Script help

[AlistairM]

Where to start? Ok, I've been searching this forum and searching google etc for a fair while but can't seem to find anything much that might help me. Basically, what I would like to know is, is there anywhere that tells a person that knows absolutely nothing about coding a script for catching .uk domains where to start?

When I say absolutely nothing, I mean absolutely nothing. For example I don't even know what the code should be in, if it is just one page of code, how you install it, what you would install it on (if that makes sense), how you would run it or anything. I've read on the Nominet site about EPP and schemas and such but it's a bit like reading the instructions of how to make a cake but having no clue that you need an oven to cook it.

I've searched for Nominet drop catching scripts, EPP scrips, DAC scripts and whatever else I could think of but haven't really came across much that would help. I've come across some Perl code and other clues like posts on Freelancer sites looking for freelancers to write a script but nothing that gives me just the basics.

Basically all I really need to know is what the code should be written in and how it is utilised because I don't even know that, but at least then I'd have a place to start as at the moment I'm completely in the dark.

Thanks for any hints. By the way I do have my own TAG, just recently got it but aren't a Nominet member yet. I do already use drop catching services but decided to get my own TAG and have a go myself.

 

[Murray]

I do already use drop catching services but decided to get my own TAG and have a go myself.

Sounds like it would be much easier for you to use hosted catching from somewhere like dropsystem or domainview.

Then all you need to do is go to your online control panel, pop a name in for that day & hope.

 

[DaveP]

I'm sorry rinser but nobody is going to openly tell you that kind of information, those are the kind of details that you need to work out for yourself whilst making use of the EPP and DAC documentation on Nominet's website. The reason why? Because that kind of information costs thousands in effort and development costs to work out.

Edit

Ok I realise I may have been too blunt before. Here's one tip for you, timings and hosting are what matter.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[PoshTiger]

I have a linux 64bit executable that I can build for your tag that's pretty competitive, it's raw and requires a working knowledge of linux so if you're interested then send me over a PM.

 

[AlistairM]

Sounds like it would be much easier for you to use hosted catching from somewhere like dropsystem or domainview.

Then all you need to do is go to your online control panel, pop a name in for that day & hope.

Yes it probably would be easier. I have had a look at both. Domainviews looks the better option if it comes down to cost but it says something like places aren't available at the moment. Also I was kind of thinking that I'll just be one among many using the same ingredients if you like, whereas if I had my own script then at least I'd be able to "mess about" with it, but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Without trying to sound too much like a knob, I'd also like a new project if you like to get stuck into. It's just knowing where to begin.

 

[martin-s]

Are you a programmer rinser? If so, it isn't too difficult to get a basic script up and running that you can evolve over time. It's pretty competitive though, so don't assume a basic script will suddenly start grabbing top-end catches for you.

You'll also need to spend a couple of hundred quid a month on a decent hosting platform. No one is going to tell you where, but there is plenty of information on Google if you go looking for it.

If you're not a programmer, there are very few options for scripts you can buy and run yourself. Most of them will be on Linux which won't help if you're not technical either!

 

[monaghan]

Without trying to sound too much like a knob, I'd also like a new project if you like to get stuck into. It's just knowing where to begin.

You are looking at near-real-time programming incorporating low level network connectivity using adding SSL into the mix. This is hardly an entry level project!

As hinted at by those above, if you need to be asking these questions, then you are probably not at the level yet to be tackling it.

Sorry if this sounds harsh!

 

[AlistairM]

I'm sorry rinser but nobody is going to openly tell you that kind of information, those are the kind of details that you need to work out for yourself whilst making use of the EPP and DAC documentation on Nominet's website. The reason why? Because that kind of information costs thousands in effort and development costs to work out.

Edit

Ok I realise I may have been too blunt before. Here's one tip for you, timings and hosting are what matter.

Thanks,
Dave

Hello Dave. I don't think I'm looking for specific details, just an idea of where to start. I don't know whether this makes sense, but I kind of get it about the DAC and EPP, timings and hosting etc, the bit I don't know is how the code is written, in what language if that's the correct wording, or how you physically run it.

Maybe they are specific details and I didn't realise it. I did said I know nothing about it! It's all a bit confusing but I'll get there.

Anyway, I appreciate the replies.

 

[AlistairM]

Are you a programmer rinser? If so, it isn't too difficult to get a basic script up and running that you can evolve over time. It's pretty competitive though, so don't assume a basic script will suddenly start grabbing top-end catches for you.

You'll also need to spend a couple of hundred quid a month on a decent hosting platform. No one is going to tell you where, but there is plenty of information on Google if you go looking for it.

If you're not a programmer, there are very few options for scripts you can buy and run yourself. Most of them will be on Linux which won't help if you're not technical either!

Linux. Thanks, even that's a start. No certainly not a programmer, never interested me.

You are looking at near-real-time programming incorporating low level network connectivity using adding SSL into the mix. This is hardly an entry level project!

As hinted at by those above, if you need to be asking these questions, then you are probably not at the level yet to be tackling it.

Sorry if this sounds harsh!

Doesn't sound harsh, it sounds double dutch. Ok, maybe I need to get real.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[AlistairM]

I have a linux 64bit executable that I can build for your tag that's pretty competitive, it's raw and requires a working knowledge of linux so if you're interested then send me over a PM.

Linux 64bit. This is the kind of information I was looking for. It may be simple for those that know but at least I have a starting point.

From what others have said, including yourself it seems that it's way above my scope, but I'm still interested in looking into it. It can't be that hard to figure out?

 

[grantw]

You need to learn a programming language, then learn about hosting, configuring servers and running scripts, then write the code based on the Nominet documentation.

The questions you're asking are the equivalent of going on a property development forum with no experience and asking how to build a house and what type of bricks to use. No offence intended but it sounds like you'd be way better off paying for a hosted script from dropsystem or wherever.

Grant

 

[DaveP]

Linux 64bit. This is the kind of information I was looking for. It may be simple for those that know but at least I have a starting point.

From what others have said, including yourself it seems that it's way above my scope, but I'm still interested in looking into it. It can't be that hard to figure out?

If you're looking for something cheaper than others, I can set you up on my hosted drop catching I've built myself, one other member here uses it and if they would like to come forward and state their catches it's up to them (they've actually beat me on my own system to every name I chased.. haha!), it has a very clean web interface but please bear in mind it's still new and cutting edge if you're up for it? Please PM me if you are.

I'm sorry to say but if you're not a programmer you're not going to get very far, this is not a basic entry level script as has been said above!

 

[AlistairM]

You need to learn a programming language, then learn about hosting, configuring servers and running scripts, then write the code based on the Nominet documentation.

The questions you're asking are the equivalent of going on a property development forum with no experience and asking how to build a house and what type of bricks to use. No offence intended but it sounds like you'd be way better off paying for a hosted script from dropsystem or wherever.

Grant

No offence taken. Isn't everybody polite here?

No that's really good advice actually because I've never taken any interest in coding before and it kind of gives me a perspective of what is actually required whereas before I didn't have any clue, so thanks.

 

[Skinner]

Pick as low a level language as you can take, I'd probably learn C++ / VC++ or something like that, and I'd go for Linux based.

 

[AlistairM]

Pick as low a level language as you can take, I'd probably learn C++ / VC++ or something like that, and I'd go for Linux based.

Thanks, I will have a look at those. This is also what I was looking to know. At least it gives me an idea of whether or not it's something I'd really want to spend my time on.

There's not much information on this thread but what there is has really been a help.

 

[monaghan]

There's not much information on this thread but what there is has really been a help.

The process is no big secret, basically you keep stuffing names into the DAC until you get a not registered response and then you fire off an EPP CREATE and hope you are first over the line.

If you search the forums and read the DAC & EPP details on the Nominet site, this will give you everything technical you need to know. The rest is down to experience and nobody's going to give up their secrets easily

What you appear to be lacking is the programming knowledge, low level network programming is not a beginner subject, this is where I suspect your stumbling block may be.

 

[AlistairM]

What you appear to be lacking is the programming knowledge, low level network programming is not a beginner subject, this is where I suspect your stumbling block may be.

I guess having zero programming knowledge is a stumbling block and I'll just have to look at alternatives, for the time being at least. I know so little that I didn't know what low level network programming was until you mentioned it and I just searched it, but even that is another piece of the puzzle so to speak.

The thing is I can at least get an idea of what is involved now whereas before this thread and everybody's input I couldn't find anything to help me get an idea of where to start or what was really involved so it really has been a great help even if I go nowhere with it.

 

[aZooZa]

If you're starting off with network programming, try Python which is kind to newbies and can become as complex (and powerful) as you want to make it. The addition of libraries makes it a very easy starter language and hides all the TCP/IP and SSL stuff. Use the 2.7 version - not the newer one. You can learn it on your laptop and then run it on a remote server.

 

[AlistairM]

If you're starting off with network programming, try Python which is kind to newbies and can become as complex (and powerful) as you want to make it. The addition of libraries makes it a very easy starter language and hides all the TCP/IP and SSL stuff. Use the 2.7 version - not the newer one. You can learn it on your laptop and then run it on a remote server.

What's a laptop?

Only kidding. Thanks for the advice, I'll take a look at Python.