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Automated Sleuth Helper complete!
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Pidgeot
Pidgeot

Jan-30-2007 12:13

Hello, fellow Sleuths!

Over the last two months, I've been working on a brand new Sleuth helper. You might not think that sounds all that special - after all, great helpers are already available - but what makes this one different is that it's automated!

What it does is monitor your progress in the game, and extract relevant information from the pages. The information is stored and analyzed, in order to help you determine who did it, and who didn't.

It's heavily inspired by Evita's JavaScript-based Sleuth Helper, so a special "thank you" goes out there.

The application is made with Delphi 2005, and should run on any machine with Windows NT/98/ME/2K/XP/Vista and Internet Explorer 4 or later. Additionally, source code is included (ZLib license) in case someone wants to port it to another platform and/or language (such as Java).

The program can be downloaded from http://download.birdiesoft.dk/SleuthHelper.exe (330 KB), and a screenshot of the program can be seen at http://download.birdiesoft.dk/sleuth_helper.png.

Please take a look at the help file before using the program (it's very short), so you are familiar with how the program works.

(Disclaimer: The application depends heavily on the current structure of the game pages, and changes to this may break the program. Although the application is designed in such a way that it should fail entirely if something goes wrong, this cannot be guaranteed. Use of this program is entirely at your own risk, and any cases lost because of errors in the program should not be blamed on the program or the author.)

Replies

Pidgeot
Pidgeot

Jun-20-2008 12:06

V1.18 is ready. It includes the fix by Huglover, and fixes this latest issue with adjustments.

Download at http://download.birdiesoft.dk/SleuthHelper.exe. Sorry, I'm not able to provide mirrors.

The adjustments bug is due to the nature of the program - it's very sensitive to changes in the HTML, even though there may be no visible difference. In this case, Ben has reverted from using Amazon to host some transparent 1x1 images - images I rely on.

Normally, I'd be doing that task differently, in a more foolproof way (using a regular expression), but there's no regex engine bundled with Delphi for Win32, and I'd prefer not requiring a (more or less) random 3rd-party component for this particular program. If someone thinks of a better way of finding the data, feel free to let me know.

To get around the problem, I've put the current URL back in, while still retaining the Amazon URL.

Note that my situation in terms of supporting and updating the helper have not changed. I am happy to help people who want help with the source code, and I'll compile test versions if you need it - as well as "official" versions, if relevant - but I just don't have the time to work on this on a "regular" basis. Use e-mail to contact me - address is in the help file, as always.

Anikka
Anikka
Babelfish

Jun-20-2008 14:30

Pidgeot, you've done so much work to create the program and to update it over the course of the past year and a half. You're completely entitled to your "retirement"!

But I believe I can speak for at least most of us Sleuths when I say "Thank you" for continuing to help even after you said you were done with it. You have been more than generous with your time and knowledge.

Ima Vagabond
Ima Vagabond
Vigilante

Oct-20-2008 14:10

Bump, so I can find it easier! haha

http://download.birdiesoft.dk/SleuthHelper.exe

Huglover
Huglover
Old Shoe

Oct-21-2008 00:43

You might even want to check out the home page of the agency ISAC.
I put some stuff there that might have some interest.
It's for free, but the quality are on a level originally intended for my personal use, not for proffessional use.

Margo Channing
Margo Channing
Well-Connected

May-1-2009 07:30

Some of the new changes have made parts of the Sleuth Helper not work. Is there anyway to upgrade?

The main thing I have noticed is that people who die do not get marked off the list anymore.

ctown28
ctown28
Huntsman

May-1-2009 08:05

The creator of this tool no longer plays the game and the last time there were chagnes, it didn't work on the sleuthetania. I don't know much about coding, but I think I still have the source file somewhere so I can check with someone that does know something about Delphi

Adam Carter
Adam Carter
Big Winner

May-1-2009 08:52

I've noticed it too. If you drop back to the Case screen, it sorts itself out. Though, there are a couple of typos in the new texts for the suspects, and they do throw the helper out somewhat. Sometimes it will list the client as male, even if they are female. I just make sure to double check everything :)

Huglover
Huglover
Old Shoe

May-1-2009 08:58

Because of all the noice it created, my helper (not the same as Pidgeot's) are not anymore awailiable from my agency.

Yes, this update made for the need of upgrading software who sniff pages, which both my and Pidgeot's helper does.

I think it's an interesting question if it's right in the first place to actually do the upgrade needed to get this helper working fully?

It will all boil down to the question of whether it's right to share your helpers and techniques with others?

Same question will, in my opinion go for Villain Hunt helpers as well.

I guess I might assist with the upgrade, but I would like to know whether it's right to do so or not, before taking on the task.

Margo Channing
Margo Channing
Well-Connected

May-1-2009 09:42

Thanks for the tip Adam. Going back to the case screen has really helped out.

Joey
Joey "Bulldog" Bane
Washed Up Punter

May-1-2009 09:56

The source site of the download is still active and Pidgeot is still answering to mails sent on the address posted there. Don't know though whether he might be interested in updating the helper, considering indeed he is not playing Sleuth any more.

As for your question, Hug, for what my opinion matters, I think it's right. I won't open again the issue of whether helpers are good or not as it has been debated already in another thread, but from my point of view the helpers were "tracking down speeders" and if it wasn't for them, I'm not sure I would be playing at this point...or at least for sure I would be playing a lot less.

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