Is Unattended macro farming a resource node NOT against the rules?

krachall

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

DigitalEulogy

Same here. There is a level 5 in craglorn that always is at one specific ore node. I have reported him 2x but every time I go back he is still there. My guess is that by now they have farmed hundreds of nirncrix and ores. Meanwhile I’m here trying to sell the one or 2 I was lucky enough to have drop.

rhapsodious

Yeah that's reportable and bannable.

Get other people to report him, multiple people reporting the same person tends to set off the alarm bells.

Alternatively, drag mobs with AOE onto him.

Emma_Overload

Does he move around or does he just stay at ONE node all day?

If he moves around, he may be a bot, just try to get ahead of him. If stays in one place, it's just some guy running a simple macro, not even worth reporting because macros can't be proven. Just farm other nodes and stop wasting your time worrying about what other players are doing!

krachall

Emma_Overload wrote: »

Does he move around or does he just stay at ONE node all day?

If he moves around, he may be a bot, just try to get ahead of him. If stays in one place, it just some guy running a simple macro, not even worth reporting because macros can't be proven. Just farm other nodes and stop wasting your time worrying about what other players are doing!

He doesn't move a millimeter all day. And he's in Bal Foyen, where there aren't any mobs nearby to drag over to him

He's there now and has been here since I first logged on at about 8:00 this morning. On the ridge overlooking the beach you land on after the Bleakrock Isles starter quests.

Nestor

Best you can do is report and move on. If a GM shows up, they can see what is happening.

Elsonso

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

Here is what I think. If he is using a program to watch for the spawn, a macro that presses and holds "E", or has set a rock on the "E" key to hold it down, then it is against the rules. If he is sitting there actually pressing the "E" with his own finger, then he is really not breaking any rules.

DigitalEulogy

Just went back to Craglorn and the same level 5 toon is there across from the defunct nirncrix mine. Been there weeks now. Crazyness

Elsonso

krachall wrote: »

Emma_Overload wrote: »

Does he move around or does he just stay at ONE node all day?

If he moves around, he may be a bot, just try to get ahead of him. If stays in one place, it just some guy running a simple macro, not even worth reporting because macros can't be proven. Just farm other nodes and stop wasting your time worrying about what other players are doing!

He doesn't move a millimeter all day. And he's in Bal Foyen, where there aren't any mobs nearby to drag over to him

He's there now and has been here since I first logged on at about 8:00 this morning. On the ridge overlooking the beach you land on after the Bleakrock Isles starter quests.

Yes, there is a guy standing near the Bal Foyen LZ farming a single cloth node. Impossible to really say whether it is someone botting (macro holding E or some program) or just some guy in Mom's basement that has no life and is pressing E while watching Netflix.

MLGProPlayer

That qualifies as botting. More sophisticated bots move around too.

KRBMMO

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

thedude33

lordrichter wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

Here is what I think. If he is using a program to watch for the spawn, a macro that presses and holds "E", or has set a rock on the "E" key to hold it down, then it is against the rules. If he is sitting there actually pressing the "E" with his own finger, then he is really not breaking any rules.

What if it's his cat? ..and that cat is sitting there actually pressing the 'E' with his paw? Legit?

lagrue

I know macros and bot farming are a thing.

I have curiosity though, since this seems pretty low intensity.

What if I were to put Netflix on my computer, park my character in front of a node and just mash X all day on my controller while I watch netflix. It wouldn't be the first time I've done it in games.

Technically I would be in control and not violating TOS, and how would ZOS know the difference between bot or real in that scenario?

lagrue

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Gonna need to see the actual TOS excerpt that states this explicitly. A forum post by a ZOS employee is not a legally binding thing, the TOS is. So I'd need to see where in the TOS it says I can't sit there mashing a button.

The TOS on bots:

"You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of "bots", "speed hacks", "deep-link", "page-scrape", "robot", "spider", algorithms or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, "mirroring") the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax."

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

smacx250

Funny, nearly every time I go farming I find this lvl 6 in around the same spot, swaying and holding a mug out in the wilderness, but otherwise doing absolutely nothing! And I farm at different times so I have no idea what is going on. Botting beers I guess?

KRBMMO

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Gonna need to see the actual TOS excerpt that states this explicitly. A forum post by a ZOS employee is not a legally binding thing, the TOS is. So I'd need to see where in the TOS it says I can't sit there mashing a button.

The TOS on bots:

"You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of "bots", "speed hacks", "deep-link", "page-scrape", "robot", "spider", algorithms or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, "mirroring") the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax."

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

All the forum posts where people were crying about being banned for doing this exact same thing at Dolmens have been deleted because discussing discipline is against the TOS.

Do what you want but I'm just telling you that people have been banned for rubberbanding (or whatever you want to call it).

So when you do look at the following discussion, also look at the numerous entries of: "The user and all related content has been deleted."

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/4038880#Comment_4038880

lagrue

KRBMMO wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Gonna need to see the actual TOS excerpt that states this explicitly. A forum post by a ZOS employee is not a legally binding thing, the TOS is. So I'd need to see where in the TOS it says I can't sit there mashing a button.

The TOS on bots:

"You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of "bots", "speed hacks", "deep-link", "page-scrape", "robot", "spider", algorithms or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, "mirroring") the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax."

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

All the forum posts where people were crying about being banned for doing this exact same thing at Dolmens have been deleted because discussing discipline is against the TOS.

Do what you want but I'm just telling you that people have been banned for rubberbanding (or whatever you want to call it).

So when you do look at the following discussion, also look at the numerous entries of: "The user and all related content has been deleted."

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/4038880#Comment_4038880

Rubberbanding and actually sitting there mashing a button are two entirely different things. Rubberbanding = no human input.

The name literally gives it away, rubberbanding is when you tie a rubber band around the controller and make the game play itself, it can also be done by taping buttons down - but a human physically sitting there and holding/pressing the button does not constitute rubber banding.

jssriot

DigitalEulogy wrote: »

Just went back to Craglorn and the same level 5 toon is there across from the defunct nirncrix mine. Been there weeks now. Crazyness

Yeah, I see bots everytime I farm in crag now. Always low level toons. The ones I see go along a small route of nodes over and over.

KRBMMO

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Gonna need to see the actual TOS excerpt that states this explicitly. A forum post by a ZOS employee is not a legally binding thing, the TOS is. So I'd need to see where in the TOS it says I can't sit there mashing a button.

The TOS on bots:

"You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of "bots", "speed hacks", "deep-link", "page-scrape", "robot", "spider", algorithms or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, "mirroring") the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax."

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

All the forum posts where people were crying about being banned for doing this exact same thing at Dolmens have been deleted because discussing discipline is against the TOS.

Do what you want but I'm just telling you that people have been banned for rubberbanding (or whatever you want to call it).

So when you do look at the following discussion, also look at the numerous entries of: "The user and all related content has been deleted."

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/4038880#Comment_4038880

Rubberbanding and actually sitting there mashing a button are two entirely different things. Rubberbanding = no human input.

Zenimax disagrees. This has already been decided and there were lots of tears shed by people trying to make excuses why they continued a behavior after Zos publicly made their position clear.

Do what you want. I'll have my hanky ready to dry your tears.

kojou

If there is not somebody at the keyboard then it is against the TOS no matter what technology they use to press the "E" key.

lagrue

KRBMMO wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Gonna need to see the actual TOS excerpt that states this explicitly. A forum post by a ZOS employee is not a legally binding thing, the TOS is. So I'd need to see where in the TOS it says I can't sit there mashing a button.

The TOS on bots:

"You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of "bots", "speed hacks", "deep-link", "page-scrape", "robot", "spider", algorithms or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, "mirroring") the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax."

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

All the forum posts where people were crying about being banned for doing this exact same thing at Dolmens have been deleted because discussing discipline is against the TOS.

Do what you want but I'm just telling you that people have been banned for rubberbanding (or whatever you want to call it).

So when you do look at the following discussion, also look at the numerous entries of: "The user and all related content has been deleted."

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/4038880#Comment_4038880

Rubberbanding and actually sitting there mashing a button are two entirely different things. Rubberbanding = no human input.

Zenimax disagrees. This has already been decided and there were lots of tears shed by people trying to make excuses why they continued a behavior after Zos publicly made their position clear.

Do what you want. I'll have my hanky ready to dry your tears.

Zenimax terms of service doesn't state it -you said it was against the TOS. You seeing the problem here?

The people doing that at dolmens were cheating, they were actual rubberbanders which IS Against the TOS.

It's not even something I do, I was just raising the hypothetical question - how could they really ban me when I haven't violated their legally binding contract. They can "consider" it all they want - if it's not written in the TOS, then legally they have no grounds to act.

If I am physically at my keyboard and controller pressing the button, then NO it does not violate TOS.

KRBMMO

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Gonna need to see the actual TOS excerpt that states this explicitly. A forum post by a ZOS employee is not a legally binding thing, the TOS is. So I'd need to see where in the TOS it says I can't sit there mashing a button.

The TOS on bots:

"You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of "bots", "speed hacks", "deep-link", "page-scrape", "robot", "spider", algorithms or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, "mirroring") the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax."

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

All the forum posts where people were crying about being banned for doing this exact same thing at Dolmens have been deleted because discussing discipline is against the TOS.

Do what you want but I'm just telling you that people have been banned for rubberbanding (or whatever you want to call it).

So when you do look at the following discussion, also look at the numerous entries of: "The user and all related content has been deleted."

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/4038880#Comment_4038880

Rubberbanding and actually sitting there mashing a button are two entirely different things. Rubberbanding = no human input.

Zenimax disagrees. This has already been decided and there were lots of tears shed by people trying to make excuses why they continued a behavior after Zos publicly made their position clear.

Do what you want. I'll have my hanky ready to dry your tears.

Zenimax terms of service doesn't state it -you said it was against the TOS. You seeing the problem here?

The people doing that at dolmens were cheating, they were actual rubberbanders which IS Against the TOS.

No i don;'t see a problem - I'm not Zos' Gdmd lawyer and I don't need to develop a legal case for them. Like I said do what you want. I do know that people who mad a case similar to yours were still banned no matter how loudly they complained on the forum - then their forum account was deleted.

I don't think Zos could ever actually prove that rubberbands were used. So whether it s cat or a book or your big toe or whatever is irrelevant. People made all kinds of ridiculous explanations for why their behavior wasn't covered but were still banned.

Elsonso

lagrue wrote: »

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

To my knowledge, this is correct. You must be doing the work, not a rubberband, or rock, or keyboard macro, or your cat. Furthermore, if someone from ZOS happens along to question you about it, you had better be there to let them know that you are there. If you decide to watch a movie on Netflix while you are mashing that button, you had best keep a close eye on the chat window.

We did hear from people who claimed to be watching a movie, or eating, or doing something else and fighting at dolmens, and were banned. I don't put much stock in those statements.

KRBMMO

lordrichter wrote: »

lagrue wrote: »

There is nothing there stating I can't press a button over and over, if human input is there, then its not against the TOS as far as I can tell.

To my knowledge, this is correct. You must be doing the work, not a rubberband, or rock, or keyboard macro, or your cat. Furthermore, if someone from ZOS happens along to question you about it, you had better be there to let them know that you are there. If you decide to watch a movie on Netflix while you are mashing that button, you had best keep a close eye on the chat window.

We did hear from people who claimed to be watching a movie, or eating, or doing something else and fighting at dolmens, and were banned. I don't put much stock in those statements.

Agreed Bold added for emphasis.

Slick_007

if you drop the warden ability in the right spot will he teleport to you?

zaria

lordrichter wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

Here is what I think. If he is using a program to watch for the spawn, a macro that presses and holds "E", or has set a rock on the "E" key to hold it down, then it is against the rules. If he is sitting there actually pressing the "E" with his own finger, then he is really not breaking any rules.

You can just have an macro sending E every 10 seconds and have auto loot on.
If node respawn time is 10 minutes he will get 240 hits during a day or around 800 cloth

Elsonso

zaria wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

Here is what I think. If he is using a program to watch for the spawn, a macro that presses and holds "E", or has set a rock on the "E" key to hold it down, then it is against the rules. If he is sitting there actually pressing the "E" with his own finger, then he is really not breaking any rules.

You can just have an macro sending E every 10 seconds and have auto loot on.
If node respawn time is 10 minutes he will get 240 hits during a day or around 800 cloth

... which should result in a ban, if caught.

TheShadowScout

I miss the days before OneTamrien and battle levelling, when level five bots were easily killed just by kiting some wasps or welva to their location...

These days, you can report them, get your guildmates to report them... but that's about it, and ZOS does not have as many people checking those things as we all who hate bots would like... so they usually take their time and only follow up multiple reports fast if at all.

But if they find one botting, rubber-banding or whatever... they will act. Sometimes its just a temp ban, which won't discourage botters at all... but they also have the option of locking the offenders whole account.

Personally i think there should not be any bans for this, but a fine, payable in crowns, and the account staying locked until its paid. But hey, that's me...

Elsonso

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Personally i think there should not be any bans for this, but a fine, payable in crowns, and the account staying locked until its paid. But hey, that's me...

So how much would it cost to just stand in one spot farming the Cloth node all day? Do you think that the botters should be able get volume discounts?

Turelus

zaria wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

Here is what I think. If he is using a program to watch for the spawn, a macro that presses and holds "E", or has set a rock on the "E" key to hold it down, then it is against the rules. If he is sitting there actually pressing the "E" with his own finger, then he is really not breaking any rules.

You can just have an macro sending E every 10 seconds and have auto loot on.
If node respawn time is 10 minutes he will get 240 hits during a day or around 800 cloth

That sounds horribly inefficient.

Mureel

KRBMMO wrote: »

krachall wrote: »

Almost every time I head out to farm resources, the same player is standing in the same spot macro-farming the same raw ancestor silk node. He's usually there for 8+ hours and loots the nodes so fast that he's begun looting before the node appears on my screen. I assume he's using a macro that is spamming the E key as fast as possible.

I've reported him at least 6 times yet there he is, for hours every day, farming that same node.

If it's not against the rules, what program is he using, as I'll do that 24/7!

It's against the rules.

Zenimax has specifically stated that even if you are physically present and just holding down one key (while reading a book, watching tv, etc.) that is against the TOS.

The subject came up when people were just pew-pewing highly populated dolmens to level up without actually playing..

Citation please.