Contest (of sorts): Name this algorithm.

Travis86 · 06-27-2004, 10:57 PM

I recently added a custom 500 Error page to my web site. It makes some excuse for the error and shows my supposed "design process," which may still be a bit buggy. However, the design process is actually another algorithm in disguise. I *think* a good number of computer people will get it, but I'm not really sure.

So, can anyone here name the algorithm? And if you can, do you think anyone else will get it?

The page is at TravisDart.com/500.

Thanks.

ugenn · 06-28-2004, 05:11 AM

Sounds really vague. And algorithm probably isn't the word to describe this.

Travis86 · 06-28-2004, 10:30 AM

Yes, yes. It's an algorithm, but perhaps it is a little more vague than I thought. Now that I think about it, I probably wouldn't have gotten it before I made this page. Maybe I'll have to think of a way to give it away in a humorous manner.

I'll give you a very small hint: I didn't just make up the number of employees. They're numbers of something else. Although, if you know this algorithm the "repeated 16 times" should be the biggest hint.

Of course, I'll eventually tell you the answer if no one gets it.

Crito · 06-28-2004, 11:09 AM

(of sorts) wouldn't be a hint or something, would it?

Travis86 · 06-28-2004, 11:56 AM

No. I said "(of sorts)" because it isn't an official LinuxQuestions contest.

Sorry if this is frustrating.

{O_o} · 06-28-2004, 11:58 AM

is it DES (data encryption something, standard or style?)

Travis86 · 06-28-2004, 12:06 PM

We have a winner

The algorithm is DES (Data Encryption Standard). A 56 bit key and 64 bits of plaintext jumble around and ciphertext comes out the end.

This is the picture I started from.

Do you think DES is to obscure?

{O_o} · 06-28-2004, 12:48 PM

56 bit key and 64 bits of plaintext jumble around and ciphertext comes out the end

thats what gave it away

{O_o} · 06-28-2004, 02:00 PM

also its standard encryption for linux i think, so shouldnt be to obscure.

If you hadn't said what it was i would not have looked at that picture and thought 'arr, that looks like DES to me!' though