Link Bot

[Nalandi]

<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>EDIT:  As of sometime in February 2006, sending links cross server works great!EDIT:  I've just found out that sending links across servers does not work as of June 27th 2005.EDIT: As of September 5th 2005, the Link Bot works cross-server!From any server, you can send a tell to the character on Crushbone named Linky saying:getitem <search words>where <search words> is an item name, or part of an item name.  It will then return you the link of that item or items.For example, if I wanted a link to Prismatic Rod of the Scale, I could type:/tell Linky getitem prismatic/tell Linky getitem rod/tell eq2.crushbone.linky getitem invoker/tell Linky getitem pRiSmAtic RoD oF tHE ScALe/tell eq2.crushbone.linky getitem robe...etc. etc, and it would return you the link to that item, or any items that matched what you searched for.  If i searched for "ebon", it would return up to 10 results containing the word ebon.There was something similar to this in Everquest 1, however the links in EQ2 work differently.  Each item has a name and a unique ID, which is what the link uses.  In other words, item's names and unique IDs have to be harvested manually from the game;  there isn't a magic way to get every item link.  Even if we wanted to try every single possible unqiue ID, it would take us an incredibly long time.  We set up a website for people to help us get items into our database, it's at<a href="http://www.eq2linky.com" target="_blank">http://www.eq2linky.com</a>Basically, the program watches your log for item links and then submits item links to our database.  The program is open source for those who care.  On a side note, we're looking for moderators to help us approve items for the database.  E-mail me if interested; my e-mail address is listed on the website.If you want to help out but don't want to run a third party program, you can simply send item links to Linky and it will automatically add that item link to the database.Any comments/questions/suggestions are appreciated, especially comments from SOE employees.<div></div><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">06-27-2005</span><span class="time_text">02:08 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">06-27-2005</span><span class="time_text">03:44 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">06-27-2005</span><span class="time_text">04:29 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">06-27-2005</span><span class="time_text">04:29 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">06-27-2005</span><span class="time_text">06:52 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">09-05-2005</span><span class="time_text">01:07 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">10-05-2005</span><span class="time_text">06:06 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">10-05-2005</span><span class="time_text">06:07 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">04-08-2006</span><span class="time_text">09:52 AM</span></p>

[Grycks]

Since you don't get the item's "stats", does that mean you're looking to compile simply a list of all items in the game?

[Nalandi]

<i> Since you don't get the item's "stats", does that mean you're looking to compile simply a list of all items in the game? </i>In a way, yes;  all items in the game along with their Unique ID is my ultimate goal.  An item name with no ID is just as worthless as an ID with no item name. <div></div>

[Grycks]

Oh, but with the name and the ID number, the stats can be seen while playing the game?

[Nalandi]

<i> Oh, but with the name and the ID number, the stats can be seen while playing the game? </i>The stats can be seen by the player, not the link bot.  I mean, i suppose if i clicked on an item link which i sent, i could see the stats.  But the stats wouldn't be something that's easily gettable. With the name and ID number, we can send a link to an item.  We just let EQ2 take care of the rest. <div></div>

[Quinat]

I'm on the crushbone server, but says linky isn't online when I send a tell.

[Nalandi]

<i>I'm on the crushbone server, but says linky isn't online when I send a tell. </i>Yeah sorry about that;  we try and keep him up as much as possible.  At the moment its still a little beta, but we're working on making it more stable.

[ShortbusRid]

great idea and thanks for taking the time to do it.  will download the program and run to help the cause. <div></div>

[Traldan Omegafyre]

Cool, nice job guys. <div></div>

[Nalandi]

I'd just like to remind everyone that if you <i>do</i> end up running the program, please check the website for updates.  There have been a few things fixed and added since the initial release. <div></div>

[MadLordOfMilk]

<div></div>*adds an arseload of item links* name is MadLordOfMilk - keep in mind I edited some of the item names when I linked some so they're not all legit, 99% should be though <span>:smileywink:</span> <div></div><p>Message Edited by MadLordOfMilk on <span class=date_text>07-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>09:05 AM</span>

[Nalandi]

hehe thanks, we really do need more.  As far as the Link Bot not being up, we're waiting for a new video card to come in for the computer.  As soon as it comes in, the Link Bot should be back up 24/7.<div></div>

[Nalandi]

Exciting news!  The Link Bot now works cross-server! <div></div>

[Traldan Omegafyre]

<span><blockquote><hr>Nalandial wrote:Exciting news!  The Link Bot now works cross-server! <div></div><hr></blockquote>Awesome!</span><div></div>

[Sphiriah]

<DIV>Considering Link Bots were banned from EQ1, i have a feeling this will not last long.</DIV>

[Nalandi]

I've actually already spoken to two GM's about this issue.  They said that basically as long as I'm not A) giving players an advantage and B) not reverse engineering anything, they don't mind. It's already been up for three months or so, and I've had no problems. <div></div>

[Snublefot]

Coming from Anarchy Online I know very well just how incredible helpful chatbots can be in a game. Of course Eq2 have all the guild tools that AO lacked, so the need aint the same. <div></div>

[asmiro]

<P>Is the bot down? i tried sending a /tell eq2.crushbone.linky getitem <name> but it didnt give me a link back and it said that isnt a valid character name. I am on innothule server. is that a proper way to send a tell across servers? if not how do i do it again?</P> <P> </P>

[Nalandi]

<div></div>If it says the character name is invalid, then yes, it usually means he is offline.  Generally if something is broken, I'll leave him on line with an AFK message, or some other notification that something is broken. If he's offline, it probably means that neither me nor any of my roomtaes have had a chance to get home and log him back in after the server reboot. <div></div><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class=date_text>09-22-2005</span> <span class=time_text>12:43 PM</span>

[asmiro]

I wouldnt mind hosting one on another account if you guys would post the prog you use or how to set it up.

[Ertoo]

OK, maybe I'm just doing something wrong here.  I was previously using the Link Watcher (build June 29th) and it worked fine.  After reinstalling a new hard drive and everything from scratch (don't ask), I decided to download the latest version (build Sept 30th) and use it, however, it's not logging any links at all.  Just sits there.  I've tried it with multiple logs and no result.  I dug up the older version and tried it on the new logs and it worked just fine.  So, something in this new build isn't working correctly for some reason (at least not for me). <div></div>

[Nalandi]

No, you aren't doing anything wrong.  There's a new version up now from October 3rd.  Sorry about that!<div></div>

[Nalandi]

<div></div>I'd just like to remind everyone that this project is still going strong!I just did a recent interview with EQ2's Day over at OGaming.  You can <a href="http://www.podfeed.net/category_item.asp?id=3404" target="_blank">grab the interview here</a>.  It's Part I of 3-14-2006.Our website has moved to <a href="http://www.eq2linky.com" target="_blank">http://www.eq2linky.com</a>.  Feel free to read about the project, post on the forums, and read about the new commands that have been implemented!<div></div><p>Message Edited by Nalandial on <span class="date_text">04-08-2006</span><span class="time_text">09:58 AM</span></p>