Is using FFXIAH considered using a third party tool?

Is viewing shouts on FFXIAH considered using a third party tool?

What *exactly* is the definition of "using a third party tool"?

Whatever they need it to be to get the outcome they want.

That's pretty much all a terms of service is good for.

Third party tools directly interface with the game client to give distinct advantages to that player.
Wikis, forums and auction sites do not fall under that category, and are in fact key to playing FFXI.

some ppl like to argue that SE wont target windower users becuase they might lose a large portion of their player base. But i would agree that if they tried to target ppl useing a wiki of ffxiah.com or such, then they defenitly would lose everyone. But that being said, those sites do not fall under thrid party tool catagory

If those site's info is displayed in teh game window, then they are.

Using FFXIAH probably isn't considered using a third party tool. However, the people running FFXIAH are probably breaking the terms of service by having a third party tool grab all the AH information.

Unless they write them down manually.

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Originally Posted by Tsukino_Kaji

If those site's info is displayed in teh game window, then they are.

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No, then whatever program is displaying them in the game window is, not the site itself.

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Originally Posted by Mirage

Using FFXIAH probably isn't considered using a third party tool. However, the people running FFXIAH are probably breaking the terms of service by having a third party tool grab all the AH information.

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Originally Posted by FFXIAH

Q: How do you get your data?

A: While the actual data collection routine is proprietary and not public, we will state that we do not violate the Terms of Service via bots or automated in-game 3rd party utilities to collect our data.

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I think they poll the AH servers directly, about once per server every 20 minutes.

So they have something that is not the official FF11 client communicating with the FF11 servers. Sounds like third party to me.

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Originally Posted by Mirage

So they have something that is not the official FF11 client communicating with the FF11 servers. Sounds like third party to me.

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Nah, it's second party.

I don't use third party tools, but like everyone else I use community websites.

Like anyone who pays attention to this stuff, I know how most of it works since it is all out in the open. I'm a bit reluctant to make this post, but since none of it describes how to even get third party tools, but only the way community websites use third party tools to provide their functionality, I doubt I'm breaking any rules.

• FFXIAH's Item Lists
  Dat mining programs. These never have to interface with the server or the game since all the data is offline clientside data stored on player's computers. Other community websites do dat mines as well, including any community wiki with remotely up to date information, in order to create the base pages for ease of editing.
• FFXIAH's Player/Linkshell Function
  FFXIAH mines the Linkshell Community Beta website for player and linkshell data, making this a very "clean" set of data.
  Then, the most popular third party tool that exists has a popular add-on written that can collect certain data that the player sees. In this case, any time a player checks a player or themselves, the information is collected and sent to that add-on's website, as well as FFXIAH. This is why FFXIAH can show information about what a player's Synergy is at even though the Linkshell Community Beta website doesn't have that information.
• FFXIAH's AH Function
  This one is probably the most "mysterious" to find out what is really going on, but basically what previous forum posters have said is most likely the truth, with a special client written to poll the AH servers for AH history. While this isn't any information that anyone couldn't get by just visiting the AH on their server, the aggregate information provided by FFXIAH immensely helps players price check anything, anywhere.
• FFXIAH's Bazaar Function
  The most popular third party tool that exists has a popular add-on written that can collect certain data that the player sees. In this case, any time a player checks a Bazaar to see what is for sale, the information is collected and sent to that add-on's website, as well as FFXIAH. FFXIAH then aggregates the information alongside it's classic AH data.
• FFXIAH's Shout Function
  The most popular third party tool that exists has a popular add-on written that can collect certain data that the player sees. In this case, any time a player hears a shout or yell, particularly in Jeuno, the information is collected and sent to that add-on's website, as well as FFXIAH, where it is displayed.
  This same functionality can be used to have a web relay of chat in general.
• FFXIDB's Drop Rate Function
  This one is kinda new, so I'm just guessing but, I think it is something like this:
  The most popular third party tool that exists has a popular add-on written that can collect certain data that the player sees. In this case, any time a player sees a drop from a chest or monster, the information is collected and sent to FFXIDB.

I don't condone the usage of third party tools, but the non-personally identifiable data collected by those tools helps players who have never used an illegal third party tool that interfaces with the game client.

For this reason, I urge SE to form a policy about allowing add-ons when they get around to the promised revamping of the PC's user interface. They can regulate third party add-on functionality to allow this useful data collection, but only if they allow approved third party add-ons. The players are more then happy to make FFXI better for everyone, so why not let them instead of having to do the work itself?

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Originally Posted by Kristal

Nah, it's second party.

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But you have three parties in an alliance right?

Does it make your charc go botting like crazy, nope. I wouldnt worrie about it, very good thing to use, especially if your out of state or somewhere else and on vacation and wanted to see if your stuff sold inbetween the time you left...