Neshek voting made easy July 4th, 2007 at 2:44 am
Casting endless votes for Pat Neshek can get tiring real fast, so I put together a Greasemonkey script to save a little time and hassle in the process. If you’re not familiar with Greasemonkey, here’s what you need to do (it’s definitely easier than it may seem).
- If you don’t have firefox, you’ll need it. Download it here for free.
- Install the Greasemonkey extension. It’s free.
- Install my script below by clicking on its link. (Must do after steps 1 and 2 are done)
Update: I had two separate scripts earlier, but I found a way to combine them into one, so if you have the two old ones be sure to remove those and install this one.
Update 2 (July 4 8:08 PM): I figured out how to make the enter key submit the form, so there’s no need to use your mouse. To get the new version, just click on the link below and it will replace the old version you have. Enjoy!
Update 3 (July 4 11:34 PM): Sean in the comments suggested a resize the captcha image a bit to make the numbers easier to read. It’s now included in the new file. Just click the link below and it will install the new version.
neshekfastcast4.user.js will uncheck the email subscription boxes automatically for you and choose Neshek to vote for. After your first vote you’ll just have to enter the verification code and click the vote button (it takes about 1 second to cast a vote!). It will also automatically redirect you back to the voting page after you submit your vote, so you don’t have to manually click the “vote again” link.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any issues installing or using it. Suggestions are welcome too. Finally, be sure to spread the word before Thursday’s deadline.
A demonstration of how fast voting is with the script:
Finally, the fine print:
- I’m not sure how this fits in with MLB’s voting rules. The voting is still basically done by human means, so I think it’s fine, but use at your own risk (although I struggle to imagine what “risk” there may be).
- The scripts can easily be uninstalled at any time.
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31 Comments
TwinsTerritory wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I'm going to try to spread this in some forums and on my website.
Great idea!
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
If any National leaguers want a modified version for their player, just let me know and I'd be happy to whip one up (with Neshek still being the AL selection).
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Some people have pointed out that Safari browser doesn't require the verification key to be entered. You simply have to have your cursor in the verification field and then press the enter key.
This appears to work, but it's also possible that the website just tells you it worked without actually logging it. There's really no way to know for sure.
I was able to modify my script above to submit the form automatically at random intervals (between 1 and 5 seconds) without the verification code. Again, I'm not certain that the vote is logged (it tells me it is). I'm gonna refrain from making that public because (1) I'm not positive it works and (2) it would probably fit under the rule that prohibit "ballots generated by a script, macro or other mechanical or automated means."
The method described in the post above does work for sure.
Jon wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
A quick suggestion – is it possible to modify the script so that striking the Enter key "clicks" the Vote Now button on the page? This would allow people to be able to vote faster, as they wouldn't have to move their hands off of the keyboard.
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Jon, I tried, but wasn't having much luck. I'll try to give it another look.
Thanks
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Success! The enter key now works. See above in the post for instructions no how to update it.
Ball-Girl wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
HEY! I think you better enter the CORRECT verification #. I suspect that the code just skips the message window that (used to) pop up when you enter the wrong code, and just resets the code. So if you don't put in the right code, it's probably not entering. Thanks Kris, this is so sweet! I wish I had found it before now…but I'm glad I took a break from voting to browse other vote pat sites! Dawn
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Yep, you're correct Ball-Girl and thanks for mentioning it (I should've done so myself). If the correct verification number isn't entered then it probably doesn't log the vote (although you'd never know).
It's still faster to have 1 in 10 invalid without knowing than to get that annoying popup and have to correct it anyway.
luke wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
i wanna know if these are accually gonna be counted, I dont wanna vote 1,000 times and accually end up being waste of time.
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Yes, they'll be counted. It all looks the same to the mlb servers.
It's just a small script you install in your browser that does some of the mundane tasks for you (unchecking boxes, clicking buttons). MLB doesn't know if you did that stuff or if you had a script do it for you.
All you have to do is make sure the verification code is entered correctly.
luke wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Lets be honest here, do you really tihnk we can overtaked boston+japan who are voting for okajima? Plus bonderman…Neshek is currently 3rd I believe.
jack wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
for some reason, i have been able to completely bs the verification code and it makes no difference whatsoever. are you absolutely sure that this is actually counted? I am using portable firefox, if that makes any difference at all.
jack wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
if this thing is actually counted for votes, I would suggest that everyone download portable firefox and run greasemonkey. i have been able to leave all the info blank and simply hit enter repeatedly to submit what appears to be dozens of votes per minute….this can't be valid you guys. i'm gonna keep trying it until i have reason to believe otherwise. this could generate literally millions of votes if it is counted. i'm serious guys, run portable. it's the same situation as safari, but with greasemonkey
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
jack, It looks like it works with a wrong verification code, but I have a hunch it actually doesn't accept it on the back-end.
As I explained a few comments above, my script unintentionally disables the verification check popup (I had to do it to make the enter key work).
Make sure you're entering a valid verification number even if it seems like it works without it.
There are two types of code that are working in this process (somewhat independantly). There's the javascript, which runs on your computer and that's what's creating the interface that you see, for the most part. Then there's the back-end code that's actually logging the votes. We need to be sure that the back-end code is getting all the information it expects, so you must make sure the form is filled out completely.
MLB made a crappy voting app, so it's really anybody's guess as to what's actually happening when incomplete info is submitted. We can't see the back-end code, so we have no idea if it accepts entries without verification code. Play it safe and enter a correct code.
luke wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Does neshek have a chance against boston+japan fanbase?
TwinsTerritory wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Yeah, we don't want all of the votes to go to waste.
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
luke, it's an uphill climb, but it's possible. It won't help to give up.
This script is catching on. I've seen incoming traffic from youtube, facebook as well as a number of Twins blogs. We just need to keep spreading the word and keep voting.
At the very least we need to get him in second ahead of Bonderman, right? Maybe a second place finish would increase the odds of him making the team as a replacement (like Liriano last year).
luke wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
i hope they tell tomorrow nesheks status
TwinsTerritory wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
The next update as far as where players stand will likely be the Final Results.
Sean wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Kris: You should update the script to make the Captcha image larger. The HTML on the voting site shrinks it from the original size of 130x50. I earlier wrote a GreaseMonkey script to increase the size and it makes deciphering it tons easier.
Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Fantastic idea Sean. I didn't even realize the img tag had it sized smaller than the actual image.
I decided to upsize it x2, so it's really easy to read now.
Thanks!
Sean wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Oh, another thing to add:
var input = document.getElementById('v2'); if (v2) v2.focus();
That should (does for me, but in a different script) set the focus to the input box. Now my hand just has to rest on the numpad.
Kris wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Sean, I have that already (not your code exactly, but similar). Is it not setting the focus for you?
Sean wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Rarely. I'm blaming it on my version of Firefox. The input box certainly has the focus if I change windows, but no matter what JS I try, I cannot get it to consistently focus.
Kris wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 12:35 am
I just updated the script with a small change in how the focus is set. Maybe it's worth trying again
Spencer wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 11:56 am
This is awesome I've been voting all week but this is the way to vote… as long as these will get counted
Ryan wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Damnit, the verification code is having troubles now. I can type in what it is, but there'll be an error and I have to wait.
tom wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
The verification code is displaying very slowly, if at all.
Kris wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I'm sure the site is getting hit hard in the final hours of voting, so the slowness is expected
Charlie wrote: July 5th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Time is almost out, but another way to vote is by sending a text message containing the value A4 to the shortcode 36197. Might be expensive depending on your messaging plan but no key needed.
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Kris wrote: July 4th, 2007 at 3:33 am
Update, I just discovered that Pat has announced Chris Young as his "running mate", so the script has been updated to now also default the NL selection to Young.