*The [http://www.perplexcityacademygames.com/history.html PCAG history] suggests the dawning of modern era, and thus the end of the war, brought a hiatus of Midwinter celebrations.

==Facts==
*Dates: ''(See [[In-game Timeline]])''
**Began around 70BC
**Ended dramatically in 0BC
*Commander of the Perplex City Forces: [[Rifa Woad]]
*Academy Master: [[Vianne Adamek]] ''(second half of the war)''
*People of note: [[Anthony Granier]]; [[Vikram Castellan]]; [[Estelle Desine]]; [[Salvant Castille]]
*Cities which were annihilated: [[Anjsbourg]], [[Viehattle]], [[Machiantes]], [[Garifex]]
*Something top secret was kept at [[Viendenbourg]].
**Something of great death and disturbing power was mined, and presumably used by the city as a great weapon.
**It appears to still be in the process of being mined, even today.

==The War in Modern Context==
*Discussion of the war is a social no-no.
*Some academics' careers have been ruined because they sought studies on the war.
*The popular consensus is that the war of the past should stay in the past.

*A display at the [[Academy]] [[Museum]] has been announced by curator [[Anja Marlowe]].
*[[Peace Watchers]], led by botanist [[Soo-Yung Rosenthal]], have been protesting every weekend since the announcement
*The display was opened 07-NOV-05
*Daily attendence of the exhibit has topped 8,000 visitors a day, and continues to climb.
**Most days the museum sees a paltry 2,000 visitors.

*"[[Allain]]", a student at [[Edyta College]], says the people during the war era had very advanced sciences and medicines.

==References==
*'''Perplexcity Academy'''
**Website: http://www.perplexcityacademy.com/museum.html

*'''The Perplex City Sentinel'''
**article, 01-SEP-05 "[[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Anja Marlowe]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/iona_interviews_3.html}}
**article, 15-SEP-05 "View from Earth: Teaching [[The War|War]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/view_from_earth_19.html}}
**article, 29-SEP-05 "Academy [[Museum]] Announces [[The War|War]] Exhibit" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/museum_announce.html}}
**article, 29-SEP-05 "View from Earth: History of More [[The War|War]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/view_from_earth_18.html}}
**article, 13-OCT-05 "View From Earth: [[War]] of Ideas" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/10/view_from_earth_21.html}}
**article, 03-NOV-05 "[[War]] Exhibit Details Released Amid Outcry" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/11/war_exhibit_det.html}}
**article, 17-NOV-05 "View from Earth: [[The War|Truth or Taboo]]?" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/11/view_from_earth_24.html}}
**article, 01-DEC-05 "Controversial [[The War|Exhibit]] Attracts Crowds" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/controversial_e.html}}
**feature, 23-DEC-05 "Year in Review: Newsmakers of 268" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/year_in_review.html}}
**article, 16-OCT-06 "[[Academy]], [[Camryn Scott|Scott]] [[VHC_tempfile|Implicated in Human Trials]] of [[War|Wartime]] Tech" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/10/academy_scott_i.html}}

Meta:Spam Blocking

2007-07-10T00:25:09Z

BrianEnigma: /* SQL to Block "6 Hex Digit" Spammers */

This is most notes for myself. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 18:10, 26 September 2006 (PDT)
==Spam Blacklist Plugin==
* Homepage: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/SpamBlacklist_extension
* Source code: http://svn.wikimedia.org/viewvc/mediawiki/trunk/extensions/SpamBlacklist/
* The actual regex list: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Spam_blacklist
* Our own local extension to the blacklist file is at [[Meta:Spam Blacklist]]

==Bad-Behavior Plugin==
* [http://www.bad-behavior.ioerror.us/download/ Bad-Behavior 2]
* [http://www.bad-behavior.ioerror.us/2007/01/26/bad-behavior-on-php-520/#comment-1144 plus database tweak]
* [http://wiki.evernex.com/index.php?title=Bad_Behavior_2_Extended Support for Special:BadBehavior]
* View results at [[Special:BadBehavior]]

==SQL to Block "6 Hex Digit" Spammers==
mysql -B -uusername -ppassword -hhost databasename -e 'select user_id,user_name from user where user_name regexp "^[0-9A-Fa-f]{6}$";' > bad_users.txt

TODO for next time: where user_id not already in ipblocks table

cat bad_users.txt | perl -pne 's/(.*)\t(.*)/insert into ipblocks (ipb_address,ipb_user,ipb_by,ipb_reason,ipb_timestamp,ipb_expiry) values ("$2",$1,178,"Automated Spammer","20060926180300","20200101000000");/' > spammers.sql

ALTERNATIVE: reset their password

cat bad_users.txt | perl -pne 's/(.*)\t.*/update user set user_password="*" where user_id=$1;/' > spammers.sql

Execute the resulting SQL.

Meta:Spam Blocking

2007-07-10T00:16:21Z

BrianEnigma: /* SQL to Block "6 Hex Digit" Spammers */

Perplex City Wiki:Discussion

2007-07-10T00:12:14Z

BrianEnigma: /* Bloody vandals! */

__NEWSECTIONLINK__
==Perplex City Wiki Discussion Section==
As this is a discussion page for the setup and layout of the Wiki, i've set up this page on here instead of the forums. Regular users of the Wiki should be able to join in the discussion on topics which affect the wiki.

==Site Upgrade==
Upgraded the site to MediaWiki 1.9.0 ([http://sourceforge.net/project/shownotes.php?group_id=34373&release_id=477544 release notes]). I merged the styles and customizations, but dropped the "community sites" dropdown because it's too hard to maintain (for technical reasons, I can't hot-link to the JavaScript, so have to make a local cached version and merge that into the wiki monobook skin.) As always, if you experience any issues with the software, let me know. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 14:38, 17 January 2007 (PST)

== Collaboration of the Week? ==
I would like to propose adopting some of Wikipedia's projects--especially the '''Collaboration of the Week''' project. I'm very impressed with the wealth of knowledge that already exists in this wiki; however, many pages are outdated or stubs, and could use some serious work. Article writing is right up my alley; however, it seems foolish to tackle such a huge task myself. Besides, it'd be a lot more fun to work together as a group, article by article. :) I'd love to see the wiki shine. Thoughts? [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 08:42, 3 July 2006 (PDT)

:fFollowing up, I still think it's a good idea. Actually, xnera, what you've been doing lately is probably the best/only way a COTW will really work. pick a set of pages, and improve en masse. like with the info boxes and suchlike. Uhm, I guess I don't have much to really say here except, you know, wheee. you're doing a fFantatsic job, you know :) the wiki does indeed shine more every day you're here :) [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:33, 10 October 2006 (PDT)

::Now that I've had more experience editing our wiki... I don't think the formal process of the COTW, as done on Wikipedia, would work very well for us. Instead I'm thinking of more informal "smackdowns" (to borrow a phrase from LiveJournal Support <3), like perhaps making a post on the various fora and say, "Okay folks, this week we're going to work on adding the Perplexian Infobox to all character articles. GO!" [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 12:07, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

== User Security Levels ==
*sysop - gives you editing power on locked pages, the ability to make new users, and other little stuff. Basically it's the gold key access.
*bureaucrat - means you can change privs of other people as well.
*developer - I'm not entirely sure what this does, but presumably gives greater access to backpanel controls, so you can easily change the look and fFeel of things, one assumes.
In case you were wondering, there is also a "bot" priv which make users bots. hey hey :) I'm not entirely sure what the subtleties of that are, actually. presumably you can make a user a bot, and their edits are fFlagged a bit differently, fFor better or worse as you see fFit. make scripts fFor rapid edits of stuff, or red-flag annoying users. either way. we have no bots. :)

== Open Registration + Blacklist ==
What does everyone think about possibly opening up free registration to all, with registration required to edit articles, but using the [http://svn.wikimedia.org/viewvc/mediawiki/trunk/extensions/SpamBlacklist/README?view=markup MediaWiki Spam Blacklist] plugin? This is the same one that Wikipedia uses to prevent spammers. I'm not sure how much administrative overhead it is to manually add people to the user database--but even a tiny bit of manual intervention is an extra step that might deter a new user from contributing. I'd like to propose a "register-yourself" model with the Spam Blacklist plugin for a limited trial, until we get comfortable that it's either not working or working better than manually adding people. Then we can either continue to use it or revert back to the old way. Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

:I am reluctant to open registration. This is largely because I had to deal with the onslaught of spamming which occurred a year ago, and there's a good chance I would be the one to deal with it again in the fFuture. I can tell you, adding new users is a really simple thing. I have the page bookmarked, so all I need do when given a new account request is input a name, and generate a response to the person. Pretty easy on my part. However i do fFully recognize the fFact that any effort on the part of the luddite user may be the difference between contibuting new work, and turning away and never looking back. So letting the user do their own registration would be a great thing. So. yes. a trial period might be a good idea. Basically, as I understand it, the plugin simply refers to a blacklist everytime an edit is submitted. So as long as their blacklist is well kept, it should work out dandy. My vote is yes to a trial period, then. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 23:17, 24 September 2006 (PDT)

Yes, it updates from [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Spam_blacklist Wikipedia's blacklist] every 15 minutes. They're really good at controlling spam--I don't know how much of that to attribute to the blacklist and how much to attribute to manual removal, but we'll give it a chance for a few days/weeks and see what we get. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 17:35, 26 September 2006 (PDT)

:fFollowing up on this: Yes, it seems to be working so fFar. Which is to say, we have had no outbreaks in the past 2 weeks. fFar fFrom conclusive, of course. But it makes me happy. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:33, 10 October 2006 (PDT)

As a member of the CVU over at en:Wikipedia i'd just like to drop in my two pennies on this subject.
As far as I am concerned - even if we do get attacked with spam accounts:
*It's not hard to clear up - if a clearup is needed at all.
*99% of them won't actually make any edits.
*Any edits that are made are easily reverted.
And as for a malicious user - the wonderful words "Rollback" and "Revert" come to mind - as well as the trusy admin Block button. I can assist any admins who require any help using their powers or any aspect of the admin side of a mediawiki installation at all - just send me a message. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:04, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

::Is there anything skenmy can't do? :) Actually rollbacks were a nuisance in, what I'll call: the spam outbreak of last year. Conniving bastards made an edit with one user, made another edit with another user, then made another edit with a third user. Rollbacks (at least, at that time) only went back one edit, so you can see how that could be anoying. I was pretty new to how mediawiki works at the time, also, and I was basicaly all alone, so i sort of went into panick mode trying to rebuild 30 attacked pages. I'm obviously more knowledgeable at this time, and better equipped to handle attacks. (Though, since you mention it, what is the best way to do reverts? I know to edit past versions of the page, but maybe there is some other way.) Additionally ... since skenmy is a genius, maybe he knows the answer to this riddle: Is there a way to delete users, not just block them? Cheeeeeers! [[User:Scott|Scott]] 15:38, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

Not necessarily a genius - just been working with MediaWiki for a while now. I use a few aids over at Wikipedia to assist me with vandalism - various javascript programs and other standalone windows programs that connect to a live IRC framework that then sends out edits to a team of people who gauge and act accordingly. It may be possible - if you so wish - to get a couple of the more simple vandal-fighting apps working on here. Shouldn't need any server code changes - and I could quite easily test them if you want.

As for the removal of accounts - it is possible to *clean up* user accounts with maintenance/removeUnusedAccounts.php (Brian will have to do that in shell). I'll get in touch with the devs as for other spam accounts - especially ones that have made edits. Data integrity is key to keeping a wiki running. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 08:28, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

In addition - admins have special revert powers. I don't have too much experience with those - but it should be quite simple once I ask a WP admin. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 08:43, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

:I haven't cleaned up user accounts specifically with any of the /maintenance/ scripts, but I have blocked a bunch of obvious spam accounts in one big batch process. If anyone is interested, my notes are stored in [[Meta:Spam_Blocking]] in case I need to do it again. It looks like at least one spammer script just creates usernames made of 6 hex digits. A huge chunk of that namespace got taken up and is [[Special:Ipblocklist|now blocked]], so those scripts will start failing. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 15:27, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

A spammer got through today, so I ended up rolling back his changes and extending the Spam Blacklist plugin to also process a local list of blocked URL patterns. That list is at [[Meta:Spam Blacklist]]. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 15:27, 16 October 2006 (PDT)

===Spam Plugin Stopped Working===
Our spam blacklist plugin stopped working, and I wasn't able to determine, in 10-15 minutes, why. For now, I'm closing down the new user signed (i.e. reverting back to the "post your info on the Unfiction thread and we'll manually add you" method.) Tonight, I'll have a bit more time to more extensively debug. My thought is that this is related to Dreamhost silently upgrading their PHP version, which seems to have broken a number of things (including certain features of Wordpress.)

:So it turns out the spam blaclist plugin is working fine. The spammers just got more smart. The blacklist works by matching keywords on the domain name of a link (not on the text of the link because that could be anything.) In the past, spammers have linked to domains with the spammy words in the URL. Now, it seems they are hacking student accounts (lots and lots of pages at *.edu domains), putting spammy content there, then linking to the *.edu pages. This doesn't kick off the spam filter because *.edu is always good, right? ;) I went ahead and added the hacked *.edu domains to or local list of bad links. If it turns out that we really do need to link to a resource at one of those hacked *.edu domains, then we can handle it on a case-by-case basis. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 13:15, 12 June 2007 (PDT)

==Bad-Behavior Plugin==
Also, I installed the Bad-Behavior plugin, which works wonders on WordPress and should do pretty well with MediaWiki. See: [[Meta:Spam Blocking]] [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]]

== Title Template and Tiny Update ==
Brian put in some javascript today that means the [[Template:Title]] template I have copied over from my various other wikis now works here. You can use it to replace the big header text at the top of any page with any text you like. It is used as follows:
<nowiki>{{title|New Title Here}}</nowiki>
It is generally placed at the top of a page, above all the content, but I am pretty sure you could place it anywhere and it will work.

I also added the new section link magic word to the top of this page. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 10:01, 27 October 2006 (PDT)

:Okay, I'm intrigued. What would you do with it? [[User:Scott|Scott]] 19:21, 28 October 2006 (PDT)
::He means that we could change the line that says '''Perplex City Wiki:Discussion''' above the contents box to something like ''Plz to be discussing wiki here, kthxbye!'', if we were so inclined. I just used this to change the title on my User pages so my name has a small x instead of a capital one. I thank [[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] profusely for this, because that capital x was driving me batty. [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 13:16, 31 January 2007 (PST)

==Bloody vandals!==
OK Seriously ... any time there are more vandalizations than actual edits to the wiki, it is time to do something. Brian, are we still setup to only allow admin-created users? If not, I am going to suggest that is done. Or perhaps set it so only admins can edit, fFor a time, maybe? I dunno, but this is ridiculous. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 08:04, 9 July 2007 (PDT)

:Yep--only admins can create users still. Unfortunately, the spammers came in and created hundreds (if not thousands) of accounts that still exist. They can't add their spammy URLs, but they can (intentionally or as a side effect of whatever script they're using) remove stuff, which is exactly what they are doing. The last time a spammer created fake accounts, they were pretty easy to spot--all upercase, consisting of 6 hex digits. I even had a script (see [[Meta:Spam Blocking]]) to kill off those users. I tried to do that this time, but found it would blow away a bunch of valid users/usernames, so didn't continue. A snapshot of the list of possibilities is currently at http://perplexcitywiki.com/bad_users.txt although I now realize that I could probably kill off their passwords, then if the person is a valid user, they can have the password emailed to them. Hmmm.... yeah... maybe I'll investigate that possibility... [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 17:12, 9 July 2007 (PDT)

Hobbs Island Transcript

2007-07-09T02:51:11Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by JpjArf (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Season1}}

{{Hobbs Island Transcript}}
This is the transcript of what was seen to occur on [[Hobbs Island]], in the [[Lancewood Archipelago]]. [[Violet]] and [[Scarlett]] went on a random hunt here, looking for clues from [[Anthony Granier]]. When they arrived, they discovered some sort of bunker, which had previously gone under the guise of a lighthouse. They started to need some help, so contacted [[Kurt]], who setup a [http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/map.html chat interface and viewer].

The dates discovered during these events can be seen in relation to each other and PPC general history in the [[Timeline:History|Timeline]].

==THURSDAY, 21-SEP-06==

On Thursday, 21 September 2006 (269 PXC), [[Violet]] and [[Scarlett]] explored Level one of the bunker. They discovered it was a [[Lancewood Labs|laboratory]], self-sufficient in power from an undetermined source. The laboratory includes military-style barracks with bunks and a mess hall. One of the dishes served in the dining room was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tansy tansy pudding], an abortificant.

The lab opened in February 1732 (5 BC, PXC). [[Vianne_Adamek|Master Adamek]] was present for the opening. In 1733, the lab received a new "anti-air battery", which Kurt guessed is for a surface-to-air missle. We also learned that in December 1736, [[Viehattle]] ended the cease-fire and declared war on Perplex City.

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:21-SEP-06]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=1

==FRIDAY, 22-SEP-06==

Level two of the labs was explored on Friday, 22 September 2006. Two pressurized labs were discovered, with equipment such as a Class 5A Laser and a Magnetic Micromanipulator. Each lab had an observation room attached.

The lab's purpose appears to be for a Material Research & Control project, experimenting on a 'General Purpose Self-Contained Material System (Cubic)' -- aka, the [[Receda Cube]]. Findings suggest the experiments wer trying to acheive a max coherence time to extend its capabilities:
::12 March 1732 - max coherence 0.2s acheived
::2 June 1732 - June 2nd 1732 - max coherence to 1.3s, but power spikes. Change silicon doping?
::late 1732 - programming breakthrough, coherence extended to 10s

An accident occurred in December 1736, leading to the deaths of Drs. [[Kennard]] and [[Cook]]. A letter from [[Vianne_Adamek|Adamek]] to [[Edwina Mountling]] states that [[Anthony Granier]] with be appointed the Government Liason for the lab.

[[Violet]] discovered that the elevator has two doors, leading to a second set of rooms for level 2. With this discovery, we learned that the lab's floorplans mimic the design of the [[Third Power|3P]] symbol.

[[Violet]], [[Scarlett]], and [[Kurt]] all remark that it's weird no one's found the lab before this; the Kiteway sisters plan to question the islanders about this.

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:22-SEP-06]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=2

==MONDAY, 25-SEP-06==

Level Three is explored. The crew discovers the offices of Granier and Mountling. Violet is intrigued by Mountling's personal diaries. They discover a number of sealed off machine and experimentation rooms.

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:25-SEP-06]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=5

==TUESDAY, 26-SEP-06==

'''It's The Cube! They were building The Receda Cube!'''

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:26-SEP-06]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=6

==TUESDAY NIGHT/WEDNESDAY MORNING, 26-SEP-06==

Power surge! Maybe it's just old wiring. Hey, did I hear a door opening...?

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:26-SEP-06b]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=6

==WEDNESDAY, 27-SEP-06==

Here there be monsters.

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:27-SEP-06]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=7

==THURSDAY, 28-SEP-06==

*Read the whole transcript: [[Hobbs_Island_Transcript:28-SEP-06]]
*Read it on the source site:
:http://events.perplexcity.com/gateway/scarlettkiteway/labs/blogmessages.php?date=8

[[Category: Transcripts]]

Postcard Code

2007-07-08T18:40:55Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by RbbMew (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Season0}}

The code of '''221545484848465100503215''' is beneath the Semacode on the [[Perplex City Postcard]], does this mean something? This page is going to be used as a workpad for the puzzle.

==Images==

{|
|[[Image:Postcard_semacode.jpg|thumb|Postcard Semacode]]
|}

==Theories==

* We've tried using numerical translations into Kanji and Hebrew. No luck, though "2210" gives us "SEEK."
* Various ROTing, and conversion to ASCII then ROTing proved...nothing but gibberish.
* Equally, running modulus calculations on the number to bring it into number spaces for ASCII etc. AND converting to ASCII as base 10 and base 16 AND ROTing the results gives yet more gibberish.
* Ditto multiplying the number by 2210 (the number next to the semacode stamp on the card) and trying the above operations.
* Tried translating to EBCDIC: still gibberish.
* Too many digits to be an ISBN or a latitude/longitude. Though could be two (22:15:45 48:48:48 and 46:51:00 50:32:15, see below for further speculation on that!)
* Tried mapping numbers to characters in the text of the postcard (i.e. first character in Sente's message is 00, second character is 01 etc.) trying various starting points and different combinations of including/ignoring spaces, hyphens, line-breaks etc. Results were meaningless so ROTed them but still no obvious message.
* Also tried mapping numbers to the letter on the www.perplexcity.com home page.
* Also tried mapping numbers to other various strings on the postcard as well as other sources on the www.perplexcity.com site, with different offsets, base 9, 10, etc. For all ~5000 results see: [http://wiki.incognitus.net/files/ppc/allstrings_base10.txt Base 10] and [http://wiki.incognitus.net/files/ppc/allstrings_base9.txt Base 9]
* Shish tried converting to music using 'beep' command in Linux and Tanner tried mobile phone ringtones but no obvious answers or recognisable tunes were found. Tanner has now broken out into doing [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tanspace/ssm/perpno3.MP3 Postcard Code Remixes] as MP3s, available from his site.
* Frequency analysis of the numbers was similarly unsuccessful. Assuming the string was one-digit numbers gave far too much repetition of characters (for example the 484848 would probably be tetete or etetet) for a meaningful message. Assuming the string was 2 (or more) digit numbers prevented frequency analysis simply because there wasn't enough data to work with (frequency analysis works best over a very large amount of encrpyted data).
* Currently trying various ways of converting number to binary (all possible methods of writing number in binary have been listed on unfiction forum by Seej) then converting that binary to morse code, i.e. 0 = dot, 1 = dash (or vice versa) and interpreting that series of dots and dashes (actually more complicated than it sounds as morse code characters don't always have the same number of dots and dashes so there's no clear way to tell when one character has ended and another has begun).
* Binary number strings from above method also all converted to ASCII but non-alphabetic characters were output.
* It's not a prime number.
* We've tried indexing in every way to every available text (ie, 31 could be 3rd sentence, 1st word; 3rd paragraph, 1st letter, etc.)
* It's not a phone number or a credit card.
* graphing it in various ways hasn't revealed anything.
* Doesn't appear to be related to a deck of cards because of repeating sequences.
* Assuming code is a series of 2 digit numbers:
**Reasons to believe this:
**#"484848" jumps out as a pattern
**#the numbers are clearly clustered and not very random
**#all 12 numbers range from 00-51
**Since numbers range 00-51 we've tried several simple translations using 2 alphabets (ex. A=00, B=01,...Z=25,A=26,...Z=51).
**#In some cases "484848" translates to "www", but the rest doesn't look like a URL (also tried tinyurl)
**#In other cases, it translates into a set of letters which can be scrambled to come up with "cube" but the rest is undecipherable. Note: letter on website refers to "XXX Cube" where XXX is blacked out. It looks like about 6 or 7 letters in length, so it could be a proper name.
**Translating the number in ASCII using Base64 results in "WPtwwwuzAygP" (again resulting in the appearance of "www")
* It has been suggested that the number may simply be a key for a cipher such as MD5 or RSA but there is no way to verify this until further encrypted messages are received on which the number can be used as a key. This is unlikely to happen until the game starts properly.
* Tried converting the number into different numeric strings and converting to hex, to get unicode and Adobe Postscript characters. Provided Gibberish thus far, even after ROT'ing.
* Tried converting the number to an IPv4 address a few different ways. There are probably more. ([http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8270&start=398 Link])
* Tried plotting pairs of numbers as (x,y) coordinates, i.e. the first coordinate would be (22,15). Then joined up coordinates in order plotted, but it didn't give any meaningful shape.
*If 484848 means www, no web extensions can be found through any rots, both forwards and backwards. This also indicates that even if the code is a continously changing code, it isn't a web address.
*Could be a continously changing code every pattern of letters.
*None of the below means anything to us yet:
**22 15 45 48 48 48 46 51 00 50 32 15
**221 545 484 848 465 100 503 215 = html co-ords? 221, 545, 484, 848, 465, 100, 503, 215
**2215 4548 4848 4651 0050 3215
**221545 484848 465100 503215
**22154548 48484651 00503215

*Tried converting numbers to letters in a 52-piece alphabet, and rotting the letters with code 2210, for example, 22 becomes W and is changed to ROT 2, 15 is P and is changed to ROT 2, 45 is T and is changed to ROT 1, 48 is W and isn't changed at all. No solutions.
*Tried adding each number cumulatively to the previous number/sum of numbers, then converting into letters. All ROTs produce nothing. However, only done using single digit numbers.
*It's not a UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Royal Mail parcel tracking number.
**However, tracking it on Parcelforce worldwide as an "Incoming International Parcel" gives us: ''We are currently unable to confirm that status of your parcel. Please check the number and try again.'' The error message of a national parcel (internal to the UK) is: ''The reference number you have given may be incorrect, or, if you are tracking a parcel sent from outside of the UK, you may not have ticked the “Incoming international parcel?” box. Please check and try again.'' The number does not match the example tracking number format, so this can probably be disregarded.
*Spankit realised that the number multiplied by e (2.718...) gives a fairly accurate (0.0014%) estimate of avogadro's number (which is the number of molecules in a mole of any substance). Current spec includes "e-mole" and that this was just a silly joke.

*Attmempted typing the number into a note pad program, copying a picture of this, then putting that into a graphic editing program. Tried flipping numbers around and upside-down to little avail- However, the last four digits, 3215, when flipped vertically and horizontally, seems like "Size"
*Realized that the all the numbers the code are also numbers which are used in "leet speak." Trouble is, is that the number two can stand for either 'R' or 'Z', and the numbers eight and six are both sometimes used to stand for 'B.' The last four digits like this spell out "Eris." Also attempted reading it backwards, with "sire," the reverse of "Eris," being the only real word to show up. However, "Sireo" and and "Sasir" seem familiar, somehow...

==Latitude/Longitude==

Just for completeness and due to the luck of hitting the Crozet Islands almost exactly here is an analysis of the number as a set of coords. There are four possible translations of the two possible locations, I'll list them below with links to satellite imagery of each. Each refers to counting the coords as North or South and East or West.

'''''22:15:45 48:48:48'''''

N/E: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=48.8133333333333&cpy=22.2625&res=6000&provider_id=370&t=pan Saudi Arabia in the Khali Desert somewhere]

N/W: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=-48.8133333333333&cpy=22.2625&res=15000&provider_id=350&t=pan Mid-Atlantic] - can be ignored IMHO.

S/E: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=48.8133333333333&cpy=-22.2625&res=4000&provider_id=370&t=pan Off the coast of Madagascar] - once again, can be ignored?

S/W: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=-48.8133333333333&cpy=-22.2625&res=10000&provider_id=370&t=pan Southern Brazil]

'''''46:51:00 50:32:15'''''

N/E: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=50.5375&cpy=46.85&res=15000&provider_id=370&t=pan West Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea coast - Just into the water] - not land, can be ignored again?

N/W: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=-50.5375&cpy=46.85&res=10000&provider_id=370&t=pan Off the coast of Newfoundland] - and ignored again?

S/E: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=50.5375&cpy=-46.85&res=20000&provider_id=370&t=pan Crozet Islands in the extreme southern Indian Ocean]

S/W: [http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_gx.asp?cpx=-50.5375&cpy=-46.85&res=20000&provider_id=350&t=pan South Atlantic off the coast of South America] - ignored again.

==The Soogees Link==

For those who don't know, [http://www.soogees.com/ Soogees] was created as a fun puzzle, quoted as "a little diversion". We traversed our way through the puzzles, finally reaching the [http://s1.soogees.com/theend.htm TheEnd.htm] puzzle. After modifying the colour table in photoshop, we got this string of numbers:

2215 45 484 848 4651 00503 215

These perfectly correspond to the number string under the Semacode on the postcard. By entering http://s1.soogees.com/221545484848465100503215.htm we were directed to another puzzle, another GIF.

However, [http://s1.soogees.com/elohtibbar.htm the puzzle trail has now been completed] and its author, Ehsan, had this to say about the link:

'''''Trivia:''''' ''The number is an unsolved string from the upcoming ARG, Perplex City. Even though soogees is not affiliated with PC, you are encouraged to play it anyway, because it seems to be very interesting indeed.''

== Results ==

* Nothing conclusive... but interesting.

VHC tempfile

2007-07-08T18:40:44Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by KnrLxv (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

{{Season1}}

==General==
*On October 12, 2006, [[Scarlett]] and [[Violet]] visited the [[Viendenbourg Heritage Centre]], a tourist facility on the site of the [[Viendenbourg]] military base. At the end of the tour, they hooked up their keys and [[Kurt]] pulled this low-level file from the military base's computer system. {{WaybackS1|www.thescarlettkite.com/archives/2006/10/scrambled.html}}
*The file was translated by removing all non-alphanumeric characters and formatting the file by hand ([http://perplexorum.com/showthread.php?p=3336#post3336 link])
*The information found relates to [[Special Project 487]].

==References==
*article, 16-OCT-06 "[[Academy]], [[Camryn Scott|Scott]] [[VHC_tempfile|Implicated in Human Trials]] of [[War|Wartime]] Tech" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/10/academy_scott_i.html}}

==Documents and Files found within tempfile==
All parts of the tempfile appear to be used, and break down into the following documents:
*[[Emails from Aparna]]
*[[Emails between Sente Kiteway and Chadwick]]
*[[Lab reports]], canine and human
*[[VHC Security log]]
*[[VHC gif file]]

==File Content==
''The reader is encouraged to remember that this file has been cleaned up and edited massively by [[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]], and then further checked. It is a transcript of readable text, and does not include data for what has been speculated to be a .gif file.'''' Also - although the file splits into different sections here, this is for easy reading. This is one long file.''

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:1302269

:Geopositioning and visual evidence indicates accuracy +/-10m. Vertical plane +5m.

:Finally pulled the plaster off. Argh. Said we should still be friends though - mistake? I know you're right - most obvious rebound relationship ever but I still feel bad for the poor little guy. Still, onwards and upwards right?

:Subject appears agitated entering first phase.

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:EM interference recognised in first phase.

:Laika 212 prepped for transfer.<Lab 7, L4>

:Drinks tonight?

:Dampers and shielding seem to minimise EM interference. Down to 3%.

:Geopositioning indicates accuracy to within 1.5km on horizontal plane.

:Gamma shields fully effective.

:Third phase partially successful. Subject 50% integrated with site infrastructure. Reports extreme pain and disorientation.

:[[Sente|Master]] in attendence.

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:Geopositioning and visual evidence indicates accuracy +/-10m. Vertical plane -1m.

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:Third phase successful. 100% reconstitution resolves in Unit 6a, Level 3. Subject intact. Subject severely agitated. Subject tranquilized.

:Subject expired.
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:Gamma shields fully effective.

:Isotope signal strong.

:2207269

:Subject reports confidence entering first phase.

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:Isotope signal strong.

:::// not yet reviewed
:::// 35% negative emotional state

:Laika 224 prepped for transfer.

:EM interference negligible.
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:Mjr [[Elan]] prepped for transfer.

:f8080:xx95034 internal error bourgmail
:criticalerror 420
:error-authconflict
:error-redirect
:error-handover
:error-output
:fatal-close

:EM interference negligible.

:{ extrapolated: badge {line 16} extracted }

:[[Aparna]]

:Hey Akos

:::// not yet reviewed
:::// 85% negative emotional state

:EM interference negligible.

:Laika 219 prepped for transfer.

:Mjr [[Jackson]] prepped for transfer.

:{ extrapolated: badge {line 16} extracted }

::// labeled A;
::// triangulated location mapped; entry
::// passive badge { present }
::// badge query { [[Chadwick|chadwick, f]] {885ea} }

:Geopositioning and visual evidence indicates accuracy +/-10m.

:2002269

:Gamma shields fully effective.

:0303269

:This is not a decision to be taken lightly. I will comply with your judgement on the matter, though I urge you to authorise the new stage.

::{ lab system 7;
::active badge interrogated, passed }

:[[Chadwick]],

:Subject docile entering first phase.

:EM interference negligible .

:Third phase partial success. Subject 40% integrated with site infrastructure.

:[Recommend application for funding extension.]

:Subject reports calmness and confidence entering first phase.
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:Geopositioning indicates accuracy +/-1km. Verticals unclear.

:Tau-Seven authorised.

:[[Jake Maine|Mjr Maine]] prepped for transfer.

:[[Chadwick]]

:Third phase unknown. Subject lost.

:EM interference negligible.

:[[Sente Kiteway|Master Kiteway]],

:Gamma shields fully effective.

:However, I feel we are reaching the boundaries of our potential with canine subjects. Laika 233 has degenerated severely since her transfer, fluctuating between extreme aggression and selfharm. If we are to fully understand the nature of transference, we must have access to fuller feedback. I propose we initiate Tau-Seven.

:[[Aparna]]

:Subject docile entering first phase.

:Gamma shields fully effective.

:<message begins>

:<message ends>

:Audio evidence suggests subject remains in phase two. Unconfirmed

:2609269

:: ::start 657576 +000000
:: ::start 657602 +000000
:: ::archive location { dev 19 }
:: ::index { no }
:: ::retention { 1 }
:: ::processing time { 0.39 }
:: ::
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

::{ lab system 7;
::active badge interrogated, passed }

:Third phase only partial success. Subject retrieved. 65% reconstitution. Laika 212 expired.

:Subject lost.

:Third phase unknown.

:Laika 233 prepped for transfer.

:Subject reports confidence entering first phase.

:0909269

:[[Stephens|Mjr Stephens]] prepped for transfer.

:Subject expired.

:0408269

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:I don't really know how to say this, and I know it's cowardly of me to do it over keymail, but I think we need to take a break. The past couple of months have been great, and you're a really sweet guy, but I don't know that I'm ready for a new relationship yet, so soon after [[Ian]]. I do care a lot about you though, and I hope we can still be friends.

:Isotope signal strong.

:Your friend,

:2108269

:Subject reports readiness entering first phase.

::// labeled A;
::// triangulated location mapped; exit
::// passive badge { present }
::// badge query { [[Chadwick|chadwick, f]] {885ea} }

:Progress noted and submitted to [[Sente Kiteway|SK]].
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:[[Choi|Mjr Choi]] prepped for transfer.

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:: ::start 658903 +000000
:: ::start 657989 +000000
:: ::archive location { dev 19 }
:: ::index { no }
:: ::retention { 1 }
:: ::processing time { 0.39 }
:: ::

:As you are aware, a great deal of progress has been made in recent weeks. Phase one has been securely established and geotargeting is increasing in accuracy.

:2602269

:First phase appears successful. Dissolution complete.

:Dear [[Martin]]

::[LOG EXCERPT ENDS]

:Third phase unsuccessful. Geopositioning has no lock. Repeated signals produce no response within range.

:EM interference negligible.
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:Subject lost.

:EM interference negligible.

:Gamma shields fully effective.

:[[Camryn Scott|CS]] has approved additional funding and, for my part, I give you my full support.

:Isotope signal strong.

:Subject reports readiness entering first phase.

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.

:Geopositioning and visual evidence indicates accuracy +/-50m. Vertical plane 0m.

:Third phase partially successful. Subject 20% integrated with site infrastructure; 15% with SSO [[Carter]].
|}

{{quote}}
:<Lab 7, L4>

:Subject lost.

:Geopositioning signal faint and intermittent. Estimated accuracy +/-500km. Signal lost after 95secs.

:<message ends>

:Third phase unsuccessful. Geopositioning has no lock. Repeated signals produce no response within range.

:Subject reports extreme pain, disorientation.

:Subject severely injured. Expired at 18:15.

:<message begins>

:[[Carter]] expected to recover with prosthetic. Not expected to return to duty.

:f8080:xx95034
:internal error bourgmail
:criticalerror 420
:error-authconflict
:error-redirect
:error-handover
:error-output
:fatal-close

:Go with [[Gyvann]].

:First phase successful. Dissolution complete.
|}

{{VHCdata}}

Misprints and Rarities

2007-07-07T05:00:48Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by WdgGl4 (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

Annaliese Adamek

2007-07-05T23:56:31Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by AbxRg2 (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{cleanup}}

==Family==
*Husband: [[Sanjean Adamek]]
*Neices: [[Violet Kiteway]] & [[Scarlett Kiteway]]
*Makes fantastic coffee cake

==References==
*[[Scarlett]]'s blog, The Scarlett Kite
**entry, 21-AUG-06, "Unsulk" {{WaybackS1|www.thescarlettkite.com/archives/2006/08/unsulk.html}}

Site Mirrors

2007-07-02T02:15:49Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by SqfQm7 (Talk); changed back to last version by Edgemaster

At present, there exists only one place to gaze through old Perplex City stuff. That is at The Official Perplex City Wayback Machine.

<big>'''http://wayback.perplexcitystories.com/'''</big>

And, by the way, if you want to link to any sentinel articles pertaining to season 1, you will need to prepend the link with:

http://wayback.perplexcitystories.com?season=1&url=

Other past mirrors have existed. You may still spot links to them around the wiki. You will quickly notice those links don't work, and you should probably make an attempt to correct them when noticed.

* http://wiki.incognitus.net/mirror/ppc/ - Incognitus Site Mirror, setup by Nik Doof.
* http://qube.netninja.com/pxcmirrors/ - Netninja Site Mirror, setup by Brian Enigma.

Helix Hesh

2007-07-02T02:15:42Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Kn6Rkz (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

==General==
* President and CEO of [[Hesh Records]]
* Officially formed [[Hesh Records]]: 01/01/246
* Lives in a [[Mobius Strip]] mansion/bachelor pad.
* Age: 45 ''(as of NOV-05)''
*"A confirmed, and unabashed, womaniser," "infamous ladies' man"

*A self-made man
**Grew up in a slum neighbourhood in the [[Old Town]]
**Began his career as a DJ but quickly moved on to music production.
**He borrowed 20,000 [[Lecks]] from a [[Carrick Foundation]] grant scheme to found Hesh Records
**Within ten years had turned it into more than 20 million.

*Has courted such notables as:
**professional [[Wheel]] player [[Carlotta Howard]]
**[[Academy]] Senior Fellow [[Astrid Lindstrom]]
**Pop Musician [[Satine Noir]]
**[[PCX]] Director [[Giordana Moore]]
**[[CRT]] Member [[Tippy Ankron]]
**[[PCAG]] star [[Serena Duncan]]

*The Sentinel [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/serena_helix_se.html speculated] about problems arising between Helix and [[Tippy]]. Eventually, that relationship blew up in Tippy's face. She helped us get back at him a bit by giving us clues to the password to his private file area. (see below)
*Hesh was rumored, in early June 2006, to be engaged to PCAG star [[Serena Duncan]]. The facts eventually came out that Duncan was frightened to be attached to such a heavy philanderer. The pair has had a tumultuous relationship which some speculate is ideal for them.

==Office & Professional Information==
* Office number: 701
*'''Password:''' appassionato
''As found in his personal file space, 10-APR-06''
*[http://www.hesh-intranet.com/heshencrypted/data/m7z5qsp9fh2jbsdl71tlnm05f01v5to6/CogniviaMarch.pdf CogniviaMarch.pdf]
*[[:Image:Serena-Duncan-Large.jpg|serena.jpg]]
*[http://www.hesh-intranet.com/heshencrypted/data/q6w3k9dpn3ap2nb0f1z78v71iyzlsn3j/cab_warning.txt cab_warning.txt]
*[http://www.hesh-intranet.com/heshencrypted/data/0biv1itdmfbhbb3ufe4en6kei6msjfqa/cab_notes.txt cab_notes.txt]
*[http://www.hesh-intranet.com/heshencrypted/data/z1uhhn9imxoppqxkmq9mll2gi33io81y/liquor%20order.txt liquor order.txt]
''Other apparently deleted, locked, or unavailable files include:''
*tips.jpg ''(probably a picture of [[Tippy Ankron]])''
*RFD Surprise ''(Something nice for [[Roll For Damage]])''
*4Q Sales.pdf ''(The latest report on how Hesh Records is doing)''
*Revised Distr--? ''(The current list of who is selling Hesh albums within the city)''
*PCSO Member--? ''(Something regarding the [[Perplex City String Orchestra]], which Hesh attends regularly)''
*Internal Security
*Phantom Ma--?

==References==
*Hesh Intranet profile/messages {{WaybackS1|www.hesh-ibntranet.com/heshencrypted/employee.php?dept=0&eid=0}}
**[http://hesh-intranet.com/heshencrypted/data/h65gs61hpld4gqpnc7alb7ahuc9ngyr0/employee_guests.txt Solstice party employee guests]

*'''Perplex City Sentinel'''
**article, 24-NOV-05 "[[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews.... Helix Hesh" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/11/iona_interviews_11.html}}
**article, 23-MAR-06, "[[Serena Duncan|Serena]], [[Helix Hesh|Helix]] Seen in Romantic Interlude" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/serena_helix_se.html}}
**article, 30-MAY-06, "[[Serena Duncan|Serena]] to wed [[Helix Hesh|Hesh]], Confirmed Bachelor?" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/05/serena_to_wed_h.html}}
**more news in brief, 05-JUN-06 "[[Serena Duncan|Serena]] Denies Engagement"
**article, 06-JUL-06 "View from Earth: The Need for Celebrity" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/07/view_from_earth_45.html}}
**article, 25-SEP-06 "[[KT]] Weds in Seaside Lighting Ceremony" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/09/kt_weds_in_ligh.html}}
**article, 12-OCT-06 "Foundering [[Serena Duncan|Duncan]] Eager for [[Ryan Cahill|Rematch]] {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/10/foundering_dunc.html}}
**article, 01-DEC-06 "[[Helix Hesh|Hesh]], [[Serena Duncan|Duncan]] Happy Together Again" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/12/hesh_duncan_hap.html}}
**article, 29-JAN-07 "[[Joya]] Announces New Album in Spring" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/01/joya_announces.html}}

Talk:The Thirteenth Labour

2007-07-02T02:15:38Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by ZnwRgr (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{COTW}}

As far as I can tell "Assault on 13th Labour" are attacking the wrong cipher. They are attacking standard RC5 - that is, RC5-32/12/8 - when they should be attacking the nonstandard variant RC5-64/12/8. [[User:Ciphergoth|Ciphergoth]] 09:00, 3 June 2006 (PDT)

Comment from chimera245: The Assault Client was developped from the RCCRYPT package - according to Von's hint - version 1.6 to be exact (though 1.4 id identical in decryption terms). From the first page of the Unfiction thread:

64/12/8

This is VERY standard notation for the encryption used. It means that when it's being processed, 64 bits of the text are processed at a time. They are processed 12 times and that the key used to process them is 8 bytes (64 bits) long. This makes it almost certain that it's RC5-64 encryption.

Each block is processed in two 64 bit words at a time, for 12 rounds, using an 8 byte key.

The source has been verified by people who were actually involved in the original d.net assault on RC5-64 as a valid port of RCCRYPT 1.4 or 1.6. All of the clients used in this attempt (even those prior to mine) have been based upon the same premise - that Von's hint of RCCRYPT is the appropriate pointer. In actual fact, RCCRYPT calls itself 128 bit, not 64 bit - but by definition it is RC5-64.

[[User:Chimera245|Chimera245]] Edited to clarify twice, last at 17:00, 6 June 2006 (PDT)

:I am familiar with this notation (I'm a cryptographer) but it's not standard for block ciphers in general - it's specific to RC5. RC5-32/12/8 processes 64 bits at a time. RC5-64/12/8 would process 128 bits at a time. The number is half what you would expect because RC5 splits the input into two halves and each half acts on the other. I have checked the original RC5 paper - I recommend you do the same if you think I'm mistaken. Thanks! [[User:Ciphergoth|Ciphergoth]] 02:37, 22 June 2006 (PDT)

Hi
I thought I made it clear earlier with the description of RCCRYPT a processing data in two 64 bit words at a time, but the RCCRYPT source, and the 13th labour client both process the data correctly - as RC5-64. I posted a more detailed explanation on UNFICTION - which you probably haven't seen. I am wondering where you are getting your information that we are doing otherwise?

Much cut and pastage follows, but the complete link is [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=246273#246273 here]

<QUOTE>
There has been some discussion in places that we MAY not be performing the correct RC5 decryption process. In fact this morning I had my own doubts.

SO, I talked to the organ grinder (not the monkey) as it were, and referred to the original paper - to confirm once and for all in my own mind that all was well:

http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/~rivest/Rivest-rc5.pdf

I would like to answer this one and for all now.

To quote from the paper:

As noted above� RC� is word�oriented� all of the basic computational oper�
ations have w�bit words as inputs and outputs� RC� is a block�cipher with a
two�word input �plaintext� block size and a two�word �ciphertext� output block
size�

The 64/12/8 refers to the following

w/r/b

w == Word Size (64 bits)
r == Number of Rounds
b == Number of Bytes in Key

The RCCRYPT package, which I used to base my code on, and is the subject of Von's hint, uses EXACTLY this pattern.

I know a few of you have reviewed the code privately, but just to quell any further speculation, here is, size by side, the code from RCCRYPT and my code for open comparison:

RCCRYPT:

/*now we have sixteen bytes ready to work on*/
/*split it into two ULLONGs, left and right*/

L = (ULLONG *)buffer;
R = (ULLONG *)(buffer+8);

/*Put the data into host byte order*/
*L = ntohll (*L);
*R = ntohll (*R);

/*decrypt the data...*/
for (i=rounds;i>=1;i--)
{
*R = rrotate(*R - S[2*i+1] , *L ) ^ *L;
*L = rrotate(*L - S[2*i], *R) ^ *R;
}
*L -= S[0];
*R -= S[1];

/*Convert buffer back to network order*/
*L = htonll(*L);
*R = htonll(*R);

And my DLL:

L = System.BitConverter.ToUInt64(buffer,0);
R = System.BitConverter.ToUInt64(buffer,8);

if (this.m_clientType == 1)
{
L = NToHLL(L);
R = NToHLL(R);
}

//decrypt the data
for (i=this.m_rounds;i>=1;i--)
{
R = RRotate(R - this.m_S[2*i+1] , L ) ^ L;
L = RRotate(L - this.m_S[2*i], R) ^ R;
}

L -= this.m_S[0];
R -= this.m_S[1];

if (this.m_clientType == 1)
{
L = HToNLL(L);
R = HToNLL(R);
}

Hopefully this can now move on.
<END QUOTE>

[[User:Chimera245|Chimera245]] 23rd June 2006 (PDT)

:Hey, y'all...let me make it totally clear that I know -nothing- about the technical side of this, so the following comments are from an outsider's perspective. My thoughts are first, that MC are definitely aware of our efforts, and if we were doing this monumental undertaking on the wrong kind of cipher, they certainly would have had one of the characters slip it into a blog post, or even have done a Sentinel article on it, if they really wanted to get our attention. Second, it can probably be resolved by e-mailing them to ask...I'd go for Kurt or Adrian. Hope that helps! -[[User:Lhall|Lhall]] 10:35, 23 June 2006 (PDT)

Academy Oversight Committee

2007-07-02T02:15:17Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by RlnYn7 (Talk); changed back to last version by EdgemasterAWB

{{Season1}}

==General==
{{quote}}
"It is clear that under the administration of [Academy] Master [Sente] Kiteway, the Academy has lost its way," Earlywine said. "It is my hope that the reintroduction of transparency to the highest levels of the Academy will restore the public's trust in the Academy and in the City Council."

--[[Nathan Earlywine|Nathan "Evil" Earlywine]], shortly after rising to power [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/10/earlywine_wins.html following an impromptu election]
|}

The goal of the oversight committee was essentially to report to the [[City Council]], and make sure the Academy was acting in the best interest of those in the city who look to it for guidance and excellence. The committee was not formed to take direct action itself, but to draft proposals to present to the City Council; however, the council's resolution forming the committee did allow for the committee itself to request authority for unilateral executive action if it becomes necessary.

==Members==
#[[Academy]] Senior Fellow [[Astrid Lindstrom]]
#[[Academy]] Senior Fellow [[Inari Ekeba]]
#[[Cube Retrieval Team]] Member [[Garnet Reed]]
#[[Centrifuge]] CEO [[Halima Bourne]]
#[[Marmalejo College]] Dean [[Thomas Waxwick]]
#[[Cognivia]] Director of Research [[Dale Robarding]]
#[[PCAG]] Chairman [[Robert Zhi-Hui]]
#[[PCX]] Managing Director [[Giordana Moore]]
#Philanthropist [[Paulina Rudon-Birch]]

The initial longlist of nominations featured over seventy individuals and included education analysts, city planners, noteworthy artists and urban anthropologists. All of the appointees are themselves Academy graduates, and many have held fellowships. "The council was united in aiming for individuals who want to do the right thing by the Academy and by the city," said Council Member [[Ruth Sawyer]]. "In some ways the Academy embodies the heart of Perplex City. It transcends politics. It's important to respect that."

==Progress==
Initially, the committee and [[Sente Kiteway]] were coming at odds. Unsurprisingly, Kiteway refused to yield to some of the demands of the committee.

However, after Kiteway's [[key]] had been turned over to the Committee at the end of December 2006, certain notes came to light which implicated him in a [[PCAG]] investigation being conducted by the [[Substance Compliance Program]]. Though the two groups are not directly related, the information could not be suppressed, and one committee handed information over to the other.

After this exchange, Kiteway (as well as [[Ryan Cahill]]) was soon arrested, during the 2007 Academy Founder's Ball. Staging the arrest during the Ball was almost certainly a calculated power play by the Committee. By exercising their might in this way, they have established a sense of control over the Academy, and Sente himself.

Nearly a month later, after Cahill's full confession and Sente's release, [[Garnet Reed]] expressed "personal regrets" about his role in the whole sordid affair.

Finally, on 05-MAR-07, the [[News at The Point]] newscast reported the Committee had been disbanded. Sente Kiteway was quoted as saying "Put this difficult chapter behind us." Nathan Earlywine coolly responded "Time for fresh Beginnings."

==General==
*article, 03-NOV-06 "[[Earlywine]] Planning to Appoint [[Academy Oversight Committee]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/11/earlywine_plann.html}}
*article, 16-NOV-06 "[[Oversight Committee]] Members Appointed" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/11/oversight_commi.html}}
*article, 01-DEC-06, "[[Kiteway]], [[Academy Oversight Committee|Committee]] Butting Heads" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/12/kiteway_committ.html}}
*article, 01-DEC-06 "[[Sente Kiteway|Kiteway]], [[Academy Oversight Committee|Committee]] Butting Heads" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/12/kiteway_committ.html}}
*article, 05-JAN-07 "[[Sente Kiteway|Kiteway]] Implicated in [[PCAG]] [[Substance Compliance Program|Drug Fraud Investigation]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/01/kiteway_implica.html}}
*article, 16-JAN-07 "[[Sente|Kiteway]] Arrested at [[PCAG]] Victor's Ball" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/01/kiteway_arreste.html}}
*article, 18-JAN-07 "[[Academy]] Security 'Sievelike,' Says Expert" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/01/academy_securit.html}}
*article, 05-FEB-07 "[[Cahill]] Confesses, [[Sente]] Sprung" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/cahill_confesse.html}}

{{AOC}}

Ceretin

2007-06-29T16:49:30Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by MpxA9o (Talk); changed back to last version by EdgemasterAWB

{{cleanup}}

'''"Ceretin is a drug used to sharpen attention and provide selective cognitive enhancement." - [http://www.cognivia.com/products/ceretin/'''Cognivia].

''See also: [[Medication]]''

* '''Homepage:''' http://www.cognivia.com/products/ceretin/
* Development began on the first generation of Ceretin in 1992 (255AC)
* First sold in 1997 (260AC).
* Manufactured and sold by [[Cognivia]].
* In 2004 (267AC), licensing was granted for production of generic Ceretin.

* Acts to stimulate the brain, particularly the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamus hypothalamus], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontal_lobes frontal lobes] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus hippocampus].
* Sold as a small red pill in sealed blister packs.
* Effects last for approximately 24 hours.
* Often referred to as "Sharp Red", referring to the effect it has on you: it makes you "sharp" - more intelligent.

* Under continual development to improve effectiveness and lessen side effects.
** "Ceretin 6 is in its final test phase, having already shown significantly improved performance over the current generation of Ceretin." [http://story.perplexcity.com/archives/2006/04/cognivia_shareh_1.html]
**The next generation of ceretin will include developments from the last Mnemosyne variant.
**See: [[Ceretin 6 Preliminary Results]] for more on this.
**In short, the report discussion some anomalies which could hold the new pill from market.
**Indeed, the [[Cognivia Shareholder Update]] suggests difficulties are weighty.

{| border="0" cellpadding="10" width="70%" style="border: 2px solid #ddddff; background: #f3f3ff"
|
When [[pills|cognitive enhancers]] were made available on general release - in other words, not just as prescriptions from doctors - a number of people predictably tried to overdose in an effort to get 'more enhancement'. Luckily no-one died as a result, but some people did become seriously ill. Nowadays, pretty much all of Cognivia's products are made so that it's impossible to overdose on them - you can take as many pills of Ceretin as you want, but it won't kill you. It might give you a headache, but nothing worse, because they've added molecules that gradually render the drug ineffective the higher its concentration.

-- Kurt McAllister, "All About Ceretin Six" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/05/finding_the_out_1.html}}
|}

* Ceretin, like all enhancers, is prohibited in assessment and competitive environments including all tests, exams, sports and tournaments (like the [[PCAG]]).
* The target market is doctors, scientists, programmers, and other workers with mentally challenging jobs.
* From a social stand point, Ceretin (and other enhancers) play upon the Perplexian ideal of greater mental acuity. It is not enough to simply be smart when one can enhance one's brain and physically become able to think faster.
* Emailing ''ceretin (at) cognivia (dot) com'' reveals the side effects of the drug:

{| border="0" cellpadding="10" width="70%" style="border: 2px solid #ddddff; background: #f3f3ff"
|
Thank you for your interest in Ceretin. Ceretin is the market's leading
wide-spectrum cognitive enhancer and offers significant advances over
previous generations and competing products. However, as with all cognitive
enhancers, it does have mild side effects. These include possible
disorientation, mild synaesthesia, restlessness and agitation. For more
information, please contact your doctor.

Ceretin Customer Support, Cognivia
|}

==Advertising==
Ceretin is frequently advertised in the [[Perplex City Sentinel]] with the following slogans:
*Problems Untangled
*Stay Sharp
*Faster, Sharper and More Alert

==Illicit Ceretin==
Potentially harmful black-market versions of licensed drugs are a problem in Perplex City according to the [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/02/council_ignorin.html Perplex City Sentinel]. Black-market Ceretin was stated by the [[Perplex City Police Department|police]] as the official cause of death of [[Isaac Cymbalisty]]. CheapCeretin.com is one known place that supplied this sort of drug.

* '''Homepage:''' http://www.cheapceretin.com/

* Illegal seller of Ceretin imitations, who claim that their drugs are the genuine article.
* Appeals to the less discriminating clientele.
* Directs clients to handle accounts within [[PCBC]].
* Is under investigation and ligation from [[Cognivia]].

* '''Contact:''' mandy at cheapceretin dot com

'''Autoresponder'''
{| border="0" cellpadding="10" width="70%" style="border: 2px solid #ddddff; background: #f3f3ff"
|
Dear Customer,

THIS EMAIL HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN BY THE COGNIVIA LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND PERPLEX CITY

'cheapceretin.com' is selling illegal and dangerous fakes of the Ceretin
cognitive enhancer drug and we are in the process of closing down their bank and
website operations. Please do not attempt to make any transactions with
'cheapceretin.com' or any other similar sites.

Alexandra Treater
Cognivia.com
|}

==References==
''Ceretin may be mentioned more obliquely in other sources, due to it's pervasive nature.''

*'''[[Anna Heath|Anna Heath's]] Personal Site''' - http://www.perplexcityacademy.com/ah328451/
**17-MAR-06 - Guilty Conscience
**05-APR-06 - [[Cognivia]]
**19-APR-06 - Unexpected Fortune
**24-APR-06 - [[Oistin Meade|Oistin's]] Research
**02-MAY-06 - Ceretin 6

*'''[[Kurt McAllister|Kurt McAllister's]] Blog, The Path of Least Time'''
**entry, 13-MAR-06: ''Remapping'' - {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/03/remapping_1.html}}
**entry, 10-MAR-2006: ''Counterpoint'' - {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/03/counterpoint_1.html}}
**entry, 03-MAY-06 "All About Ceretin Six" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/05/finding_the_out_1.html}}
**entry, 04-MAY-06 "...breaks loose" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/05/breaks_loose.html}}

*'''[[Perplex City Police Department]]'''
** 02-MAR-06: Judicial Case no. PXC978C675 (Cymbalisty, Isaac) - {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitypolice.com/enquiries/PXC978C675.html}}

*'''[[Perplex City Sentinel]]'''
**article, 12-JAN-06 "[[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Dale Robarding]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/01/iona_interviews_13.html}}
**article, 23-FEB-06 "[[Council]] Ignoring Dangerous Drug Trade" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/02/council_ignorin.html}}

*'''[[Violet Kiteway|Violet Kiteway's]] Blog, Quirky Acuity'''
**14-DEC-05: ''Developments'' - {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2005/12/developments.html}}
**10-JAN-06: ''Granier Diaries Installment Four'' - {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2006/01/granier_diaries_3.html}}
**09-MAR-06: ''The Past Month'' - {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2006/03/the_past_month.html}}

*'''[[Cognivia]] Press Release'''
**10th Apr 2006: ''Shareholder Report March 269'' [http://www.hesh-intranet.com/heshencrypted/data/m7z5qsp9fh2jbsdl71tlnm05f01v5to6/CogniviaMarch.pdf link] (PDF)

* {{Card|082|Sharp Red}} is about Ceretin, and requires the player to investigate some of the Perplex City websites to find out its side-effects.

*'''Copied articles'''
** [[Cognivia Shareholder Update]]
** [[Ceretin 6 Preliminary Results]]

Perplex City Video

2007-06-29T16:45:16Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by JgyYnq (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Season0}}

==Theories==

* The audio overdub may be the results of the social study by [[Sarah Covington]] mentioned in [http://wiki.incognitus.net/mirror/ppc/www.perplexcity.com/10.10.04/tmp/httpd/errorlog/5957496696.cache Errorlog 5957496696.cache]. The title "Subject: Civilisation and Late Stage Urbanisation, A Phase 2 Consumer Transition" sounds like it would fit this overdub.

* The video was shot in Shinjuku, a Tokyo entertainment district. The pictures in the images section are proof of that theory: (the right parts are from the video), [[:image:compare.png|Comparison 1]] and [[:image:shinjuku-video.jpg|Comparison 2]]

==Content==

* Original 2-16-05 video available [http://wiki.incognitus.net/files/ppc/video.mov here]
* Flashes of dates and names of US newspapers:

<pre>
1) 17th February : USA Today
2) 22nd February : New York Sun
3) 23rd February : The Times, London
4) BLANK
5) BLANK
6) 8th March : LA Times
7) BLANK
8) BLANK
9) BLANK
10) BLANK
11) 21st March : The Guardian
</pre>

* Voiceover to the video is transcribed as:

"There is a theme that has risen again and again in our studies across all relevant disciplines. The similarities between our peoples are truly profound and consequently serve to make the differences all the more shocking. It is as though our modern-day societies took our collective cultural experiences - all of our shared histories - and learned from it completely different lessons. One could expect, then, a feeling of alienation from the subjects of our studies. This is not so. Our researchers have, instead, come to identify very strongly with their counterparts on the other side of the current. The rhythm we occupy seems to be a long period of comfortable familiarity, with a counterpoint of sudden, and often sharp, culture shock."

* The newspapers named have [[Communications#Newspapers|classified ads mentioning The Cube]].

* UPDATED 19.02.05 - Video now has extra papers in the blank spaces:
* New Video available [http://www.incognitus.net/files/ppc/video_18.02.05.mov here]

<pre>
1) 17th February : USA Today
2) 22nd February : New York Sun
3) 23rd February : The Times, London
4) 28th February : Sydney Daily Telegraph
5) BLANK
6) 5th March : Toronto Globe and Mail
7) 8th March : LA Times
8) BLANK
9) BLANK
10) BLANK
11) 21st March : The Guardian
</pre>

* UPDATED 01.03.05 - Video now has extra papers in the blank spaces and the date for the NY Sun was fixed:
* New Video available [http://www.incognitus.net/files/ppc/video_01.03.05.mov here]

<pre>
1) 17th February : USA Today
2) 23rd February : New York Sun
3) 23rd February : The Times, London
4) 28th February : Sydney Daily Telegraph
5) 2nd March: La Presse
6) 5th March : Toronto Globe and Mail
7) 8th March : LA Times
8) BLANK
9) 14th March: South China Morning Post
10) BLANK
11) 21st March : The Guardian
</pre>

* UPDATED 11.03.05 - Video details two meet-ups - one in New York and one in London
* Video Download [http://wiki.incognitus.net/files/ppc/video_11.03.05.mov here].

* Details of the location meets can be found on these pages:
** [[SE Fifth and 40th]]
** [[Abbey Road]]

<pre>
1) 17th February : USA Today
2) 23rd February : New York Sun
3) 23rd February : The Times, London
4) 28th February : Sydney Daily Telegraph
5) 2nd March: La Presse
6) 5th March : Toronto Globe and Mail
7) 8th March : LA Times
8a) NOW : New York City
8b) SE Fifth and 40th : Alice
9) 14th March: South China Morning Post
10a) 19th March : 12h-13h GMT
10b) http://www.abbeyroad.co.uk/virtual_visit/webcam/ : Ask for Dinah
11) 21st March : The Guardian
</pre>

==Images==

{|
|[[Image:Vid-lost-cube.jpg|thumb|Lost Cube]]
|}

{|
| [[image:compare.png|thumb|Video Comparison 1]]
| [[image:shinjuku-video.jpg|thumb|Video Comparison 2]]
| [[Image:Vidcomparison3.JPG|thumb|Video Comparison 3]]
|}

{{Gatehouse}}

Perplex City Subway

2007-06-29T16:44:50Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by WunCy4 (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

[[Image:Subway logo.png]]

'''Website:''' ''http://www.perplexcitysubway.com''

==General==

*The Subway is one of the prime mass-transit methods of human transportation around [[Perplex City]]

*Spokesman: [[Elizabeth Fowler]]

*Cost of a ride anywhere in the city: 10 [[lecks]]

*Parts of The [[Amber Line]] were shutdown 28-AUG-05 including:
**[[Amandier Station]]
**[[Quadrant Park Station]]
**[[Trellis Gate Station]]
*See [[Lyttleton Station]] for more on this.

==Subway Lines==
*[[Amber Line]]
*[[Bistre Line]]
*[[Carmine Line]]
*[[Cerulean Line]]
*[[Sienna Line]]
*[[Viridian Line]]

==Subway Stations==
===Central Stops===
*[[Amandier Station]]
*[[Ascendancy Station]]
*[[Auger Park Station]]
*[[Azad Park Station]]
*[[Caldera Station]]
*[[Camblin Park Station]]
*[[Cheverly Station]]
*[[Domus Plaza Station]]
*[[Feynman Point Station]]
*[[Foreman Station]]
*[[Grand Frederik's Station]]
*[[Key Square Station]]
*[[Lower Mobius Station]]
*[[Lyttleton Station]]
*[[Magine Corner Station]]
*[[Meadow Road Station]]
*[[Meridian Station]]
*[[Milamont Parade Station]]
*[[New Hampden Station]]
*[[Polygon North Station]]
*[[Polygon South Station]]
*[[Quadrant Park Station]]
*[[Schrodinger's Junction Station]]
*[[Second Archway Station]]
*[[Taversen Square Station]]
*[[Trellis Gate Station]]
*[[Upper Mobius Station]]
*[[Varenne Station]]

===Other stations===
*[[North Bay]]
*[[Candle Place]]
*[[Dreyer Park]]

===Abandoned Stations===
*[[Gillit Road]] - Site of an unusual meeting ''(see: [[Viard Album Secret Message]])''
*[[Scope Road]]

==Images==
[[Image:Subway map.jpg]]

[[http://www.perplexcitysubway.com/images/map.gif Higher Quality Image]]

==References==
*Perplex City Subway system was first seen on the [[Tour Guide]]

*article, 29-AUG-05 "Commuters Delayed" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/08/commuters_delay_1.html}}
*correction, 01-SEP-05 "Corrections"

{{Sub}}

Futures

2007-06-29T16:44:13Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by KfwYt4 (Talk); changed back to last version by Moof

==General==
*'''Website:''' http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/futures/
*Futures are a section in the [[Perplex City Sentinel]], much like Horoscopes on Earth.
*As on Earth, each sign has an association with a certain portion of the [[Calendar]]
*Also as on Earth, The signs appear to have mythological significance.
*Many people believe the futures are all stuff and nonesense.

==The Signs==
===The Hand===
*January 11 - February 10
*[[Gyvann]] referred to hands often, and it has been speculated that he may have been using a play on phrase referring to literal and skyward hands at once.

===The Baby===
*February 11 - March 10

===The Eagle===
*March 11 - April 10

===The Spider===
*April 11 - May 10

===The Wave===
*May 11 - June 10

===The Archer===
*June 11 - July 10
*Famous Archers:
**[[Scarlett Kiteway]]
*May be in reference, maybe, to an ancient cult in Perplex City known as [[The Archers of Dawn]]

===The Half-filled Jug===
*July 11 - August 10
*Refers to one of [[Five Tasks of Madna]]
**Madna was to fill the [[Mazy River]] using a jug.

===The Dragon===
*August 11 - September 10
*Famous Dragons:
**[[Violet Kiteway]]

===The Three Balls===
*September 11 - October 10

===The Dice===
*October 11 - November 10

===The Maze===
*November 11 - December 10
*Refers to one of [[Five Tasks of Madna]]
**Madna was to navigate the [[Maze of Stars]]
*Famous Mazes:
**[[Alejo Jackson]]

===The Apple-Thief===
*December 11 - January 10
*Refers to one of [[Five Tasks of Madna]]
**Madna was to steal the apple from the jaws of a giant crocodile.
*This sign is always delivered in prose of some sort.
*in a mythical sense, according to [[Gyvann]], The Apple-Thief is the bringer of justice. He makes right all that is askew, though the righting may often be painful.
*Famous Apple Thieves:
**[[Cyrus Quinton]]

===And Remember, ...===
The futures, as presented by [[Madame Bianca]], always includes a more general statement. This advice always begins with '''And Remember,'''. It is unknown if this is a traditional means of telling futures, or simply one of Madame Bianca's hallmarks.

==References==
*The [[Reconstructionists]] have a security system which uses a knowledge and awareness of the futures.
**blog, 02-JUN-05 "A plan" {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2005/06/a_plan.html}}
**blog, 03-JUN-05 "Success" {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2005/06/success.html}}

*[[Cyrus Quinton]] left a very subtle puzzle, which required us to find his sign.
**'''The Perplex City Sentinel'''
***article, 26-JAN-06 "[[Iona Rodie|Iona]] Interviews... [[Alejo Jackson]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/01/iona_interviews_14.html}}
**'''Quirky Acuity, [[Violet]]'s blog'''
***blog, 31-JAN-06 "Seven reasons I hate [[Pyramid]]" {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2006/01/seven_reasons_i.html}}
***blog, 08-JAN-06 "Saving [[Kurt]]" {{WaybackS1|www.quirkyacuity.com/archives/2006/02/saving_kurt.html}}
**'''The Path of Least Time, [[Kurt]]'s blog'''
***blog, 01-FEB-06 "[[Cyrus Quinton]]" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/02/cyrus_quinton.html}}
***blog, 07-FEB-06 "Stars" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/02/star_signs.html}}
***blog, 13-FEB-06 "Last words of [[Monica Grand|Monica]]" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/02/last_words_of_m_1.html}}

*[[Alejo Jackson Chat Log]]

Perplex City Banking Company

2007-06-29T16:42:27Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by QihFyz (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

[[Image:PCBClogo.png]]

'''Website:''' http://perplexcitybankingcorporation.com/

==General==

*PCBC is the largest bank in [[Perplex City]].
*The advertising campaign in the [[Perplex City Sentinel]] claims it is the world's smartest bank.

*Has many branches throughout the City.
*Main office is based at the [[PCBC Tower]] on [[Ascendancy Way]], overlooking [[Auger Park]].
*Main branch is on [[Caldera Street]] to serve the burgeoning East [[Old Town]].

*[[Jonathan Smart]] stepped down from his position as CEO in the Fall of 2005.
**He remains on the Board of directors indefinitely
**[[Walter Cove-Houghton]] took over for [[Jonathan Smart|Smart]] as CEO.
**There is some skepticism, however, as to [[Walter Cove-Houghton|Cove-Houghton's]] abilities.

*In late August, PCBC announced a buyout of [[Fivebridge and Remton Consolidated Bank]]
**This matter did leave some loose ends, which were brushed aside by eager PCBC executives.
**Apparently the research data submitted to the [[Perplex City Council]] did not encompass a wide enough spectrum of data.
**In susequent weeks, the Council has considered denying the buyout at all, stating the bank's disarray after the tragic murder of a single consulting economist proves that the bank's research was shoddy and incomplete.

[[Image:Pcbctower.jpg|right|PCBC Tower]]

==Employees==

*[[Walter Cove-Houghton]] CEO
*[[Trip Scott]] COO
*[[Cory Clary]] Spokesman
*[[Jonathan Smart]] Former CEO; retired in Fall, '05
*[[Monica Grand]] Consulting Economist
*[[Arno Guthrie]], analyst

==References==

*Perplex City Sentinel Articles:
**article, 28-MAR-05 "[[PCBC]] Exec to Retire" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/03/pcbc_exec_to_re.html}}
**article, 09-JUN-05 "[[PCBC]] Heir-Apparent for CEO Post Chosen" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/06/pcbc_heirappare.html}}
**article, 28-JUL-05 "[[PCBC]] Heir Questioned" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/07/pcbc_heir_quest.html}}
**more news in brief, 29-AUG-05 "[[PCBC]] Takeover Plans"
**article, 08-SEP-05 "[[PCBC|Bank]] Deal Questioned" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/bank_merger_que.html}}
**article, 19-SEP-05 "[[PCBC]] [[Monica Grand|Economist]] Found Murdered in [[Ascendancy Point|Point]] Dwelling" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/pcbc_economist.html}}
**article, 19-DEC-05 "[[Monica Grand|Advisor]]'s [http://www.perplexcitybankingcorporation.com/advisor/ Death] Throws [[PCBC]] [[Fivebridge and Remton Consolidated Bank|Deal]] into Deep Water" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/advisors_death.html}}
**feature, 23-DEC-05 "Year in Review: Newsmakers of 268" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/year_in_review.html}}
**article, 27-APR-06 "[[PCBC]] [[Walter Cove-Houghton|CEO]] to Resign Amid [[Jonathan Smart|Board]] [[Cory Clary|Strife]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/04/pcbc_ceo_to_res.html}}

S Marchant

2007-06-29T16:40:12Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Zd4Poo (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Season0}}

=== References ===

Susan Marchant (78AC - 150AC)

'''According to "Perplex Issue Zero"'''
{| border="0" cellpadding="10" width="70%" style="border: 2px solid #ddddff; text-align: center; background: #f3f3ff"
|
Was the first researcher to focus solely on the Cube. She studied it in near isolation for over twenty years. She described phenomena we have only been able to test in the last twenty years - all of which have thus far proven stunningly accurate. Marchant was famously driven mad in her twighlight years. She claimed that the Cube was a self-aware entity, and that it was communicating with her via her senses.
|}

* See: [[Marchant Quote]]

* [[:Image:marchant148.gif|Quote from the City Archives]]

{{Gatehouse}}

Claire Castille

2007-06-29T16:40:05Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by GrpPm8 (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Infobox Perplexian
|name=Claire Castille
|image=[[Image:Claire_Castille.jpg]]
|occupation=Software Expert and [[Theft|Thief]]
|associations=Part of [[V]]'s team; connections to [[Viendenbourg]]
}}

==Known Details==

*Son: [[Allain Castille]]
*Father: [[Henry Castille]]
*Great Great Great Grandfather: [[Salvant Castille]]

*We learn of her in [[Scarlett's Adventure Timeline]].

{{Season1}}

*One of three people hired by V to [[Theft|steal]] the cube.
**"V" - "[[Cyrus Quinton]]"
**"Quercus" - [[Bernardo Holyoke]]
**"Kilo" - [[Monica Grand]]
**"C" - [[Claire Castille]]

*Has, along with the rest of her immediate family, been studying [[Viendenbourg]].
*Has always been one of the top minds in her field.
*Has "cultivated underworld contacts as well as the more 'legitimate' ones"

*When the heat started to turn up, in mid-267, after the [[Theft]] of the [[Cube]], she went into hiding, probably using the following as a cover-story:
*Was offered a 'most secret' assignment in the [[Tanraga]] mountains in mid-267.
**At the start, she was communicating frequently with her family.
**Soon the communications trickled off, eventually dwindling to nothing.
**When communication stopped altogether, [[Allain]] decided to go find her.

*It was she who set up the automatic trace that attacked [[Scarlett]]'s and [[Kurt]]'s [[Keys]]

*Claire Has been found, in [[Anjsbourg]].
*[[Scarlett Kiteway]] and [[Allain Castille]] went to Anjsbourg looking for her.
*They found her, working an excavation dig.

==References==
*Scarlett refers to Claire often in her secretive reports of her journeys.
**See: [[Scarlett's Adventure Timeline]].
**See also: http://www.thescarlettkite.com/scarlettsstory/
*Claire is discovered: http://www.thescarlettkite.com/archives/2006/03/signs_of_life.html

==Other Images==
[[Image:Castille family.jpg|400px]]

{{Conspiracy}}

Leaderboard

2007-06-29T16:39:55Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by MgoXz6 (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

{{Season1}}

==General==
'''Website:''' http://www.perplexcity.com/leaderboard/leaderboard.build?start=1

The Earth Leaderboard is a part of the [[Perplex City]] website on which Earth residents can track how many [[cards]] have been scored, and by whom.

The website bears an ad which claims to cover weekly news on the board:

'''Coverage:''' http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/redirects/leaderboard.html

The '''movers''', The '''shakers'''
Leaderboard coverage every week.

*A [[Sentinel]] [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/12/leaderboard_end_1.html article on 23-DEC-05] is a year-end summary giving more hard data on the leaderboard

*Noticeable shake-ups in the leaderboard have been seen to include:
**The [[22-OCT-05]] event at Clapham Common in London gave [[Oliver Keers]] and [[Ryandrew]] a slight edge with as-yet-un-released cards.
**Emails sent to Firebox customers gave away free "copies" of a puzzle card, rapidly injecting many new users into the leaderboard.
**The [[PCAG Earth Games]] gave points to top scoring teams
**Five points may be earned for submitting a "Letter of the week" to the Sentinel
**Ten points may be earned for submitting a "[[VFE#VFE|View From Earth]]" article to the Sentinel

==References==
'''New articles are posted every week about the latest shake-ups in the leaderboard. Most, if not all, of these articles have been written by [[Kate Brewster]].'''
*Other articles:
**article, 27-FEB-06 "[[Blafard]] in NY Crowned First [[New York PCAG event|Earth PCAG Winner]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/02/blafard_in_ny_c.html}}
**article, 03-MAR-06 "Puzzle Monkeys Victors in [[London PCAG event|PCAG London Event]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/03/puzzle_monkeys.html}}

Mimasan Maze

2007-06-29T16:39:16Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by NdhOgo (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

==General==
*Themed amusement park.
*Located in [[Magine Park]]
*Opened in 259
*Current director: [[Garron Ortega]]
*Past directors include [[Ornella Zaid]]

*Contains over 15 km of walkways, tunnels, ladders and slides.
*The Mimasan Maze is a sort of play-area for grown-ups.
*It is often being evolved and developed.
*People who complete the maze get a T-shirt, as seen below

{| width=100% align=center
| [[Image:Tshirt.jpg|thumb|center]]
|-
| <center> ''[[Pietro Salk]] modelling the T-Shirt, with his wife [[Sylvia Salk|Sylvia]]. The shirt reads "I solved the [[Mimasan Maze]]"'' </center>
|}

Reportedly, the maze is hiring. Several Junior Gardner positions are available. Applicants are encouraged to bring a puzzle portfolio and work clothes, and should be prepared to demonstrate gardening skills.

==References==
*"The Perplex City [[Tour Guide]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/tourguide/}} (6 PM, brochure page 3)
*Madame Bianca referenced it once in her [[Futures#Futures_from_the_week_of_April_25_edition:|Futures]]
*[[Pietro Salk]] mentions it in the [[Salklogs.doc]]
*[[Pietro Salk]] has a photo of himself and wife [[Sylvia Salk]], presumably taken after he got through the maze.
*Perplex City Map
**{{card|097|419 Scam}}
*Perplex City Puzzle Cards
**{{card|196|RGB}}
*Post-board, back cover of ''The Perplex City Board Game Rules''.

Allain

2007-06-29T16:39:05Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by ZvtLm2 (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

{{stub}}

{{Infobox Perplexian
|name=Allain Castille
|image=[[Image:Allain_Castille.jpg|200px]]
|occupation=Student, [[Edyta College]]
|associations=Son of [[Claire Castille|Claire]] and grandson of [[Henry Castille|Henry]]
}}

==General==
*Mother: [[Claire Castille]]
*Grandfather: [[Henry Castille]]
*Great Great Great Great Grandfather: [[Salvant Castille]]

*[[Scarlett Kiteway]] met him while on her big 2005 summer adventure.
*See: [[Scarlett's Adventure Timeline]]

*Knows a lot about the outdoors and wilderness.
*Attends [[Edyta College]]
*Began learning about [[Viendenbourg]] by way of studying [[The War]] with his family.

[[Image:Castille family.jpg|450px]]



==References==
*The Scarlett Kite
**entry, 10-OCT-06 "A year on" {{WaybackS1|www.thescarlettkite.com/archives/2006/10/a_year_on.html}}

{{Season1}}

Meta:Spam Blacklist

2007-06-29T16:37:28Z

BrianEnigma:

Businesses

2007-06-29T16:33:29Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by KecTp9 (Talk); changed back to last version by Quentin

==Entertainment==
*Music
**[[Hesh Records]]
**[[Manifold Concert Hall]]

*Restaurants/Clubs/Bars
**[[Conundra]]
**[[Five of Cups]]
**[[Subdivision]]
**[[Complications]]
**[[Doldrums]]
**[[Aquarium Restaurant]]
**[[Cervantes]]
**[[Bullets]]
**[[Symphony]]
**[[Deep Blue]]
**[[Fenlons Coffee House]]
**[[Elise's Place]]
**[[Crispy Heaven]]

==Sport==
*[[Triple Wheel Stadium]]
*[[Archway Sports centre]]

==Retail==
*[[Hannigan's]]
*[[Earthworks]]
*[[Whipsmart ice cream]]
*[[Aitkin Jewellers]]
*[[Isabella Levenay]]
*[[Curiosity shop]]

==Culture==
*Art
**The [[Ha Gallery]]

*Drama
**[[The Majestic Theatre]]
**[[Milamont Theatres]]
**[[Lieucent Hall]]

*History/Museums/Science
**[[Zeller Planetarium]]
**[[The Maitland Museum]]

==Research==
*[[Hilbert Industries]]

==Agriculture==
*[[Harvest Way]]
*[[White Cow Farm]]
*[[Dancing Fields Farm]]

==Media==
*[[Veonyx]]
*[[Perplex City Sentinel]]

==Industry/Finance==
*[[Centrifuge]]
*[[PCBC]]
*[[PCX]]
*[[Autonomica]]
*[[Mobius Development Corps]]
*[[CJM]]
*[[Heathcote]]
*[[Locus Technology]]

==Health/Pharmaceutical==
*[[Cognivia]]
*[[Menszana]]
*[[Agilon AI]]

==Miscellaneous==
*[[Open Design]]
*[[Ascendancy Point]]

Azad Park

2007-06-29T16:33:07Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by EyzQvm (Talk); changed back to last version by Edgemaster

==General==
*Recreational Park within [[Perplex City]]
*Situated in the centre of a business and residential district
*Contains a small wood and lake
*Football pitches at the north end are used by the nearby [[Borfield School]] during the day but are open to the public on selected evenings
*The park is also popular among runners not quite ready for the trails of [[Polygon Park]]
*Located near [[Azad Park Station]]
*Contains a Tongues Sculpture which is an example of the collaboration between the departments of [[Languages]] and [[Arts]] within [[Perplex City Academy]]
*A new species of beetle was discovered here, by [[Ricardo Curlaway]].

==References==
*Perplex City Sentinel
**article, 08-JUN-05 "Holiday Fun Schedule" [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/06/holiday_fun_sch.html link]
**News in brief, 21-MAR-05 "[[Randal Tokei|Tokei]] seeks Performace Permit"
**article, 13-OCT-05 "[[Ricardo Curlaway|Student]] Discovers New Beetle Species" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/10/student_discove.html}}
*Perplex City Map
**{{card|167|Circular}}

Redlock

2007-06-29T16:30:44Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by AbmDi8 (Talk); changed back to last version by EdgemasterAWB

===General===

*A product by [[Centrifuge]]
*Redlock is now the standard corporate security protocol
*Its development was headed up by [[Sente Kiteway]]

===References===

*[[Perplexcityacademy.com]] 29.04.05 {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcityacademy.com/office.html}}

Perplex City Wiki:Stub

2007-06-29T16:30:05Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by Rx2Og9 (Talk); changed back to last version by BrianEnigma

===What is a 'Stub'?===

A stub is a basic article, existing there to inform people there is a topic on that subject just that information hasnt been added yet.

===How can I find Stubs to edit?===

By using the [[:Category:Stub|Stub]] category to search for pages that have the Stub entry.

===How do I mark a page as stub?===

Use the <nowiki>{{stub}}</nowiki> include on the page after you've inserted some very basic information on the page.

===How do I unmark a stub page?===

Remove the <nowiki>{{stub}}</nowiki> from the article.

Shuffled

2007-06-23T21:27:13Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by FfdB8g (Talk); changed back to last version by Edgemaster

{{Season1}}

'''WARNING: THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS.'''

= Key Details =

This page summarises the information currently contained in the unfiction Thread here: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11528]

It is likely that this page may be quite large. When considering whether or not to read it prior to posting on a forum, consider that the alternative is to read all 43 pages of forum thread.

== Card Details ==

* Details of this card have been taken from the Perplex City Card Catalog [http://www.perplexcitycardcatalog.com/view.php?item=243] <strike>'''N.B. There is an error on this page. the code that reads XAWHU should read XAWJU'''</strike> The card catalog typo has since been fixed.

* Card Author: [[Garnet]]

=== {{Card|243|Shuffled}} ===

[[Image:Shuffled.png]]

=== Card Text ===

Last year, someone found a weakness in the Academy's computer security systems and accessed several files using a program called the Djinn Worm. I helped the Perplex City Police to plug the leak but we still didn't know who was responsible and all our leads had gone cold. Then I received an anonymous note suggesting I should be at the Five of Cups bar one night.

I was waiting for something to happen while playing poker, when one of the players at my table cashed out and he subtly indicated he wanted to talk to me. At a convenient pause in the game, I walked over to meet him at the bar, where he quickly pressed a pack of cards into my hand and whispered, "If entropy wins, outward looks should leave you cold." He then promptly walked out.

When I returned home, I spread the cards out on my table and looked for any marks or signs, but they were all new and untouched, apart from one joker which had a star on it. It took me some time to figure out what he was trying to tell me - can you decode the message and find out who created the Worm?

Side of the pack has the letters below. The bolded characters disappear under heat [[http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=179872#179872]].

<tt>
EODMF XRUTH WBBMC HGFIB LXCQY WEZFL ITHPJ LFHWY ETKWY LJOTY YNGYJ BIOGI FUVMR 
XIHGU RAGXH NQHRS XAWJU FJTAM SMMOS MVBAA KPGVV WXOVM YKZPL LUL FHURG IFULP
</tt>

An interesting anagram of the bolded letters: FLUXED FROM TURF HIGH UP.

=== Card Back ===

Cognivia

Cognivia's main research and development division is based at their campus on the south side of Polygon Park. Security is exceptionally tight to prevent industrial espionage, and the campus and buildings are said to be state of the art; rumours persist that Cognivia even has its own private subway station. Cognivia maintains strong links with the Academy and University, hence their selection of a site close to both. The corporate headquarters of Cognivia is based in Ascendancy Point.

=== Other Pertinent Card Information ===

==== Von's Hint ====

''Examine the card more closely. If you're feeling cold, you're overly sensitive, as for the code, everything you need is there''

==== Card Back/Box ====

The cards are 'Motor Brand Casino Quality playing cards' [http://www.secretsofholdem.com/item.cfm?item_id=20370]

There was a '''great''' deal of discussion on this topic, largely centering around discovering the make of the bike. The discovery of the 'correct' card manufacturer has discredited this line of investigation. Particular credit should go to modern_hero for spotting this after 33! pages of discussion [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=223136#223136]

==== Other Information ====

* The side of the box contains the text "Made in China"
* As noted first by oliverkeers13 ([http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=182591#182591 one] and [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=204777#204777 two]), there appear to be tiny suit symbols in the grey title bar at the top of the card ([http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=204790&highlight=ignored#204790 see picture here]), apparently in the order Hearts, Clubs, Spades, Diamonds. (Although as they wrap around, CSDH, SDHC and DHCS may also be applicable.) Is this relevant to some starting deck order?

= Key Words and their Definitions =

A number of significant words occur in the text. The generally agreed meaning for each is displayed (where links, if available)

; entropy : As defined here: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=173471#173471]
:# Symbol S For a closed thermodynamic system, a quantitative measure of the amount of thermal energy not available to do work.
:# A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.
:# A measure of the loss of information in a transmitted message.
:# The tendency for all matter and energy in the universe to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity.
:# Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.

: As it pertains to cards:
:# to shuffle (see also here: [http://webs.morningside.edu/slaven/Physics/entropy/entropy2.html])

: Entropy Coding [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy_coding]

: In information Theory [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_theory]]

; Djinn
: Genie
: As defined here: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=212186#212186]
:# Djinn is derived from a Genie (Jini) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djinn)
:# Jini is a network architecture for the construction of distributed systems (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JINI)
:# Jini defines a lookup service that is a fundamental part of the federation infrastructure for a djinn, the group of devices, resources, and users that are joined by the Jini technology infrastructure (http://java.sun.com/products/jini/)
:# Jini uses PKI encryption

; Five of Cups : Well known bar in PXC [[Five of Cups|See here]]

= Solution Ideas =

== Code Analysis ==
This section covers analysis of the letters appearing on the side of the box

=== Statistics ===

* 128 Characters
* 20 Disappearing characters
* 108 Plain Characters

==== Letter Frequency ====

'''Including the disappearing text:'''

1-D, 2-CQZ, 3-EKS, 4-JP, 5-ABORTV, 6-IWX, 7-GUY, 8-FLM, 9-H

'''Only the standard characters:'''

0-D, 2-CENQZ, 3-KPRS, 4-JOTU, 5-ABFIVX, 6-GW, 7-HLMY

'''Observations'''

* The distributions do not match the standard character distribution for English [http://www.simonsingh.net/The_Black_Chamber/frequencyanalysis.html]
* The distribution does not seem random [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=213375#213375]
* However, a G-test [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-test] on the distributions show that there is no evidence that all characters are not equally likely.

==== Digraph Frequency ====

<tt>
</tt>

=== Code Interpretations ===

108 Characters as encoded deck

54 Letter pairs allows for one letter pair for each of the 54 playing cards. The problem arises in that there is no logical pairing of the characters that creates 54 unique pairs. This would provide an encoded deck for the Solitaire Cipher.

Two Messages encoded with the same key [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=202939#202939]

== Secret Message Interpretations ==

The message passed to Garnet was: "If entropy wins, outward looks should leave you cold"

* This could could simply be a reference to the heat disappearing letters.

* This could make reference to the outward facing cards: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=174255#174255]
** Jack of Hearts
** Jack of Spades
** King of Diamonds

* It has been suggested that the odd word usage may indicate something else, such as an anagram or a mnemonics.

* "If entropy wins, outward looks should leave you cold" is an anagram of "Look close and you will find out the password, voyeur"

== Solitaire Cipher ==

The Solitaire Cipher was designed by Bruce Schneier for the book 'The Cryptonomicon'. Details of the cipher can be found at Bruce Schneier's site, here: [http://www.schneier.com/solitaire.html]

This was initially proposed due to the existence of the starred joker, as per the ciphers description in the above book.

* Mr. Schneier responds to an email: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=250696#250696]
<pre>
Various Solitaire implentations are available here:

http://www.schneier.com/solitaire.html

However, it's your job to figure out how the key is buried in the phrase.

Good luck,
Bruce
</pre>

=== Brute Force ===

The possibility of brute forcing has been mentioned at various points. The potential for this attack to be successful depends on whether or not you believe that the card sequence is the Prime numbered playing cards ([[Playing card symbols]]).

The nature of a solitaire cipher is that it generates a string of random characters which are then added to the plain text to produce the cipher text (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_Cipher Wikipedia:Stream Cipher])

Because of this, a cipher text of XDFGW RESDF could translate to both SENTE ROCKS and SENTE SUCKS. This broadly implys that every possible 108 character string can be produced from the cipher text, and hence brute forcing is not possible.

If you assume that the prime numbered cards are part of the solution, then while this narrows the number of possible strings down, it is still possible to produce a number of strings that are a 'legitimate' solution.

=== Solitaire Solvers ===

* Online: [http://cif.rochester.edu/~la002k/solitaire.htm]
* Authored by Brian Enigma (Brute Forcer): [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=182560#182560]
* Authored by Danives (Dictionary Attacker): [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=215377#215377]
* Changes to Perl code by Sh1ft (Deck Order Preset): [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=251226#251226]

=== Sources for the initial deck encoding ===

* Encoded from the 108 non-disappearing characters
* Standard Deck ordering of A-K, C,D,H,S (discussed here: [http://www.schneier.com/solitaire.html])
* Order of cards as they come out of the box as viewed face up: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=223529#223529]
<tt>
Joker - Colour 
Joker - Black and White 
Diamonds - A T T F F S S E N T J Q K 
Clubs - A T T F F S S E N T J Q K 
Hearts - A T T F F S S E N T J Q K 
Spades - A T T F F S S E N T J Q K 
</tt>
* Order of cards as used in the [http://schneier.com/solitaire.html Solitaire algorithm]: each card is converted into a number from 1..52 using the following method:
<tt>
Clubs: A T T F F S S E N T J Q K - (1..13) 
Diamonds: A T T F F S S E N T J Q K - (14..26) 
Hearts: A T T F F S S E N T J Q K - (27..39) 
Spades: A T T F F S S E N T J Q K - (40..52) 
</tt>

* From the prime numbered puzzle cards [[Playing card symbols]] [http://wiki.incognitus.net/ppc/index.php/Playing_card_symbols]
: This idea has been reasonably discredited: [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=213386#213386]
<pre>
Hello Dan,

Thanks for your email.

You do not need any other puzzle cards in order to solve card 243-
shuffled.

Regards,

Perplex City Customer Services
</pre>

=== Sources for the Cipher Text ===

* The 108 standard characters
* The 20 disappearing characters
* The phrase 'If entropy wins, outward looks should leave you cold' [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=223400#223400]
* The Motor Deck of Cards (from the side of the box)
* Motor Brand High Quality Playing Cards
* Thoth Tarot Deck [http://forums.unfiction.com/viewtopic.php?t=14301&postdays=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=510]

== Two messages encoded with the same code ==

A description of this first arose here [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=202939#202939] but subsequently received very little attention, recently the theory has received new attention, and a good description of how to do it can be found in this post [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=225934#225934]

== Mirdek Cipher ==

Details of the Mirdek cipher can be found here: [http://www.ciphergoth.org/crypto/mirdek/description.html]

This is another Card based cipher designed to handle the errors found in solitaire. It hasn't been widely investigated at this point.

== Possible Creators of the [[Djinn]] Worm ==
* Claire Castille {{WaybackS1|www.thescarlettkite.com/archives/2006/03/coming_home.html}}
* Sente Kiteway [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=217054#217054]
* Ruth Coralhouse [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=175506#175506]
<pre>
Hello -

You're quite right, Professor Kiteway was involved.
If you can tell me what the message you deciphered was, I can shed some light on the mystery for you.

Best Wishes,
Garnet.
</pre>

{{CardCat}}

Perplex City Wiki:Discussion

2007-06-19T14:55:23Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by XjdMvh (Talk); changed back to last version by BrianEnigma

__NEWSECTIONLINK__
==Perplex City Wiki Discussion Section==
As this is a discussion page for the setup and layout of the Wiki, i've set up this page on here instead of the forums. Regular users of the Wiki should be able to join in the discussion on topics which affect the wiki.

==Site Upgrade==
Upgraded the site to MediaWiki 1.9.0 ([http://sourceforge.net/project/shownotes.php?group_id=34373&release_id=477544 release notes]). I merged the styles and customizations, but dropped the "community sites" dropdown because it's too hard to maintain (for technical reasons, I can't hot-link to the JavaScript, so have to make a local cached version and merge that into the wiki monobook skin.) As always, if you experience any issues with the software, let me know. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 14:38, 17 January 2007 (PST)

== Collaboration of the Week? ==
I would like to propose adopting some of Wikipedia's projects--especially the '''Collaboration of the Week''' project. I'm very impressed with the wealth of knowledge that already exists in this wiki; however, many pages are outdated or stubs, and could use some serious work. Article writing is right up my alley; however, it seems foolish to tackle such a huge task myself. Besides, it'd be a lot more fun to work together as a group, article by article. :) I'd love to see the wiki shine. Thoughts? [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 08:42, 3 July 2006 (PDT)

:fFollowing up, I still think it's a good idea. Actually, xnera, what you've been doing lately is probably the best/only way a COTW will really work. pick a set of pages, and improve en masse. like with the info boxes and suchlike. Uhm, I guess I don't have much to really say here except, you know, wheee. you're doing a fFantatsic job, you know :) the wiki does indeed shine more every day you're here :) [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:33, 10 October 2006 (PDT)

::Now that I've had more experience editing our wiki... I don't think the formal process of the COTW, as done on Wikipedia, would work very well for us. Instead I'm thinking of more informal "smackdowns" (to borrow a phrase from LiveJournal Support <3), like perhaps making a post on the various fora and say, "Okay folks, this week we're going to work on adding the Perplexian Infobox to all character articles. GO!" [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 12:07, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

== User Security Levels ==
*sysop - gives you editing power on locked pages, the ability to make new users, and other little stuff. Basically it's the gold key access.
*bureaucrat - means you can change privs of other people as well.
*developer - I'm not entirely sure what this does, but presumably gives greater access to backpanel controls, so you can easily change the look and fFeel of things, one assumes.
In case you were wondering, there is also a "bot" priv which make users bots. hey hey :) I'm not entirely sure what the subtleties of that are, actually. presumably you can make a user a bot, and their edits are fFlagged a bit differently, fFor better or worse as you see fFit. make scripts fFor rapid edits of stuff, or red-flag annoying users. either way. we have no bots. :)

== Open Registration + Blacklist ==
What does everyone think about possibly opening up free registration to all, with registration required to edit articles, but using the [http://svn.wikimedia.org/viewvc/mediawiki/trunk/extensions/SpamBlacklist/README?view=markup MediaWiki Spam Blacklist] plugin? This is the same one that Wikipedia uses to prevent spammers. I'm not sure how much administrative overhead it is to manually add people to the user database--but even a tiny bit of manual intervention is an extra step that might deter a new user from contributing. I'd like to propose a "register-yourself" model with the Spam Blacklist plugin for a limited trial, until we get comfortable that it's either not working or working better than manually adding people. Then we can either continue to use it or revert back to the old way. Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

:I am reluctant to open registration. This is largely because I had to deal with the onslaught of spamming which occurred a year ago, and there's a good chance I would be the one to deal with it again in the fFuture. I can tell you, adding new users is a really simple thing. I have the page bookmarked, so all I need do when given a new account request is input a name, and generate a response to the person. Pretty easy on my part. However i do fFully recognize the fFact that any effort on the part of the luddite user may be the difference between contibuting new work, and turning away and never looking back. So letting the user do their own registration would be a great thing. So. yes. a trial period might be a good idea. Basically, as I understand it, the plugin simply refers to a blacklist everytime an edit is submitted. So as long as their blacklist is well kept, it should work out dandy. My vote is yes to a trial period, then. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 23:17, 24 September 2006 (PDT)

Yes, it updates from [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Spam_blacklist Wikipedia's blacklist] every 15 minutes. They're really good at controlling spam--I don't know how much of that to attribute to the blacklist and how much to attribute to manual removal, but we'll give it a chance for a few days/weeks and see what we get. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 17:35, 26 September 2006 (PDT)

:fFollowing up on this: Yes, it seems to be working so fFar. Which is to say, we have had no outbreaks in the past 2 weeks. fFar fFrom conclusive, of course. But it makes me happy. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:33, 10 October 2006 (PDT)

As a member of the CVU over at en:Wikipedia i'd just like to drop in my two pennies on this subject.
As far as I am concerned - even if we do get attacked with spam accounts:
*It's not hard to clear up - if a clearup is needed at all.
*99% of them won't actually make any edits.
*Any edits that are made are easily reverted.
And as for a malicious user - the wonderful words "Rollback" and "Revert" come to mind - as well as the trusy admin Block button. I can assist any admins who require any help using their powers or any aspect of the admin side of a mediawiki installation at all - just send me a message. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:04, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

::Is there anything skenmy can't do? :) Actually rollbacks were a nuisance in, what I'll call: the spam outbreak of last year. Conniving bastards made an edit with one user, made another edit with another user, then made another edit with a third user. Rollbacks (at least, at that time) only went back one edit, so you can see how that could be anoying. I was pretty new to how mediawiki works at the time, also, and I was basicaly all alone, so i sort of went into panick mode trying to rebuild 30 attacked pages. I'm obviously more knowledgeable at this time, and better equipped to handle attacks. (Though, since you mention it, what is the best way to do reverts? I know to edit past versions of the page, but maybe there is some other way.) Additionally ... since skenmy is a genius, maybe he knows the answer to this riddle: Is there a way to delete users, not just block them? Cheeeeeers! [[User:Scott|Scott]] 15:38, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

Not necessarily a genius - just been working with MediaWiki for a while now. I use a few aids over at Wikipedia to assist me with vandalism - various javascript programs and other standalone windows programs that connect to a live IRC framework that then sends out edits to a team of people who gauge and act accordingly. It may be possible - if you so wish - to get a couple of the more simple vandal-fighting apps working on here. Shouldn't need any server code changes - and I could quite easily test them if you want.

As for the removal of accounts - it is possible to *clean up* user accounts with maintenance/removeUnusedAccounts.php (Brian will have to do that in shell). I'll get in touch with the devs as for other spam accounts - especially ones that have made edits. Data integrity is key to keeping a wiki running. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 08:28, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

In addition - admins have special revert powers. I don't have too much experience with those - but it should be quite simple once I ask a WP admin. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 08:43, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

:I haven't cleaned up user accounts specifically with any of the /maintenance/ scripts, but I have blocked a bunch of obvious spam accounts in one big batch process. If anyone is interested, my notes are stored in [[Meta:Spam_Blocking]] in case I need to do it again. It looks like at least one spammer script just creates usernames made of 6 hex digits. A huge chunk of that namespace got taken up and is [[Special:Ipblocklist|now blocked]], so those scripts will start failing. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 15:27, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

A spammer got through today, so I ended up rolling back his changes and extending the Spam Blacklist plugin to also process a local list of blocked URL patterns. That list is at [[Meta:Spam Blacklist]]. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 15:27, 16 October 2006 (PDT)

===Spam Plugin Stopped Working===
Our spam blacklist plugin stopped working, and I wasn't able to determine, in 10-15 minutes, why. For now, I'm closing down the new user signed (i.e. reverting back to the "post your info on the Unfiction thread and we'll manually add you" method.) Tonight, I'll have a bit more time to more extensively debug. My thought is that this is related to Dreamhost silently upgrading their PHP version, which seems to have broken a number of things (including certain features of Wordpress.)

:So it turns out the spam blaclist plugin is working fine. The spammers just got more smart. The blacklist works by matching keywords on the domain name of a link (not on the text of the link because that could be anything.) In the past, spammers have linked to domains with the spammy words in the URL. Now, it seems they are hacking student accounts (lots and lots of pages at *.edu domains), putting spammy content there, then linking to the *.edu pages. This doesn't kick off the spam filter because *.edu is always good, right? ;) I went ahead and added the hacked *.edu domains to or local list of bad links. If it turns out that we really do need to link to a resource at one of those hacked *.edu domains, then we can handle it on a case-by-case basis. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 13:15, 12 June 2007 (PDT)

==Bad-Behavior Plugin==
Also, I installed the Bad-Behavior plugin, which works wonders on WordPress and should do pretty well with MediaWiki. See: [[Meta:Spam Blocking]] [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]]

== Title Template and Tiny Update ==
Brian put in some javascript today that means the [[Template:Title]] template I have copied over from my various other wikis now works here. You can use it to replace the big header text at the top of any page with any text you like. It is used as follows:
<nowiki>{{title|New Title Here}}</nowiki>
It is generally placed at the top of a page, above all the content, but I am pretty sure you could place it anywhere and it will work.

I also added the new section link magic word to the top of this page. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 10:01, 27 October 2006 (PDT)

:Okay, I'm intrigued. What would you do with it? [[User:Scott|Scott]] 19:21, 28 October 2006 (PDT)
::He means that we could change the line that says '''Perplex City Wiki:Discussion''' above the contents box to something like ''Plz to be discussing wiki here, kthxbye!'', if we were so inclined. I just used this to change the title on my User pages so my name has a small x instead of a capital one. I thank [[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] profusely for this, because that capital x was driving me batty. [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 13:16, 31 January 2007 (PST)

==Bloody vandals!==
Ok I really don't know or understand why you would want to do it, but fFor some incredibly annoying reason, we're being hit by ... not-spammers. hedge trimmers or something.almost certainly automated accounts are being creatd with none sensical names, and arbitrarily deleting a big chunk of a fFew random pages. Not adding anything new, mi9nd you. Not adding spam or ads or anything of the kind. simply deleting a chunk of page. I cant imagine any reason why. If anyone has any suggestion fFor cause or remedy, do tell. If you happen to be the one doing this, CUT IT OUT ASSHOLE. thanks. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 07:35, 18 April 2007 (PDT)

Helena Frye

2007-06-18T12:21:55Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by NpwNo1 (Talk); changed back to last version by ScottBot

'''Casefiles:''' {{WaybackS1|http://www.perplexcitypolice.com/case_notes.php?cid=PXC978C675}}
:[[Theft Case Notes]] - General heading page
:[[Theft Case Notes/OB]] - Notes specific to [[Operation Bayonet]], launched against [[The Third Power]] in [[Ascendancy Point]]

==General==
*[[PCPD|Police detective]]
*Reports directly to [[Eoin Morgan]]
*Assigned the Receda Cube [[Theft]] case.
*Investigated the murder of [[Five of Cups]] owner [[Bernardo Holyoke]]
*Investigated the murder of [[Monica Grand]]
*Investigating the [[Reconstructionists]], and [[The Third Power]]
*Friend of [[Pietro Salk]] and [[Kurt McAllister]]

*Is known to not publicly disclose all the details of any crime (a very common thing for law enforcement agencies to do) and actively lied about the high-tech goods found at the [[Five of Cups]] in this [http://www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/08/police_close_ho.html Sentinel article]

*Went undercover in the [[Reconstructionist]] compound, starting 28-SEP-05, and was given the new name '''Sister Yael'''.
**Much of what she has done since that date has either been undercover, or in a delicate balance therewith.
**On or about 30-OCT-05, Frye was inducted into [[The Third Power]].

*We originally learned about Frye by way of the [[Viard Album Secret Message]], stating she is a member of [[The Third Power]].
**If true, we could no longer trust the police, so this caused us great concern.
** This was possibly supported by unknown persons at the [[Gillit Road]] Station fiasco, as overheard by [[Kurt]]: "...want to know how Frye managed to get the police involved in this. Would've thought that the third wouldn't want to risk..."
* Eventually it came to light that all this was a set-up: that Frye is actually legitimate, and working covertly against the Third Power, and that the Viard message was designed to ruin the planned raid at Gillit Road.
**Since [[Kurt]] was at Gillit road at the time, he was promptly arrested. He then set about proving his innocence.
**Frye and McAllister have had a tenuous relationship ever since.

*Sometime in mid-to-late June 2006, she seems to have taken off to the wilds of [[Gladstone]] and [[Silburn-Griggs]].
**Travelling incognito, she began relaying only very discrete messages to Kurt.
**She went to the [[Silburn-Griggs]] mines and discovered a secret location where [[The Third Power]] planned on storing [[The Cube]] after stealing it.

*She has pieced together the scope of the great executive cover-up within the city, determining the [[Academy]] is the source of [[Third Power]] support, and someone high within the academy ''and'' the police doesn't want their plans to be uncovered.

{{quote}}
"Helena... do you trust her?" asked [[Violet]] cautiously.

"I think so. She's helped us before, told us about the Third Power's portal, and she seems to be capable of working outside of Council or Police authority." Positively happy about it, I thought. "She's got the team and the access to find Scarlett. We don't have anyone else to go to."

:''--Kurt, 19-JAN-07''
|}

*In late Januray, 2007, After [[Scarlett]] was kidnapped, Kurt contacted Helena asking for help.
*The conversation was productive, and Kurt sent her all information regarding the [[Library of Babel]] site.
*Kurt was informed of the ensuing [[Operation Bayonet]].

*[[Operation Bayonet]] summary:
**[[Helena Frye]] was badly wounded
**[[Scarlett]] was rescued
**Officer [[Patrick Harrison]] was killed
**Officer [[Petra Fishcook]] was killed
**[[Academy]] [[Department of Languages]] Adj.Sen. Fellow [[Roberto Solitano]] was killed (3P)
**After the raid, [[Caine]] was arrested, on a hunch by [[Violet]]

*09-FEB-07 - commended by [[Nathan Earlywine]] for her marvelous work at raiding and crippling [[The Third Power]] in the city.

==References==
*'''[[Perplex City Sentinel]]'''
**article, "Five of Cups Owner Found Dead" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/04/five_of_cups_ow_1.html}}
**article, "Holyoke Housed Stolen Academy Equipment" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/05/holyoke_housed.html}}
**article, 10-AUG-05 "[[Bernardo Holyoke|Holyoke]] Case Closed" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/08/police_close_ho.html}}
**article, 19-SEP-05 "[[PCBC]] [[Monica Grand|Economist]] Found Murdered in [[Ascendancy Point|Point]] Dwelling" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2005/09/pcbc_economist.html}}
**article, 19-JAN-06 "[[Gillit Road|Police Raid Disrupted]], Claim [[PCPD]] Sources" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2006/01/police_raid_dis.html}}
**article, 31-JAN-07 "[[The Third Power|6]] Killed in [[Theft Case Notes/OB|Deadly Police Raid]] on [[Ascendancy Point|Point]] {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/01/6_killed_in_dea.html}}
**article, 09-FEB-07 "[[Council]] Speaks on [[Cube]], [[Third Power]]" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitysentinel.com/archives/2007/02/council_speaks.html}}

*'''[[Kurt]]'s blog, The Path Of Least Time'''
**entry, 05-JAN-06 "[[Gillit Road]]" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/01/gillit_road.html}}
**entry, 18-JAN-06 "[[Helena Frye]] and [[the Third Power]]" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/01/helena_frye_and.html}}
**entry, 20-FEB-06 "The Clean Rooms" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/02/the_clean_rooms.html}}
**entry, 08-MAR-06 "Relationships" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/03/relationships.html}}
**entry, 23-JUN-03 "Exterior Monologue" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/06/signals.html}}
**entry, 29-JUN-06 "Subterranean" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/06/subterranean.html}}
**entry, 23-AUG-06 "Vanished Into..." {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2006/08/vanished_into.html}}
**entry, 19-JAN-07 "Maing the Call" {{WaybackS1|www.pathofleasttime.com/archives/2007/01/making_the_call_1.html}}
**entry, 20-JAN-07 "A Break" {{WaybackS1|www.thepathofleasttime.com/archives/2007/01/a_break.html}}

*'''[[Helena Frye]]'s [[Theft]] Case Files'''
**Log, "Operation Bayonet" {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitypolice.com/case_notes.php?cid=PXC978C675&section=OB}}
**Log, year 267 {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitypolice.com/case_notes.php?cid=PXC978C675&section=267}}
**Log, year 268 {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitypolice.com/case_notes.php?cid=PXC978C675&section=268}}
**Log, year 269 {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitypolice.com/case_notes.php?cid=PXC978C675&section=269}}
**Log, year 270 {{WaybackS1|www.perplexcitypolice.com/case_notes.php?cid=PXC978C675&section=270}}

{{3P}}

{{PCPD}}

Receda's Revenge Highlights

2007-06-14T14:50:24Z

BrianEnigma: Reverted edits by CbyUv7 (Talk); changed back to last version by Scott

{{Receda}} 
 
 
Oct 04 05 10:42:33 <RecedaGame> #### INSTRUCTIONS: Please wait for the '>' prompt before typing any command. All commands before this will be ignored by the system and only the first command is processed each time. Remember, only one person can play at a time. To be added to the queue, type /msg RecedaBot queue when the bot is online and you will receive voice when it is your turn to play. If you become stuck type 'hint' and the system will try and put you 
 
Oct 04 05 10:42:34 <RecedaGame> back on track. #### 
 
Oct 04 05 11:00:19 <RecedaGame> #### INSTRUCTIONS: Please wait for the '>' prompt before typing any command. All commands before this will be ignored by the system and only the first command is processed each time. Remember, only one person can play at a time. To be added to the queue, type /msg RecedaBot queue and you will receive voice when it is your turn to play. If you become stuck type 'hint' and the system will try and put you back on track. #### 
 
Oct 04 05 11:00:26 <RecedaGame> The game will begin in 10 minutes 
 
Oct 04 05 11:11:38 <RecedaGame> We are experiencing some problems with the load on the game server, please stand by. You may be disconnected momentarily. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:14:03 <RecedaGame> Server problems have been fixed. The game will begin in 5 minutes. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:18:04 <RecedaBot> ### The bot has queued all previous messages - More than one queue message may result in being removed from the queue permanently. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:18:52 <RecedaGame> WELCOME TO RECEDA'S REVENGE!!! 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:30 <RecedaGame> Home 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:30 <RecedaGame> Welcome! You are about to embark on Receda's Revenge, an exciting adventure game based in Ye Olde Perplex City. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:30 <RecedaGame> You're 15 years old, and you live with your mother; your father died a long time ago, in mysterious circumstances that no-one likes talking about. Your mother works at the nearby tailors as an assistant. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:30 <RecedaGame> This is where you live. It's a tiny house with only three rooms, for a kitchen, bedroom and living area. From where you are, you can see all the rooms - clean, but spare. There is an air of want throughout, reflected by your fraying clothes and the old, many-times repaired furniture. Occasionally you dream of better things, and wonder whether there is more to life than this. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:33 <RecedaGame> You wake up, and realise that you've overslept! Your mother has already left for work, and you're late for school. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:36 <RecedaGame> There is a wardrobe, a cabinet and a sock puppet here. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:39 <RecedaGame> You can move outside. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:41 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:19:47 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game +v Loric] 
 
Oct 04 05 11:20:03 <Loric> open wardrobe 
 
Oct 04 05 11:20:22 <RecedaGame> You open the wardrobe. There is a chest inside. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:20:32 <Loric> exam chest 
 
Oct 04 05 11:20:52 <RecedaGame> The chest is a normal wooden chest. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:20:56 <Loric> open chest 
 
Oct 04 05 11:21:33 <RecedaGame> A scroll with the word 'CENTRE' lies inside. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:21:34 <RecedaGame> There is a knock at the door. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:21:35 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:21:44 <Loric> get scroll chest 
 
Oct 04 05 11:22:07 <RecedaGame> You cannot pick up these items. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:22:13 <Loric> inventory 
 
Oct 04 05 11:22:25 <RecedaGame> You have no items. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:22:32 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:22:34 <Loric> open door 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:06 <RecedaGame> You open the door and walk outside. An old man, waiting at your door, quickly walks up to you. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:06 <RecedaGame> The old man stares at you, searchingly. His face is weathered and pockmarked with scars, and he stands painfully with a stoop, leaning on a cane, but you can sense a certain kind of dignity and pride that is buried under decades of toil. He's wearing an sad set of clothes; they're finely made, with good material, but they've been worn for ten years too long and need a good wash. He has an oddly-shaped head. You wonder what h 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:06 <RecedaGame> is story is. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:14 <RecedaGame> "Lad," he begins, "I know it may seem strange, but I know who you are. Who you really are, I mean. You weren't born here, in Perplex City." He gestures with his cane around at the street and crowds. "You were born in a far away place, and your father... your father, he was a great man. May the lords bless him. You don't belong here, among this scum. I know you must feel that yourself, sometimes. Your fate, your destiny, is m 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:15 <RecedaGame> uch greater than that." 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:15 <RecedaGame> A gentleman in a dark coat bumps against the old man as he hurries down the road, and apologises quickly. The old man seem startled and unsure, but continues. "I've travelled a long way to get here, longer than you can imagine, but the journey was worth it, just to see you, my l-" he cuts himself off, coughing. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:24 <RecedaGame> "Forgive me, but I must..." says the old man, who then collapses onto the ground, clutching his head. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:24 <RecedaGame> You pull him into your home and lay him down, but he pulls you close with frenzied eyes and says, "I need to tell you what you must do. You need to get me a potion, the Elixir of Glimdrang, or I will die from this infernal poison the Lord Flaganroth has given me." You eyes widen. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:27 <RecedaGame> "I don't have long, the poison is strong. Do this for me now," he croaks, "or I will die, and the beautiful, nubile Princess will die, and the kingdom will die! And maybe you'll die as well! Prove yourself, young lad, I know you can do it..." 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:31 <RecedaGame> You stand up in determination. You don't want to see this old man die. You don't want to see the kingdom die. And you really want to meet this Princess before she dies. Adventurer, your first Quest is to get the old man the Elixir of Glimdrang! 
 
Oct 04 05 11:23:34 <RecedaGame> WELCOME TO RECEDA'S REVENGE!!! 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 11:25:43 <Loric> open cabinet 
 
Oct 04 05 11:26:15 <RecedaGame> You open the cabinet again, but something heavy falls off the top shelf and lands on you. You die. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:26:16 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:26:21 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Loric] 
 
Oct 04 05 11:26:50 <RecedaGame> You have been resurrected as a new person. You are still inside the house. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:26:52 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game +v tangohead] 
 
Oct 04 05 11:27:27 <tangohead> open wardrobe 
 
Oct 04 05 11:28:06 <RecedaGame> You open the wardrobe again, despite the fact that you have already opened it and looked inside, but something heavy falls off the top shelf and lands on you. You die. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:28:11 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v tangohead] 
 
Oct 04 05 11:28:28 <RecedaGame> You have been resurrected as a new person. You are still inside the house. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:28:37 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game +v Juxta] 
 
Oct 04 05 11:28:54 <Juxta> Get scroll 
 
Oct 04 05 11:29:02 <RecedaGame> You take the scroll 
 
Oct 04 05 11:29:05 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:29:08 <Juxta> Read scroll 
 
Oct 04 05 11:29:53 <RecedaGame> You read the scroll, which you have already read, which still says 'CENTRE'. While handling it, you cut yourself and bleed to death. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:29:55 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Juxta] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 11:50:10 <Sasuntsi_Davit> knock on the Academy doors 
 
Oct 04 05 11:50:42 <RecedaGame> You knock on the door, but it remains firmly closed. A young Academician standing at the top of the gates drops a very heavy book on your head, probably conducting a physics experiment. Oh well, it's not your fault. In any case, you're dead, and it's probably not a good idea to try and get into the Academy through the front door. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:50:45 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:50:45 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Sasuntsi_Davit] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 11:52:21 <chippy> talk to the nice policeman 
 
Oct 04 05 11:52:38 <RecedaGame> The nice policeman doesn't seem so nice, and impolitely ignores you. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 11:54:13 <RecedaGame> Since there is no exit to the south, you walk into a wall, weakening the structure such that it collapses on you. You die. I guess you shouldn't try walking into walls. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:54:17 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v chippy] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 11:57:54 <josiah> enter school 
 
Oct 04 05 11:58:41 <RecedaGame> You enter the school, where the teacher on duty collars you and sticks you in detention for being late. By the time school is over and you get back home, the old man is dead. Game over. 
 
Oct 04 05 11:58:42 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 11:58:43 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v josiah] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:04:10 <RecedaGame> Mixture Street 
 
Oct 04 05 12:04:14 <RecedaGame> Mixture Street has a (ha ha) a mixture of shops, residential, entertainment establishments. A theatre might be right next to a nursing home; a museum next to a podiatrist. It's an interesting place to be, and it usually has all sorts of fads in it, like this new 'electricity' that they're talking about. One of the more interesting places is the new White Code Tavern, which is proving to be popular with Academicians; it has a 
 
Oct 04 05 12:04:14 <RecedaGame> strange sign with white symbols on a navy background, below the head of some famous scholar. It's said that in order to you get in, you have to decode the symbols. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:04:14 <RecedaGame> You can move northeast, east, or into the tavern. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:04:17 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:04:31 <dysper> examine symbols 
 
Oct 04 05 12:05:13 <RecedaGame> The code on the sign looks like it's been altered. It says: "0110000101100011011000010110010000110011011011010111100100100000011100100011000000110000011011000111101000100001001000000110101000110000001100000010000001110010001000000111000001110111011011100011001101100100" 
 
Oct 04 05 12:05:13 <RecedaGame> Someone has drawn a curly mustache on the head. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:13:53 <Cassandra> say acad3my r00lz! j00 r pwn3d to grille 
 
Oct 04 05 12:14:24 <RecedaGame> The White Code Tavern 
 
Oct 04 05 12:14:25 <RecedaGame> 
 
Oct 04 05 12:14:25 <RecedaGame> Congratulations! The door creaks open. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:14:25 <RecedaGame> 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:18:57 <RecedaGame> "Yeah, of course I know. The Academy! We all get given a bunch when we join. I tell you what, I have a lot in my office, and I'll tell you the way to get there if you tell me a good joke. I'm a really helpful guy, after all. Good job you met me," he says, perking up. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:18:57 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:20:20 <RecedaGame> He says impatiently, "Well, I'm waiting..." 
 
Oct 04 05 12:20:21 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:20:49 <Cassandra> Here's a good one! Why is a Raven like a writing-desk? 
 
Oct 04 05 12:21:19 <RecedaGame> "I don't know, why is that?" he says, with narrowed eyes. This had better be good, you think to yourself. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:21:21 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:22:10 <Cassandra> Because Poe wrote on both! 
 
Oct 04 05 12:22:45 <Cassandra> Can I buy you a drink? 
 
Oct 04 05 12:23:00 <RecedaGame> The Academician laughs wildly. For some reason, he enjoyed the joke. You don't know why. He takes a moment to compose yourself. You wait patiently. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:23:01 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:24:27 <RecedaGame> He says, "If you go to Villier Park, which is in the southwest of the city, there's an entrance to the catacombs. It's like a back door into the Academy. If you can find your way through, you can get to my office. Here's a key." He hands over the key and you take it. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:25:49 <Cassandra> talk to barmaid 
 
Oct 04 05 12:26:12 <RecedaGame> The barmaid looks at you blankly, trying to figure out your unspoken words. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:28:00 <Cassandra> Not I - my dying father's last request was one last drink of Fletcher's, right from the White Code Tavern. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:28:39 <Cassandra> I promised him that, even though I've failed him in so many things, I would fulfill this last wish. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:29:03 <RecedaGame> She says sarcastically, "Yeah, I'm sure. Well, you'd still need to pay. Unless you want to do me a favour. I'm feeling a bit low ever since my boyfriend disappeared, I don't suppose you could get me some flowers?" You don't know why she can't get the flowers herself, or indeed why she's telling you this, but whatever works. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:29:38 <Cassandra> What flowers would you like? 
 
Oct 04 05 12:30:12 <RecedaGame> "Any! I'm not picky. Apart from daisies. They don't count." 
 
Oct 04 05 12:30:13 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:30:52 <Cassandra> Of course I will! Anything I can do to make you feel better. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:31:10 <Cassandra> One last thing: are there any libraries of note around here? 
 
Oct 04 05 12:31:13 <RecedaGame> "Enough! Just get me the flowers already!" 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:39:15 <Cassandra> carefully pick flowers that are not daisies 
 
Oct 04 05 12:39:44 <RecedaGame> You take the flowers that are not daisies. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:39:44 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:39:56 <Cassandra> go back to White Code Tavern 
 
Oct 04 05 12:40:42 <RecedaGame> You attempt to walk directly to the White Code Tavern, with no diversions, but end up walking into a private house, getting shot by a crossbow and dying. Better not try that one again. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:40:42 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Cassandra] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:47:52 <RecedaGame> You give the flowers to the barmaid with trembling hands. You hope you didn't pick any daisies by accident, for fear of being bludgeoned by her ample bosum. Luckily, she looks dreamily into your eyes and says, "Ah, these are wonderful! Here's the Fletcher's Spirit you watched." She hands you a bottle and busies herself looking for a vase. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:51:56 <RecedaGame> For no reason whatsoever, despite the fact you were doing so well, you fall down and die. It's no fault of your own, but it just seems like the gods have decreed that your time has passed. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:53:44 <RecedaGame> Villier Park 
 
Oct 04 05 12:53:47 <RecedaGame> This is a sad, neglected park, with overgrown grass and strange rips in the grass. A lone tree stands next to a strange dark piece of ground. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:53:47 <RecedaGame> You can move out of the park. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:53:47 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:54:04 <Atrophied> examine dark piece of ground 
 
Oct 04 05 12:55:17 <RecedaGame> The dark piece of ground looks suspiciously like there is no ground at all there. In fact, yes, upon further examination, there is no ground there, and it is in fact a hole. Your powers of deduction have been put to good use again. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:55:20 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:55:36 <Atrophied> enter hole 
 
Oct 04 05 12:56:54 <RecedaGame> You gingerly lower yourself into the hole, thinking, for no good reason, that its bottom would be but a few feet away. Instead, you fall to your death many feet below. You'll probably need something to help you get down. It is quite deep though. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:56:54 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 12:56:57 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Atrophied] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 12:58:38 <brat-sampson> look round 
 
Oct 04 05 12:59:44 <RecedaGame> You look around. Nothing has changed. While you lamely wait, two men carrying a sheet of glass (some kind of window, you think) walk straight into you, smashing the glass such that you start bleeding copiously. You die painfully. Clearly the gods are not to be mocked. 
 
Oct 04 05 12:59:50 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v brat-sampson] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:08:43 <oliverkeers13> northeast! 
 
Oct 04 05 13:09:17 <RecedaGame> You walk with determination! 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:09:36 <oliverkeers13> go to quays 
 
Oct 04 05 13:09:57 <RecedaGame> Excuse me? 
 
Oct 04 05 13:10:10 <oliverkeers13> go to David's Quays 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:11:16 <oliverkeers13> talk to man in booth 
 
Oct 04 05 13:12:17 <RecedaGame> The man looks at your blank expression, confused. He soon bores of this, and looks back to his exciting job. While this is happening, some dock workers carrying cargo trip over a rock, throw it on your head, and you die. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:12:19 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v oliverkeers13] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:13:23 <BrianEnigma> die. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:13:48 <RecedaGame> I'm sorry, I don't understand that 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:17:31 <RecedaGame> You hear the schoolbells ringing. Maybe you can win some money off the kids at school. Some men carrying a box of spoons walk hurriedly past. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:17:46 <BrianEnigma> take spoon 
 
Oct 04 05 13:18:02 <RecedaGame> The men have already gone. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:18:37 * BrianEnigma takes a deep breath 
 
Oct 04 05 13:18:38 <BrianEnigma> w,sw,s,s,e,e,n,e 
 
Oct 04 05 13:20:00 <RecedaGame> Alleyway 
 
Oct 04 05 13:20:00 <RecedaGame> You enter the dark alley again, against all reason. A shadow detaches itself from the wall, and you die. Painfully. Stupidly. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:20:00 <RecedaGame> You can move west. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:26:28 <Spankit> prop ladder on the wall 
 
Oct 04 05 13:26:34 <RecedaGame> Dancing with death, you prop the ladder against the wall. It wobbles dangerously... ominously... but it stays! It looks pretty steady. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:26:34 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 13:26:52 <Spankit> climb ladder 
 
Oct 04 05 13:28:07 <RecedaGame> Fanhill School Playground 
 
Oct 04 05 13:28:11 <RecedaGame> You climb the ladder, and get over the wall. Somehow you didn't break any bones on the way down, lucky that. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:28:11 <RecedaGame> You stand inside the playground of your school. People are playing games of pyramid and chasing each other around. There's a group of kids sitting at a bench testing each other with puzzles for money. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:28:11 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 13:28:35 <Spankit> go to bench 
 
Oct 04 05 13:29:25 <RecedaGame> You stand in front of the bench. One of the boys there challenges you to a puzzle. If you solve the puzzle, you get 20 lecks. Otherwise, who knows what consequences there'll be... 
 
Oct 04 05 13:29:28 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 13:29:40 <Spankit> accept challenge 
 
Oct 04 05 13:30:40 <RecedaGame> The boy looks up, sneeringly. "Have you seen that Jaunty Paul show, with the game where you have three doors and there's a prize behind one of the doors?" 
 
Oct 04 05 13:30:40 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 13:31:23 <Spankit> no, explain it to me 
 
Oct 04 05 13:31:46 <Spankit> i mean yes 
 
Oct 04 05 13:32:56 <RecedaGame> The boy sighs at your ineptitude, and looks like he's going to hit you. He reluctantly decides against it. "What kind of puzzler are you? There are three doors. Behind one of them is a prize. You get to choose one door. The host then opens one of the other doors and shows that it's empty. He allows you to switch doors. Should you switch, for a greater chance of getting the prize?" 
 
Oct 04 05 13:32:56 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 13:33:20 <Spankit> yes! 
 
Oct 04 05 13:34:11 <RecedaGame> The boy laughs in your face. "Of course not, you idiot! It's fifty fifty for both!" He jumps on you with his puzzler gang and beats you to death before the teachers can reach you. It's a pretty bad school, near the bottom of the league (can you tell?) 
 
Oct 04 05 13:34:11 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Spankit] 
 
Oct 04 05 13:34:17 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 13:34:23 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game +v FreeMorpheme] 
 
Oct 04 05 13:34:41 <RecedaGame> You have been resurrected in a new body. You are back at the bench, and the boy is waiting for your answer. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:35:12 <FreeMorpheme> no 
 
Oct 04 05 13:36:01 <RecedaGame> "Curses. You're too smart for me, young whippersnapper. Here's your lecks. Now scram!" he says. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:36:01 <RecedaGame> You take the lecks and climb over the wall and arrive back on Fanhill Street. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:54:38 <FreeMorpheme> n 
 
Oct 04 05 13:55:03 <RecedaGame> You move north. Despite your careful planning previously, you are eaten by a grue. Even your sock puppet is no use against it. You wish you hadn't spent all your time waiting around before - you could've gotten through the maze by now. You die. 
 
Oct 04 05 13:55:06 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v FreeMorpheme] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 13:59:18 <Juxta> East 
 
Oct 04 05 13:59:48 <RecedaGame> You move east. The gods frown upon your presumption, for there is no floor here. Too bad. You die. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:09:17 <Scott> e 
 
Oct 04 05 14:09:59 <RecedaGame> You move east. You're sucked into a large, revolving, gigantic fan. You are chopped to pieces. Oh well. You're dead, obviously. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:10:02 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Scott] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:12:09 <RecedaGame> Troll Bridge 
 
Oct 04 05 14:12:12 <RecedaGame> You find yourself in an open space, with wide pit full of spikes and snakes and stuff in front of you, barring your way from a well-lit area further ahead, where there are two corridors branching off to either side. The only way across the pit is over a bridge. Standing on the bridge is a small troll. He looks bored, and is reading last month's issue of 'Troll Quarterly'. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:12:12 <RecedaGame> You can move south or across the bridge and to the north. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:12:12 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:12:40 <josiah> ask troll if I can cross please 
 
Oct 04 05 14:13:04 <RecedaGame> The troll grunts, "No," barely glancing up from his magazine. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:13:04 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:13:19 <josiah> put on the sock puppet 
 
Oct 04 05 14:13:32 <RecedaGame> You put the sock puppet on your hand. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:13:35 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:13:54 <josiah> let sock puppet ask troll if he can cross 
 
Oct 04 05 14:14:38 <RecedaGame> The troll looks enchanted by the small puppet. It says, "Why, little one, you just have to ask nicely." Naturally, you all find this very weird, but the sock puppet seems to take this in its stride. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:14:42 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:15:07 <josiah> let sock puppet say "Mr. Troll, would it be okay if we could both cross please?" 
 
Oct 04 05 14:15:39 <RecedaGame> The troll mulls this over. "Do you have to bring the human?" 
 
Oct 04 05 14:15:39 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:16:09 <josiah> let sock puppet say "I'm afraid so, Mr. Troll, I'm sort of attatched to him. He won't be any trouble. Pretty please?" 
 
Oct 04 05 14:16:55 <RecedaGame> "That's very odd," says the troll. "What kind of sock puppet are you, anyway? Troll Quarterly tells me this is very unusual." 
 
Oct 04 05 14:16:55 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:17:56 <josiah> let sock puppet say "Just a normal sock puppet, just taking him (refers to human) for a walk" while with other hand pushing troll firmly into pit of death, while the troll is distracted 
 
Oct 04 05 14:19:08 <RecedaGame> The troll falls into the pit of death, looking horrified at the sock puppet's betrayal. "Why did you do such a thing, dear sock puppet? NOOOOOOO!!!!!!" You ignore the troll and walk over the bridge. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:19:08 <RecedaGame> You can walk to the east or to the west, or south back over the bridge. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:24:32 <filmguy1013> examine bookshelf 
 
Oct 04 05 14:25:01 <RecedaGame> The bookshelf tells you the direction to the 3rd Volume of Mages. You find it and take it. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:26:22 <filmguy1013> ask the scholars if they know of any books related to the third power 
 
Oct 04 05 14:26:44 <RecedaGame> Silent assassins flit out between the bookshelves and slice off your head. They leave a note on your body which says, "No talking in the library." You die. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:26:47 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v filmguy1013] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:31:53 <Sasuntsi_Davit> is one of the scholars female? 
 
Oct 04 05 14:32:08 <RecedaGame> No. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:35:09 <dysper> write on paper with pen "do you have a spare library card I can borrow, please" and show the paper to the scholars 
 
Oct 04 05 14:36:24 <RecedaGame> The scholars write back, "No, you will have to fight us for it. We earned these after much toil." They stand up challengingly. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:36:27 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:36:36 <dysper> hit scholars 
 
Oct 04 05 14:36:42 <dysper> quietly 
 
Oct 04 05 14:37:10 <RecedaGame> You hit the scholars for 2 damage. They both go down to 8HP! 
 
Oct 04 05 14:37:10 <RecedaGame> They hit back for 3 damage. You drop to 7HP. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:37:10 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:38:02 <dysper> kick scholar 1 and let sock puppet hit scholar 2 
 
Oct 04 05 14:38:28 <dysper> hard but silent - ninja style 
 
Oct 04 05 14:38:44 <RecedaGame> Scholar 1 takes 1 damage, going down to 7HP. Scholar 2 dodges the sock puppet, and remains at 8HP. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:38:44 <RecedaGame> They hit back for 3 damage. You drop to 4HP. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:38:44 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:39:27 <dysper> let sock puppet hit scholars in between their legs 
 
Oct 04 05 14:40:35 <RecedaGame> The scholars cry out in pain, and the silent assassins swoop in, beheading them. The assassins nod to you in honour, as one group of warriors to another. You take a library card. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:41:05 <dysper> go to lobby 
 
Oct 04 05 14:42:31 <RecedaGame> As you wait, you stumble and fall, due to your reduced health. You die. Well done... you were smart, but not smart enough. You should've tried for the balls earlier. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:42:31 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v dysper] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:46:58 <Riiick> enter Nocke's office 
 
Oct 04 05 14:47:08 <Riiick> using key if needed 
 
Oct 04 05 14:47:29 <Riiick> knocking if there is anyone in there first 
 
Oct 04 05 14:47:36 <RecedaGame> You try to enter the office without the key, but the doorhandle is electrified as a security system. You die. Too bad. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:47:36 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:47:37 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Riiick] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:48:46 <RecedaGame> Nocke's office is overflowing with paper everywhere - you had to shove the door open just to get in. Piles of paper cover the sofa, the chairs, the cabinets and even a statue of someone's head. There's little room to walk about. In the corner is a rubbish bin with a glint of glass reflecting from it. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:48:46 <RecedaGame> There is a chest here. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:48:46 <RecedaGame> You can leave the office. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:48:47 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:02 <Talos> Open chest 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:27 <RecedaGame> You open the chest. Inside is a scroll with the letters "NC". 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:28 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:35 <Talos> take scroll 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:41 <RecedaGame> You take the scroll. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:42 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:49:48 <Talos> look in bin at glass 
 
Oct 04 05 14:50:02 <RecedaGame> The glass appears to be some lenses. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:50:03 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 14:50:10 <Talos> take lenses 
 
Oct 04 05 14:50:22 <RecedaGame> You take the lenses. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:50:24 <RecedaGame> > 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:51:34 <Talos> return to potion shop 
 
Oct 04 05 14:52:05 <Talos> take the long way ... 
 
Oct 04 05 14:52:35 <Talos> enter lecture theatre 
 
Oct 04 05 14:52:35 <RecedaGame> You don't know the way back, so you stumble around the Academy corridors. Eventually a passing Academician takes pity and puts you out of your misery. You are dropped from the Academy walls in a physics experiment. You die. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:52:39 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Talos] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 14:59:17 <RecedaGame> Maze of Twisty Passages 
 
Oct 04 05 14:59:18 <RecedaGame> You stand in a maze of a twisty passages, all alike. 
 
Oct 04 05 14:59:18 <RecedaGame> Suddenly all of the lights flicker out. You can't see anything. You can't see any exits, but you can still move. 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 15:00:35 <Loric> w 
 
Oct 04 05 15:01:20 <RecedaGame> You walk into a wall. You die. It's a pretty spiky wall. Shame about those directions. 
 
Oct 04 05 15:01:27 --- RecedaBot sets modes [#receda-game -v Loric] 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 15:10:40 <Muffin> Say to Alric " I have the ingredients to the potion of Glamdring!" 
 
Oct 04 05 15:11:01 <RecedaGame> He replies, "Don't you mean Glimdrang?" 
 
Oct 04 05 15:11:28 <Muffin> Sorry, of course, I meant Glimdrang. Its been a very taxing day so far. 
 
Oct 04 05 15:12:23 <RecedaGame> "I can imagine, getting all that stuff." You give him the ingredients, and half an hour later, he emerges from the back room with a purple potion in a jar. You take the jar. Aren't you glad there were magazines to read while you were waiting? 
 
Oct 04 05 15:12:25 <RecedaGame> > 
 
Oct 04 05 15:12:55 <Muffin> Sure am! Exit shop 
 
Oct 04 05 15:13:25 <Muffin> Taking magazines, of course... 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct 04 05 15:18:56 <Muffin> Give the old man the potion! 
 
Oct 04 05 15:19:47 <RecedaGame> The old man takes the potion gratefully, and then with surprising swiftness, pockets it. He discards his cane, whips off his cloak and towers above you, laughing maniacally. You shrink back, holding your sock puppet out in front of you, defensively. He looks at it with scorn (but doesn't bat it away, you notice). He says, "You fool! I am the dark Lord Flaganroth, and you shall never see your Princess or the Kingdom!" A flash 
 
Oct 04 05 15:19:48 <RecedaGame> goes off, and he uses the distraction to disappear out of your house, having taken everything that you had of value, which wasn't much. 
 
Oct 04 05 15:19:48 <RecedaGame> You cower on the floor of your home, wondering how you were so duped, when you see a scrap of paper he'd left in his haste. It says, "The key to the kingdom is" and then there's a slash in the paper, with "sortails" written to the right of it. Maybe it is a clue to your next quest to save the Kingdom, reclaim your family's glory, and save the Princess! 
 
Oct 04 05 15:19:51 <RecedaGame> There is one last chest left in the corner. You open it up. It says "TOWN". 
 
Oct 04 05 15:19:53 <RecedaGame> You have finished the FIRST QUEST OF RECEDA'S REVENGE!!

Perplex City Wiki:Discussion

2007-06-12T20:35:41Z

BrianEnigma: /* Open Registration + Blacklist */

__NEWSECTIONLINK__
==Perplex City Wiki Discussion Section==
As this is a discussion page for the setup and layout of the Wiki, i've set up this page on here instead of the forums. Regular users of the Wiki should be able to join in the discussion on topics which affect the wiki.

==Site Upgrade==
Upgraded the site to MediaWiki 1.9.0 ([http://sourceforge.net/project/shownotes.php?group_id=34373&release_id=477544 release notes]). I merged the styles and customizations, but dropped the "community sites" dropdown because it's too hard to maintain (for technical reasons, I can't hot-link to the JavaScript, so have to make a local cached version and merge that into the wiki monobook skin.) As always, if you experience any issues with the software, let me know. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 14:38, 17 January 2007 (PST)

== Collaboration of the Week? ==
I would like to propose adopting some of Wikipedia's projects--especially the '''Collaboration of the Week''' project. I'm very impressed with the wealth of knowledge that already exists in this wiki; however, many pages are outdated or stubs, and could use some serious work. Article writing is right up my alley; however, it seems foolish to tackle such a huge task myself. Besides, it'd be a lot more fun to work together as a group, article by article. :) I'd love to see the wiki shine. Thoughts? [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 08:42, 3 July 2006 (PDT)

:fFollowing up, I still think it's a good idea. Actually, xnera, what you've been doing lately is probably the best/only way a COTW will really work. pick a set of pages, and improve en masse. like with the info boxes and suchlike. Uhm, I guess I don't have much to really say here except, you know, wheee. you're doing a fFantatsic job, you know :) the wiki does indeed shine more every day you're here :) [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:33, 10 October 2006 (PDT)

::Now that I've had more experience editing our wiki... I don't think the formal process of the COTW, as done on Wikipedia, would work very well for us. Instead I'm thinking of more informal "smackdowns" (to borrow a phrase from LiveJournal Support <3), like perhaps making a post on the various fora and say, "Okay folks, this week we're going to work on adding the Perplexian Infobox to all character articles. GO!" [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 12:07, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

== User Security Levels ==
*sysop - gives you editing power on locked pages, the ability to make new users, and other little stuff. Basically it's the gold key access.
*bureaucrat - means you can change privs of other people as well.
*developer - I'm not entirely sure what this does, but presumably gives greater access to backpanel controls, so you can easily change the look and fFeel of things, one assumes.
In case you were wondering, there is also a "bot" priv which make users bots. hey hey :) I'm not entirely sure what the subtleties of that are, actually. presumably you can make a user a bot, and their edits are fFlagged a bit differently, fFor better or worse as you see fFit. make scripts fFor rapid edits of stuff, or red-flag annoying users. either way. we have no bots. :)

== Open Registration + Blacklist ==
What does everyone think about possibly opening up free registration to all, with registration required to edit articles, but using the [http://svn.wikimedia.org/viewvc/mediawiki/trunk/extensions/SpamBlacklist/README?view=markup MediaWiki Spam Blacklist] plugin? This is the same one that Wikipedia uses to prevent spammers. I'm not sure how much administrative overhead it is to manually add people to the user database--but even a tiny bit of manual intervention is an extra step that might deter a new user from contributing. I'd like to propose a "register-yourself" model with the Spam Blacklist plugin for a limited trial, until we get comfortable that it's either not working or working better than manually adding people. Then we can either continue to use it or revert back to the old way. Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

:I am reluctant to open registration. This is largely because I had to deal with the onslaught of spamming which occurred a year ago, and there's a good chance I would be the one to deal with it again in the fFuture. I can tell you, adding new users is a really simple thing. I have the page bookmarked, so all I need do when given a new account request is input a name, and generate a response to the person. Pretty easy on my part. However i do fFully recognize the fFact that any effort on the part of the luddite user may be the difference between contibuting new work, and turning away and never looking back. So letting the user do their own registration would be a great thing. So. yes. a trial period might be a good idea. Basically, as I understand it, the plugin simply refers to a blacklist everytime an edit is submitted. So as long as their blacklist is well kept, it should work out dandy. My vote is yes to a trial period, then. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 23:17, 24 September 2006 (PDT)

Yes, it updates from [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Spam_blacklist Wikipedia's blacklist] every 15 minutes. They're really good at controlling spam--I don't know how much of that to attribute to the blacklist and how much to attribute to manual removal, but we'll give it a chance for a few days/weeks and see what we get. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 17:35, 26 September 2006 (PDT)

:fFollowing up on this: Yes, it seems to be working so fFar. Which is to say, we have had no outbreaks in the past 2 weeks. fFar fFrom conclusive, of course. But it makes me happy. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 22:33, 10 October 2006 (PDT)

As a member of the CVU over at en:Wikipedia i'd just like to drop in my two pennies on this subject.
As far as I am concerned - even if we do get attacked with spam accounts:
*It's not hard to clear up - if a clearup is needed at all.
*99% of them won't actually make any edits.
*Any edits that are made are easily reverted.
And as for a malicious user - the wonderful words "Rollback" and "Revert" come to mind - as well as the trusy admin Block button. I can assist any admins who require any help using their powers or any aspect of the admin side of a mediawiki installation at all - just send me a message. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 12:04, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

::Is there anything skenmy can't do? :) Actually rollbacks were a nuisance in, what I'll call: the spam outbreak of last year. Conniving bastards made an edit with one user, made another edit with another user, then made another edit with a third user. Rollbacks (at least, at that time) only went back one edit, so you can see how that could be anoying. I was pretty new to how mediawiki works at the time, also, and I was basicaly all alone, so i sort of went into panick mode trying to rebuild 30 attacked pages. I'm obviously more knowledgeable at this time, and better equipped to handle attacks. (Though, since you mention it, what is the best way to do reverts? I know to edit past versions of the page, but maybe there is some other way.) Additionally ... since skenmy is a genius, maybe he knows the answer to this riddle: Is there a way to delete users, not just block them? Cheeeeeers! [[User:Scott|Scott]] 15:38, 11 October 2006 (PDT)

Not necessarily a genius - just been working with MediaWiki for a while now. I use a few aids over at Wikipedia to assist me with vandalism - various javascript programs and other standalone windows programs that connect to a live IRC framework that then sends out edits to a team of people who gauge and act accordingly. It may be possible - if you so wish - to get a couple of the more simple vandal-fighting apps working on here. Shouldn't need any server code changes - and I could quite easily test them if you want.

As for the removal of accounts - it is possible to *clean up* user accounts with maintenance/removeUnusedAccounts.php (Brian will have to do that in shell). I'll get in touch with the devs as for other spam accounts - especially ones that have made edits. Data integrity is key to keeping a wiki running. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 08:28, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

In addition - admins have special revert powers. I don't have too much experience with those - but it should be quite simple once I ask a WP admin. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 08:43, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

:I haven't cleaned up user accounts specifically with any of the /maintenance/ scripts, but I have blocked a bunch of obvious spam accounts in one big batch process. If anyone is interested, my notes are stored in [[Meta:Spam_Blocking]] in case I need to do it again. It looks like at least one spammer script just creates usernames made of 6 hex digits. A huge chunk of that namespace got taken up and is [[Special:Ipblocklist|now blocked]], so those scripts will start failing. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 15:27, 12 October 2006 (PDT)

A spammer got through today, so I ended up rolling back his changes and extending the Spam Blacklist plugin to also process a local list of blocked URL patterns. That list is at [[Meta:Spam Blacklist]]. -[[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 15:27, 16 October 2006 (PDT)

===Spam Plugin Stopped Working===
Our spam blacklist plugin stopped working, and I wasn't able to determine, in 10-15 minutes, why. For now, I'm closing down the new user signed (i.e. reverting back to the "post your info on the Unfiction thread and we'll manually add you" method.) Tonight, I'll have a bit more time to more extensively debug. My thought is that this is related to Dreamhost silently upgrading their PHP version, which seems to have broken a number of things (including certain features of Wordpress.)

:So it turns out the spam blaclist plugin is working fine. The spammers just got more smart. The blacklist works by matching keywords on the domain name of a link (not on the text of the link because that could be anything.) In the past, spammers have linked to domains with the spammy words in the URL. Now, it seems they are hacking student accounts (lots and lots of pages at *.edu domains), putting spammy content there, then linking to the *.edu pages. This doesn't kick off the spam filter because *.edu is always good, right? ;) I went ahead and added the hacked *.edu domains to or local list of bad links. If it turns out that we really do need to link to a resource at one of those hacked *.edu domains, then we can handle it on a case-by-case basis. [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]] 13:15, 12 June 2007 (PDT)

==Bad-Behavior Plugin==
Also, I installed the Bad-Behavior plugin, which works wonders on WordPress and should do pretty well with MediaWiki. See: [[Meta:Spam Blocking]] [[User:BrianEnigma|BrianEnigma]]

== Title Template and Tiny Update ==
Brian put in some javascript today that means the [[Template:Title]] template I have copied over from my various other wikis now works here. You can use it to replace the big header text at the top of any page with any text you like. It is used as follows:
<nowiki>{{title|New Title Here}}</nowiki>
It is generally placed at the top of a page, above all the content, but I am pretty sure you could place it anywhere and it will work.

I also added the new section link magic word to the top of this page. --[[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] 10:01, 27 October 2006 (PDT)

:Okay, I'm intrigued. What would you do with it? [[User:Scott|Scott]] 19:21, 28 October 2006 (PDT)
::He means that we could change the line that says '''Perplex City Wiki:Discussion''' above the contents box to something like ''Plz to be discussing wiki here, kthxbye!'', if we were so inclined. I just used this to change the title on my User pages so my name has a small x instead of a capital one. I thank [[User:Skenmy|Skenmy]] profusely for this, because that capital x was driving me batty. [[User:Xnera|xnera]] 13:16, 31 January 2007 (PST)

==Bloody vandals!==
Ok I really don't know or understand why you would want to do it, but fFor some incredibly annoying reason, we're being hit by ... not-spammers. hedge trimmers or something.almost certainly automated accounts are being creatd with none sensical names, and arbitrarily deleting a big chunk of a fFew random pages. Not adding anything new, mi9nd you. Not adding spam or ads or anything of the kind. simply deleting a chunk of page. I cant imagine any reason why. If anyone has any suggestion fFor cause or remedy, do tell. If you happen to be the one doing this, CUT IT OUT ASSHOLE. thanks. [[User:Scott|Scott]] 07:35, 18 April 2007 (PDT)

Meta:Spam Blocking

2007-06-12T20:33:42Z

BrianEnigma:

Perplex City Wiki - User contributions [en]

User:Lhall/dragonscales

The Receda Cube

Tanika Rogers

Talk:Characters

User:Enigmaster

Old Town

Ceretin 6 Preliminary Results

Sandbox

Meta:Spam Blacklist

The Lighting of the Way

Misprints and Rarities

Meta:Spam Blacklist

Advertisements

Category:Cleanup

Trails

Meta:Spam Blacklist

The War

Meta:Spam Blocking

Meta:Spam Blocking

Perplex City Wiki:Discussion

Hobbs Island Transcript

Postcard Code

VHC tempfile

Misprints and Rarities

Annaliese Adamek

Site Mirrors

Helix Hesh

Talk:The Thirteenth Labour

Academy Oversight Committee

Ceretin

Perplex City Video

Perplex City Subway

Futures

Perplex City Banking Company

S Marchant

Claire Castille

Leaderboard

Mimasan Maze

Allain

Meta:Spam Blacklist

Businesses

Azad Park

Redlock

Perplex City Wiki:Stub

Shuffled

Perplex City Wiki:Discussion

Helena Frye

Receda's Revenge Highlights

Perplex City Wiki:Discussion

Meta:Spam Blocking