I've been taking a lot of time off lately from ZB to work on the Roux method and various improvements I have ideas for. This is helping my ZB in three ways:
First, when I solve for extended periods of time and then switch to COLL/ZB, it forces me to go slower on my F2L, because I'm not as used to it. I'm more fluid, and I always get nice times, often sub-17. Usually I have to do at least 10 or more Roux solves before I can guarantee times like that, though. I can even do great times with terrible crosses much more frequently this way. Roux solving uses a lot of flexible ways to start the 1x2x3 blocks, and is aiding in my practice for x-cross. I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm getting much better with all of this block practice. Last, I'm starting to learn Doug's algs for orienting edges while inserting the last cross piece. It's really only 22 distinct cases (3 of those being ones where the piece is already inserted and you must flip edges manually. These shouldn't come up except in unusual circumstances.) Because starting with only 3 cross pieces makes x-cross far, far easier, and gives you only 19 real cases for flipping edges, this may be something for ZB beginners to look into as an entry point, or even a semi-permanent stepping stone to full ZBF2L. It could be an alternative to VHF2L, really. The downside to always starting with this is that it averages about 6.5 moves per alg, so it's a few extra moves, but this is balanced by the fact that they're almost all completable using only M and U turns. I think I'm going to keep working on improvements for the Roux method for a bit, though, because it's a great method that deserves as much attention and effort as ZB is getting (and Fridrich has gotten). If I can average about 50 moves with it (STM), without learning any real special cases, still using COLL instead of CLL, and using the slower and more moves edge orienting step, I think the potential here is very great. Add in the improvements I mentioned in a post on the big group, and I think this method could rival ZB for speed, at least in single solves. Especially at a small fraction of the number of algs, the flexibility of the beginning of the solves, much easier recognition, and the very quick M and U turn finish. Still, I like to think of any sort of improvement to an existing system along these lines as an extension of ZB. At least until I come up with a snappy name. ;) -Mike ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/MXMplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zbmethod/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
