10 More Myths Debunked

Posted by Srandil Mandala on Monday, January 31, 2011

Although it has nothing to do with the list, I consider this fact very interesting: Leonardo da Vinciinvented the sniper firearm. It was not a rifle, as its barrel was smoothbore, but he greatly improved its accuracy by bolting one of his refracting telescopes onto it, aligning it precisely, and used it, in the company of his employer, the Duke of Milan, to shoot enemy soldiers off castle walls from 1,000 yards. He claims the equivalent of 1,000 yards in his notes, but I doubt the distance was this great. He provides no explanation as to why this weapon never became popular. So now, after that moment of randomness, here is the list:
10
George Washington’s Teeth
14-1
President Washington never owned a set of wooden teeth. He did however own a set of hippopotamus ivory teeth, a set of horse teeth, donkey teeth, and human teeth (from various sources), a set of 18kt gold teeth (he tried 24kt but they were too malleable), and a set of lead teeth, which were not particularly good for him. These four sets of dentures (the human and animal teeth were mixed) are in the National Museum of Dentistry. No other dentures of Washington have been discovered.
9
The Ruler of Hell
The-Satan-Pit-Doctor-Beast3
Amazingly, many Christians believe that Satan is sitting on a throne in Hell, laughing at all the agony of the poor damned souls, while his imps and demons run around with pitchforks. None of this is Biblical. Satan is quite frequently described as living on Earth, and doing what he does best, corrupting mankind.
The tradition of a ruler in Hell comes from the Greek god Hades, at least, and perhaps even earlier with the Egyptians. Hades sits on the throne of the Underworld, just as Zeus, his brother, sits on the throne of Olympus.
The Biblical description of Hell is clearly anarchic. No one is in charge. Everyone is screaming and writhing, etc., in a lake of fire. Satan has never been there, and will not go until the end when he loses his fight against God.
The Christian tradition of Satan ruling Hell comes largely from John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n,” Satan says, in Book I.
8
Express Your Anger
Angryman
There is a very common myth about psychology in which people believe they will alleviate their anger by “letting it out”. This is such a popular concept that many therapies have grown up around it – things like punchbags, squeeze balls, etc. In fact, the opposite is found to be true. When a person expresses their anger regularly, it becomes habit forming. While there may appear to be a temporary relief from the anger when you smash a plate against the wall, ultimately your fits of anger will become an addiction and you will begin to seek out more reasons to become angry – in order to achieve that nice feeling. So ultimate, the best thing to do: bottle it up!
7
Don Knotts the D. I.
Don Knotts
Don Knotts, who played the lovable Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show, is said to have been a Marine Corps drill instructor during WWI, on Parris Island, SC, of the savage caliber of R. Lee Ermey. Not true. Knotts enlisted in the Army, not the marines, and served as a traveling comedian, entertaining troops overseas, during WWII, but never trained anyone, and never fired a rifle at anyone.
6
Caffeine Stunts Growth
Coffee-Stunt-1-701703
Caffeine will do a lot of negative things to you, but it will not stunt your growth. It has nothing to do with growth. Experiments have shown that children who consume caffeine do not grow any slower or less than children who are not allowed caffeine, over a period of years.
The myth was probably dreamed up by some clever parent who didn’t want his or her child drinking so much Pepsi.
5
Absinthe the Acid
Absinthe
Absinthe was never any more poisonous than whiskey. The myth goes back at least to the 1800s, and claims that it causes hallucinations, as potently as LSD, and fries the brain. Not true. Absinthe is manufactured from Artemisia absinthium, a plant which has no poisons in it. It is very bitter, like the Greek Ouzo, and the distillation process routinely results in absinthe proofs of 100 to 180 (50% to 90% alcohol by volume). This is significantly stronger than the average whiskey, but will not affect the drinker in any way other than drunkenness.
The truth, though, is that during the Moulin Rouge days of Toulouse-Lautrec and van Gogh, starving artists liked getting drunk, and couldn’t afford the good stuff. So they bought absinthe from cheap street vendors, who did not care to sell uncontaminated products. Cyanide and strychnine were found in this absinthe, and caused hallucinations.
Today, it is legal in the U. S., and perfectly safe to drink if bought commercially.
4
Tornado Myths
Tornado
Opening windows will not spare your house, or any other building, from a tornado’s destructive power. The strongest on record measured 318 mph, which is more than sufficient to blast any building into pieces, except steel-reinforced concrete, and even then, the building must be short, or the wind will blow it over.
Do not hide under overpasses. The confined eaves in these places only increase the force of the wind, which has been reported as strong enough to drag F-250 pickup trucks out from under overpasses and throw them through barns 1000 yards away.
Tornadoes can, in fact, form in winter, and cause just as severe damage as during any other season. They have been seen traveling over snowfield, almost utterly white, and slamming into residential areas.
They can storm through large cities without any problem, as opposed to the belief that they will never damage Oklahoma City. Fort Worth suffered one in 2000, which killed 2 people, and destroyed 8 skyscrapers. 17 others were severely damaged. 60+, in all, had their windows blown out.
3
Shakespeare the Wordwright
Silly-Shakespeare
The myth has gone on for years now that Shakespeare invented about 1,700 words still common in English. Not true. He Anglicized many Latin and Greek words, among other languages, thus coining new English words. But to beinvented, a word must have no etymology before a single person imagines it.
He is said to have invented “assassination,” but what he did was derive it from the Medieval Latin “assassinare,” which means “to kill an important person.”
All of the words he is reputed to have invented can be explained this way. He did, however, devise first name uses for quite a few words, including Viola, Jessica, and Adrian. The first is Latin, the second Hebrew, the third Greek.
Sidenote: Sir Isaac Newton Anglicized “gravitas,” which is Latin for “weight,” into “gravity.” As he was the first to discover the mechanism and its properties, how they work, he had to come up with a word for it. No one else had ever called gravity anything.
2
Darwin and the Origin of Man
Darwin As Monkey
Debaters on both sides are grossly misinformed. Darwin never states in his book On the Origin of Species that humans evolved from apes. He states, quite differently, that apes and humans both evolved from a common ancestor. This seems somewhat less offensive to fundamentalists, and if both sides were to consider it, it might smooth the relationship between fundamentalists and science.
1
Kangaroo
Gray-Kangaroo
This story of how the kangaroo got its name is unfortunately not true. It states that Captain James Cook first landed on Australia, near modern day Sydney, and met the Gweagal tribe of Aborigines on the beach. At this moment, a kangaroo hopped out of the forest with its joey in its pouch and the Europeans, having never seen such a strange animal, asked the Aborigines, “What in the world is that?!”
The Aborigines turned to each other, then shrugged, and one of them said, “Kangaroo!” which is Gweagal for, “I don’t understand what you’re saying!”
Well, the truth is much more banal. “Kangaroo” is derived from the Guugu Yimidhirr (another Aborigine tribe) word “gangurru,” which means…”kangaroo.”
Source: http://listverse.com/2009/11/07/10-more-myths-debunked/
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World's Most Fashionable Nations

Posted by Srandil Mandala

French and Italian fashion houses have dictated clothing trends for many years, but are these nations really the most stylish in the world? In fact, when you take a look around the world's biggest cities, you will soon discover that Barcelona, Melbourne, Copenhagen or Sao Paulo easily rival Paris, Milan or Rome. Today, the best fashion scenes are not the catwalks but the streets where people are dressed with style, look uniquely and sexy.
Below are five most fashionable nations presented in alphabetical order:

1. The Australians.

In melbourne. Australia. By herwordskill
It must be the sun, ocean and a laid-back attitude towards life that make Aussies look so great, relaxed and well-dressed. Australian fashion, with its casual and individualistic approach, can be clearly distinguished from European style that is still a bit conservative. Let's make it clear - no one wears flip-flops to the theatre in Europe. Most of the clothing designs in Australia are influenced by the surf culture, outdoor activities, graffiti and arts that form impressive fusion of styles and colours.
Still, Australian dress-code is more than foot thongs, swimming suit and a pair of old jeans. Today, the country's fashion industry has grown big and its designers are world-renowned and internationally acclaimed. The streets of Sydney, Melbourne or Perth are filled with super-dressed people wearing innovative unique clothing that can rival the best European haute couture.

2. The Brazilians.

Sao Paulo Fashion Week, one of the flagship events of the Brazilian clothing world, provides some evidence for Brazil's passion for fashion. It is not the latest trends straight from catwalks that make the Brazilian fashion so interesting, however. The nation's great sense of style, full of colors, mosaic patterns and well fitting or actually, skin-tight clothes, capture the optimistic spirit of Brazilians best. Exotic and sexy style of the women is admired and envied all around the world and the Brazilians' unique mix of different cultural influences, from Africa to Europe and Asia, make the country's fashion extraordinary and internationally acclaimed.
Today, Brazilian clothing industry has grown strong on the global markets. Original design and custom-made lines rival the world's largest industries - the country is currently the second largest denim fabric producer and fifth largest apparel producer in the world.

3. The Danish.

By stefanravn Bike fashion in Denmark. By stefanravn
Oh, Denmark is trendy! The Danes have this great fashion sense simply running through their veins. It can be easily observed on the streets of Denmark's largest cities, Copenhagen, Aarhus or Alborg, where literally everyone is dressed with style. Still, the Danes don't seem to care as much about the latest trends, they rather follow their own fashion rules - the clothes are somehow both classical and innovative - their simple cut, organic colours, perfect fit and top quality materials accompanied with stylish patterns and original detail make Danes look absolutely gorgeous.
Today Danish fashion is one of the main pillars of the country's export industry. Despite its small size, Denmark is the 9th largest exporter of clothes among the OECD states, and it holds 2.8 % of the international export market.

4. The Japanese.

Street fashion in Osaka. By bruceley Street fashion in Osaka. By bruceley
Fashion in Japan is not only the bizarre and insane look of crazy teenagers occupying the streets of Harajuku, the trendy shopping district in Tokyo. Actually, Japanese have an amazing sense of aesthetics and there are no other countries in the world where art plays such a big role in the history of the nation. From ink painting on silk and paper and subtle calligraphy to more recent manga and cartoon, Japanese's need for expressing themselves through art can be observed in every aspect of their life. Also in the clothing world, Japan is a place where fashion meets art.
The way Japanese dress is refined to the last detail, unique and rich. Fashion in Japan reflects the latest trends of the world's biggest fashion houses but it can also perfectly combine modern ideas with classical Japanese look.
With such big names as Yohji Yamamoto, Kenzo, Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons 's Rei Kawakubo, who developed a new way of cutting, today Japan is one of the most interesting fashion markets in the world.

5. The Spanish.

Pez shopping street in Madrid. By gaelx Pez shopping street in Madrid. By gaelx
The time is now for Spain. In fact, saying that Paris, Rome and Milan are fashion capitals of the world would be a bit of cliché - today these are Madrid and Barcelona that dictate fashion trends in Europe and worldwide. Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Mango and El Corte Ingles dress Europeans, Americans and Asians and it is the Spanish designers like Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Pura Lópe, Pedro del Hierro and  Paco Rabanne that have revolutionized the international fashion industry.
Fashion has always been an integral part of the Spanish culture where people look sophisticated and stylish. They just know how to combine sleek, casual and smart pieces of clothing into one perfect outfit. And the shoes. The shoes are always bang up to date. Spain, with its rich tradition of leather craftsmanship, is the second largest shoes producer in the European Union, after Italy.

source : http://opentravel.com/blogs/worlds-most-fashionable-nations/
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Tips for Travellers

Posted by Srandil Mandala

Health and safety are top concerns for tourists when travelling abroad. Here are a few tips to help you on your trip through Indonesia.

Money
The official monetary unit of Indonesia is the Rupiah.

It is possible to exchange money at bank counters upon arrival at international airports or seaports. In town, most of the foreign currencies can easily be exchanged at banks and authorised money exchange counters. ATM’s are widely available everywhere for cash operations, even in smaller cities.

Health
The areas that most visitors want to go to are safe for travel for health conscious tourists. Malaria today is eradicated in all urban areas and most of the large tourist areas. Malaria transmission can occur after dark in rural, forested areas not usually frequented by tourists, except in Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya), where risk is widespread.

However, over the past few years, malaria cases have been observed in Central Java Province. Insect protection measures (anti-mosquitoes cream or lotions) are advised against mosquito-borne diseases like malaria or dengue fever. They are available in any pharmacy or drugstore in Indonesia. The country also has a large number of well-equipped hospitals to international standards, especially in the largest cities and tourist areas.

Safety
Indonesia is an exceedingly safe country for foreign tourists and Indonesians will take pride and happiness to help and give their best to a traveller. However, as in any country in the world, in big cities such Jakarta, Surabaya or very popular tourist areas like Bali or Yogyakarta, it is advisable not to go out carrying too much cash or flashing expensive jewellery. To travel within a city, use only taxis with the name of the company. They are all equipped with meters.

Which destinations to visit?
Indonesia and is fully open to foreign visitors. The regions receiving the most tourists are currently Bali, Java, Lombok, Sumatra, Sulawesi and the islands of Batam and Bintan across Singapore.

As Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, events happening in one specific part of the country do not mean that the whole Indonesia is affected. For example, the tsunami disaster affected only the Northwestern tip of Sumatra island in Aceh. In Bali, Yogyakarta, Jakarta or even in the rest of Sumatra, life continued normally.
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Oscars: Best picture nominees

Posted by Srandil Mandala

BLACK SWAN

Natalie Portman in Black Swan Natalie Portman stars in erotically-charged thriller Black Swan
What it's about: Ballerina Nina starts to lose her grip on reality as she finds herself challenged for the lead role in Swan Lake by newcomer Lily.
Who stars: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder
Director: Darren Aronofsky
What the critics say: "The most toxic, rapturous, melodramatic, operatic movie about a mentally disintegrating ballerina you'll see all year… And featuring some of the best dance sequences ever." Total Film
"Black Swan is visceral and real even while it's one delirious, phantasmagoric freakout." New York Times
Awards history: Black Swan opened the Venice Film Festival in September 2010. Natalie Portman scooped the best actress prizes at the Golden Globes, and at the Critics' Choice Awards - where Black Swan received a record 12 nominations. It also garnered 12 Bafta nominations, including best film. It has three Screen Actors Guild nominations.

THE FIGHTER

Scene from The Fighter Bale (r) and Wahlberg (l) play half-brothers in the boxing biopic
What it's about: The true story of boxer Micky Ward and his transformation into a sports legend, against a background of strained family loyalties.
Who stars: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Director: David O Russell
What the critics say: "The Fighter tries a number of risky manoeuvres and manages to make them pay off in the end. The movie initially feels like more of a near thing than the film-makers anticipated, but as in boxing it's only the final decision that counts." Los Angeles Times
"If The Fighter feels like kind of a mess, lurching from one scene to the next as if the film itself has taken a few hits to the head, that's not entirely a bad thing." Variety
Awards history: The Fighter was nominated for six Golden Globe Awards, with Christian Bale and Melissa Leo taking the best supporting acting gongs. Bale also won the National Board of Review award for best supporting actor. The film took three prizes at the Critics' Choice Awards, including best acting ensemble. It has three Bafta nominations, including supporting role nods for Christian Bale and Amy Adams, plus four Screen Actors Guild nominations.

INCEPTION

A rotating corridor was constructed for Inception's hotel action scenes Inception features some mind-bending action sequences
What it's about: Dom Cobb, the leader of a team of thieves who raid secrets from dreams, is hired to achieve the perfect crime: to plant an idea in the mind of a target.
Who stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy
Director: Christopher Nolan
What the critics say: "With physics-defying, thunderous action, heart-wringing emotion and an astonishing performance from DiCaprio, Nolan delivers another true original: welcome to an undiscovered country." Empire
"It is that rarest of beasts: a slippery, cerebral summer blockbuster that slaloms from illusion to reality and back again and leaves its viewer bewitched, bothered and bewildered." The Guardian
Awards history: Inception has a long list of accolades from numerous critics' groups and guilds. Its nine Bafta nominations include best film and best director and a number of technical categories. It was nominated for four Golden Globes.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

Annette Bening (l) and Moore (r) play lesbian parents Nic and Jules Annette Bening (l) and Moore (r) play lesbian parents Nic and Jules
What it's about: The lives of lesbian mothers, Nic and Jules, are changed forever when their teenage children trace their biological father.
Who stars: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo
Director: Lisa Cholodenko
What the critics say: "A witty portrait of postmodern family life in which script, casting, direction and location all just float together without any apparent effort at all." The Guardian
"It's a film about marriage itself, an institution with challenges that are universal." Chicago Sun-Times
Awards history: The Kids Are All Right won two Golden Globes - best actress for Annette Bening and best picture (both in the musical or comedy category). Bening and Julianne Moore are both Bafta actress nominees. It has three Screen Actors Guild nominations.

THE KING'S SPEECH

Helena Bonham Carter stars alongside Colin Firth as the future Queen Mother Helena Bonham Carter stars alongside Colin Firth as the future Queen Mother
What it's about: The true story of King George VI's relationship with his irreverent speech therapist as he battles with a nervous stammer.
Who stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce
Director: Tom Hooper
What the critics say: "The players are as good as you'd expect and while this is clearly positioned as high-end heritage drama, it shows a keen wit." Uncut
"The King's Speech adheres to every rule in the Oscar playbook." Time
Awards history: The King's Speech is leading the way in the Bafta nominations with 14 nods, including best film and director while Colin Firth is up for best actor. Firth won a Golden Globe for best actor. The film won five prizes at the British Independent Film Awards. It has four Screen Actors Guild nominations and won the best film accolade at the Producers Guild, beating off competition from The Social Network.

127 HOURS

Franco plays real-life climber Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's film Franco plays real-life climber Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's film
What it's about: The real-life survival story of Aron Ralston, an experienced rock climber who has to take drastic action when he becomes trapped in a canyon.
Who stars: James Franco, Clemence Poesy
Director: Danny Boyle
What the critics say: "I have never before seen something yucky on screen make an entire cinema audience suddenly hunch forward and bury their heads in their laps at the same time, as if in some secular mosque for wimps." The Guardian
"At the end, we stagger like Ralston from the dark into the light. We might have both our arms left, but our nerves are just as terrorised." Time Out
Awards history: 127 Hours was nominated for three Golden Globes, and goes into the Oscars race with eight Bafta nominations. It is also nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards - to be announced just ahead of the Oscars.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg portray the co-founders of Facebook in The Social Network
What it's about: The founding of Facebook by Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg and the legal wrangles that followed.
Who stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
Director: David Fincher
What the critics say: "On a first viewing, it seems almost indecently smart, funny and sexy. The second time around... half the time I sat there marvelling at the similarities of the story, themes and structure to Citizen Kane." indieWIRE
"Continues Fincher's fascinating transition from genre film-maker extraordinaire to indelible chronicler of our times." Variety
Awards history: The Social Network marked itself out as a serious Oscar contender having won four Golden Globes, including best film drama. It has six Bafta nominations, including best picture, Aaron Sorkin's screenplay, and David Fincher's direction. It has two Screen Actors Guild nominations.

TOY STORY 3

Toy Story 3 Toy Story 3 is as appealing to adults as children
What it's about: It's about letting go... Andy is off to college and has to decide what to do with Woody, Buzz and the other toys in his bedroom.
Who stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
Director: Lee Unkrich
What the critics say: "It's a film that moves as much as it entertains, that will make adults cry as much as - perhaps even more than - younger children." The Telegraph
"A film to enrapture children, and make adults weep. Plastic cowboy hats off to Pixar once again." Film4
Awards history: Can anything beat Toy Story 3 in the animation category? It took the Golden Globe for best animation and is also up for a Bafta.

TRUE GRIT

Bridges (l) plays "Rooster" Cogburn, played by John Wayne in the original True Grit Bridges (l) plays "Rooster" Cogburn, played by John Wayne in the original True Grit
What it's about: Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross enlists the help of trigger-happy, drunken US marshal Rooster Cogburn to hunt down the man she believes killed her father.
Who stars: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin
Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
What the critics say: "True Grit is essential viewing, a significant instalment in the Coen brothers' exploration of what it means to be an American and just a damn good yarn." The Vine
"Much like the novel, True Grit's adaptation is a western that's heavy on the laughs, but also not short on menage and action." Den of Geek
Awards history: Although ignored by the Golden Globes,True Grit is nominated for eight Baftas, including best film, actor and actress. It has two Screen Actors Guild nominations.

WINTER'S BONE

Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence has been highly praised for her breakthrough performance Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence has been highly praised for her breakthrough performance
What it's about: A young woman whose dogged attempts to locate her missing father raise the hackles of her remote rural community.
Who stars: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes
Director: Debra Granik
What the critics say: "The film rests on [Lawrence's] shoulders and she succeeds in carrying it, providing a window to a world many of us, to our shame, refuse to see." Illinois Times
"A vivid reworking of Daniel Woodrell's novel that brings the book's conflicted heroine to searing life in a piece of unhurried film-making too rarely seen these days." Empire
Awards history: Winner of the Grand Jury prize at Sundance in 2010, Winter's Bone leads the field at the 2011 Independent Spirit awards, having been nominated for seven prizes. The film was named best feature film at New York's Gotham Awards. Jennifer Lawrence was nominated for a Golden Globe, and there are two Screen Actors Guild nominations.
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Rubik's Cube Solution

Posted by Srandil Mandala


The world's most famous puzzle, simultaneously beloved and despised for it's beautiful simple complexity, the Rubiks Cube has been frustrating gamers since Erno Rubik invented it back in 1974. Over the years many brave gamers have whole-heartedly taken up the challenge to restore a mixed Rubik's cube to it's colorful and perfect original configuration, only to find the solution lingering just out of their grasp time and time again. After spending hours and days twisting and turning the vaunted cube in vain, many resorted to removing and replacing the multi-colored facelets of the cube in a dastardly attempt to cheat the seemingly infallible logic of the cube, while others simply tossed it to the side and dubbed it impossible. The Rubik's cube, it seemed, had defeated all.
Humanity required a solution, so intelligent gamers went to work to take down the so-called "frustration cube". Amazingly, not only did they discover a solution, they formulated many of them, ranging from beginner-level to advanced. One of these bright bulbs was Denny Dedmore. Not only did he discover an efficient and fool-proof solution for solving the cube, he also provided several amazing "algorithms" (move-sequences) which made following his talented solution very simple. Mr. Dedmore completed his now easy-to-master solution by inventing the brilliant move notation found throughout the guide, which made explaining the various twists and turns necessary to solve the Rubiks cube visually understandable.
We are now proud to bring you the stunning Rubiks cube strategy guide originally developed by Denny Dedmore, now optimized and refreshed by Chess and Poker Dot Com, that will allow all of us to claim vindication and defeat the previously unbeatable Rubik's cube. Take your time, work through all of the steps until you understand them and you'll be able to successfully solve the rubik's cube. Finally!

Rubiks Cube Terminology and Move Notation

The terms used in the Rubiks cube strategy guide are well-known to the cubing world. The squares that make up the Rubiks cube are known as Cubies. The colored stickers on the fronts of all the Cubies are known as Facelets. There are three types of Cubies: Corners, Edges and Center Cubies. Corners have three facelets, edges have two and the center Cubies have only one facelet. Notice that in our graphic there is also a label under one side of the cube that says "Front". Since all of the diagrams are shown at an angle, also showing the right and top sides of the cube, it's important to always look at the cube from the front perspective when making your moves. Showing the cube at an angle is necessary because you will have to make different sets of moves based on various arrangements of Cubies on both of these other two sides.
Bottom Row Left Bottom Row Right Middle Row Left Middle Row Right Top Row Left Top Row Right
This group of notation graphics indicate which direction the various horizontal rows of the Rubiks cube should be turned. There are 3 different rows.
Left Column Down Left Column Up Middle Column Down Middle Column Up Right Column Down Right Column Up
This group of notation graphics indicate which direction the various vertical columns of the Rubiks cube should be turned. There are 3 different columns.
Face Clockwise Face Counter Clockwise
These notation graphics indicate which direction the entire front face of the cube should be turned.
Now that you know the terminology used throughout the strategy guide, let's learn how to understand the move notation graphics. Utilizing the Rubik's cube move notation chart, you can find the definitions of each tiny graphic. The first two sets show which horizontal row or vertical column should be moved, and in which direction. When looking at the front of the cube, the top three horizontal Cubies make up the top row. The middle horizontal row of cubies (from the top or bottom) make up the middle row, and finally the bottom three horizontal cubies make up the bottom row. So what about the columns? Still looking at the front of the cube, the three vertical cubies on the left make up the left column. Then the next three vertical cubies make up the middle column and the last three vertical cubies make up the right column. But what about the looping arrow notation graphics?
When you are looking directly at the front of the cube, which you should always be doing, the nine Cubies with various facelets that you see are known as the front face of the cube. When you see the "turning arrow" notation graphics from the third set, they are instructing you to turn all nine of these cubies at the same time to either the right (clockwise) or left (counter-clockwise). So instead of moving individual rows or columns, when you see these graphics you should turn the entire front face of the cube to the direction indicated. Using these and the other notation graphics explained above you are now ready to begin solving the cube. But before you begin, we suggest that you first play around with the cube for a while and try to understand these moves and how they move the various parts of the cube around. Some of the moves can be a bit tricky for your fingers. For example, when you are moving a middle row or column, you in fact must move two columns or rows, and then turn the non-middle one back to it's previous spot. This is because the middle rows or columns do not move independently. Don't forget to move the other row or column back! Once you are comfortable with all of the moves, it's time to solve.

The Seven-Step Guide to Solving a Rubiks cube

To begin the solution, we must first prime the cube. To do so, simply pick a corner cubie and turn it so that it is the upper-right-hand corner cubie on the front of your cube. It can be any color, but for our example we will be using the Blue-Red-White corner as shown, with the white facelet on the front, the red facelet on the right and the blue facelet on the top. Then, you must turn the rest of the cube around until the top color of your selected first corner cubie also matches the center. Our top color is blue so we must turn the blue center cubie around to the top of the cube. You can move the Blue center around in any direction you want until it arrives at the correct top-center position as shown. By priming the cube in this way, you have already solved two of the top row cubies. We are now ready to solve the rest of the cube.
We used (and pretty much destroyed) our Collector's Edition Rubik's Cube when developing our Rubik's cube guide.

Step One: Place the Top Row Corners

Since we have solved the first corner of our top row when we primed it, we are now ready to solve the other three. To do so, you must turn the entire cube (not any rows, columns or faces) to the left so that your original corner cubie is now the upper-left-hand corner on the front of the cube. In our example, you can see that the upper-left-hand corner is now the original blue-red-white corner with the blue and red facelets showing on the graphic (since we turned the entire cube to the left). We now need to solve the upper-right-hand corner again, so we must figure out which corner to put there. In fact, this is quite easy. Since the mystery cubie must have blue on it (otherwise it won't match the rest of the top color), and it must also have red on it (or it won't make a full-red side with the first red facelet there), we simply must find the other corner on the cube with blue and red on it. On our cube, this would be the Blue-Red-Yellow cubie.
The next step is to maneuver this target cubie to the bottom-right-hand corner of the cube (shown here in black to help demonstrate the target location). The blue, red and yellow facelets on this cubie can be in any order and on any side as long as the cubie is in its proper spot. Simply turn the bottom row around (without disturbing the top row) until your target cubie is in its place. Once the cubie is at the bottom-right-hand corner on the front, depending on the location of the top color (Blue) we will choose one of the following algorithms to move it up to the top-right-hand corner and flip it around to line it up properly.
One Right Column Down Bottom Row Left Right Column Up One Bottom Row Left Right Column Down Bottom Row Right Right Column Up Three Right Column Down Bottom Row Right Right Column Up Bottom Row Right Bottom Row Right Right Column Down Bottom Row Left Right Column Up
Four Face Clockwise Bottom Row Right Face Counter Clockwise Bottom Row Right Bottom Row Right Right Column Down Bottom Row Right Right Column Up Five Right Column Down Bottom Row Left Right Column Up Bottom Row Right Right Column Down Bottom Row Left Right Column Up
For example, if our Blue-Red-Yellow cubie happens to have the blue facelet showing on the right side of the cube (position 1) we would use the first algorithm. If instead it was on the front side (position 2) we would use the second algorithm. Finally, if the Blue facelet is on the bottom of the cubie (position 3, indicated by the hand pointing to the bottom) you would use the third algorithm.
It may also happen that the target Blue-Red-Yellow Cubie is already in its proper top-row position but it is not facing the right way (the red facelet is not on the same side as the original red facelet). If the Blue facelet is on the front (position 4) use the fourth algorithm, and of course if it is on the right side of the cubie (position 5) use the fifth algorithm. If your desired cubie is trapped in the middle layer, simply skip to another corner and once you solve it the target cubie will have been forced back into the top or bottom row. When you are finished with the corners, your cube will have a Blue "X" on the top with all of the corner colors matching up horizontally with their partners.

Step Two: Place the Edges and Finish the Top Layer

Now that we know the general ideas on how to find the proper target cubie and then move it into position, we're ready to finish the top layer. Keeping the above concepts in mind, we must now find the target edge cubies (those that will complete the top row) and move them into the new target positions, again colored black here. Simply turn the bottom and middle layers until the target cubie is in one of these spots, and based on which side the top color (blue) is on, select from the following algorithms to move it into its place. When you are finished with step two, the entire top layer of the cube is solved.
One Middle Column Down Bottom Row Left Bottom Row Left Middle Column Up Two Bottom Row Left Middle Column Down Bottom Row Right Middle Column Up Three Middle Row Right Face Clockwise Middle Row Left Face Counter Clockwise
Four Middle Row Right Face Counter Clockwise Middle Row Left Middle Row Left Face Clockwise Five Middle Column Down Bottom Row Left Bottom Row Left Middle Column Up Bottom Row Left Middle Column Down Bottom Row Right Middle Column Up

Step Three: Align the Centers and Place the Middle Layer Edges

To begin step 3, you must first turn the middle layer around so that the center cubies in the middle layer all match with their top layer counterparts. In our example, you can see that the red center and yellow center match up with their respective colors above them. This is known as forming the Half-T. Once you have the centers aligned, you've already partially solved the middle layer. The only thing left to do is place the remaining edges.
Now, turning only the bottom row, we will position the target cubie so that it will match up with its same-color center forming the Full-T. In our example, we have turned the bottom row around so that we have formed a Full Red T on the front of the cube. We may be ready to place this cube into position, but we must first check to make sure it is indeed the correct edge. On our cube, we would need the bottom of the Red T cubie to be either Yellow (which when moved to the right would match up with the Red and Yellow centers) or the Red-White cubie (which on our cube could be moved left, matching up with the Red and White centers). If this edge cannot connect either of the two centers to the left or right, or it is upside down (there is not a T formed, the Red facelet is improperly on the bottom) you must move on to another T formation. There will almost always be another T immediately possible. Here are the algorithms you'll use to move the target cubie to the left or right as needed:
Left Bottom Row Right Left Column Down Bottom Row Left Left Column Up Bottom Row Left Face Counter Clockwise Bottom Row Right Face Clockwise Right Bottom Row Left Right Column Down Bottom Row Right Right Column Up Bottom Row Right Face Clockwise Bottom Row Left Face Counter Clockwise
If you find that no T is possible, or that the correct edge is in the proper position but is turned around so that the colors do not match up, simply place a random cubie into its place by performing either of the algorithms once, which will force the proper cubie back to the bottom. Occasionally, you will have to do this several times to get the positioning correct. When you have finished, your cube will have both the top and middle layers fully solved.

Step Four: Turn the Cube Over and Arrange the Last Layer Corners

Now you'll turn the entire cube upside down (the Blue top now becomes the bottom) and arrange the last unfinished layer (Green) corners into their correct positions, although not yet finished. On our cube, the front face is the red side. So the correct corners for the front (labeled as 1 and 2) must both have Green and Red facelets on them so they'll match up with the bottom two layers we've already solved and also the Green top. Using this logic, the back side of our cube is Orange so the back corners (labeled as 3 and 4) must both then contain Green and Orange facelets. Furthermore, all the final corners must also be on their correct sides. For example, on our cube the Green-Red-White corner must be in position 1 and the Green-Red-Yellow corner must be in position 2. Once we are ready to finish them in the next step they must be ready to match up with all three colors.
Remember, we aren't trying to completely solve these final corners yet, just moving them into place to be finished in the next step. As an example, on the mini-cube to the right you can see that the Green-Red-White corner is in the correct position but not yet finished (the green facelet is on the front, the white facelet is on the top etc). The Green-Orange-White cubie on the back right side is also in the correct position, but obviously not matching up correctly yet (the orange facelet is on the white side). However, that's all you have to do for this step! We'll be flipping all of these corners around to finish them in Step Five. Here are the maneuvers used to arrange the corners into their correct positions, although not yet solved:
Switch 1 and 2 Left Column Up Top Row Right Left Column Down Face Clockwise Top Row Left Face Counter Clockwise Left Column Up Top Row Left Left Column Down Top Row Left Top Row Left
Switch 1 and 3 Top Row Left Left Column Up Top Row Right Left Column Down Face Clockwise Top Row Left Face Counter Clockwise Left Column Up Top Row Left Left Column Down Top Row Left
Many times you can take a look around the unfinished top layer and find the two Red corners already side-by-side. If that's the case, just turn the top layer around so that both Red corners are on the Red front (without disturbing the two finished layers below of course). Then you'll just have to use the "Switch One and Two" maneuver to move them back and forth to the proper sides. Concerning the Orange corners, you must turn the entire cube around (not moving any rows or columns) so that the Orange side is now the front. Then you can perform the switching maneuvers as needed. If two Reds are diagonal from one another (the red corners are currently at positions 2 and 3), perform the "Switch One and Three" maneuver to bring them side-by-side. When you have finished this step, your cube will have the corners arranged to their proper positions, but probably not yet finished.

Step Five: Completely Finish the Last Layer Corners

In this step, we will flip all of the last layer corners around into their final finished positions. On our cube, Green is the last layer color. To solve the corners, we will focus on three different configurations concerning the Green facelets. Using the graphic to the left, hold your cube so that when you are looking at the front you can see any of these Green facelet configurations exactly as shown. For this step, none of the other remaining facelets (or the rest of the cube) matter so they are not shown, including any other Green facelets on the last layer. Once you've located one of the three arrangements, perform the following algorithm:
Left Column Up Top Row Right Left Column Down Top Row Right Left Column Up Top Row Right Top Row Right Left Column Down Top Row Right Top Row Right Several times
Remember that while two of the configurations (the middle and bottom) require the green facelets be located on the right side of the cube, it's still necessary to perform the algorithm above from the front. You'll have to perform this algorithm several times, and you'll need to use at least two of the three different configurations to continue (finding the same configuration over and over again will just get you stuck). If you couldn't find one of the starting configurations to begin this step, perform the algorithm once and then you'll be able to find one of them.

Step Six: Completely Finish Two Edges and Prepare the Remaining Two

You should now find that you have also placed at least one of the remaining last layer edges into its final position, although not necessarily turned around correctly. Turn the entire cube around so that the side with a correctly positioned edge is now the front (in some cases, you'll have a couple to choose from). In our diagram, the side with the Green-White edge is the front because the edge is in its proper place (just needing to be flipped over). Then perform the following repositioning algorithm to move the rest of the edges into their proper places (up to two times). If you couldn't find a correctly positioned edge to start with, perform the algorithm once from any front and then proceed as usual.
Middle Column Up Top Row Right Middle Column Down Top Row Right Top Row Right Middle Column Up Top Row Right Middle Column Down From the Correctly-Positioned Edge Side

Step Seven: Solve the Rubik's Cube

We are now ready to completely solve the Rubik's cube. At this point, only the last unfinished layer concerns us so the rest of the cube is not shown. In almost all cases, there will be two edges completely solved after finishing step six above, and two edges unsolved. The two unsolved edges, however, are now properly positioned on their correct sides and simply need to be turned around to be finished. Turn the entire cube around until the last two unsolved edges match up to either of the graphics shown to the left when looking at the front of the cube. In our graphic, the completely solved cubies of the last layer are shown in Pink, and the two unsolved edges are shown in Purple.
Once you are ready, perform the applicable last layer algorithm below to completely solve the cube. The first is known as the "H" Pattern, and the second is known as the "Fish Pattern". If for some reason you had all four edges flipped (instead of the usual two edges) when you finished step six, simply perform the "H" Pattern once from any front. You will then be able to find either of the two original patterns at that point. Congratulations! You've solved the Rubiks Cube!
Dedmore H Right Column Down Middle Row Left Right Column Down Right Column Down Middle Row Left Middle Row Left Right Column Down Top Row Right Top Row Right Right Column Up Middle Row Right Middle Row Right Right Column Down Right Column Down Middle Row Right Right Column Up Top Row Right Top Row Right
Dedmore Fish Face Counter Clockwise Left Column Up Right Column Down Middle Row Left Right Column Down Right Column Down Middle Row Left Middle Row Left Right Column Down Top Row Right Top Row Right Right Column Up Middle Row Right Middle Row Right Right Column Down Right Column Down Middle Row Right Right Column Up Top Row Right Top Row Right Left Column Down Face Clockwise
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