Programming, computer related stuff, etc.

[PrincessPeach]

Ty for input :p

I will try and use Python to make scripts for common manual tasks I do.

Btw, anyone is free to post whatever they've created. Would be kinda interesting

The python reader should already be installed on Ubuntu just so you know as well as with Sublime and Ruby..

[Sakana]

Yeah, it's probably best to stick to 1 language for now. I'm liking Python so far! :- )

Also, Ubuntu has been excellent for me. Feels like getting a new PC for free. I still have the option to boot Windows 7, but last time I tried it took 5 mins to respond to a simple mouse click..! Unfortunately, it seems like Ubuntu is run by an unethical company, so will probably have to find a diffrent distribution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP8CNp-vksc

I'm working on a IRC bot for a card game called Magic: the Gathering. This is the base I will build it on.. if anyone can see something that's bad/needs fixing, let me know

Code: Select all

import sys
import socket
import string
import time

HOST="dreamhack.se.quakenet.org"
PORT=6667
NICK="MauBot"
IDENT="maubot"
REALNAME="MauBot"
CHAN = "#testing"
JOINED = False
readbuffer=""

s=socket.socket( )
s.connect((HOST, PORT))
s.send("NICK %s\r\n" % NICK)
s.send("USER %s %s bla :%s\r\n" % (IDENT, HOST, REALNAME))

while 1:
    readbuffer=readbuffer+s.recv(1024)
    temp=string.split(readbuffer, "\n")
    readbuffer=temp.pop( )    
    for line in temp:
        line=string.rstrip(line)
        line=string.split(line)
        print line
        if(line[0]=="PING"):
            s.send("PONG %s\r\n" % line[1])
        if (len(line) == 4) and (line[2] == "MauBot") and (line[3] == "+i"):
            print "--- Joining channels ----"
            time.sleep(5)
            s.send('JOIN ' + CHAN + '\r\n' )
            s.send('PRIVMSG ' + CHAN + " Hello.\r\n")
        #respond to simple command
        try:    
            if(line[1]=="PRIVMSG") and (line[3]==":!test"):
                s.send('PRIVMSG ' + CHAN + " It works!\r\n")
        except ValueError:
            pass

[Sakana]

Bump.. I need assistance!! : )

I'll try and be brief. I'm still working on a IRC bot for the card game Magic: the Gathering. I'm looking for a way to fetch my rating from the game client (.exe). Someone else has already done this, but he won't tell me how to do it. I'm working under the assumption that the makers of the game don't care that anyone's accessing this information (has been going on in plain sight for a long time)

What I think I need do: 1) do some kind of forensic memory analysis of the .exe, and find the function that retrieves rating (I'm stuck here)
2) inject code (a .DLL?) to send that function call to the game

Is that accurate? If not, can someone lay out the rough steps I need to take, or tell me what to search for? So far I've found pretty much nada

Thanks

[brimstoneSalad]

I'm working under the assumption that the makers of the game don't care that anyone's accessing this information (has been going on in plain sight for a long time)

You can't make that assumption (just because nobody stopped it, that they don't mind).
You need to ask permission.

Without permission, it seems like you're doing something seedy and hacky (even if you're not), and that perception will influence the willingness of others to help you. Which, as a newbie, is something that will make or break your attempt here.

Hackers don't care if you're doing something unscrupulous, but they're also not noob friendly (not that they're aren't friendly, but if they see a problem as too RTFM simple they'll tell you to learn elsewhere).

So, to get started (at least just to get started, if not as a matter of principle -- which I would encourage), I recommend you stay on the light side of the force here, where the general programming community will be very willing to help you learn.

I know that doesn't solve your problem, but I hope it gives you some direction in how you'll go about selecting learning projects.

[Sakana]

You're right that I should ask them as a matter of principle. Though I expect a non-answer, I will enquire about it ^^

I should make it clear that the data I'm looking for is something that's already being sent to the user, and you can access it manually through the client. What I'm simply trying to do is make it easier to access and log so I can do some arithmetics on the numbers. This is data they would probably make available in an online API to begin with, if the software company weren't so strained on resources. As I mentioned, another guy has already done this, and his bot is widely accepted and used in the (official) community.

I'm more curious about the general method rather than the exact steps. From my point of view, he used a DLL injection hack to call some getRating(); function in the memory of the process, but I'm mostly clueless on it.

[brimstoneSalad]

If you get permission, it will be easy. You'll probably be able to post the question on stack exchange and get some help there.

I should make it clear that the data I'm looking for is something that's already being sent to the user, and you can access it manually through the client.

I know, but it's meant for the client, and that doesn't mean they want other programs accessing it.

This is data they would probably make available in an online API to begin with, if the software company weren't so strained on resources.

Maybe. But you never know unless you ask.

As I mentioned, another guy has already done this, and his bot is widely accepted and used in the (official) community.

Does the company itself offer his bot for download?
Just because there's something widely used in the fan community, doesn't mean it's officially endorsed, even if people are discussing it on that company's website/forums.

[Sakana]

Does the company itself offer his bot for download?
Just because there's something widely used in the fan community, doesn't mean it's officially endorsed, even if people are discussing it on that company's website/forums.

No.

I'd probably call it unofficially endorsed, though. Strictly speaking, it is <probably> against the ToS, but they aren't gonna do anything about it since it makes streaming of the game more enjoyable for viewers, and thus makes the company more money.

I say <probably> because I'm still not 100% sure it's a hack. But I've looked through all files of the program and all online resources without finding any of the stats he's pulling... so I guess it has to be.

Well, I asked them about it, and.... no answer /sadface



I think I found the relevant part of their ToS on this.

...You are strictly prohibited from engaging in, or assisting others to engage in, conduct that would damage or impair the property of Wizards including, without limitation, the following: (a) copying, distributing, transmitting, displaying, performing, framing, linking, hosting, caching, reproducing, publishing, licensing, or creating derivative works from any information, software, products or services obtained from the Game, Game Service or Software; (b) modifying, reverse engineering, disassembling or decompiling the Game, Game Service or Software except to the extent that this restriction is expressly prohibited by applicable law...

Can what he has done be described as "modifying, reverse engineering, disassembling or decompiling"?

[brimstoneSalad]

Can what he has done be described as "modifying, reverse engineering, disassembling or decompiling"?

Reverse engineering, yes, along with about half the things prohibited in part a. The person you asked is also prohibited from helping you do this by the TOS. He could have been banned for helping you.

[Sakana]

Heh, ok. I guess I'm no longer jealous of those features then ;P

I did waste around 4 hours trying to get C++ working in a Windows IDE, though

[PrincessPeach]

Yeah, it's probably best to stick to 1 language for now. I'm liking Python so far! :- )

Also, Ubuntu has been excellent for me. Feels like getting a new PC for free. I still have the option to boot Windows 7, but last time I tried it took 5 mins to respond to a simple mouse click..! Unfortunately, it seems like Ubuntu is run by an unethical company, so will probably have to find a diffrent distribution

[/code]

You should learn HTML and CSS before python... Try http://www.codecademy.com/

Don't believe that BS ubuntu is FREE ...
It's made be US ... PEOPLE.. PROGRAMMERS...

NOT BIG CORPORATIONS..
Why put your trust into big corporations that make you pay out for what other developers will give to you for FREE!! It's open!