Greetings all,

I decided to write here, because I feel that something wrong happened, and I would like to give more insight into the whole situation. I am a programmer, I’ve been coding since I was 10 years old, sometimes using my skills to make my life easier, to invent, to help people. Not so long ago I had a very nice idea, for a birthday present for my dear friend in UO.
I wanted to create something, that would help her in the world of Ultima Online. She is a shopkeeper, so I thought I could create a database system, which could be accessible through the net. I thought, that it would save a lot of time both for her and her customers.

After some days of coding I had the system done. I was really pleased with it, it allowed one to search for an item given its properties, matching criteria, (say, for instance, you typed LRC > 10%, Fire Resist > 20%, LMC < 10%, etc) and it would find the item meeting the properties. I thought that this system would be revolutionary for UO, I mean, how many times were you searching for the right item on the vendor, and now, you would at least know whether the shop has it, and what vendor it’s kept on. I managed to sort everything out just for her 21st birthday, which was quite a pleasant surprise for her.

The next day, she decided it was time to advertise the system to the customers at her shops, and thus I’ve dropped some books with the web address and a short description of the functionality of the site. Shortly after, she discovered that her accounts got banned. This is the problem I’m writing about.

I feel it’s highly unjust for her to get banned for that. The system has nothing to do with having an unfair advantage in the game, or whatsoever. If anyone should be banned for having that, I think the person should be me. I will happily pass my account details to people in charge. I think the ‘justice’ system should be looked upon, I find it unjust, that a person scripting mining 24/7 being away from his keyboard (thus, somewhat ruining the economy) gets but a 72 hour ban and 1 count on his account for AFK macroing and a person who uses an out-of-game database system can be dealt with in the same way, or in this case even worse: get a permanent ban on the accusation of using a 3rd party program. She also got banned on her other accounts, I still can’t understand why.

Please, do understand the way I feel right now, I am the man that is fully responsible for the damages caused, and she as someone totally innocent got banned. Not the best way to give a birthday present, don’t you think? I would really like to get my account banned by the EA staff, for further details (which, due to privacy policy of the forums I can’t publish here) about the case please use the Private Message function (I’m talking about EA employees who are considering this case) and I will gladly provide further information.

EDIT: Fixed one type-o

Eh that's a shame, but EA is pretty adament about programs which aren't "UO Pro" status.

I'm sorry for your friends ban

The program itself sounds awesome, if it were UO Pro, it'd make it ALOT easier to search for items
It's a shame they don't reopen the program.

Forgot to add, I wouldn't think there's much you or your friend can do
You could try emailing Wilki, but I know he's off ill and is extremely busy with things.

Aye, sounds like a great program. It'd solve the ol' empty vendor problem. Many times I've spent days searching for an item only to settle for second best and then have the item turn up after I've paid a fortune.

Thats a shame dude

The program is awesome, I realise, but that's not what I wanted to talk about, she hasn't even used it. Why does she get banned. I am pretty sure the GM who banned her ASSUMED that she, as the owner of the shop used it. I was the one who made database updates for the system... so... I think assumptions are bad, especially when a GM bans all 3 accounts. Ban mine and make the 3 accounts unbanned and I will be happy, at least I will get rid of the feeling of being guilty, if you know what I mean

IM sorry to hear this. But If it isnt said that its an EA Allowed program then its illegal my friend.

I won't be getting into discussions what's an allowed program and what's not, just tell me, how can a web interface be a 3rd party program?

Greetz

One thing that does concern me though, is the fact the shop keeper was banned for someone ELSE putting books in and around the store

I mean, what if someone maliciously did that to someone's vendor mall? would the mall owner get banned because the gm assumed the mall owner wrote the books?

Surely a GM can tell who wrote them?

Thats a real good question. Im sure they can.

I don't know. Has she contacted EA to see what she was banned for?