This mail is being sent as part of an ongoing game of Twenty
Questions which has the purpose of determining the clues for the
Twenty Questions Letterbox. For more details see:
http://www.letterboxing.org/BoxView.php?
boxnum=22779&boxname=Twenty_Questions
Questions answered so far:
Question 1: Is it East of 87 degrees West (This is a longitude line
just East of Chicago)?
Answer 1: Yes.
Question 2: Is it South of the Mason Dixon Line (Pennsylvania -
Maryland border)?
Answer 2: No.
Question 3: Is the box located in New England (Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut)?
Answer 3: Yes.
Question 4: Is the letterbox located in Southern New England
(Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut)?
Answer 4: Yes.
Question 5: Does the state where the box is located share a border
with New York?
Answer 5: Yes.
Now accepting candidates for Question 6. Fire away. Please send your
questions as described in the original instructions.
Sincerely,
The Ephemeral Letterboxer
Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
17 messages in this thread |
Started on 2006-06-10
Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: ephemeralletterboxer (ephemeralletterboxer@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-10 19:11:49 UTC
Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: Chris (wilsonc@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2006-06-10 19:33:18 UTC
down to 2. either connecticut or mass. should have just taken a
chance and said "is it in connecticut?" because if it is then we saved
a question. tomorrow's question will be either is it in conn or is it
in mass. 2 questions to find out which of three states is it in.
thats terrible..that leaves 14 questions to find out approximately
where in the state it is..i don't know anything about mass so i hope
its in connecticut!
chance and said "is it in connecticut?" because if it is then we saved
a question. tomorrow's question will be either is it in conn or is it
in mass. 2 questions to find out which of three states is it in.
thats terrible..that leaves 14 questions to find out approximately
where in the state it is..i don't know anything about mass so i hope
its in connecticut!
Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: rscarpen (letterboxing@atlasquest.com) |
Date: 2006-06-10 20:08:25 UTC
> should have just taken a chance and said "is it in connecticut?"
I think it's in Massachusetts myself, but what kind of question is
"does it border NY"? =) Why not ask, "Is it in CT or MA?" Of the
three, I think RI was the least likely for the box to be in and kind
of wished we eliminated CT or MA rather than RI to save a question.
*shrug*
But what do I know? =)
-- Ryan
I think it's in Massachusetts myself, but what kind of question is
"does it border NY"? =) Why not ask, "Is it in CT or MA?" Of the
three, I think RI was the least likely for the box to be in and kind
of wished we eliminated CT or MA rather than RI to save a question.
*shrug*
But what do I know? =)
-- Ryan
Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: Chris (wilsonc@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2006-06-10 20:51:55 UTC
exactly ryan. couldn't agree with you more. why eliminate the least
likely state...
likely state...
Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: jose_quiti (jose_quiti@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-10 23:48:18 UTC
why eliminate the least likely state...
Don't blame the people asking the questions.
Remember... who picks the one question a day to be answered? The person
who planted the letterbox.
I'm sure people asked "Is it Conn?" or "Is it Mass?" But this is a
game, and ephemeralletterboxer holds all the cards and can play them at
their own discretion.
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: Jay R. Frails (TY98Jay@hotmail.com) |
Date: 2006-06-10 21:50:29 UTC-04:00
Don't underestimate little Rhode Island. We have beautiful parks here. I think it is in RI. I will keep watching the clues unfold.
----- Original Message -----
From: rscarpen
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 4:08 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> should have just taken a chance and said "is it in connecticut?"
I think it's in Massachusetts myself, but what kind of question is
"does it border NY"? =) Why not ask, "Is it in CT or MA?" Of the
three, I think RI was the least likely for the box to be in and kind
of wished we eliminated CT or MA rather than RI to save a question.
*shrug*
But what do I know? =)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
----- Original Message -----
From: rscarpen
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 4:08 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> should have just taken a chance and said "is it in connecticut?"
I think it's in Massachusetts myself, but what kind of question is
"does it border NY"? =) Why not ask, "Is it in CT or MA?" Of the
three, I think RI was the least likely for the box to be in and kind
of wished we eliminated CT or MA rather than RI to save a question.
*shrug*
But what do I know? =)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: rscarpen (letterboxing@atlasquest.com) |
Date: 2006-06-11 05:02:25 UTC
> Don't underestimate little Rhode Island. We have beautiful parks
> here. I think it is in RI. I will keep watching the clues unfold.
Actually, today's question and answer eliminated Rhode Island from the
running since it doesn't border New York. Definitely not Rhode Island.
No offense was intended for Rhode Island--I'm sure it's a pretty place
and all. But the people I suspect of such a creative, wickedly clever
game don't live in Rhode Island, and I think the instigator planted it
close enough where he or she could check up on it fairly easily. ;o)
If I had to guess, I'd lean more toward Massachusetts than
Connecticut. But what do I know. I was suspecting Maine or New York
might be likely locations for the box, and both of those were wrong. =)
-- Ryan
> here. I think it is in RI. I will keep watching the clues unfold.
Actually, today's question and answer eliminated Rhode Island from the
running since it doesn't border New York. Definitely not Rhode Island.
No offense was intended for Rhode Island--I'm sure it's a pretty place
and all. But the people I suspect of such a creative, wickedly clever
game don't live in Rhode Island, and I think the instigator planted it
close enough where he or she could check up on it fairly easily. ;o)
If I had to guess, I'd lean more toward Massachusetts than
Connecticut. But what do I know. I was suspecting Maine or New York
might be likely locations for the box, and both of those were wrong. =)
-- Ryan
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: uneksia (uneksia@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-11 23:47:11 UTC-04:00
that leaves 14 questions to find out exactly where this location is. not
very good odds. some real thought needs to be put into the questions before
we end up going to over turn every rock in two states!
smile
uneksia
-------Original Message-------
From: Chris
Date: 06/10/06 15:56:36
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
down to 2. either connecticut or mass. should have just taken a
chance and said "is it in connecticut?" because if it is then we saved
a question. tomorrow's question will be either is it in conn or is it
in mass. 2 questions to find out which of three states is it in.
thats terrible..that leaves 14 questions to find out approximately
where in the state it is..i don't know anything about mass so i hope
its in connecticut!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
very good odds. some real thought needs to be put into the questions before
we end up going to over turn every rock in two states!
smile
uneksia
-------Original Message-------
From: Chris
Date: 06/10/06 15:56:36
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
down to 2. either connecticut or mass. should have just taken a
chance and said "is it in connecticut?" because if it is then we saved
a question. tomorrow's question will be either is it in conn or is it
in mass. 2 questions to find out which of three states is it in.
thats terrible..that leaves 14 questions to find out approximately
where in the state it is..i don't know anything about mass so i hope
its in connecticut!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: (LetHerBox@aol.com) |
Date: 2006-06-12 11:31:02 UTC-04:00
What about splitting the two states in half by counties, listing those
counties and asking if it resides in one of them?
If the answer is yes, then split those in half. If the answer is no, then we
know it is in the other half of the counties and we can split those in half.
Mookie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
counties and asking if it resides in one of them?
If the answer is yes, then split those in half. If the answer is no, then we
know it is in the other half of the counties and we can split those in half.
Mookie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: Judy B (sowbiz@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-12 17:44:33 UTC
Mookie, if this is the question you want to ask - ask - you don't need
permission from anyone on this list!
I was told "Previously submitted questions will be ignored." So if
you submit a Q-7 and it doesn't get selected, you'll need to resubmit
as Q-8 (IF you think it is still relevant.)
But your approach -- which is the 'halving method' works for
computers - and to some extent should work for 20 questions.
So at this time we don't know if it is CT or MA, do we?
Judy B
Fairfax VA
sewsowbizzy
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, LetHerBox@... wrote:
> What about splitting the two states in half by counties, listing
those counties and asking if it resides in one of them? . . .
permission from anyone on this list!
I was told "Previously submitted questions will be ignored." So if
you submit a Q-7 and it doesn't get selected, you'll need to resubmit
as Q-8 (IF you think it is still relevant.)
But your approach -- which is the 'halving method' works for
computers - and to some extent should work for 20 questions.
So at this time we don't know if it is CT or MA, do we?
Judy B
Fairfax VA
sewsowbizzy
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, LetHerBox@... wrote:
> What about splitting the two states in half by counties, listing
those counties and asking if it resides in one of them? . . .
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: (LetHerBox@aol.com) |
Date: 2006-06-12 20:26:55 UTC-04:00
In a message dated 6/12/06 10:45:54 AM, sowbiz@yahoo.com writes:
> Mookie, if this is the question you want to ask - ask - you don't need
> permission from anyone on this list!
>
Thanks — but actually I wasn't asking permission. I was trying to get a
discussion going or get us thinking as one entity so we aren't asking throw-away
questions. Since that first email I thought perhaps another (possibly better)
way to ask the next question would be: Is this box hidden in a county that
begins with letters A through M. We don't have to worry about the states because
eventually we will weed it down to just a few counties. Just another thought
before the next question is asked.
Mookie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: rscarpen (letterboxing@atlasquest.com) |
Date: 2006-06-13 02:14:14 UTC
> Since that first email I thought perhaps another (possibly better)
> way to ask the next question would be: Is this box hidden in a county
> that begins with letters A through M.
You'll want to double check that all county names don't start between
A through M, for instance, in which case such a question is absolutely
useless. Better off listing all counties in alphabetical order,
finding the halfway point, and asking if the county comes after it in
an alphabetically listing.
As the questions are progressing now, I think locals definitely have
an advantage with their geographical knowledge. Even my suggestion for
breaking down the counties may not be very good if a few, select
counties make up a particularly large piece of the landmass.
I'm not very familiar with the county geography of Massachusetts and
Connecticut, however, and am unqualified to make such a decision. =)
For now, I'd still like to know if the box is in Massachusetts or
Connecticut. Seems like a logical, simple, question rather than the
more strange ones people have been asking. =) Does Mark let on more
than he knows? He seems to be pretty sure it's in Connecticut--or is
that just wishful thinking? =)
Of for previous question being ON the Appalachian Trail--while I agree
it's not a particularly useful question unless you get extraordinarily
lucky and it is actually located on the trail (but then you're still
left with the question "is it in Connecticut or Massachusetts?").
However, I would like to protest the claim that the term ON should be
used so literally. In the fuzzy little language we like to call
English, it's not uncommon for the word to actually mean 'along',
'near', 'by', etc. In this question, the context clearly means the
person is asking if the box requires hiking on the Appalachian Trail
because the box is alongside of it somewhere, and that's the question
that should have been answered--the one that the person actually asked
rather than the overly literal interpretation of it.
But that's just my opinion. =)
-- Ryan
> way to ask the next question would be: Is this box hidden in a county
> that begins with letters A through M.
You'll want to double check that all county names don't start between
A through M, for instance, in which case such a question is absolutely
useless. Better off listing all counties in alphabetical order,
finding the halfway point, and asking if the county comes after it in
an alphabetically listing.
As the questions are progressing now, I think locals definitely have
an advantage with their geographical knowledge. Even my suggestion for
breaking down the counties may not be very good if a few, select
counties make up a particularly large piece of the landmass.
I'm not very familiar with the county geography of Massachusetts and
Connecticut, however, and am unqualified to make such a decision. =)
For now, I'd still like to know if the box is in Massachusetts or
Connecticut. Seems like a logical, simple, question rather than the
more strange ones people have been asking. =) Does Mark let on more
than he knows? He seems to be pretty sure it's in Connecticut--or is
that just wishful thinking? =)
Of for previous question being ON the Appalachian Trail--while I agree
it's not a particularly useful question unless you get extraordinarily
lucky and it is actually located on the trail (but then you're still
left with the question "is it in Connecticut or Massachusetts?").
However, I would like to protest the claim that the term ON should be
used so literally. In the fuzzy little language we like to call
English, it's not uncommon for the word to actually mean 'along',
'near', 'by', etc. In this question, the context clearly means the
person is asking if the box requires hiking on the Appalachian Trail
because the box is alongside of it somewhere, and that's the question
that should have been answered--the one that the person actually asked
rather than the overly literal interpretation of it.
But that's just my opinion. =)
-- Ryan
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: Jay R. Frails (TY98Jay@hotmail.com) |
Date: 2006-06-12 23:07:50 UTC-04:00
I had not seen the new clue until I had sent my e-mail. Oh well. It would have been nice.
----- Original Message -----
From: rscarpen
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 1:02 AM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> Don't underestimate little Rhode Island. We have beautiful parks
> here. I think it is in RI. I will keep watching the clues unfold.
Actually, today's question and answer eliminated Rhode Island from the
running since it doesn't border New York. Definitely not Rhode Island.
No offense was intended for Rhode Island--I'm sure it's a pretty place
and all. But the people I suspect of such a creative, wickedly clever
game don't live in Rhode Island, and I think the instigator planted it
close enough where he or she could check up on it fairly easily. ;o)
If I had to guess, I'd lean more toward Massachusetts than
Connecticut. But what do I know. I was suspecting Maine or New York
might be likely locations for the box, and both of those were wrong. =)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
----- Original Message -----
From: rscarpen
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 1:02 AM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> Don't underestimate little Rhode Island. We have beautiful parks
> here. I think it is in RI. I will keep watching the clues unfold.
Actually, today's question and answer eliminated Rhode Island from the
running since it doesn't border New York. Definitely not Rhode Island.
No offense was intended for Rhode Island--I'm sure it's a pretty place
and all. But the people I suspect of such a creative, wickedly clever
game don't live in Rhode Island, and I think the instigator planted it
close enough where he or she could check up on it fairly easily. ;o)
If I had to guess, I'd lean more toward Massachusetts than
Connecticut. But what do I know. I was suspecting Maine or New York
might be likely locations for the box, and both of those were wrong. =)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: uneksia (uneksia@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-13 00:42:15 UTC-04:00
i can tell ryan doesn't have children. the whole purpose to the 20 question
game is exactness. so, from the standpoint of the game, on is on. not near,
not by, not along. doesn't matter what the common language is, what matters
is preciseness. i think that the ephemeralleterboxer was very kind to give
us that bit of hint as to how he/she will answer.
smile
uneksia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
game is exactness. so, from the standpoint of the game, on is on. not near,
not by, not along. doesn't matter what the common language is, what matters
is preciseness. i think that the ephemeralleterboxer was very kind to give
us that bit of hint as to how he/she will answer.
smile
uneksia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: rscarpen (letterboxing@atlasquest.com) |
Date: 2006-06-13 16:52:38 UTC
> i can tell ryan doesn't have children.
That's kind of offensive, you know. It has nothing to do with having
children or not, but rather I prefer to see the question that was
actually asked get answered rather than the question that wasn't asked
being answered. If he couldn't answer the question that was asked
because it was asked improperly, it should have been discarded.
You think I've never played 20 questions with children before? You
think I actually limit them to 20 questions? ;o)
-- Ryan
That's kind of offensive, you know. It has nothing to do with having
children or not, but rather I prefer to see the question that was
actually asked get answered rather than the question that wasn't asked
being answered. If he couldn't answer the question that was asked
because it was asked improperly, it should have been discarded.
You think I've never played 20 questions with children before? You
think I actually limit them to 20 questions? ;o)
-- Ryan
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: uneksia (uneksia@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-13 13:54:58 UTC-04:00
ahhh sucks ryan, i did not mean to hurt your feelings.
smile
uneksia
-------Original Message-------
From: rscarpen
Date: 06/13/06 12:59:55
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> i can tell ryan doesn't have children.
That's kind of offensive, you know. It has nothing to do with having
children or not, but rather I prefer to see the question that was
actually asked get answered rather than the question that wasn't asked
being answered. If he couldn't answer the question that was asked
because it was asked improperly, it should have been discarded.
You think I've never played 20 questions with children before? You
think I actually limit them to 20 questions? ;o)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
smile
uneksia
-------Original Message-------
From: rscarpen
Date: 06/13/06 12:59:55
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> i can tell ryan doesn't have children.
That's kind of offensive, you know. It has nothing to do with having
children or not, but rather I prefer to see the question that was
actually asked get answered rather than the question that wasn't asked
being answered. If he couldn't answer the question that was asked
because it was asked improperly, it should have been discarded.
You think I've never played 20 questions with children before? You
think I actually limit them to 20 questions? ;o)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
From: uneksia (uneksia@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2006-06-13 14:19:10 UTC-04:00
umm.... should have been
ahhh, shucks ryan...........
smile
-------Original Message-------
From: uneksia
Date: 06/13/06 13:57:47
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
ahhh sucks ryan, i did not mean to hurt your feelings.
smile
uneksia
-------Original Message-------
From: rscarpen
Date: 06/13/06 12:59:55
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> i can tell ryan doesn't have children.
That's kind of offensive, you know. It has nothing to do with having
children or not, but rather I prefer to see the question that was
actually asked get answered rather than the question that wasn't asked
being answered. If he couldn't answer the question that was asked
because it was asked improperly, it should have been discarded.
You think I've never played 20 questions with children before? You
think I actually limit them to 20 questions? ;o)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
ahhh, shucks ryan...........
smile
-------Original Message-------
From: uneksia
Date: 06/13/06 13:57:47
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
ahhh sucks ryan, i did not mean to hurt your feelings.
smile
uneksia
-------Original Message-------
From: rscarpen
Date: 06/13/06 12:59:55
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Twenty Questions Letterbox - Question #5
> i can tell ryan doesn't have children.
That's kind of offensive, you know. It has nothing to do with having
children or not, but rather I prefer to see the question that was
actually asked get answered rather than the question that wasn't asked
being answered. If he couldn't answer the question that was asked
because it was asked improperly, it should have been discarded.
You think I've never played 20 questions with children before? You
think I actually limit them to 20 questions? ;o)
-- Ryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Protect your PC from spy ware with award winning anti spy technology. It's
free.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/97bhrC/LGxNAA/yQLSAA/60TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]