Mark
CreativeMountainGames.com
Move from a previous thread to prevent derailment... (further derailment? 
)
I derive a great deal of inspiration from it as well. Lest you forget, this is not a simple repackaging. What has thus far been released in the pack are select chunks of OGC from larger works, reformatted into extensively-bookmarked and hyperlinked, easy to navigate, electronic versions of OGC that were previously only available in their pristine form in print format. As time goes by, and the various original sources are out-of-print and no longer available, the sections that I personally feel are the cream of the crop for running a game in a style that I enjoy will be available electronically.
There might be some (poor misguided fools ) who, for whatever reasons, would prefer the original material rather than what I eventually morph it into. How fortunate for them that I believe in archiving the original and making it available as well. You'll also note that I use separate PDFs for separate sources. This helps to preserve a recognizable "chain of OGC custodianship" (so to speak) so that while it is still available in its original format, it can be sought out, and when the original print books have long since turned to dust or been relegated to a number of attics equal to the number of the print run, it will still only be a search engine search away from availability.
I consider PDFs (and even moreso, PDF bundles) to be "Living Documents" that grow and expand over time. By releasing a basic package early, it gives those who understand and embrace that concept the chance to "buy in" early in the process, watch the growth, and in some cases help guide the direction of that growth. Of course, revisions and updates are free to those who have already made the purchase, so those that make that choice early gain that additional benefit. For example, those who bought into the SRD 3.5 Revised when it first came out in July of 2003 got a great deal and have been able to take advantage of its usefulness for a year and a half now...at the original price through about six revisions and updates. Judging by the reviews and response, it was not only a decision that was embraced by many, but critically well received also.
Nevertheless, it's a business model that gives a lot back to the consumer/community. I'm actually surprised that you're having so much trouble following what I'm doing. When I pressed for the ability to sell inexpensive-and-smaller PDFs through RPGNow.com you were one of the few who quickly embraced it and rode that model to great heights, despite my own decision that for me, the model was becoming more trouble than it was worth. It's not always easy to see what might be a worthwhile way of conducting business, but such is the nature of innovation. I'm finding it a bit humorous that my pressing to be able to sell smaller, inexpensive PDFs way back then also sparked a bit of controversy and led to the declaration of a revision of RPGNow.com policy, as well.
Anyway, the more time I spend discussing business, the less I can spend writing/laying out/conducting business, so I hope that was enough of an explanation to help you understand. If not, my apologies.
*EDIT* I also want to add that the "Living Document" concept is also a hedge against piracy. If someone steals a static document and it gets passed around the same file is shared five, ten, or even twenty years from now. With a Living Document, one has to spend a lot more time and effort to be sure they are stealing the most recent and updated version. In the long run, if someone has any concept of time-being-money, it behooves them to simply sign up at the source and always be assured of getting the best version available. Considering the low price point of even the largest PDFs and Bundles, sooner or later even the leetest of pirates matures enough to figure out what is in his best interests. That's what I think, anyway.
)philreed said:
I derive a great deal of inspiration from it as well. Lest you forget, this is not a simple repackaging. What has thus far been released in the pack are select chunks of OGC from larger works, reformatted into extensively-bookmarked and hyperlinked, easy to navigate, electronic versions of OGC that were previously only available in their pristine form in print format. As time goes by, and the various original sources are out-of-print and no longer available, the sections that I personally feel are the cream of the crop for running a game in a style that I enjoy will be available electronically.
There might be some (poor misguided fools
) who, for whatever reasons, would prefer the original material rather than what I eventually morph it into. How fortunate for them that I believe in archiving the original and making it available as well. You'll also note that I use separate PDFs for separate sources. This helps to preserve a recognizable "chain of OGC custodianship" (so to speak) so that while it is still available in its original format, it can be sought out, and when the original print books have long since turned to dust or been relegated to a number of attics equal to the number of the print run, it will still only be a search engine search away from availability.I consider PDFs (and even moreso, PDF bundles) to be "Living Documents" that grow and expand over time. By releasing a basic package early, it gives those who understand and embrace that concept the chance to "buy in" early in the process, watch the growth, and in some cases help guide the direction of that growth. Of course, revisions and updates are free to those who have already made the purchase, so those that make that choice early gain that additional benefit. For example, those who bought into the SRD 3.5 Revised when it first came out in July of 2003 got a great deal and have been able to take advantage of its usefulness for a year and a half now...at the original price through about six revisions and updates. Judging by the reviews and response, it was not only a decision that was embraced by many, but critically well received also.
Nevertheless, it's a business model that gives a lot back to the consumer/community. I'm actually surprised that you're having so much trouble following what I'm doing. When I pressed for the ability to sell inexpensive-and-smaller PDFs through RPGNow.com you were one of the few who quickly embraced it and rode that model to great heights, despite my own decision that for me, the model was becoming more trouble than it was worth. It's not always easy to see what might be a worthwhile way of conducting business, but such is the nature of innovation. I'm finding it a bit humorous that my pressing to be able to sell smaller, inexpensive PDFs way back then also sparked a bit of controversy and led to the declaration of a revision of RPGNow.com policy, as well.
Anyway, the more time I spend discussing business, the less I can spend writing/laying out/conducting business, so I hope that was enough of an explanation to help you understand. If not, my apologies.
*EDIT* I also want to add that the "Living Document" concept is also a hedge against piracy. If someone steals a static document and it gets passed around the same file is shared five, ten, or even twenty years from now. With a Living Document, one has to spend a lot more time and effort to be sure they are stealing the most recent and updated version. In the long run, if someone has any concept of time-being-money, it behooves them to simply sign up at the source and always be assured of getting the best version available. Considering the low price point of even the largest PDFs and Bundles, sooner or later even the leetest of pirates matures enough to figure out what is in his best interests. That's what I think, anyway.
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