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Rhys · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 707 Location: Florida

I'd like to see what people think of this subject - Here's the situation:

A radio station is offering tickets to a sold-out performance. They require that you log in to the site once and click a 'enter contest' link. The contest rules state that you can enter as many times as you want, which will increase your chances of winning.

Would it be ethical to use a scripting language to enter the contest? Why or why not?
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Oberon · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 458

Have you read their Terms and Conditions?

Gakusei · Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

If it says you can enter as many times as you want, I don't see the problem. People usually have other friends help them click the link in other computers to increase their chances of winning, so why not do it with a script?

Here's the question you want to ask yourself, though:
Would you feel comfortable explaining what you did on TV?

SKAN · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 5723

ManaUser · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 900

If they say "as many times as you want" that means "as many times as you want". Though I think it was strange to design the contest that way. (Might want to check the fine print though.)

But that doesn't mean I think scripting couldn't be abusive. I thought some of the threads on poker-playing scripts were kind of suspect. Even in a game with no real prize at stake, like a MMORPG, it's could be unethical if it interferes with other players' enjoyment.

BoBo¨ · Guest

Isn't that something similar like passing a road at 3AM, ignoring a red traffic light??

SKAN · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 5723

[VxE] · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 948

There is an educational film on this topic: Real Genius. I highly recommend it ! Razz

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More Common Answers: 1. It's in the FAQ 2. Ternary ( ? : ) guide 3. Post code with [code][/code] tags

Rhys · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 707 Location: Florida

I won a contest this way a few months ago - The code ran for about four days making a submission every 5 seconds. I wasn't too surprised when my wife called to let me know the radio station had called her (she was the one who signed up). They did ask her if she had a lot of free time.
My 5 year old daughter and two of her cousins (one flew down just for this) got to see Hannah Montana and had a great time. I figured that it was better for them to get the tickets instead of someone who would just scalp them on eBay. Tickets were going for $500-1000 each.
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Raccoon · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 70

Most contest rules (if not all contest rules) state no automated or mechanical submissions will be permitted. This, without a doubt, falls under "automated" submissions... being part of AHK's name.

PS. The poll results disturb me.
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Rhys · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 707 Location: Florida

I checked everywhere that I could and didn't see any verbiage like that in the rules. If they looked at the number of entries (I would have) they could have called shenanigans.
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h4xx0r n00bl37 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 51

Heck yeah I would use AHK to gain an unfair advantage over the people that do things manualy. As many times as you want means as many times as you want afterall.