Hero of Skirmish
doubtofbuddha
Commander
3371 Posts
    
 | | 04/25/2006 11:46 AM |
| | Most of the games I buy are also available in .pdf format. Since I GM from my laptop, I find it easier to purchase them then to bother with the hard-copy version, though I will buy hardcover versions of core books (like I did with Iron Heroes) in order to aid with the DMing proccess. (It helps to have a copy at the table for the players to look at.) | |
I am not gone. | |
|
Sammael
Underboss
1881 Posts
| | 04/25/2006 12:18 PM |
| quote:
Being Canadian and all US law doesn't apply here. [)]
Sure it does. You're just not aware of it. [:D] | |
Hypethetical Blood War Set List | Champion of the Gelugon | Vindicated Prophet of Blood War
Ha 69/80 | De 60/60 | Ar 57/60 | GoL 72/72 | Ab 60/60 | DK 60/60 | AF 60/60 | UD 59/60 | WD 57/60 | WDQ 3/60| BW
Total DDM Count: 1037 | No chance of finishing the set | Will finish the set | Set | |
|
Sulaco
Underboss
1605 Posts
| | 04/25/2006 12:30 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sammael
quote:
Being Canadian and all US law doesn't apply here. [)]
Sure it does. You're just not aware of it. [:D]
Canada is an autonomous nation and will remain so right up until America runs out of water or wood… [)] | |
Champion of the Gelatinous Cube. Nemesis of Gnomes and Dinosaurs.
Over the centuries, mankind has tried many ways of combating the forces of evil... prayer, fasting, good works and so on. Up until Doom, no one seemed to have thought about the double-barrel shotgun. ~ Terry Pratchett | |
|
Count Dooku
Commander
4637 Posts
New York
| | 04/25/2006 1:43 PM |
| I own the books. pdf just arent the same...I guess its simpler to look things up or carry around on a laptop...But it loses the magic.
What little I do have as pdfs I printed so I can read it off paper.
Looking at your books on a laptop screen is nothing campared to handling the book and turning the pages yourself. Its like comparing seeing porn on your computer and actually being there [)] | |
Champion of the Skulk
Vindicated Champion of the Twig Blight | |
|
reezel
Sergeant
555 Posts
| | 04/25/2006 2:29 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Count Dooku
I own the books. pdf just arent the same...I guess its simpler to look things up or carry around on a laptop...But it loses the magic.
I doubt many people would argue with this. I think the idea is more to have both options. They both have thier uses. | |
Champion of the Beholder and Beholderkin
The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. | |
|
Hero of Skirmish
doubtofbuddha
Commander
3371 Posts
| | 04/25/2006 4:41 PM |
| | Honestly, I would generally prefer to have the pdf to the book. I do all of my work for the campaign on the computer, and am a notorious multi-tasker so its easier for me to do all of my other stuff while reading on my laptop then having my book and laptop open at the same time. | |
I am not gone. | |
|
orcdoubleax
Sergeant
694 Posts
| | 04/25/2006 5:08 PM |
| A general questions on this tread.
A lot of people are talking about going to thier books during games. I wonder how often you do this. I try to limit having to go to the books as much as possible during the actual game. I do as much prework as possible. Somewhere about 2-3 hours for each hour of gaming.
What is the norm? Maybe I should post this in a new tread. | |
Yes I am Gelatinous.
www.gelatinousdudes.com
| |
|
reezel
Sergeant
555 Posts
| | 04/26/2006 8:22 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by orcdoubleax
A general questions on this tread.
A lot of people are talking about going to thier books during games. I wonder how often you do this. I try to limit having to go to the books as much as possible during the actual game. I do as much prework as possible. Somewhere about 2-3 hours for each hour of gaming.
What is the norm? Maybe I should post this in a new tread.
I do a lot of prework on the computer. This hopefully results in me not needing the books during the game, but it's not always avoidable. | |
Champion of the Beholder and Beholderkin
The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. | |
|
The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
13069 Posts
Mud Lick, Kentucky
| | 04/26/2006 8:27 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by doubtofbuddha
Honestly, I would generally prefer to have the pdf to the book. I do all of my work for the campaign on the computer, and am a notorious multi-tasker so its easier for me to do all of my other stuff while reading on my laptop then having my book and laptop open at the same time.
Your rap handle could be The Notorious MT.
[:P] | |
WotC - making me wish more and more every day for a return to the TSR days. :(
I fought the snark and the snark won. I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!
Some of my favorite Maxminis quotes
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
Could somebody explain Snatch to me? I understand the basics, but not how to enter/use it. - Posted by orcmonk220
G's the man. - Posted By greyhaze on 11/11/2008 8:58 AM
I dont mind butting heads every once in a while. It makes thing interesting. Thats why I'd be heartbroken if Ghendar ever left - Posted By Count Dooku on 04/03/2006 11:58 AM
| |
|
Gristlemane
Sergeant
623 Posts
| | 04/26/2006 6:03 PM |
| | I prefer having a hardcover, but most DM's find it easier to plan their adventures on a computer. I have also only brought a maximum of four books to a session. I can't imagine bringing my whole RPG library (only about 25 books, but still) with me to a game. | |
It's deja vu all over again. | |
|
Bert the Troll
Commander
3964 Posts
Adelaide
| | 04/27/2006 8:03 AM |
| I read off the screen far easier and much much quicker than dead tree versions. And less eye strain. I do like books and I do do a lot of reading.
IMO reading off paper books being 'real' or other adjectives are an a sign of computer illiteracy ;)
It's also an generational difference (yet again imo but based on anecdotal evidence) as I see students preferring to spend long times for pleasure reading a screen or especially a mobile and consider it as 'real' or 'feel good' as looking through a magazine.
I am very good at getting to the right spot on RPG books by opening pages, faster than looking/searching through a PDF or what not. And do like the pictures and like to browse through so I`m not completely weaned from handling the dead tree books.
I keep a lot of Open D20 and generic material on computer. More likely I have notes on my PDA. (which suck at PDF). I rarely need to check much so besides my notes except at level up times.
I will scan pages (fair use imnsho) that I intend on using.
I have a different SD card for different realms, with some stuff in common on all of them.
I loved the dragon magzine archive of 250 issues that came out as PDF and use/used them a lot!
I can see why WoTC don't release source books as PDF's as the DRM/TPM/anti-piracy stuff would be a killer to right and not end up costing hugely, as nice as it would be to have what you want easily carried.
Wizards do have PDF's of modules, eg White Plume Mountain for 3.5 [URL=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20051207a]Search ye far or search ye near, and many more at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b and somewhere else at WoTC too... I`m sure there were many more classics that havent been upgraded to 3.5 [shrug].
| |
"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer." Bert the Troll - The Hobbit
Semi-Secret sig business: "In the age of the internet attaching a famous name to your personal opinion to give more weight to it is a very valid strategy." - Benjamin Franklin
Champion of Epic Lolth, Orcus, & Demogorgon and bring us Asmodeus! | |
|
Korhal_IV
Sergeant
852 Posts
| | 04/27/2006 8:31 PM |
| While I've always loved books over .pdfs, and bought accordingly, I also used to have piles of stolen stuff. Song & Silence, Planar Handbook, BoVD, Deities & Demigods, those were all on my hard drive. Plus a metric ton of 3rd-party stuff; AEG, the Slayer's Guides, etc.
Never used any of that crap. After my hard drive wipe, I stuck to stuff I bought, which was still considerable. Nowadays I have the 3 core books, all the Eberron line, UA, Spell Compendium, and two Complete books. I bring the 3 core and one more to campaign sessions (usually the ECS), trusting in players to bring whatever rules-fu their characters need to back them up. | |
I now have a Have/Want list updated with all my rares! Stop by to take a look!
Trade References: www.maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8560 | |
|
Tasmanian_tiger
Warrior
300 Posts
| | 04/29/2006 7:24 AM |
| When I started Dm-ing, I was the only one. Now we have four copies of the PHB in a group of six, I believe. It's handy when you have research different things at one time.
Outside the PHB, it differs. The people that DM, usually have (outside the DMG and MM) another world-type of book or monster manual-type of book.
It tends to get heavy, to many books to drag along to a session. I try to minimize.. | |
Champion of Dragotha
"Life is full of doors that don't open when you knock, equally spaced amid those that open when you don't want them to"
My Trading Reference Thread
Pending Trades: none pending - Completed trades: Dire Badger, Clanguard, spikegif, Shoe, Gaddszooks,Dj-Chuckles, cmlobue | |
|
Zeb
Underboss
2027 Posts
| | 04/30/2006 1:55 AM |
| Besides the core books, I tend to photocopy specifics before a game that I may need, like spells or magic items. I like the pdf versions of books that I don't use often and I hope Wizards will make this option more viable in the future.
I have taken to purchasing the Paizo pdfs of 2e material for the stuff that I don't own or want better copies. Additionally, my wife has decided that my 15+ boxes of old gaming stuff takes up too much room in an already spatially challenged abode. [)] Unfortunately, I must agree with her this time. In with the pdfs and out with many of the hardcopies that I've never used. | |
Email Offers | Trade History
Champion of the Frost Giant Jarl
"Pray that you meet death standing on your feet, rather than on your knees." | |
|
Arandae
Sergeant
713 Posts
UK
| | 04/30/2006 9:56 AM |
| | I always buy. 'Free' downloads can still cost a fortune in ink cartridges to print out [:o)], and I don't like the idea of WotC (and particularly the writers) losing out on sales. | |
Champion of the Bodak.Knight of the Aboleth.Squire of Gnomes. Friend of (Non-Ugly) Fey.
Anti-Champion of the Fozzie Bugbear Strangler (Demonweb 32/60).
Called Shots- Blood War: Green Slaad (53/60), Night Below: Kuo-Toa Whip (55/60),
Demonweb: Aboleth, Feywild: Fire Beetle,
Next Icon: Gargantuan Jotunheim Frost Giant | |
|
Pale Rider
Underboss
1023 Posts
London, Ontario, Canada
| | 04/30/2006 10:05 AM |
| | I buy lots of books but I still like having a pdf of them too. I can't stand reading off of a computer screen for too long but the pdfs are nice to have when you need to print off a few excepts from a book for the group. | |
Completed Trades: Crescent Hawk, Vimes, demagogue, vidman, Eric is God, Strachan Fireblade, FungiMuncher, Dudeeehm, Shasack, gausse, kyrin, nyjastul69
Champion of the Remorhaz | |
|
gordonboom
Sergeant
393 Posts
| | 05/02/2006 7:59 AM |
| | I buy books, lots and lots of books. | |
Champion of the Phaerimm
Trade References
gordonboomhour@kos.net
I am willing to trade minis for Magic cards. | |
|
jedijon
Sergeant
474 Posts
| | 05/02/2006 1:40 PM |
| I assume legally it's like ripping a song for private use after you've already purchased the album.
I've got a bunch of D&D books--and while I only use materials I've purchased, I'd absolutely LOVE to download a PDF to supplement those materials and have no idea how/where to do so. | |
*WoTC Delegate (Chicago)* :=: My Trade Thread :=:
DISPUTED TRADE WITH TREE DRUID!!!!!!!! | |
|
devasque
Sergeant
874 Posts
| | 05/02/2006 2:04 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
Buy the books, almost all the books...even ones I might never even use. I like books...
A simplistic answer that suffices my own carnal need to read. Even if its not something likely to see use in game, online or what have you. If its interesting and intregues me I'll get it (much to the woe of my wife who thinks I own too damn many already). | |
You see! There ARE others out there just like me. What? Why are laughing? | |
|
Dragon Snack
Warrior
285 Posts
| | 05/02/2006 2:20 PM |
| I buy books. I tried DMing with a laptop once, just didn't like it.
WotC had (has?) a free download of Volo's Guide to the Dalelands (along with some other 2nd edition stuff) on their site, so I downloaded and printed it out for one of my campagins. It took an entire $20 ink cartridge to print it out (plus a ton of paper). I could have picked it up on eBay for about half of that, even with shipping. In fact, when the big LGS had some Volo's Guides they took in trade I bought them for $7 each (they didn't have the Dalelands one though). | |
| |
|
Bert the Troll
Commander
3964 Posts
Adelaide
| | 05/03/2006 1:20 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Dragon Snack
I buy books. I tried DMing with a laptop once, just didn't like it.
WotC had (has?) a free download of Volo's Guide to the Dalelands (along with some other 2nd edition stuff) on their site, so I downloaded and printed it out for one of my campagins. It took an entire $20 ink cartridge to print it out (plus a ton of paper). I could have picked it up on eBay for about half of that, even with shipping. In fact, when the big LGS had some Volo's Guides they took in trade I bought them for $7 each (they didn't have the Dalelands one though).
You're just not meant to print manuals at home. As said, its a waste of ink and trees as well as money.
| |
"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer." Bert the Troll - The Hobbit
Semi-Secret sig business: "In the age of the internet attaching a famous name to your personal opinion to give more weight to it is a very valid strategy." - Benjamin Franklin
Champion of Epic Lolth, Orcus, & Demogorgon and bring us Asmodeus! | |
|
Incarnum
Sneak
81 Posts
| | 05/03/2006 10:08 AM |
| | I have over 200 books, so ya I will buy them. | |
About the Poster:
Incarnum is a dedicated player of Dungeons and Dragons RPG/Minis. And is the loving father of "way too many" children. He's also helped many new players learn D&D. He has been playing Dungeons and Dragons RPG since 1978 and the Miniatures game since the beginning.
Proud member of team: "Who cares what damn team I am a member of"
| |
|
Aramus
Warrior
181 Posts
| | 05/03/2006 12:31 PM |
| | i buy them like to read in car and before bed. | |
Play and have fun, this hobby is an escape from the harsh realities of life | |
|
forkedmoon
Underboss
1305 Posts
| | 05/03/2006 8:38 PM |
| | Neither. So much available from core books and then just use imagination to create a new world my players can't anticipate. | |
Champion of Cyclops
| |
|
Grim
Sergeant
482 Posts
| | 05/03/2006 8:54 PM |
| | I tend to buy one book every two or three months depending on what's coming out, but I have a fair bit of disposable income. | |
I am a leaf on the wind...Urrk!!--Wash, "Serenity" | |
|
The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
13069 Posts
Mud Lick, Kentucky
| | 05/04/2006 10:13 AM |
| The following things are right now affecting my future RPG book purchases. My book purchases will be going way, way down.
1) Changing priorities in what I want to spend my money on.
2) The gradual, continuing decline in play time and commitment of my D&D group. Changing priorities also plays into this one.
3) The eventual dissolution of my game group that appears to be coming.
Can't say I'm too distraught over it. I'll save some money. If i can just break this minis addiction, I'll be golden. [:D]
| |
WotC - making me wish more and more every day for a return to the TSR days. :(
I fought the snark and the snark won. I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!
Some of my favorite Maxminis quotes
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
Could somebody explain Snatch to me? I understand the basics, but not how to enter/use it. - Posted by orcmonk220
G's the man. - Posted By greyhaze on 11/11/2008 8:58 AM
I dont mind butting heads every once in a while. It makes thing interesting. Thats why I'd be heartbroken if Ghendar ever left - Posted By Count Dooku on 04/03/2006 11:58 AM
| |
|