oh man.
:o

A few sleuthy people have discovered clues and hints in this year's winter sale
and have found breadcrumbs left behind by Gingerbread Jake.
Follow along to see what was decrypted!
(Now with Red Herring Badge)

Gotta say, it's pretty damn impressive how people are decrypting the clues;
even more impressive is seeing people work together to solve them!

update 1:
go to Hitman: Codename 47
type search; push enter
input the code from the winter sale comic cover's barcode (now removed): 94050999014715


update 2:
inputting the code you get from update 1 {ic/4f21ca7} into winter comic url gives you this
4f21ca7 {filename 1fce82a72c633.wav}
A man saying "I was on the right track, I could feel it. Tomorrow, I was going to search again" The .wav is from the 24th


update 3:
"The Blitzen Incident"
http://store.steampowered.com/search/?term=blitzen yields Grim Fandango
type search; push enter
input the club code from winter sale comic: "HOT TODDIES AND MASERATIS"
now we're in Undertale Hmmmm.... o_o


update 4:
"Bullet Hell" is a tag on Undertale's app page.
on Undertale's page
type search; push enter
input "bullet hell"
now we're at Ikaruga


update 5 interesting Valve employee activity:
The Valve employee ChrisK/FireSlash has the "Red Herring" badge with the description "ARG?"
On his profile there is a (presumed) hash: 2cdeda75c0afb5c4a7a45dfe978315f6.
His last played games are: Undertale, Ikaruga and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - First Assault Online

update 5a:
ChrisK's profile went private for a little while, then went public again- this time with his badges all hidden/wiped xD (maybe GitS is the next pitstop)

update 5b:
ChrisK's badges are back now - he has modified his profile to say "This is just a profile" lol. Red Herring, perhaps, but Undertale -> Ikaruga is still pretty intriguing


update 6:
Trading Card 7 (Taffy) has Dungeon Master Symbols "Lo Ya Gor Ku"
Inputting it into a winter comic url gives you this:
LoYaGorKu {filename: loyagorku.wav}
rough translation:
忘れられた道が障害と報酬につながります" (wasurareta michi ga shougai to houshuu ni tsunagarimasu)
"Forgotten road will lead to failure and reward "

update 7:
Spectrogram analysis of LoYaGorKu {filename: loyagorku.wav} yields 1v7531
On Ikaruga
type search; push enter
input "1v7531"
Red Herring ARG? Badge unlocked.
via combatbeard: what is this
Doesn't seem like we're through
Seems like this is the failure (dead end) and reward for following the forgotten road (Blitzen incident)

direct link to badge: http://store.steampowered.com/actions/d3708146fc0c5d593
If you're having problems getting the badge, you might have to disable enhanced steam


update 8 theories:

holiday profile backgrounds have changed with possible hints to some islands and we might have some coordinates.
Left of the penguin: http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/425280/af2ef83209f1503662d1b95939abeea8ca415c59.jpg
http://imgur.com/039ikx7
http://i.imgur.com/gphhdh6.png
http://i.imgur.com/x69M31r.png
http://imgur.com/w1K1q5t
There is also the "Twinkle" train theory (search twinkle on steam) http://store.steampowered.com/app/222621/
Watch video. From description: "Save Christmas
Take on a series of fun and entertaining missions, over the mantelpiece, under the Christmas tree and across the piano, uncovering secret routes and finding hidden treasures."
Other thoughts: http://i.imgur.com/xc1b2zm.jpg


update 9:
Looks like this might squash some HL3 rumours:
https://i.imgur.com/jURjHBq.jpg


update 10 theories:
Binary code in the last comic page. Look at the lights
The backgrounds used on the main store page match some of the pages in the comic:
http://imgur.com/a/OsgJY
http://8ch.net/v/src/1451761967660.mp4
https://a.pomf.cat/dyoihy.mp4
https://a.pomf.cat/eekwpk.mp4


update 11
Via bruteforce, a new wav file was found using Trading Card 6 (Sending a Message)'s clue
(In retrospect, "F" is the 6th letter in the alphabet - adding it to Trading Card 6's clue gives us 794E2CEA991F)
http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/794E2CEA991F {794e2cea991f.wav}
"I've been to Lima four times, stayed at all the best hotels. I used to go to dance halls and tango with Mary Carmen until the sun came up. thud The bravos and accolades would echo and echo until the boys in uniform shut us down."
Filter for NATO phonetic alphabet clues and you get LLLLHTBEEU (anagram of BULLET HELL [the code word that led us from Undertale to Ikaruga])


update 12 theories
Possible link to The Holiday Express?
https://i.imgur.com/170yL6x.png

Zippy's body
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/clusters/sale_winter2015_comic/397a5a0d/fbe2b441_day_2_english.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SuiMZQL.png
http://i.imgur.com/7YnQ3UQ.png


update 13 theories and "What We Know So Far"
The last wall paper yet to be revealed is called "Kind Lies And Goodbyes"
Is Holly the culprit?

We also have theories linking the card 2 artwork to the Orion constellation.

https://www.reddit.com/r/steamsaledetectives/comments/3za311/the_stars/
https://www.reddit.com/r/steamsaledetectives/comments/3zaejm/the_stars_part_2/

Card 2 art for reference:
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/425280/52a2cf1ccae204c6c035eada743f224a4384bc76.jpg
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/425280/f21020505f5ecd896fa63dd8691edfbf64a2d5d7.jpg

What we know up to this point:
https://youtu.be/uxPTsj5iHMM


update 14 theories
Signature links to Andy Warhol:

https://www.reddit.com/r/steamsaledetectives/comments/3zcltn/possible_lead_on_the_signature/


update 15:

With the Winter Sale over, nothingtoseehere.js and http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/ are gone ...
Wonder what the solution to the ARG was :(
http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/ is still alive! :D
There may be hope yet; but without the nothingtoseehere.js secret search script, I wonder if a solution is still possible


update 16 theories:

Potential link between Gingerbread Jake's clue map and a map of the North Pole
http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/368533069678560219/DD60621E3A7379BABE5F2D18FF3D608A67AB152A/

https://www.reddit.com/r/steamsaledetectives/comments/3zdqnr/day_5_map_with_pin_locations/
https://www.reddit.com/r/steamsaledetectives/comments/3zexk0/the_reallife_aurora_borealis_icebreaker/

update 17 theory

https://www.reddit.com/r/steamsaledetectives/comments/3zg9ug/shiny_murder_theory/
What a tangled web they weave


Subreddit
Steam Sale ARG Wiki
Summary
A visual chronology of things that are known
NorthPole Noir MindMap
Known & debunked hints/clues
Bruteforce page


Thank you for helping with the updates:
combatbeard
m3rc

View attached image.
8 years ago*

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people are trying to crack the case as we speak

8 years ago
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Edit this thread when you know more or other users post info.

8 years ago
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Wow.

8 years ago
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What what what what?

whut?

What's going on here? When I type search, nothing special happens. Maybe because my Steam is German? What is supposed to happen? :O

8 years ago
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don't type it in the search field, just type it when you have an app page up and press enter

8 years ago
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Nope, nothing happens

8 years ago
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go to a game page first - any game page

8 years ago
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Yup, I did that, but in my steam client nothing happens. I tried it in my browser now, and it worked :O

8 years ago
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Yeah it's not working in my client either but works in browser

8 years ago
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what browser are you using?
im using the german webpage and its working fine for me

8 years ago
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Yeah, I tried it in my German steam client first, but nothing happened. I just tried it in my Danish edge browser, and it worked =D.

Goodbye sleep ;_;

8 years ago
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Just go to any game page on steam such as http://store.steampowered.com/app/6900/
Then type the word search and press the Enter key.

8 years ago*
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Yup, works now, thanks =)

8 years ago
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what does that mean - i´m using firefox ?? nothing happens when i enter 9405999014715

8 years ago
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you put that code in the dialogue box that pops up

8 years ago
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yep. The window opens, i enter the code and nothing happens.

I have read the content here so i have heared the .wav but i dont understand anything here :(

8 years ago
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it worked for me, reload the page just type search and press enter.

interesting stuff :v

8 years ago
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"Search box" on Far Cry 4 page... HUHMMMMM
Look at the game image.
Theres a mountain.
The mountain create a triangle on its top.
▲ illuminati ▲ is the password.

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Gaben doesn't have enough swag for this type of passwords ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

8 years ago
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go to Hitman: Codename 47
type search; push enter
input 9405999014715

8 years ago*
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9405999014715 does nothing for me :(

8 years ago
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Nothing happens for me either

8 years ago
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Some people are getting ic/4f21ca7 after clicking ok which leads to the next part:

http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/4f21ca7

8 years ago
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refresh the hitman page and try again - I just tried it - it works for me

8 years ago
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The correct code is "94050999014715"
You're missing the zero.

8 years ago
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whoops did I enter it on the page wrong haha I'll fix it - sorry

8 years ago
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update 2: inputting the code you get from update 1 into winter comic url gives you this
Holy craps

8 years ago*
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Theres 2 hidden voice message in that sound file (explore artist maybe is my doubt too strong and it says this is even the 2nd or 3rd or even the 5th round)

8 years ago*
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haven't checked anything yet, and I'm not sure if it's been suggested, but could it actually be from a game? This is what dialogue (usually) sounds like before it's put in the game, and it doesn't mention any specifics about Christmas etc., so it could be from some detective game (next game to try search on?)

8 years ago
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View attached image.
8 years ago
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The fuck is the download for?

8 years ago
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it's a sound file

8 years ago
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Ok. I'm cautious when I download files.

8 years ago
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np man

8 years ago
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This is what you hear from the file :

"I was on the right track, I could feel it. Tomorrow, I was going to search again"

8 years ago
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+1

8 years ago
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I guess that means we have to wait till tomorrow for the next part maybe?

8 years ago
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Someone said on Reddit that the file was last edited on the 25th so...

8 years ago
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yeah, maybe we're supposed to find something on every page? ("come back tomorrow for the next thing") Found some weird letters on page 2, but I don't think they mean anything. I think I'll just leave this to the "professionals" and see what they find ^^

8 years ago
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Yeah, my guess is that every day there will be a hint and probably on the final day of the sale you get to the end. (Only guessing here)

8 years ago
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Half-Life 3 confirmed

8 years ago
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Holy shitballs, grab the popcorn boys.

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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+1 hehe

8 years ago
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+1 Meep

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Haha Damn You !

8 years ago
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lollerskatesmaximus

8 years ago
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That's a secret way to get Half-Life 3 Beta access.

View attached image.
8 years ago
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Does the number 559549051487795 mean anything to anyone? Google fails to find it.

8 years ago
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How– whaat?
How do people even find that kind of stuff?

8 years ago
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Don't you ever compare web pages source to check what they changed?

And the bar code from the comic was the same as the one tattooed on Agent 47 head. Bar code is only a number and this one says 9405999014715.

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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because it was kinda obvious that there is some minigame during sale. And the line 59 on every steam store page source code is kinda provoking.

8 years ago
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Nah, why would I?
Well, alright then.

8 years ago
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I have no idea, but it's pretty damn cool to see people figuring it out hahaha

8 years ago
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That's true for sure!

8 years ago
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what I really wanna know is how someone figured to type "search" on a game page

8 years ago
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Steam store web page source line 59. What do you see there?

8 years ago
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/nothingtoseehere.js

8 years ago
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Exactly. So what do you do with file named like that?

Come on, just a little further...

8 years ago
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that was the javascript that popped up the dialogue box on all the apps in the store

8 years ago
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Yes. And if you take a moment to look at the code inside this file you would find a function which reads which keys are pressed. if you press any key it will add this key to the string type variable g_strBuffer , with the exception of the Enter button, which if pressed will check if the g_strBuffer is equal to "SEARCH".

Not so difficult if you know where to look.

8 years ago
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that's pretty awesome xDDDDD
I would never think to check for that haha

8 years ago
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you naturally ignore it :3

8 years ago
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I ignore everything labelled "Very important", "Urgent" and "Must read". nothingtoseehere is for me somewhere between "you just won a 1 000 000$ or free Brest enlargement surgery!" and "funny cat photos".

The next question is if the number 559549051487795 means something or not.

8 years ago
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where did you get this number from? Barcode?

8 years ago
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I think this 1fce82a72c633 from Base 16 to Bas 10 , Right ??

http://www.hexadecimalnumbers.com/numbers/1fce82a72c633

8 years ago
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Hmm I dunno if they would bring in hex coding.
It has to do with the comic I think

8 years ago
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Yes, it is file name in decimal instead of hex. It might be a dead end, but I am pretty sure that file got it's name for a reason.

8 years ago
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update 3:
http://store.steampowered.com/search/?term=blitzen yields Grim Fandango
type search; push enter
input the club code from winter sale comic: "HOT TODDIES AND MASERATIS"

8 years ago*
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got sent to Undertale :O
What now? ^^

(not sure if it's a spoiler for anyone, sorry)

8 years ago*
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non of this has worked here for me ether in a browser or there desktop app

Edit: got it to work in IE firefox was a no go for me.

8 years ago*
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that's weird - maybe you have their javascript blocked or something

8 years ago
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yea who knows its an older copy of firefox i liked and never updated,ill just stick to IE for this til whatever it is is over lol

8 years ago
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Sometimes you just need to refesh the page.

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Who is Mike "Santa" Robertson?

8 years ago*
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Loving this hunt. Doesn't seem like anything new has been found in a little but here's a bump for now.

8 years ago
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everyone is stumped atm xD Maybe a breakthrough tomorrow.

8 years ago
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Wait i thought of something that might be a code what is the 1 thing undertale is based around

Yes DETERMINATION it may be that i dont know just a theory

8 years ago
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new possible breakthrough: typing bullet hell in the search on undertale gets you to Ikaruga.

8 years ago
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I can confirm this is true.

8 years ago
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thank youu

8 years ago
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A lot of mysteries, really like his stuff

8 years ago
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Maybe even Valve doesn't know what they are doing with this yet ^^ 'Lets just put the users on wild goose chase on the different store pages... maybe they even buy some of those games in the process!'

Or this is a secret trial to get a recruitment mail from illuminati.

8 years ago
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they already did something like this for the announcement of Portal 2 :v

Maybe they are gonna announce something, or just they like to see us run in circles.

8 years ago
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Were they not developing a new source engine? Maybe they'll anounce a new game that runs with that...

8 years ago
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New thing found again:

https://steamcommunity.com/id/FireSlash/badges/24
profile has a hash : 2cdeda75c0afb5c4a7a45dfe978315f6
and a link : http://comeonandsl.am/

edit : hash reads "Chris[space]Kadar" ?
edit2 : thats just the guys name, so the hash isn't a clue...?
RED HERRING?

8 years ago*
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hm, last played: Undertale -> Ikaruga -> Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex First Assault Online, two of which were part of the ARG so far ...

Edit: Checked archive.org, the hash and link were already there in September :/

8 years ago*
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yea, its a valve dev inside joke.

8 years ago
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maybe this whole hunt is another inside joke for them XD

8 years ago
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Yeah, very likely, people are desperate for "something more" than a lame sale.

8 years ago
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thank you for the updates!!

8 years ago
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The eye with the red background on the image of H1Z1 is part of this? Or is it something else I haven't noticed yet?

8 years ago
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