We use a heavily modified version of Trivbot2001 and it works really well. Of course, much of that is thanks to the heavy modification and it was modified specifically to work in our channel, so wouldn't be portable to other channels, unfortunately. But the hint system for normal questions is pretty standard... first hint immediately with nothing more than *'s denoting the number of characters per word and any symbols are shown. The second hint after 20 seconds with the first 2-3 characters shown depending on length of the answer. And the third hint 20 seconds later with what was in hint 2 plus all vowels.
On year questions, it is slightly different. The first hint shows the first 2 numbers the second and third hints show the first 3 numbers. We never show all 4 numbers. Also, we have years set to only allow 4 guesses so people can't just spam a bunch of years.
True/False questions allow each person only one answer. They show nothing for the first hint besides a *, then the second and third hints shows T or F for True/False that have either just a T or F response. If the True/False uses the full words of true and false, then it works just like the normal hints, but you still only get 1 chance.
We also have multiple answer questions that do not give any hints. For example, the question may ask for all computers and consoles that Final Fantasy has been released on. People would start throwing out answers until either the time is up or all answers have been typed.
In any case, there are some ideas for hint systems. As to how to do it, you'll be better off placing an ECHO before any section that you believe relates to what you're trying to change. Then see if the echo happens when you expect it to. If not, check another place and keep doing that until you find the right one. Alternately, try changing "Hint" to something like "XXXX" and see if it changes the hint. If not, try the next place where you find "Hint" and repeat until you find the correct one. Note that depending on the script, there may be multiple places that have to be changed.
