A really challenging puzzle

[polyglot]

You may have encountered this puzzle previously -- it is a great challenge -- a good way to test your web development skills and a nice diversion from coding sessions. The most important outcome is not finding the hidden message -- I will eventually reveal what it is if there is enough interest and people keep working toward a solution -- but explaining how you arrived at it . This exercise also illustrates the futility of trying to hide source code.

http://drpeterjones.com/hidden/hidden.php.

Hint: there are several ways to solve the puzzle. If you have seen and solved this before, please don't let the cat out of the bag just yet (there is a clue here).

James

[zergi]

I've solved it, the simplest way I think
Good test, actually, to check one's ability to solve the problem the most effective way.

[cbVision]

CTRL+SHIFT+I using Chrome

[polyglot]

CTRL+SHIFT+I using Chrome

I didn't get the hidden message doing that, cbvision, just this ..........

<!--

PLEASE NOTE:
You think you're smart, but you're not.
You haven't solved the puzzle.
This is just a decoy page. Keep trying.

-->

......... followed by random code. Is there anything else you did?

James

[polyglot]

I've solved it, the simplest way I think
Good test, actually, to check one's ability to solve the problem the most effective way.

Congratultions zerg! Why don't you post the hidden message here and I will tell you if it is correct? But don't post the way you solved it just yet (a little later please) in order to let others have a shot at solving it their way.

James

[bionoid]

The hidden message I found was: "THE CAT SCREAMS AT MIDNIGHT"

[zergi]

<!-- HIDDEN MESSAGE: 'THE CAT SCREAMS AT MIDNIGHT' -->
After CTRL+SHIFT+I (since this solution is already provided ) just look through the DOM tree in the elements tab.

[bionoid]

I also found it using the same method as above (in IE9), but because I was interested to know how it worked I went through all the methods of obfuscation and deception used in order to hide the end result. I can be more detailed if requested by the OP.

[cbVision]

CTRL+SHIFT+I brings up the developers console. Then press CTRL+F for find, and type in "hidden message." You'll find this:

<!-- HIDDEN MESSAGE: 'THE CAT SCREAMS AT MIDNIGHT' -->

[polyglot]

Excellent cbvision, bionoid and zergi - you are all correct!

I have also solved it using (via Firefox) Dom Inspector, Firebug and Web Developer. The easiest I have found is using MS (save file as ..... open in Notepad)

I hope others post their methods.

James