I'm a little worried about this. What part of idleMiner needs the net? It's just detecting my activity and loading Party when I'm idle, right? That means Party has to access the net, but not idleWild.

I am psyched about the screen-saver aspect of this. I'd just like a little clarification on the security end.
-Sam

Have been using IdleMiner for a bit now and it's fantastic. I would definitely like to be able to stop it without closing out tables as I often use iWitness to aid in table selection. This is a must have feature in my opinion. I would also like to suggest being able to minimize it to the tray. Small thing, but would be nice and I imagine it would be pretty easy.

Thanks.

This seems to be working pretty well for me so far.

ProcessGuard can prevent IdleMiner from reading from the Party lobby, which means it cannot open tables. It has nothing to do with blocking IdleMiner from the net, which ProcessGuard cannot even do

IdleMiner only uses the net to check for updates, one time, at startup, before it even loads PP.

Honestly its safe, I know that doesn't mean that much coming from us, but time will prove it.

We have a big update coming today, I'll try to push these in with the update.

Same type of complaint for when it's in screensaver mode. Sometimes I'm only checking something like movie times online and having IdleMiner either paused or even still running in the background would be preferable.

A great idea, I'm 90% sold on it, but it needs a minor amount of tuning.

TheScientist,

That is a good idea. We will just have it pop up the main configuration window when you come out of screensaver mode so you can choose to stop it if you want or just let it keep going. Thanks a bunch.

Funny. I think my brain was stuck on the old unix screensaver with the blue or red lines that bounced around a black screen. I think it's called "IdleWild", but Google told me that I'm an idiot and it has no idea what I'm talking about.

PG can't block IM from accessing the net, but my firewall can.

If I block it, will it still work with the installed version? I'll be happier blocking this from calling home at all.
-Sam

No, the program will not run if it cannot check to see if there are available updates. We are trying to control what version people are using during the beta. The fact of the matter is any peice of software on your computer can do pretty much anything it wants too and it would be impossible for us to convince you otherwise on a forum. The best thing to look for would be credible members of this forum coming out in support of our software which has happend. If you are really worried about it doing something behind the scenes we recommend you wait until we have established more credibility.

From one software developer to another.

I realize your desire to keep people using current versions. However, your application has no real reason to connect to the internet. Telling people that it absolutely won't run unless you let it connect will come across as suspicious, especially since you are a newcomer to the scene. I suggest that instead of forcing an internet connection, you have a hardcoded expiration date. That's what I did with the early beta versions of PA Hud and it worked out great.

Ok, then consider this a feature-request during the beta: If your app can't check to see if there's a new update, don't crash and close. Instead, run the version that worked yesterday.

I understand that I'm running your code on my system, and there's an inherent security risk in that. But stutting your app from the net eliminates a bit of the risk, and you're telling users they can't do that. It'd be cool if you didn't.

I'm really not trying to say you're untrustworthy. I expect it's fine. But you can't blame me if the "wait & see" school of security doesn't hold water.
-Sam

there's allready a bunch of data mining software's for Party out there, good work! but we seen enough of this, start making some stuff for other sites for a change, I'm sick of Party and all their sister sites. I HATE PARTY POKER!

I know how you feel. I personally do not play on party and can feel your pain. Let me assure you we will be expanding to different sites as soon as possible.

A feature I'd love to see would be the ability to datamine while playing. If there was a way to set it up so that if I was playing 4 tables, it would keep 8 other tables open without disturbing the ones I was playing that would be fantastic.

Is that possible?

Here are the upgrades we have added to the next version of IdleMiner:

Multiple Limits: You can now datamine different limits at the same time. IdleMiner will divide tables between your selected limits evenly so there is good coverage. Mix and match to your hearts content up to the total number of tables you want to open.

Sit&Go Support: Idleminer will now datamine Sit&Go tournaments. You can datamine Sit&Gos and ring games at the same time. You can open Full Ring, 6 max, or heads up sit and go's. We are looking into adding speed tournaments.

New Options for Closing IdleMiner: When you want to stop IdleMiner there are now two ways of doing so. One choice will leave party poker and all of the games you were datamining open, the other will close party poker and all of the game windows. Further, when you come out of screensaver mode, IdleMiner will not automatically kill all of the games. The configuration window will be active so you can choose how you want to stop the program.

I hope these additions make IdleMiner even easier to use for everyone. Keep the suggestions coming and we will continue to improve the product during beta.

*cough*

I can that one. No.

Folk who write stuff for free make sure to post it under their normal account. You want credit for giving it away to the community.

People who don't ... don't.
-Sam

I have a couple questions:
- Earlier tonight, I went to take a nap, and when I woke up, I found that no hands had been datamined. I manually ran idleminer, and then it updated. Afterwards, I tested the screensaver and it mined hands like normal. Does the screensaver not trigger the update on its own?
- How (if at all) will idleminer handle things like a server update? Sometimes, when I go home for a week, I'd like to be able to datamine while I'm gone. But I know that there will likely be some server maintence, so what'll happen is that it'll datamine for a couple days, Party will stop because of the maintence, and then my computer will be unnecessarily left on. I don't really feel like leaving my computer on for no reason, so I just opt to not mine while I'm gone.

The problem with releasing something that's free is that if it gets popular, support ends up taking a huge amount of time. A lot more time than people realize, I think.

While it is certainly satisfying to have people appreciate and use your software, satisfaction doesn't put food on the table. Back when PA Hud was free, I was spending most of my waking hours on support and development. Now, I still spend most of my waking hours on it, but at least now the compensation means I don't need to worry about my bills.

So if this developer decides to charge, he's not necessarily greedy. That is, unless he charges a ton of money for it.

Was the part in bold ever addressed by the developer? I'd like to try this program out, but I'm a little uneasy about it. A response to Sam's concern would be much appreciated.

I realise this and have no problems with OP wanting to get paid. Just curious. Since iWitness and PHG really does the job for me. I can understand why people will be willing to pay for the added functionality and better UI though.

I have NO problem with for-pay software. You know I love PokerAce, and completely respect the work you do. I just meant that folk who get new 2+2 accounts for their app always charge for said application.
-Sam

I never quite understood why people here mind paying for software so much. If I feel an app will save me a good amount of time, or better my winrate by some amount, it's pretty measurable what it's worth to me. I mean, we all have PT (or some equivalent), and we all know what our poker time is worth. $50 is nothing if an app will save me hours of extra work.