JBidWatcher: eBay bidding, sniping & monitoring software for all

[stani]

Introduction

As the jbidwatcher howto for Ubuntu 5.10 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=95370) got outdated, I post a new howto for dapper & edgy. However I'd like to thank foxy123 for his initial howto and he deserves the credits.


jBidWatcher

From the jBidWatcher website (http://http://www.jbidwatcher.com/):
A Java-based application allowing you to monitor auctions you're not part of, submit bids, snipe (bid at the last moment), and otherwise track your auction-site experience. It includes adult-auction management, MANY currencies (yen, pound, dollar (US, Canada, Australian, and New Taiwanese), Swiss Francs, and euro, presently), drag-and-drop of auction URLs, a unique and powerful 'multisniping' feature, a relatively nice UI

You need the latest release as the older ones are not able to communicate with ebay anymore. In case there is a new version, let me know and I'll update this howto.About this version:
JBidwatcher 1.0 is released after 6 years, 5 months of development.

To install jBidWatcher, just copy these statements in a shell:
sudo mkdir /usr/local/share/java
cd /usr/local/share/java
sudo wget http://www.jbidwatcher.com/jbidwatch.jpg
sudo wget http://www.jbidwatcher.com/download/JBidWatcher-1.0.jar
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/jbidwatcher

This will open a text editor, paste the following text:
#!/bin/sh
java -jar /usr/local/share/java/JBidWatcher-1.0.jar


Now make this script executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/jbidwatcher


Sun Java

In order to use jBidWatcher you need to install sun-java. JBidWatcher doesn't work with another version of Java! You can find more info about installing sun-java here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Java

To be short: if you have the multiverse repositories enabled, you can install it like this:

sudo apt-get install sun-java5-bin

...and make sure it is the default:

sudo update-alternatives --config java

$ sudo update-alternatives --config java

There are 3 alternatives which provide `java'.

Selection Alternative
-----------------------------------------------
*+ 1 /usr/lib/jvm/java-gcj/jre/bin/java
2 /usr/bin/gij-wrapper-4.1
3 /usr/lib/j2re1.5-sun/bin/java

Press enter to keep the default , or type selection number: 3
Using `/usr/lib/j2re1.5-sun/bin/java' to provide `java'.

Menu entry

Paste the following in the terminal:
gedit ~/.local/share/applications/jBidWatcher.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Comment=eBay bidding, sniping & monitoring
Name=jBidWatcher
Exec=jbidwatcher
Terminal=false
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Icon=/usr/local/share/java/jbidwatch.jpg
Categories=Network

Background

If you wonder why to use this tool, read these articles:
On Ebay, it pays to snipe (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/2006-06-25-physics-of-ebay_x.htm)
How to win on Ebay: snipe! (http://slashdot.org/articles/06/06/26/1812238.shtml)

[philbridges]

Thanks so much of the step by step instructions, I thought Linspire was good but ubuntu is so much easier! I've followled your instructions but keep seeing the following error..

phil@BamBam:~$ sudo apt-get install sun-j2re1.5
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Package sun-j2re1.5 is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
E: Package sun-j2re1.5 has no installation candidate
phil@BamBam:~$

Being a newbie it makes no sense to me, just wondered if I'd expect such an error?

Thanks

Thanks

[stani]

E: Package sun-j2re1.5 has no installation candidate

Being a newbie it makes no sense to me, just wondered if I'd expect such an error?

Ubuntu installs it packages from repositories. You don't seem to have a repository with sun java by default. Therefore you could use the PLF repositories. I've updated my HowTo so you can follow the instructions under Sun Java again.

Good luck,
Stani

[diepruis]

If you wonder why to use this tool, read these articles:
On Ebay, it pays to snipe (http://http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/2006-06-25-physics-of-ebay_x.htm)
How to win on Ebay: snipe! (http://http://slashdot.org/articles/06/06/26/1812238.shtml)

You made a mistake with the URLs above. They should be:

On Ebay, it pays to snipe (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/2006-06-25-physics-of-ebay_x.htm)
How to win on Ebay: snipe! (http://slashdot.org/articles/06/06/26/1812238.shtml)

Just thought I'd give you a heads up.

[stani]

Thanks, I fixed the links.
Stani

[meander]

i cant seem to get it working, the install procedure goes without error, but i get no menu entry after, and if i just try to run jbidwatcher i get permisson denied, but sudo jbidwatcher gives an unknown command error :-k

[codypumper]

I get the exact same responses as meander.

[chadk]

Here's the error I get:
jbidwatcher
Exception in thread "main" java.awt.AWTError: Cannot load AWT toolkit: gnu.java.awt.peer.gtk.GtkToolkit
at java.awt.Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit(libgcj.so.7)
at java.awt.Font.tk(libgcj.so.7)
at java.awt.Font.getPeerFromToolkit(libgcj.so.7)
at java.awt.Font.<init>(libgcj.so.7)
at javax.swing.plaf.FontUIResource.<init>(libgcj.so.7)
at javax.swing.plaf.metal.DefaultMetalTheme.<clinit>(libgcj.so.7)
at java.lang.Class.initializeClass(libgcj.so.7)
at javax.swing.plaf.metal.MetalLookAndFeel.createDefa ultTheme(libgcj.so.7)
at javax.swing.plaf.metal.MetalLookAndFeel.<init>(libgcj.so.7)
at javax.swing.UIManager.<clinit>(libgcj.so.7)
at java.lang.Class.initializeClass(libgcj.so.7)
at JBidWatch.main(JBidWatch.java:602)
Caused by: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: gnu.java.awt.peer.gtk.GtkToolkit
at java.lang.Class.forName(libgcj.so.7)
at java.lang.Class.forName(libgcj.so.7)
at java.awt.Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit(libgcj.so.7)
...11 more



You guys with the permission error do this:
sudo chmod 777 /usr/local/bin/jbidwatcher

[stani]

I've updated the howto (making script executable+java package). I just installed jbidwatcher on another computer and it worked fine. Are you sure you configured sun-java as the default java with this command:

sudo update-alternatives --config java

[rko618]

I can't find Jbidwatcher in my menu so I ran it from the command line and I got this
/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:70: Engine "ubuntulooks" is unsupported, ignoring
/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:240: Priority specification is unsupported, ignoring


I'm guessing this is why jBidWatcher looks so ugly. I checked and I have ubuntulooks installed so I don't know how to fix this.

[hanzj]

thanks for the howto.
I'm having problems with Right-click on Item/"Show in Browser". It go to my browser, but a window pops up with the following:

Server: local
Message: JBidwatcher

it asks for my username and password. I then enter my ebay username and password, but it doesn't show. The URL is something like:

http://localhost:9099/200018322053
and the message in the browser window is:
"Access to this server is denied without an account."

What's wrong?

[synd7]

Sniping software ruins ebay, it makes it too easy cheat:evil:

For this i thank you:-D
No more losing in the last 0.5 seconds

[stani]

@hanzj
I have no clue. In the File>Configure>Ebay you can set Browse to the ebay of your liking. Maybe that helps.

Stani

[hanzj]

@stani,
nope, it's set up right there. Even without looking, I had already thought that the problem isn't there. Because if that was the problem, I don't think Jbidwatcher would be able to do anything else, such as pulling in the info and sniping for me.

Does RightClick/'Show In Browser' work for you all?

[stani]

It works for me perfectly. However if you start jBidWatcher with alltray, it does not work.

[PowerRanger]

thanks for the howto.
I'm having problems with Right-click on Item/"Show in Browser". It go to my browser, but a window pops up with the following:

Server: local
Message: JBidwatcher

it asks for my username and password. I then enter my ebay username and password, but it doesn't show. The URL is something like:

http://localhost:9099/200018322053
and the message in the browser window is:
"Access to this server is denied without an account."

What's wrong?


What browser is it using? I set mine to 'mozilla', 'firefox' also seems to work. This is under the configuration tab Browser | Linux command:.

Mike

[hanzj]

Hi, Mike! It's using opera, which is my preferred browser.

[PowerRanger]

What happens if you use another browser?

[jimmymac]

Alright guys,

I get the following error when I try to sync with My Ebay:

Fri Aug 25 16:12:34 BST 2006: Loading page: http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyeBay&CurrentPage=MyeBayBidding
Fri Aug 25 16:12:36 BST 2006: PMQ Caught exception: XMLParseException: XML Parse Exception during parsing of a input-tag at line 1: Value missing for attribute with key "disabled"
XMLParseException: XML Parse Exception during parsing of a input-tag at line 1: Value missing for attribute with key "disabled"
at XMLElement.valueMissingForAttribute(XMLElement.jav a:1368)
at XMLElement.scanOneAttribute(XMLElement.java:1003)
at XMLElement.scanAttributes(XMLElement.java:727)
at XMLElement.parseCharArray(XMLElement.java:623)
at XMLElement.parseCharArray(XMLElement.java:605)
at XMLElement.parseString(XMLElement.java:537)
at JHTML$Form.addInput(JHTML.java:160)
at JHTML.addToken(JHTML.java:252)
at JHTMLParser.addToken(JHTMLParser.java:202)
at JHTMLParser.parse(JHTMLParser.java:129)
at JHTMLParser.<init>(JHTMLParser.java:41)
at JHTML.<init>(JHTML.java:43)
at SpecificAuction.preParseAuction(SpecificAuction.ja va:38)
at AuctionServer.loadAuction(AuctionServer.java:662)
at AuctionServer.addAuction(AuctionServer.java:549)
at AuctionEntry.prepareAuctionEntry(AuctionEntry.java :257)
at AuctionEntry.<init>(AuctionEntry.java:302)
at AuctionsManager.newAuctionEntry(AuctionsManager.ja va:320)
at JBWDropHandler.messageAction(JBWDropHandler.java:4 8)
at PlainMessageQueue.run(PlainMessageQueue.java:70)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:595)
Fri Aug 25 16:12:37 BST 2006: No items on page!


Any ideas?

MTIA

Jimmy

[OrganicPanda]

Everything worked fine, I got the:


/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:70: Engine "ubuntulooks" is unsupported, ignoring
/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:240: Priority specification is unsupported, ignoring


but java programs are always ugly, Cheers for the how-to

[scwalla]

Alright guys,

I get the following error when I try to sync with My Ebay:

Fri Aug 25 16:12:34 BST 2006: Loading page: http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyeBay&CurrentPage=MyeBayBidding
Fri Aug 25 16:12:36 BST 2006: PMQ Caught exception: XMLParseException: XML Parse Exception during parsing of a input-tag at line 1: Value missing for attribute with key "disabled"
XMLParseException: XML Parse Exception during parsing of a input-tag at line 1: Value missing for attribute with key "disabled"
at XMLElement.valueMissingForAttribute(XMLElement.jav a:1368)
at XMLElement.scanOneAttribute(XMLElement.java:1003)
at XMLElement.scanAttributes(XMLElement.java:727)
at XMLElement.parseCharArray(XMLElement.java:623)
at XMLElement.parseCharArray(XMLElement.java:605)
at XMLElement.parseString(XMLElement.java:537)
at JHTML$Form.addInput(JHTML.java:160)
at JHTML.addToken(JHTML.java:252)
at JHTMLParser.addToken(JHTMLParser.java:202)
at JHTMLParser.parse(JHTMLParser.java:129)
at JHTMLParser.<init>(JHTMLParser.java:41)
at JHTML.<init>(JHTML.java:43)
at SpecificAuction.preParseAuction(SpecificAuction.ja va:38)
at AuctionServer.loadAuction(AuctionServer.java:662)
at AuctionServer.addAuction(AuctionServer.java:549)
at AuctionEntry.prepareAuctionEntry(AuctionEntry.java :257)
at AuctionEntry.<init>(AuctionEntry.java:302)
at AuctionsManager.newAuctionEntry(AuctionsManager.ja va:320)
at JBWDropHandler.messageAction(JBWDropHandler.java:4 8)
at PlainMessageQueue.run(PlainMessageQueue.java:70)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:595)
Fri Aug 25 16:12:37 BST 2006: No items on page!


Any ideas?


MTIA

Jimmy

Me too! I can't load from MyEbay, searches don't work, can't even add a new auction manually. I also get the following errors at start-up:

/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:70: Engine "ubuntulooks" is unsupported, ignoring
/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:240: Priority specification is unsupported, ignoring
Fri Aug 25 12:10:05 EDT 2006: Getting the sign in cookie. [mist-net@ebay: Error communicating with server/25-Aug-2006 12:10:04 EDT]

I'm guessing that "Error communicating with server" is not good!

Is Jbidwatcher currently working for anyone?

[treborblack]

Thanks for the tutorial, the proggy works a treat:p
however on my install on the menu its shown up under lost and found. how do i correct that?

[stani]

Thanks for the tutorial, the proggy works a treat:p
however on my install on the menu its shown up under lost and found. how do i correct that?
I think I forgot to add "Categories=Network" to the desktop file. I updated my first post, so you can copy & paste from there.

Me too! I can't load from MyEbay, searches don't work, can't even add a new auction manually. I also get the following errors at start-up:

/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:70: Engine "ubuntulooks" is unsupported, ignoring
/usr/share/themes/Human/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:240: Priority specification is unsupported, ignoring

You can ignore these messages. They appear for me as well.

Fri Aug 25 12:10:05 EDT 2006: Getting the sign in cookie. [mist-net@ebay: Error communicating with server/25-Aug-2006 12:10:04 EDT]

I'm guessing that "Error communicating with server" is not good!

Is Jbidwatcher currently working for anyone?
Yes it does. Are you sure your username and password are set correctly and that you are using SUN java?

[Quid]

I have yet to install this on my new Ubuntu install ( feisty), but I thought my research would help others.
http://www.jbidwatcher.com/
is the link for the origin of JBidWatcher.

They note that there is a new version to take into account ebay changing formats - excerpt:

News Flash (August 11, 2007) -- JBidwatcher 1.0.2 is released.
This version fixes the multiple breakages eBay introduced over the last few weeks, including changing the title format, removing (then adding back) the end date, and start date, many changes to different listing types, the change of the official time server URL,

This may account for the flurry of issues -

Does anyone know if the mutliverse packages have been updated?

Ubuntu Rules!
Bruce from Canada

[An85Zk9tc8rfjV8i]

Introduction

As the jbidwatcher howto for Ubuntu 5.10 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=95370) got outdated, I post a new howto for dapper & edgy. However I'd like to thank foxy123 for his initial howto and he deserves the credits.


jBidWatcher

From the jBidWatcher website (http://http://www.jbidwatcher.com/):


You need the latest release as the older ones are not able to communicate with ebay anymore. In case there is a new version, let me know and I'll update this howto.About this version:

JBidwatcher 2.0beta11, a critical bugfix version, is available
http://www.jbidwatcher.com/download/JBidwatcher-2.0beta11.jar

Java Downloads for Linux
Recommended Version 6 Update 11
http://java.com/en/download/linux_manual.jsp

synaptic :
search : "sun java" for sun-java6-jre

[nova47]

For the newbies like me:

They're now on version 2.0 so instead of typing:
sudo wget http://www.jbidwatcher.com/download/JBidWatcher-1.0.jar

Type

sudo wget http://www.jbidwatcher.com/download/JBidwatcher-2.0.jar

For some reason the W was changed to a w which threw me off a bit :-D

This has already been mentioned but they've also updated to java v.6 so chances are you won't need to install the java in the walkthrough. I suggest you check /usr/local/share/java$ sudo update-alternatives --config java before you install any new java. Chances are (particularly if you do any programming) you'll already have an entry that says something like this

/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java

Just make that your default and it will run just fine. If you don't have it you can find it in the synaptic packet manager. I also just discovered that jbidwatcher itself is now in the synaptic package manager if you want to save yourself some trouble.

[raddad]

Ok, I followed these instructions except I skipped the java portion because I have java working. (and current jbid is 2.0.2) The menu shows jbidwatcher but nothing happens when I select it.

So I went to the java config part, selected what looked close to what you suggested:

There are 5 alternatives which provide `java'.

Selection Alternative
-----------------------------------------------
1 /usr/bin/gij-4.2
2 /usr/bin/gij-4.1
3 /usr/lib/jvm/java-gcj/jre/bin/java
+ 4 /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-openjdk/jre/bin/java
* 5 /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java

I chose #5.

Still nothing happens.

Any suggested fixes? Where did I goof?



Introduction

As the jbidwatcher howto for Ubuntu 5.10 (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=95370) got outdated, I post a new howto for dapper & edgy. However I'd like to thank foxy123 for his initial howto and he deserves the credits.


jBidWatcher

From the jBidWatcher website (http://http://www.jbidwatcher.com/):


You need the latest release as the older ones are not able to communicate with ebay anymore. In case there is a new version, let me know and I'll update this howto.About this version:


To install jBidWatcher, just copy these statements in a shell:
sudo mkdir /usr/local/share/java
cd /usr/local/share/java
sudo wget http://www.jbidwatcher.com/jbidwatch.jpg
sudo wget http://www.jbidwatcher.com/download/JBidWatcher-1.0.jar
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/jbidwatcher

This will open a text editor, paste the following text:
#!/bin/sh
java -jar /usr/local/share/java/JBidWatcher-1.0.jar


Now make this script executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/jbidwatcher


Sun Java

In order to use jBidWatcher you need to install sun-java. JBidWatcher doesn't work with another version of Java! You can find more info about installing sun-java here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Java

To be short: if you have the multiverse repositories enabled, you can install it like this:

sudo apt-get install sun-java5-bin

...and make sure it is the default:

sudo update-alternatives --config java



Menu entry

Paste the following in the terminal:
gedit ~/.local/share/applications/jBidWatcher.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Comment=eBay bidding, sniping & monitoring
Name=jBidWatcher
Exec=jbidwatcher
Terminal=false
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Icon=/usr/local/share/java/jbidwatch.jpg
Categories=Network

Background

If you wonder why to use this tool, read these articles:
On Ebay, it pays to snipe (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/2006-06-25-physics-of-ebay_x.htm)
How to win on Ebay: snipe! (http://slashdot.org/articles/06/06/26/1812238.shtml)