Q: Will this work on TrueBox servers?
A: Yes, in fact, this was designed specifically for TrueBox Servers (though you can use it on any server).
Q: Why do you need access to my username and resources?
A: Upon launching the hosting side of the application, IonBC requires a valid license in order to operate. To validate this license, IonBC directly connects to RedGuides API and checks whether or not you own the license before continuing. Without this validation check, there would be no way to validate whether or not you have purchased the license. Rest assured, the only information accessed is your user ID, username and owned resources. IonBC does not access any sensitive information such as passwords, emails, messages and only has READ permissions. For more information, check out section 7 of the IonBC License.
Q: What do I need for this to work?
A: All that is required is the pilot (host) computer runs the game in windowed mode and that you have a working PC. This can be used in tandem with MQ2, but MQ2 IS NOT required for this program to operate. It is not a plugin, it is not a macro, it is it's own standalone program written in C/WPF. It has no outside dependencies and DOES NOT inject.
Q: What do you mean by this doesn't inject?
A: In simple terms, injection is when you inject your own code in to another proprietors application. This is done to alter the code of the proprietor for a number of different purposes. A perfect example of something that injects is MQ2, MQ2 injects directly in to EverQuest using a DLL injector through C++ and modifies the client/game code to achieve results. As per Daybreaks recent
clarification on what cheating is, anything that modifies client or memory data is considered cheating. With this in mind, anything that would inject in to EverQuest would be considered cheating, period. I intentionally created this program without any injection (or any dependency on something that DOES inject) for the sole purpose of dodging this new clarification. IonBC does not inject nor does it rely on any dependencies that DO inject and so there's no worries when it comes to injection detection (unintentional rhyme).
Q: How do I start a server?
A: You can do this by
port-forwarding directly through your router or using a VPN such as
Hamachi.
Q: Can I use this with other applications besides EverQuest?
A: Yes, IonBC is not limited to just EverQuest, though that is what it was designed for. I plan to only keep dedicated support for EverQuest at this current time so if you find it has a bug when using it with a different program I may or may not fix it depending on what it is or if it would impact it's intended functionality in any way. Regardless, as stated above, IonBC does not inject and isn't dependent on EverQuest itself so you're free to use it with any other game/application.
Q: Will I get suspended for using this?
A: To my knowledge, no, but I am not going to guarantee anything. There is, technically, a way to automate gameplay via a repeater, though it relies on user input. Regardless, in todays day and age in EverQuest, I wouldn't put anything past Daybreak. As far as I know, this doesn't break anything within their EULA, but no promises.
Q: Is this open-source?
A: No,
IonBC is not open-source and I do not currently have any plans of making it open-source. IonBC has access to both the RedGuides OAuth and API for license validation purposes. As such, there is sensitive information used to access those data structures that I'm not comfortable leaving out in the open. Rest assured, Redbot has FULL access to the repository used for development as well as FULL ACCESS to the source. He has been included in the development of this application every single step of the way, there is nothing funky going on in the backend here. If this is a deal breaker for you, I am very sorry and totally understand. The end-user's security ALWAYS comes first and, in the future if we do go open-source, I hope you'll give us a chance.
Q: Why the pricetag?
A: When I first started IonBC, I intended to release it for free with very basic functionality. As I continued to develop it over the past few months, I kept instantiating more and more functions. My main goal went from creating a simple TCP broadcaster, to creating an application that does as much as it can to alleviate the end-user of the tedium boxing on TrueBox servers can bring. As such, days turned to weeks which turned to months and, before long, I had dumped a good portion of my life in to this project. Given that, and after talking with the folks who supported me throughout this endeavor, I decided that a 3 month pricetag of $10 would be appropriate for continued support on this project. I understand that this may be a deal breaker for some folks and I totally understand, if you'd like to try out IonBC but just cannot afford it please feel free to reach out to me and I can see what we can do about that. If you do choose to go ahead and buy a license, I deeply appreciate your support and if you
EVER have any issues please reach out to me. I plan to continue support for IonBC as long as the community wants it, so do not hesitate to contact me with issues or ideas.
Q: Why lock it behind Level 2?
A: I've been here a long time, I'm going to be admitting to breaking the rules a bit here, but I used to use my best friends dad's RedGuides account to use Very Vanilla ranging all the way back to 2007 when I was just 14 years old. Eventually I stopped mooching off of a retired old man and created my own account way back in 2012. Long story short, this community has given me so much over my time here and with EverQuest. As per the resource rules that can be found
here, since IonBC is exclusive to RedGuides, they make absolutely no commission off of the sale. With all this being said, locking the resource to Level 2 allows me to assure that RedGuides has received some form of compensation for allowing me to host here after all the site has given me (RedCents or not). I don't plan on changing this anytime in the future.
Q: How is IonBC different from programs like AHK, HKN or log readers?
A: IonBC does not require any understanding/experience with programming or scripting, nor does it require you to do any additional setup outside of creating your controls within the application. Log readers are fairly limited with their controls and require reading a log file which can be cumbersome and slow. IonBC uses sockets over your own established TCP network with no-delay to instantaneously communicate commands across however many computers you'd like, there is no downtime. Everything that you'd need a script for within programs like AHK or HKN is done internally for you, without ever having to touch anything other than the application itself. There is no need for external programs for an easy to use GUI overlay nor do you need to know ANY macroing language outside of EverQuest's own. You can bind everything to a hotkey or you could just use the controls provided for you, it is entirely up to end-user customization. The goal of IonBC was to create an easy to use, non-cumbersome and beginner friendly alternative to other programs and I hope, after using it, you'll agree.
Q: How do I properly report a bug?
A: In the future there may be a forum for this, but for now:
1. Navigate to your installation directory
2. Open the debug folder
3. Go to RedGuides
4. Attach the associated file to a personal PM directed at me or a comment on the resources discussion with a description of what's going on (If there's no file in debug, just describe the issue to me.
DO NOT attach the debug file to a post/reply, always PM it directly to me.)
5. I fix problem, you give me a pat on the back and say "Good job, son! I'm proud of you", everyone's happy
Q: How do I use it after downloading?
A: Extract the package to a directory of your choosing on every machine and then launch IonBC.exe. On your pilot computer, click the Host button and wait for your license to be validated. On all other machines, click Client, enter the IP and port on both the host and all clients, then click Start on your host and connect on each client. After that, click New Hotbar on your Host machine, open the toolbar with the
button on the far right of the hotbar, click the
button and begin creating your controls.