Dancer Archive
Thread: Bot or not?
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Doriana
Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:54 am
#1
So when my gut reaction is to freak out about something, I try to force myself to take a step back and see if I'm overreacting. Sometimes I am and I calm down. Sometimes I'm not, and I enter full freak out mode.
So before I freak out, I have a few questions for people, to see if you feel the same way I do:
1) When someone runs a bot script, the whole spam/auto-join/invite-me-now deal, are they a bot, even if they are there at the keys "part" or "most" of the time?
2) Is this harmful to entertaining if people view this person as "ATK?"
3) Am I tired of having to ask these questions, and do I want something to come along that just makes the whole point moot?
Sorry to dredge this out of the all-purpose sticky but I think I wouldn't get many replies if I posted it there. Just a note to anyone who wants to debate the bot issue that the the all-purpose thread is here. I'm just looking for definitions here, not if they should or shouldn't.
So before I freak out, I have a few questions for people, to see if you feel the same way I do:
1) When someone runs a bot script, the whole spam/auto-join/invite-me-now deal, are they a bot, even if they are there at the keys "part" or "most" of the time?
2) Is this harmful to entertaining if people view this person as "ATK?"
3) Am I tired of having to ask these questions, and do I want something to come along that just makes the whole point moot?
Sorry to dredge this out of the all-purpose sticky but I think I wouldn't get many replies if I posted it there. Just a note to anyone who wants to debate the bot issue that the the all-purpose thread is here. I'm just looking for definitions here, not if they should or shouldn't.
DarkY0da
Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:00 am
#2
If they spam and "buff" while not buffing anyone even while "atk" they are a bot.
If they go afk for 30+ minutes leaving it running to buff people they are a bot.
If they are running a bot macro then they are a bot...
If combat people line up to use them and ignore any Live Ents in the building they are a bot.
If you make millions of credits "providing a much needed service to combat types" all while leaving your toon logged on 24/7, you might be a bot.
If you never leave the cantina, you might be a bot.
(anyone else want to do the whole Jeff Foxworthy thing ?)
If they go afk for 30+ minutes leaving it running to buff people they are a bot.
If they are running a bot macro then they are a bot...
If combat people line up to use them and ignore any Live Ents in the building they are a bot.
If you make millions of credits "providing a much needed service to combat types" all while leaving your toon logged on 24/7, you might be a bot.
If you never leave the cantina, you might be a bot.
(anyone else want to do the whole Jeff Foxworthy thing ?)
Goldshadow
Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:22 am
#3
If you can't name any one of your last five clients, you might be a bot
If you have more than one computer running SWG at a time, you might be a bot
If you've mastered a profession using less than 2 different flourishes, you might be a bot
If people know where to find you at all times, you might be a bot
Drygo
Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:28 am
#4
If this person is playing more than one character at a time, and has to use the macro to automate the buffing process continually because he/she is not there, then they are a bot.
And, on the offchance that this person really is atk 99% of the time and only playing this one avatar during those times, then maybe they're not a bot, but they are damn annoying.
Vorpaks
Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:59 am
#5
Edit:
DarkY0da wrote:
If they spam and "buff" while not buffing anyone even while "atk" they are a bot.
I disagree - I think that just means they are annoying.
If they go afk for 30+ minutes leaving it running to buff people they are a bot.
Agree.
If they are running a bot macro then they are a bot...
Disagree. I think a buff macro is fine if used atk. That is the true purpose of macros. To make doing things easier.
If combat people line up to use them and ignore any Live Ents in the building they are a bot.
Unless the person is ATK and just really popular.
If you make millions of credits "providing a much needed service to combat types" all while leaving your toon logged on 24/7, you might be a bot.
Agree.
If you never leave the cantina, you might be a bot.
Wait a second... this sounds familiar...
(anyone else want to do the whole Jeff Foxworthy thing ?)
Doh! It was a game!Teaches me to take things seriously for a change!
You said it better than me!
Drygo wrote:
And, on the offchance that this person really is atk 99% of the time and only playing this one avatar during those times, then maybe they're not a bot, but they are damn annoying.
Message Edited by Vorpaks on 03-08-2005 02:03 PM
Sunjammer
Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:08 pm
#6
Vorpaks wrote:
Edit:You said it better than me!
Drygo wrote:
And, on the offchance that this person really is atk 99% of the time and only playing this one avatar during those times, then maybe they're not a bot, but they are damn annoying.
Yes, that pretty much sums it up. Spam is every bit as annoying as AFK, every bit as unjustified, and even harder to ignore.
Umi
Warryyr
Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:38 pm
#7
I've often consideredrunning a faux bot on a regular schedule. Sure, I won't be on 24/7 (and, after all, why would i be because "no one is on in the off hours" - except only combat players apparently lol), but at least people will always know when I'm on and performing, andI'll be ATK and using the format that the combat types seem to embrace - the yackity yacking spam about invite me and blah blah blah. Why they find that interesting to interact with, I'll never understand.
The reality of it all is, if I miss one night, ONE STINKIN NIGHT, I bet my "clients" go running off to what's perceived as a "more reliable service." That's how sad it is - the continual demand placed upon us can NEVER be satisfied in combat people's minds unless we're a bot. It really depresses me that the only way to effectively compete with bots is to - become a "bot."
If I'm actually playing my character, but using a macro to pretend to be a bot, personally I don't think I should be considered a bot.
I'd be providing my skills to combat players who want them, in a manner that THEY'VE chosen to be their means of interacting with Entertainers. It's pathetic, but it seems to be the only thing they understand. Entertainer = /invite or "Invite to Warr's group plz."
So, would I be a bot? Not if I'm at the keyboard the whole time, talking to the people who join my group!
If I left the thing running all day and night for days at a time, THAT would certify me for being a bot.
If I even left it going for an hour or so, THAT would certify me for being a bot.
Like Paks said, someone ATK who's using a macro is using the system like it was intended - to help your gameplay. If you use the system to make it play the game FOR you, while you're nowhere near the computer, then that's when the line is crossed in my mind.
I can care less about people who spam annoying junk, if they're not AFK. At least then you can talk to 'em and get them to stop spamming junk.
Message Edited by Warryyr on 03-08-2005 02:41 PM
Groovymarlin
Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:04 pm
#8
This thread reminded me of a fundamental problem that we as entertainers have, and that's advertising our services in a way that is effective, yet not annoying.
I used to dance in Theed Cantina all the time. I kept my master tag up. When people sent me a tell to ask for a buff, I gave it. I made a lot of credits this way.
There was another dancer in the cantina who appeared to be ATK most of the time. However, she ran the most obnoxious macro at all times. She had these ridiculous advertisements going every one to two minutes:
"Ask me how I can buff your mind for 105% for two hours!"
"Increase your mind 105% for two hours in just four minutes! Ask me how!"
etc.
Obviously, she was wearing one of those Exquisite Dancer's Leotards at all times. (Man that thing must have smelled!) I eventually just put her on my ignore list, but whenever she was in the cantina my friends and I would laughingly refer to her (in our own chat channel of course) as "The Inventor of the Mind Buff," because her spammy advertisements were so Ron Popeil-like somehow.
Anyway, the point of this amusing anecdote about Spammy McMindbuff is that there really is no way to advertise without being annoying. So maybe even ATK people who are desperate to sell buffs think that they must pollute our spatial with their constant spamming. Of course it's my personal opinion that if someone wants a buff, they'll come in and ask for it. But that's just me.
I used to dance in Theed Cantina all the time. I kept my master tag up. When people sent me a tell to ask for a buff, I gave it. I made a lot of credits this way.
There was another dancer in the cantina who appeared to be ATK most of the time. However, she ran the most obnoxious macro at all times. She had these ridiculous advertisements going every one to two minutes:
"Ask me how I can buff your mind for 105% for two hours!"
"Increase your mind 105% for two hours in just four minutes! Ask me how!"
etc.
Obviously, she was wearing one of those Exquisite Dancer's Leotards at all times. (Man that thing must have smelled!) I eventually just put her on my ignore list, but whenever she was in the cantina my friends and I would laughingly refer to her (in our own chat channel of course) as "The Inventor of the Mind Buff," because her spammy advertisements were so Ron Popeil-like somehow.
Anyway, the point of this amusing anecdote about Spammy McMindbuff is that there really is no way to advertise without being annoying. So maybe even ATK people who are desperate to sell buffs think that they must pollute our spatial with their constant spamming. Of course it's my personal opinion that if someone wants a buff, they'll come in and ask for it. But that's just me.
FuschiaD
Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:24 pm
#9
This is an interesting thread that raises a few questions... number one being, how "ATK" do you have to be to be considered a live player? My answer: 99.9% of the time, if your character is on, you better be there. I can accept having to use the bathroom, or needing something to drink, or even taking cigarette breaks. What I CANNOT accept is going to eat... going to work... going to sleep... going on vacation. Once you set up a macro for the specific purpose of keeping your character buffing while you are off doing something else, you become a buffbot.
That being said, there are numerous combat players who have entertainer alts that are NOT buffbots. Ava's husband is one of them. The man runs a friggin' army of alts, and one of them is his doc/musician. He tags along with Geen when Geen's hunting, and the rest of the time he's usually in a side room in the Theed cantina NOT running a buff macro. When Geen logs, Bedyr does too. I have no problem with combatants having support alts, if they use them respectfully and don't abuse it.
PoetDancer
Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:43 pm
#10
Bad entertainment is bad entertainment.
And what I call bad entertainment is entertainment that is non-immersive, boring, and annoying. Buffbots fit this bill, but at least a patron gets the boredom whenever they want.
There are entertainers behind the keys that put no thought or creativity into the cantina performance. But I'll let the patrons in the cantina decide if they are bad or not. Effort shows.
But by the same token, AFK entertainers and buffbots cannot be anything other than boring. They simply do not have the faculties to make things interesting in there.
My problem with AFK entertainers and buffbots is not that they give out buffs and mechanics. Its the fact that they feel no shame at making the cantinas boring, don't care if they are boring, and don't care if they are not tipped for not putting the slightest effort into being exciting. They turn this class on its head, and make boring cantinas more preferable than interesting ones.
There are many crimes today that go against the spirit of the game. Believe it or not, one can be seen as an enemy for destroying a PvE base...if someone or some guild put it down as a faction farm. There are so many players out there that are so intent at making the game not work because its easier, than put the effort in to make it work.
Message Edited by PoetDancer on 03-08-2005 03:49 PM
DarkY0da
Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:48 pm
#11
Vorpaks wrote:
DarkY0da wrote:
If they spam and "buff" while not buffing anyone even while "atk" they are a bot.
I disagree - I think that just means they are annoying.
So if they keep acting like they are buffing and spamming the same thing when they really aren't buffing anyone they are not a bot ?
If they go afk for 30+ minutes leaving it running to buff people they are a bot.
Agree.
If they are running a bot macro then they are a bot...
A buff macro is different from a bot macro.
Disagree. I think a buff macro is fine if used atk. That is the true purpose of macros. To make doing things easier.
If combat people line up to use them and ignore any Live Ents in the building they are a bot.
Unless the person is ATK and just really popular.
lol ATK and really popular that is funny.
If you make millions of credits "providing a much needed service to combat types" all while leaving your toon logged on 24/7, you might be a bot.
Agree.
If you never leave the cantina, you might be a bot.
Wait a second... this sounds familiar...
(anyone else want to do the whole Jeff Foxworthy thing ?)
Doh! It was a game!
Message Edited by DarkY0da on 03-08-2005 04:56 PM
Tiaga
Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:55 pm
#12
Groovymarlin wrote:
This thread reminded me of a fundamental problem that we as entertainers have, and that's advertising our services in a way that is effective, yet not annoying.
I used to dance in Theed Cantina all the time. I kept my master tag up. When people sent me a tell to ask for a buff, I gave it. I made a lot of credits this way.
There was another dancer in the cantina who appeared to be ATK most of the time. However, she ran the most obnoxious macro at all times. She had these ridiculous advertisements going every one to two minutes:
"Ask me how I can buff your mind for 105% for two hours!"
"Increase your mind 105% for two hours in just four minutes! Ask me how!"
etc.
Obviously, she was wearing one of those Exquisite Dancer's Leotards at all times. (Man that thing must have smelled!) I eventually just put her on my ignore list, but whenever she was in the cantina my friends and I would laughingly refer to her (in our own chat channel of course) as "The Inventor of the Mind Buff," because her spammy advertisements were so Ron Popeil-like somehow.
Anyway, the point of this amusing anecdote about Spammy McMindbuff is that there really is no way to advertise without being annoying. So maybe even ATK people who are desperate to sell buffs think that they must pollute our spatial with their constant spamming. Of course it's my personal opinion that if someone wants a buff, they'll come in and ask for it. But that's just me.
Random idea:
/afk
/shout Advertisement..
/afk
That way, people who filter out AFK messages will get it filtered out. You may need to add in a few delays so the server can register you as AFK for the text, depending on how that filtering works.
Pappi
Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:01 pm
#13
I look at it this way on all my chars (ent or otherwise):
if you're spamming you're going to my ignore list. atk or afk matters not, and even a non-bot can be annoying with the spam. the only exception is when I need a buff... then I'll need to check and see if the doc's already on my ignore list, and unignore temporarily if necessary.
if you're spamming *and* afk I won't get any services/products from you. this goes for entertainers and afk spamming merchants. do people really think that being annoying is advertising? ... ok, so some do, but I don't.
my conclusion is that it doesn't matter if someone's a bot or not. if they're annoying, I ain't dealing with them
if you're spamming you're going to my ignore list. atk or afk matters not, and even a non-bot can be annoying with the spam. the only exception is when I need a buff... then I'll need to check and see if the doc's already on my ignore list, and unignore temporarily if necessary.
if you're spamming *and* afk I won't get any services/products from you. this goes for entertainers and afk spamming merchants. do people really think that being annoying is advertising? ... ok, so some do, but I don't.
my conclusion is that it doesn't matter if someone's a bot or not. if they're annoying, I ain't dealing with them
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