Level 18

I've moved a fairly quick clip through the first couple levels, but I seem to be having problems on this one.

I've found the compressed file, and used the python modules whose name is implicated by the level's question. The output gives me three different, interleaved 'streams'. It is at this point that I'm not sure what to do to further proceed. A gentle push in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks.

I couldn't make a solid block of time for this one, so just stared at the file and the clues in odd minutes over the last day. Then what needed to be done suddenly dawned on me, and it worked the first try. That hasn't happened often since level 0 -- and it didn't hurt that I wrote the main Python module of use here (which isn't much of a clue, but explains how I could picture the outcome before trying it -- and no, it doesn't relate to obscure properties of floating-point arithmetic ).

Wonderful! I would never have discovered this module without the hint!
Up to 19 now ..

I've moved a fairly quick clip through the first couple levels, but I seem to be having problems on this one.

I've found the compressed file, and used the python modules whose name is implicated by the level's question. The output gives me three different, interleaved 'streams'. It is at this point that I'm not sure what to do to further proceed. A gentle push in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks.

I've got a similar problem. I was able to get through the first 17 levels pretty quickly. I've been stuck on this level for quite some time now. I've found the compressed file. I can "picture" what the data in the compressed file looks like. But, I'm not sure what to do with it. I don't know how to get the three interleaved streams. A little help would be greatly appreciated.

... A little help would be greatly appreciated.

A good page title may be worth reading more than once.

Help!

I'm trying to find the differences between the two swan pictures, but it's leading nowhere.

I've tried several methods (separating channels, tried to find patterns), but all lead to a dead end.

Is this the way to go?

PS: by the way, great challenge. Great way to learn python!!!

Help!

I'm trying to find the differences between the two swan pictures, but it's leading nowhere.

I've tried several methods (separating channels, tried to find patterns), but all lead to a dead end.

Is this the way to go?

PS: by the way, great challenge. Great way to learn python!!!

Stop being such a geek
You don't need to know about computer graphics to get this part

I've found what calls itself a compressed file but doesn't appear to be. I've split it down the middle and tinkered a bit but the items seem damaged and wont load. Not sure where the diff-erence is supposed to come in.

Any hints?

[mjpieters]

I've found what calls itself a compressed file but doesn't appear to be.

If you downloaded the file with your browser, it was probably automatically decompressed for you.

I've split it down the middle and tinkered a bit but the items seem damaged and wont load. Not sure where the diff-erence is supposed to come in.

You have two sets now, right? See if there is a Python module that'll help you deal with differences..

Took me 3 days to get to the compressed file!!!

You need to guess the diference...

Now for the easy part ;o)

I've found the compressed file, split it down the middle and used the much-hinted-at module to get three files ([spoiler removed])
I've got a mental block about what to do next! Do I apply this data to balloons.jpg? The amount of data doesn't fit nicely, as far as I can see.

Please help!!

(Certainly challenging!)

Do I apply this data to balloons.jpg?

no

Got it! Once I got a clue as to what the data was, it worked out. I thought it was more complicated than it really was.

So I found that big hex dump. Played about with
a unix utility with and obvious name and got three things.
Only problem is them things is only half right
the top half of each is good but the bottom half is all foobar (sic).

[mjpieters]

Played about with
a unix utility with and obvious name and got three things.
Only problem is them things is only half right

Well, do the right thing then and do it in Python!

Got it. Seems the problem was I didn't know how to use my scissors correctly.