# It's an Enigma. Part II: After the Math Riddle **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 15, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832 "2009-06-15T14:20:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/123 "2009-06-18T15:00:31Z")
> [@Here\_Come\_Dots](#): > > I should’ve asked not who @foible is, but what was his involvement? Hum. I thought you might know him. Looks like, from his Twitter feed, he was “working” on the puzzle, although if his site is hosting the final answer, I guess he wasn’t really working on it. In any case, I assume that he’ll be “the guy wearing an Enigma nametag” who wants to be intoriduced to “the hottest woman in the bar.” He’s also got a Facebook and Linked-In page, FWIW, if anyone has an account there. ---
**Author:** ![ClintPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@ClintPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClintPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/124 "2009-06-18T15:25:14Z")
> [@troub](#): > > The final website was “demonetise.” Surely that word has to _mean_ something in the context of this whole thing, since not only was it specifically chosen (ie., not an anagram of a previous clue or name), but the spelling was altered from its common (American) spelling “[demonetize](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonetize)” to make it fit with the letters that can be cut out of a dollar bill (and/or because I think [demonetize.com](http://demonetize.com) was already registered). I think that demonetise must be an anagram. All other websites and twitter names before have been, so why not? I haven’t found any anagrams that stand out as being obviously right, but some interesting candidates: is done. Meet. it’s me, Ed Eon I don’t see 'em. I don’t see me. End. So, I meet. ---
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/125 "2009-06-18T15:36:33Z")
> [@zut](#): > > Hum. I thought you might know him. Looks like, from his Twitter feed, he was “working” on the puzzle, although if his site is hosting the final answer, I guess he wasn’t really working on it. I don’t know him. I suspect he either is @3outof4 or a friend of @3outof4’s since one of the original CDs was hidden in Austin. My guess is that, either way, he was acting like a shill\* to drum up interest in the puzzle. More importantly, is anyone here actually going to the bar on the 20th? \*Similar to the “ordinary citizen” who keeps winning at three card monte to convince others the game isn’t fixed. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/126 "2009-06-18T15:55:51Z")
> [@ClintPhoenix](#): > > I think that demonetise must be an anagram. All other websites and twitter names before have been, so why not? I haven’t found any anagrams that stand out as being obviously right, but some interesting candidates: > > is done. Meet. > it’s me, Ed Eon > I don’t see 'em. > I don’t see me. > End. So, I meet. Hmmm. Whoever shows up could be meeting **CECIL ADAMS**! Here is an interesting anagram: **See, I’m not Ed.** :dubious: Sort of joking, but…what if, you know? New York dopers wake up! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/127 "2009-06-19T13:45:42Z")
Is anyone going from New York going meet whomever created this puzzle? I’ve got a question I want answered: “Why?” ---
**Author:** ![Rhodes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhodes/32/273_2.png) [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/128 "2009-06-19T15:35:06Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > Yes, I have to admit, I was a bit suspicious but I didn’t want to say anything as I haven’t actually contributed anything myself. > > **sadrobot** , what do you have to say? :dubious: I thought it was pretty impressive too, but then I dismissed it by figuring he could have already have been scanning Google maps for hours before his initial post. And he’s been on th SDMB since Jan 2008, so it’s quite a coincidence if he was involved in creating the puzzle and just happened to be a doper. The one who aroused my suspicion is **Here Comes Dots**. He’s new to the SDMB, and he created the first two threads introducing the puzzle. How did this original Twitter cipher even get his attention? He has made several brilliant breakthroughs, and several of his hunches have led others to make breakthroughs. But what just amazed me was that the same person to introduce us to this puzzle was also the first to pick up a dollar clue: > [@Here\_Come\_Dots](#): > > I’m just a few blocks from the Panda Express in #9. What a coincidence that a dollar clue was within walking distance from his location! This has been fascinating to watch, whether someone’s been secretly coaching us or not. Almost like reading a Dan Brown novel, except AFAIK no one was murdered at the beginning. So, has anyone committed yet to go to the bar tomorrow? ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/129 "2009-06-19T15:44:14Z")
I think we should set a deadline for today, that if we don’t get someone following the thread to agree to go, we create a new thread asking for a Doper (any Doper) to help. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/130 "2009-06-19T16:41:53Z")
> [@Rhodes](#): > > The one who aroused my suspicion is **Here Comes Dots**. He’s new to the SDMB, and he created the first two threads introducing the puzzle. How did this original Twitter cipher even get his attention? He has made several brilliant breakthroughs, and several of his hunches have led others to make breakthroughs. Yep, and his name is also an anagram, by the way (probably a “famous” or notable one?). Should someone start a thread specifically calling out New York dopers? ---
**Author:** ![Rhodes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhodes/32/273_2.png) [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/131 "2009-06-19T16:50:38Z")
> [@troub](#): > > Yep, and his name [**Here Comes Dots**] is also an anagram… Of course! **Coed Mesh Store**! How did I not notice that earlier?! ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/132 "2009-06-19T16:52:42Z")
> [@troub](#): > > Should someone start a thread specifically calling out New York dopers? I’ll throw in a “yes” vote. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/133 "2009-06-19T17:19:36Z")
> [@Rhodes](#): > > Of course! **Coed Mesh Store**! How did I not notice that earlier?! **Here Come Dots** , The Morse Code. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/134 "2009-06-19T19:07:58Z")
> [@Rhodes](#): > > The one who aroused my suspicion is **Here Comes Dots**. He’s new to the SDMB, and he created the first two threads introducing the puzzle. See, someone should have warned **Here Come Dots** that unleashing puzzle-solving energy can make things go farther than intended. For instance, we can look at **HCD** ’s posting history: [ul] [li]Starts at the end of March, with a few threads asking questions about guitar chord music, image file processing and some other things. [/li][li]Mentions doing logos for clients, and later looking for image files to use for project for restaurant client. [/li][li]Asks about earplugs available in Manhattan, also posts about dead rats in NYC subway.[/li][li]In this thread, posts that they’re just a few blocks from the Chicago restaurant in the clues, and is able to upload a picture of the clue ‘from my desk’ within an hour, then later asks whether there’s anyone in Manhattan who can go to the location.[/li][/ul] No location listed, but contact email is: “[herecomedots+straightdope@gmail.com](mailto:herecomedots+straightdope@gmail.com)” Have to say, the location confusion is pretty persuasive evidence to me that things are not as they seem (along with the fact that they have an e-mail account created specifically for their username/message board combo and “Here Come Dots” seeming much like an anagram). So, **Dots** , are you going to give a good reason for suddenly relocating to Chicago, fess up now, or fess up after the restaurant stunt tomorrow? [I’m finding it hard to guess about the motivation here: the amount of work made me think it was some ‘viral marketing’ monstrosity, but the way the date was left flexible argues against that. Someone want to start a thread to beg for an independent Doper to check it out?] ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/135 "2009-06-19T19:37:08Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Someone want to start a thread to beg for an independent Doper to check it out? If someone does, let us know what forum it’s in, or link to it in this thread. EDIT: If I don’t see one by 5pm EST, I’ll start one. What forum would be most appropriate? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/136 "2009-06-19T19:49:32Z")
> [@](#): > > (along with the fact that they have an e-mail account created specifically for their username/message board combo and “Here Come Dots” seeming much like an anagram). The former’s not too surprising: Gmail lets you use the + to create multiple versions of your e-mail address, for purposes of signing up for things (that way, if you start getting spam, you know what site gave away your address). And plenty of people create an e-mail using their online name, to keep their online life separate from their offline life. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/137 "2009-06-19T21:15:52Z")
Posted a thread asking for help in GQ [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=521682). Feel free to add to it if you like. ---
**Author:** ![JFLuvly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@JFLuvly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFLuvly)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/138 "2009-06-19T21:36:00Z")
we’ve got an offer ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/139 "2009-06-19T21:46:36Z")
> [@JFLuvly](#): > > we’ve got an offer Sweet! Should we ask post some questions in that thread for **friedo** to ask? ---
**Author:** ![sadrobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@sadrobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sadrobot)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/140 "2009-06-19T23:59:36Z")
I wasn’t going to post this, but since suspicions have been raised I might as well. I knew **Here Come Dots** was involved as soon as I found the [http://www.demonetise.com](http://www.demonetise.com) site. Although it has since been updated, the image link was originally [http://bit.ly/14M13n](http://bit.ly/14M13n) which leads to a server ([http://www.anonymousonlineserver.com/Images/](http://www.anonymousonlineserver.com/Images/)) that **Here Come Dots** has used to host other images, such as the dollar bill image. The bit.ly link can also be used to track when it was accessed, so that must be how it was changed so quickly. Also, the image name was the same as it is now, June20at8PM.jpg, so the date and time were set before I found the site. Although, the alternate text was added later. ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/141 "2009-06-20T03:50:39Z")
Still fishy. How did you find the Google maps image so fast? ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/142 "2009-06-21T01:17:40Z")
Absolved. Nice work. From Here Come Dots explanation: “I was extremely surprised at how easy it was to solve the last puzzle using a method that I wouldn’t even consider bruit force. (I had no idea that Dreamhost provided a easily-accessible list of newly-registered domains.) However, I was stunned when sadrobot determined the location of the final clue so quickly—and apparently without the use of the GPS data embedded in the image.” ETA: here’s the link to the unraveling: [It’s an Enigma: How and Why I Did It. - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=521779) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832.md?page=8)