The "Help: Solving Specific Problems" section of the hintbook (pages 5-37) are unreadable. According to page 4, reading this section requires a "decoder". The description suggests this was some physical object that was presumably included with the hintbook, once upon a time.

Naturally, with a pdf document, it's not possible to "decode" it. What solution is there for me to be able to read the unreadable answers?

It's easy, I think any red plastic you can see through would do. Even one half of an old blue and red 3D glasses. YOu would just have to hold it agains the screen. ;-)

Also, starting at 44 are maps, which are "uncoded" and there's a well-written walkthrough beginning on page 51 which is also "uncoded".

The Open Amiga Game DB page for Zak has the same hint book available decoded.

Google search should get you there quickly enough.

Also - before resorting to the Hint Book - read the Newspaper (The National Inquisitor) first. Solutions to many of the challenging puzzles can be found that way instead, and you feel like you cheated less :)

I played this game on my Commodore 64 when it first was released.
I ordered the Hint Book & the T-Shirt. (Still got it, though too small & a few holes..)

When I saw the end of 'The Fifth Element', I blurted "Rip-Off" in the theater.
When NASA sent probes to Mars, I was hoping to see van tracks & a broom alien.

I just found out that it was available here on GOG, & bought it.

I do think including the Hint Guide with the Red text covering the answers is dumb, but I'm glad I don't have to enter those stupid Airport Codes from that hard to read purple card..

After looking on Google, I found a Hint Guide without the red text.

[url=]oagd.net/file/.../Hint%20Book%20(en).pdf[/url]

Put it in the same GalaxyClient folder as the original Hint Guide pdf.
Rename the original "Hintbook-orig.pdf" & rename the new one "Hintbook.pdf"

Then the new one pops up when you request it in GalaxyClient.

I "decoded" this in photoshop with hue and saturation filter, since this is based on very simple optical illusion.
I don't know if anyone is still interested - if yes, than I think I can assemble and provide this .pdf decoded.

http://www.pixsoriginadventures.co.uk/downloads/

Scroll down to find the hint book with hint revealed.

Same, except I just made a Multiply layer and painted red over it.

I felt really smart for about 5 seconds until i remembered that the internet exists now and I could've just Google a walkthrough.

But where is fun in walkthrough :)