SE's most difinitive statement yet on parsers

[Kaethra]

It's in the ToS.

Parsing log files isn't data mining. The log files aren't even in the game installation folder. They're in your documents folder. Go look for yourself. They're .txt files you can open them up in Notepad. In fact I posted some of my own in this thread and I haven't been warned or banned for it.

add in the fact Yoshi-P has said on at least two occasions (I think it was two) that they are not allowed. Even going as far at one point to tacitly admit they exist and there isn't a lot they can do about it.

I'm going to wager he was speaking about the parsers that had 'other' features involved with them. If they didn't want parsers to be allowed at all, they'd patch the game to turn off log files. Especially when they are in the SAME folder as the screenshots.

Having a discussion about it is not against the ToS and also isn't a valid way to determine if this is against the rules or not. Having a conversation isn't using third party tools to extract data from the game.

Again go look at the threads. They are posting the results of the parses. So anyone contributing has used a parser to give the information they've discussed. Its not different than saying in chat "my parser says you're underperforming."

Lack of proof is not proof of the contrary. Just because you haven't personally seen it doesn't mean it does not happen. There are over 2 million accounts in this game. Do you think you've played with enough of them to even know?

I'm not talking about lack of proof, I'm talking about calling a bluff. As in challenging the other side of the argument to prove their conviction to their own argument. So far they have lacked it. Which leaves me to believe, they don't even believe in their own arguments. Seriously, why nitpick it? Why go "ooh its against the rules, you -might- get into a tussle with a GM if they ever find out!" Instead of reporting them. I mean at this point the discussion is pointless otherwise. It hasn't gone anywhere except this loop in like 3 days.

[Shougun]

Parsing log files isn't data mining. The log files aren't even in the game installation folder. They're in your documents folder. Go look for yourself. They're .txt files you can open them up in Notepad. In fact I posted some of my own in this thread and I haven't been warned or banned for it.

The log doesn't include all the information needed for all classes (can be used for some). Also the popular parser, because it does what it needs to do to get that extra information, reads from memory, which is against the ToS - which is also why that popular app can also make a radar.. because it reads from memory.

I don't think the majority of the posts here are talking about the txt files, I'm not even sure the majority here are even aware of that option- I think most are talking about "that" famous app.