What's the Easter Egg This Time?

My theory...

First of all the clue flaming_torch_120 provided was not complete.

The complete clue is:

"Look up from Broad St. countdown. "

On broad and exchange streets sits the gannett building -- home of the D&C -- and where a "countdown" timer for PTI was in the window. There must be something now displayed "up" (or above) the Broad Street countdown timer on the Gannett Building. Either that or there is some engraved message on the building such as "a newspaper embigens the soul" or some such thing.

Anyone nearby who can take a quick look-see?

are there webcams in the area?

I think it's along the lines of what JJJ is saying - but, I think "Hello, world" is important - it's a common command used to test both basic and complex computer programs, often on LCD displays: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_world_program

I think it has to do with either the display itself or information related to the "Hello, World" programming.

Here's the corner of Exchange and Broad streets:

http://www.rochesterpublicart.com/public_art/?art=gannett_building_relie...

where the PTI countdown timer was or is...

It's got to be related to that somehow.

Yah we where down there a few times today but we cant figure it out. I have gotten hints from some who have completed it basicly saying that you have to be looking at it to figure it out. But we just cant figure it out.

hmm... I was looking with google maps at the address. It lets users submit photographs at a given scene (in streetview mode). Since Bing is a big part of this, I was trying to find something similar there, but no luck. From what you say, it sounds like you need to actually be at the location though.

There's an old calculator trick where you type 07734 upside down to see the word "Hello" or "Shelloil"

and the countdown timer is a LED

but the thing is that it is an actual clock that is counting down so the numbers arnt the same after every second. so it would be hard to figure out if it was spelling something.

Is it still counting down though? Or was it counting down to the start of the game?

it is counting down to the end of the game on october 31st so 40 some odd days

picture of the countdown timer:

http://mamamusings.net/archives/2009/09/04/countdown_to_picture_the_impo...

It has changed since then. its a different count down now

downloaded the Bing 3D map viewer... one thing that is UP from Broad st is the tower with fins on top. Could that be meaningful?

its called the wings of progress and its on a building called time square. but i am not sure if it helps

I've been stalking on Google Maps too :) That's the Times Square Building with the fins on the top. I tried it but no luck.

We will get it!

I am tempted to go down there and take a look after midnight when I leave work.

I'm working the Times Square Building theory. Times Square is where countdowns begin in NYC for the new year and the Times Square building is on the north corner of the same intersection. And the Times Square Building has something of interest on top -- The Wings of Progress alternatively known as The Wings of Victory.

But, of course, I'm getting nowhere!

Unless the countdown clue was meant to throw us off.

I tried all combos of l33t speak of "hello world"

for example: 43ll0 \/\/0rld

but no luck...

I think it might simply be a sign that is ducted taped above the countdown timer that has some random characters on it.

Well, I just did the High Falls part of the Coffee SCVNGR and since it took me near the D&C building, I decided to go right to the place in question and look up... The only significant thing that I saw was a big white camera arm sticking out from the top corner of the building over the D&C sign. This would make sense to be saying "Hello World" if there was a way for the world to look at you through this camera. Is there somewhere that you can view what this camera is showing? I saw a reference on the RocWiki page about Rochester Webcams (in a comment at the bottom) that there WAS a way to view this camera, but maybe that's not true any more. Maybe you need to go into the building and ask about it?? Thoughts?

Maybe this is related to the Peregrine falcons? I just have no idea at this point.

I think it is easier to solve in the daylight

Daylight is definitely needed, and I was lucky to come at the same time as another group of Watches with better vision pointing me in the right direction :-)

yah you deffnietly need to be there and look at the bigger picture.

Yes, daylight is a must. There was also some helpful construction workers there this morning who were enjoying watching people look at the sky like idiots.

Well, I've been to the Countdown calendar. Looking up, down, all around. I haven't got a clue.

step back... way back... and look at it. There is something someone people are missing. I missed it for a long time but it is there.. it is up from the countdown..

Hello, World! is typically the first program software developers write when learning a new programming language. Basically the program prints out the phrase "Hello, World!" on the programmer's monitor.

I see that tbauer (one of the admins) has included this tidbit in the News and Updates forum: "We would turn on the lights, but our developers like to work in the dark. Happy Easter."

Putting these two together makes me think that we would be looking for something dark up from the Broad St countdown plaque. Maybe windows that are not illuminated?

Would bringing binoculars help?

Do you have to be a computer honcho to get this one?

You don't have to have any computer knowledge. Having the courage to cross the street helps..

Binoculars are not necessary if you have 20/20ish vision.

I was also lucky enough to be there with other players...
(did I say how much I love this game)
but I also brought my friend by at night to show her (we looked for 20 minutes earlier that day!)
you CAN see it at night but it is much more difficult.
You DO need to go there :)

Nice red herring, by the way.