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beale
Aug 14, 2004 2:09:55 GMT -5
Post by Rockhound on Aug 14, 2004 2:09:55 GMT -5
I found bealeciphers.net/ worked for me. Hopefully that's the site M Groff was referring to. Rockster.
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 10, 2004 14:34:45 GMT -5
Hi Nick This is a tricky reply for me, I don't know quite what you want me to do with respect to moderating this thread. And I sure don't want to alienate you from the forum.
Short of deleting entire posts or threatening to issue bans I just don't know how you expect me to proceed.
If I can just explain my position, ie why I have done and intend to do nothing at this time:
1. My take on the ciphers is different from both your's and tjb's and to be quite honest I am not qualified to make any kind of judgement as to who is making sense and who is talking out of a hole in his... but even if I were able to make that destinction I'm sure I wouldn't silence either of you based on my own assumptions.
2. As far as I can see, and in my opinion, you are not being singled out for criticism Nick. You and TJB simply disagree, quite strenuously on both your parts, but nevertheless it is a point upon which it seems unlikely that you will find any common ground. You demonstrate quite adequately that you are able to answer for yourself though.
3. Sometimes the tone of a post might sound harsh when it is not intended in quite that way.
4. It is easy to get carried away when people are criticising your efforts, as you are no doubt both aware.
And most importantly... It is NOT my place to silence or censor people simply because they offend or annoy others with their views! Except when those views are expressed offensively or with innappropriate language (ie, swearing, name calling, bringing the other's parentage into question etc) in which case I shall surely put a stop to it immediately.
------------------------------ Please bear in mind that I am only human and asking me to moderate is asking me to make decisions based upon my own opinions. That is a dangerous road and one I'd rather not tread. ------------------------------
I'll simply say the following...
"You two behave yourselves before someone gets hurt..."
"It'll all end in tears you know..."
"Don't come running to me if you end up with a broken leg!"
"Shake hands and come out fighting say you're sorry!"
"Remember, this is supposed to be fun!"
------------------------------ Nick, Please don't take me to task on any of the above here in this thread, just read, digest and if you have any further comments or problems you'd like to share with me then join up as a full member and send me a Private Message (PM) via the forum. I'd rather see this topic end right here.
Rockster
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 8, 2004 13:19:09 GMT -5
Hi again Nick, I believe my use of the "F" word was warranted because if you read the quote you highlighted from the beginning, ("My personal belief is that, while the papers are a hoax, the codes do in fact contain a message...") you'll see that I was (in fact) stating an opinion.
I'm not just being pedantic or arguing semantics with you, I simply think that in order to explain why I have spent so much time and effort on the codes although I believe them to be a hoax, I must state my personal belief... that the codes do in fact contain a message!
However, if I did want to be pedantic I might point out that although you never actually use the "F" word, you infer it by choosing to omit phrases such as "I believe", "I think" or "In my opinion" before statements like "These are serious anomalies that should not and cannot be ignored." or "Sorry folks, but it's pure fiction."
Of course I don't want to be pedantic so I won't go down that route ;D
I'm just happy you take the time to make your thoughts known.
Regards,
Rockhound
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 3, 2004 11:36:11 GMT -5
Having just re-read TJB's post (what else is there to do when nobody seems to be posting these days? ... I feel I have to point out that I have known and corresponded with TJB for over 2 years now and therefore feel comfortable in vouching for his veracity. If he says he has a plan to recover the treasure then I personally state, here and now, he can be taken at his word. Rockhound.
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 1, 2004 22:11:39 GMT -5
Yes TJB, we have talked about this via email, and our disagreements come down to simple semantics. I have a method which so far has not and is not likely to bear fruit until I learn to program some contemporary language in the near future! You have results which you are not ready to make public, and for good reason!
If, however, I manage to complete my program, and obtain the results I expect, before you dig up the treasure then I get to wave my hands and shout out "I told you so!!!" Of course that's not going to happen any time soon lol I just wish my abilities matched my imagination!
Don't get me wrong, I do have a real method for deciphering the codes. I just lack the ability to program it right now!
Perhaps this is why your post is so interesting to me TJB!
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 1, 2004 18:00:30 GMT -5
Just tried to post a message with Rockhound, but I was rapped over the knuckles for typing too much. The forum provider (Proboards) sets the limits for Personal Messages (PM's). It wasn't me personally who "rapped" Nick's knuckles for overtyping! Just in case you were wondering!
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 1, 2004 17:55:29 GMT -5
I'm obviously playing "Devil's Advocate" here (what do I know, right?) but in that capacity, please allow me to ask the following... Nick, If you have actually decoded any of the papers then why don't you post your findings here, in full, for all to see and examine? If you intend to pursue the treasure personally or publish your findings then I'd say "fair enough", but simply stating that you "know" something that everyone else does not will, quite frankly, be regarded as "hot air". However, If I am to understand your post correctly , you never actually state that you've deciphered the codes... just that you have "good" reason to believe that they are a hoax. Well... if that is, in fact, the case, then I have to say that I tend to agree with you! My personal belief is that, while the papers are a hoax, the codes do in fact contain a message (in English) and I am therefore intrigued as to what that message might be!
I do not, however, feel that the numbering of the papers (as demonstrated by TJB) is cause to dismiss the entire story out of hand. This is a topic that has been dealt with many times in the past and will, no doubt, be dealt with again.
Hopefully we'll see some interesting/contentious responses in this thread! We could certainly do with the activity!!
Rockhound.
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 15, 2004 17:40:23 GMT -5
I don't know why someone with computer savvy hasn't programmed and cracked it. It's interesting that you should make the connection between computers and the Beale codes. I believe I have found a method by which any code constructed in the way the Beale Codes were, can be cracked by utilising a little known and shamefully underutilised programming method known as "The Genetic Algorythmn". My involvement with the Beale codes began some 8 - 10 or more years ago (I can't remember exactly) when I read a chapter devoted to the Beale story in the book "Archimedes Revenge" by Paul Hoffman. Having read several books on the subject of the genetic algorythm and artificial life programming, I immediately saw the possibility that a solution could be "evolved" rather than detected or deduced. I began to program on my old Commodore Amiga using the "Blitz Basic" programming language (with a few add ins). I spent something in the region of 5-6 years honing and tweaking my program with varying degrees of success. In that time I became more and more convinced that a solution would be found using just such a program but the limitations of my machine became painfully apparent. Now I have a PC with far greater memory and processing power, certainly up to the job but with one vital drawback; I no longer have the programming skills to begin again and therefore complete the task. If anyone out there considers themselves equal to the task of programming what turned out to be quite a large piece of code (from scratch) I'd be more than happy to collaborate! I'm sure there are several "possible" solutions to the codes, one of which must be the correct one! My program can find them all, potentially! The beauty of this method is that it requires no research, no previous knowledge of Beale or the history surrounding him and no need to painstakingly number any documents of the era! Additionaly, if the program produced any results that tallied with results found by other persons using other methods then so much the better! I wouldn't for a second suggest that my method is "better" than anyone elses, just easier and less labour intensive! Apart from the initial effort involved in programming, it would appear to be almost a "something for nothing" excercise! Bearing all of this in mind, my use of this method and approach obviously eliminates me from any discussion concerning the more traditional methods, ie, the search for applicable documents, researching historical documents vis-a-vis Beale/Ward/Buford etc. I would appear quite ignorant in any discussion of that sort and therefore absent myself from any such debate or conversation. I trust you can all get by without my input Rockster
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 7, 2004 0:04:57 GMT -5
Thank's for participating guys, this is proving most interesting. I certainly hope others will be inspired to follow suit with their own stories.
TJB, you are more than welcome to post your decipherment, I'm sure it will generate a lot of replies. Bearing that in mind, might I suggest you create a new thread for it so as not to derail this topic?
Incidentally, can I take this opportunity to encourage guests to sign up for full membership (and remind members to log in)? It's free, you won't be spammed (I promise) and you will be able to cast your vote in polls such as this one, send private messages to other members, create a personal profile etc.
Thanks again,
Rockhound.
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Post by Rockhound on Aug 1, 2004 18:52:46 GMT -5
Come on folks, do me a favour!!! Log in and cast a vote! It won't take more than a minute, unless you decide to leave a message, and even then it's unlikely that it'll take you more than 2 mins! I really could do with a little more support from you guys to make this forum work you know!
Simply "reading" the posts won't make the forum a success. You gotta participate! Do I sound bitter? Yeah? Why shouldn't I? Please remember, I didn't set this forum up just for my own benefit!
All I ask is that you consider this forum, your own, as I intended it to be, and support it.
Rockster.
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Post by Rockhound on Jul 18, 2004 14:20:47 GMT -5
Just how long have you been involved with the ciphers? Would you describe yourself as "Obsessed" or merely "interested"? I'm curious to know what kind of commitment you have all given to the ciphers so your replies (in addition to your participation in the poll) would interest me greatly. A little personal background info would be great too, if you feel so inclined Rockhound Note: You must be logged in to take part in the poll.
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Post by Rockhound on Jul 18, 2004 14:06:44 GMT -5
You're very welcome Albert, and thank you for the compliment. Good to have you on board (no pun intended!)
Rockhound.
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Post by Rockhound on Jun 18, 2004 14:08:45 GMT -5
LOL OK you're forgiven! Ignorance, it seems, can sometimes be a valid defense!
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Post by Rockhound on Jun 17, 2004 13:40:20 GMT -5
WELL DO WONDERS NEVER CEASE!!!...OR YOU QUALIFY AS A SENIOR CITIZEN...(OVER 30)... It's been, literally, minutes since I felt this insulted!!! Incidentally, making comments like "...A SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER WITH HIS SKIRT BEING BLOWN UP..." is enough to have you killed where I come from! This may be somewhat "off-topic" but you really don't want to be calling a Kilt a Skirt!! Seriously, just trust me on this one OK?
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HELLO
Apr 23, 2004 7:50:39 GMT -5
Post by Rockhound on Apr 23, 2004 7:50:39 GMT -5
Hi Martin, Unfortunately, so far this site hasn't gained the popularity/notoriety enjoyed by the previous site (I assume you are referring to "The American Treasure Hunt Society Discussion Forum" which sadly died last year) but with the continued support of visitors such as yourself, who knows where it might lead? Anyway, glad to have you onboard. Please take a moment to register, not only is it the only way I can really quantify the number of regular visitors to the forum but it allows you (as a member) to post a profile, edit/delete your posts (like I just did!), take part in or instigate forum polls and privately message other members, amongst other things. Just don't forget to sign in each time you visit Gordon (Rockhound)
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