Any accessible apps for working with a Rubik's Cube?
Also, solution guides. All the cube solution guides I've investigated are visual, with diagrams, illustrations, and videos. Does anyone know of a guide that is usable with a screen reader?
The biggest thing keeping me from saying that I love that guide is the slightly inefficient algorithm it recommends for Step 2. Here are some better ones I suggest:
If the white side is on the right face of the bottom layer, apply R′ D′ R.
If it's on the front face of the bottom layer, apply F D F′.
If it's on the bottom face, apply R′ D R F D2 F′.
If it's on the right face of the top layer, apply R′ D′ R D R′ D′ R.
If it's on the front face of the top layer, apply F D F′ D′ F D F′.
You can also make the algorithm in Step 7 slightly more efficient. If the yellow side is on the front face, you can perform the reverse of the algorithm recommended in the guide, i.e. D′ R′ D R. Note that you will need to perform it twice, but it's better than performing the recommended algorithm four times.
One extremely important note if you're new to cubing: The rotations are performed from the orientation of the face being moved. This means that moves on the left, down and back faces go in the opposite direction to moves on the right, upper and front faces. For example, a clockwise move on the upper face will move the cubies that were on the front face to the left (as you would expect), but a clockwise move on the down face will move the cubies that were on the front face to the right.
I'm also very new to cubing, but let me know if this doesn't make sense or if you have any other questions.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend any apps, but that doesn't seem to have hindered me so far.
Are you looking for an accessible Rubik's Cube app, to actually solve the cube? Or are you just looking for guides in the form of an app/document?
As for apps, not really sure as I have not touched a Rubik's Cube in a dog's age. They do have tactile Rubik's Cubes, however, if you were interested. 🤷
I'm working on the Fridrich / CFOP method with an OLL 2-look for now. Since nearly all guides are visual, with diagrams and illustrations, it's been a frustrating experience. I need someone to describe the illustrations, explain what the images are trying to show. AI isn't there yet. Then I've been transcribing into my own screen reader compatible notes, with the hope of publishing an eBook or website for other blind cubers.
So I'll look at that wikibook and hopefully it will get around the image problem I've been struggling with.
I bought a cube in 1980 when the Rubik's Cube was first produced. I was fully sighted at the time. There were no guides initially. I solved it on my own, over several weeks. With my own method, I could solve sub two minutes. But I became bored, stopped solving it, lost my notes, and forgot how to solve.
Ten years ago, I purchased a tactile cube and learned the 7-step beginner method using my remaining low vision. Now I'm trying to master the CFOP with no eyesight left to speak of. But, even with better algorithms, I know my biggest issue is search time. I spend too much time feeling the textures, looking for specific cubies.
Brian, for apps, I know sighted people use cube apps that help them learn and memorize new algorithms. I wondered if there might be such an app that's accessible.
Well, thanks for the pointer to the wikibook. I think we've strayed off topic from Apple products. I value the discussion, though.
This borders on self-promotion, so my apologies in advance. But I think it's a necessary addition to this thread.
I've put together my own accessible cube solution website. The site is continually under development, but already serves as a reference for the CFOP method.
I am myself a newly birthed cuber and the only time it's been solved has been fresh from the box. So far I am using absurdly simplistic brute force searches which may yield results in the future but mostly just wear me out. I've been solving the same cube for weeks now and I am not getting further than the first cross. I really need to apply some logic to the problem but I'm really not informed on even the newbie methods, and getting sighted help to follow illustrated guides doesn't feel at all satisfying. So any blind-friendly resources would be a great step.
I was given a tactile cube a couple of months ago because I was looking at tactile toys to help me with learning braille. I spent a little while being a bit afraid of it, then I finally got the nerve to mash it all up and now I am totally stuck. I tried a few online things but they meant nothing to me. I'll see if I can make use of Paul's guide. I honestly don't care how efficient a solution is - if I can just work at it and eventually get somewhere that would be more than enough for my needs.
Comments
A text-based guide
I assume you're new to cubing, in which case you're looking for a beginner method.
Here is a text-based guide I like.
The biggest thing keeping me from saying that I love that guide is the slightly inefficient algorithm it recommends for Step 2. Here are some better ones I suggest:
You can also make the algorithm in Step 7 slightly more efficient. If the yellow side is on the front face, you can perform the reverse of the algorithm recommended in the guide, i.e. D′ R′ D R. Note that you will need to perform it twice, but it's better than performing the recommended algorithm four times.
One extremely important note if you're new to cubing: The rotations are performed from the orientation of the face being moved. This means that moves on the left, down and back faces go in the opposite direction to moves on the right, upper and front faces. For example, a clockwise move on the upper face will move the cubies that were on the front face to the left (as you would expect), but a clockwise move on the down face will move the cubies that were on the front face to the right.
I'm also very new to cubing, but let me know if this doesn't make sense or if you have any other questions.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend any apps, but that doesn't seem to have hindered me so far.
!Are you looking. . .
Are you looking for an accessible Rubik's Cube app, to actually solve the cube? Or are you just looking for guides in the form of an app/document?
As for apps, not really sure as I have not touched a Rubik's Cube in a dog's age. They do have tactile Rubik's Cubes, however, if you were interested. 🤷
Thanks
I'm working on the Fridrich / CFOP method with an OLL 2-look for now. Since nearly all guides are visual, with diagrams and illustrations, it's been a frustrating experience. I need someone to describe the illustrations, explain what the images are trying to show. AI isn't there yet. Then I've been transcribing into my own screen reader compatible notes, with the hope of publishing an eBook or website for other blind cubers.
So I'll look at that wikibook and hopefully it will get around the image problem I've been struggling with.
I bought a cube in 1980 when the Rubik's Cube was first produced. I was fully sighted at the time. There were no guides initially. I solved it on my own, over several weeks. With my own method, I could solve sub two minutes. But I became bored, stopped solving it, lost my notes, and forgot how to solve.
Ten years ago, I purchased a tactile cube and learned the 7-step beginner method using my remaining low vision. Now I'm trying to master the CFOP with no eyesight left to speak of. But, even with better algorithms, I know my biggest issue is search time. I spend too much time feeling the textures, looking for specific cubies.
Brian, for apps, I know sighted people use cube apps that help them learn and memorize new algorithms. I wondered if there might be such an app that's accessible.
Well, thanks for the pointer to the wikibook. I think we've strayed off topic from Apple products. I value the discussion, though.
An accessible cube resource
This borders on self-promotion, so my apologies in advance. But I think it's a necessary addition to this thread.
I've put together my own accessible cube solution website. The site is continually under development, but already serves as a reference for the CFOP method.
Would AI help?
Don't know if some of the AI description tools would help with the pictures in the manuals or not.
Besides Picture Smart in JAWS, Be My eyes has a Windows version that you can run to describe what is on the screen (or even what your PC camera sees).
Anyway, just an idea that might be worth trying.
--Pete
Thanks!
I am myself a newly birthed cuber and the only time it's been solved has been fresh from the box. So far I am using absurdly simplistic brute force searches which may yield results in the future but mostly just wear me out. I've been solving the same cube for weeks now and I am not getting further than the first cross. I really need to apply some logic to the problem but I'm really not informed on even the newbie methods, and getting sighted help to follow illustrated guides doesn't feel at all satisfying. So any blind-friendly resources would be a great step.
Same here
I was given a tactile cube a couple of months ago because I was looking at tactile toys to help me with learning braille. I spent a little while being a bit afraid of it, then I finally got the nerve to mash it all up and now I am totally stuck. I tried a few online things but they meant nothing to me. I'll see if I can make use of Paul's guide. I honestly don't care how efficient a solution is - if I can just work at it and eventually get somewhere that would be more than enough for my needs.