Google's interactive doodle in celebration of Alan Turing's 100th birthday | Hacker News Reader

Google's interactive doodle in celebration of Alan Turing's 100th birthday

google.co.nz

44 pointsantichaos13 comments

Once you complete the six puzzles, click the bunny button to get some more challenges.

I found a way to get an infinite loop on one of the puzzles, but it looks like the machine halts after a fixed number of iterations. Does this mean it doesn't meet the criteria necessary to be considered a Turing machine?

I think it checks if you get far enough on one side or the other of the preprinted numbers on the tape that the numbers can no longer be seen, at which point it declares an infinite loop and restarts. Sure, technically it should keep going, but it's a game.

There are puzzles where it's very easy to loop it forever, while not straying from the prepreinted numbers. It's more likely just the number of iterations.

Here's an example where it loops up/down. It speeds up and then "burns out": https://dl.dropbox.com/u/80052639/Screenshot%20from%202012-0...

I'm just getting a static jpg; did they take it down?

http://www.google.co.nz/logos/2012/turing-doodle-static.jpg

The doodle was surprisingly enjoyable. I would love for an iphone or ipad version. Sudoku for programmers.

Ok I get that it's emulating a turing machine, but can anyone explain what you are supposed to do with this?

Each puzzle that you complete colors in another letter in the logo. Here's a video walkthrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84pbZSt_a9k

I guess have fun with it.

No. Solve puzzles. When you run it, it checks each number to see if it matches the expected result shown in the top-right.

Why is there a bunny?

Because it leads you down a rabbit hole of unproductivity.

Curious about what the final-final TM does:

    "1 . D1 . .  .  . _  R  D_ B2"
    "R U _  R D_ B2 . 1  B8 1  D_ L  B2"
    "U . B2 . 1  R  0 U_ L  B2 0  B9"

Was it just spitting binary words?

I am too lazy to redo the previous 12 TM again. If you get there, do not reload.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com