Implementation of Auto-Buying Bot from xkcd #576

scotty on 09/11/2010 - 00:34

Just saw this today:

http://bieh.net/2010/11/08/xkcd-576/

Basically this guy is trying to buy random stuff from TradeMe in New Zealand, and implemented a "bot" doing what's described in this xkcd comic.

  • The bot gets $1 each day that it can save or spend
  • It would then try to buy cheap items with free shipping from some specific categories
  • If the bot can't find anything to buy, it would save the $1 so it has more fund the next day

At the end the owner of the bot gets random crap each single day delivered. Interesting concept with no practicality :)

General Discussion

Comments

  • bargrin on 09/11/2010 - 00:43
    +1

    What happens if it buys and sends you somthing illegal, can you blame the bot?

    "but your Honor all that illegal horse porn was bought by my computer not me, it was the bot i tell you..the bot!!"

    • scotty on 09/11/2010 - 00:48

      Of course that it's the programmer's fault who forgot to remove Horse Porn from the list of categories to search…

      • issh on 09/11/2010 - 17:43

        damn, is horse porn illegal now?

        • johnn on 09/11/2010 - 18:15
          +4

          is that you Joel?

  • retiredfeline on 09/11/2010 - 00:57

    Cool, but what he should implement next is a selling bot to try to flog off the junk he's bought for a small profit. Problem would be the shipping though. If it works, then sit back and buy slurpees with the profits. lol!

  • Davo1111 on 09/11/2010 - 01:44

    Seems cool, i wish i could get a bear trap for $1

  • ESEMCE on 09/11/2010 - 08:53
    +1

    I love xkcd…

  • Mikinoz on 09/11/2010 - 09:10

    Couple of mates give me little apps / progs that do this for local shopping sites, some of the best free or 1 dollar bargains out there.

    Best thing i have scored using the app is 3 x 22" new fuji monitors for free

    Suprised there isnt more out there , looking for mistakes in catalouges etc

    • Trance N Dance on 09/11/2010 - 16:08
      +1

      holy crap how'd u manage to grab those monitors for free? Like I mean WHERE!!!

      • Mikinoz on 09/11/2010 - 18:21

        @HT ;), definitely not their favourite customer

        • Trance N Dance on 09/11/2010 - 18:24

          Haha noice
          How did you exactly do it?

  • Mikinoz on 09/11/2010 - 18:31

    By using a program, i enter a website and certain values ie dollar (i use $0.00) then it scours the catalouge looking for any items with the assigned value.

    There is some other fun variables etc but thats gives you a good idea

    Its hit and miss although i average something good quite frequently, and sell it on ebay.

    There you go thats my bargain secret shhhh!

    • Trance N Dance on 09/11/2010 - 18:33

      Any chance of sharing that secret ;)

      • Mikinoz on 09/11/2010 - 18:35

        Think i have said enough :)

        • Trance N Dance on 09/11/2010 - 18:46

          :(

          Aww come on my 2000th comment was asking you.

  • esq on 09/11/2010 - 23:00

    I suspect everyone in this thread of being a wizard. I'm looking at you Mikinoz with your 3 LCDS for free.
    XD

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