Here is a sample campaign from my group:
https://shadows-over-new-york.obsidianportal.com/ (I wasn't in Season 2, but I think life got in the way to keep it short).
Thanks for the sample! That did help demonstrate what it could do.
As far as I know there is nothing that comes close to what you're looking for.
How about with my revised list of must haves and deal-breakers? (In this post)
I read the OP's requirements and criteria, and I think of the standard IT response:
Better, faster, Cheaper. pick 2.
You can't expect much if you want it absolutely free with no ads. Programming takes time which is money. Making it look good is more time. Making it easy to use takes more time. making it user customisable is even more time. Making it well designed internally so it can be expanded upon takes time.
You get what you pay for.
The free option was lowest on the desirable list because it wasn't very likely. I have a shorter list in this post.
That would be OneNote 2003, check Amazon but do look at The Keep as it can run on XP and off a USB stick.
Thanks! At least now I know where I could get OneNote for XP.
Actually, if you have a Microsoft OneDrive or Hotmail account, you get access to OneNote online for free as part of your account. It's included in the apps area.
Thanks for the responses so far. I've taken a look at all the suggestions, but none of them are quite doing the job. In case anyone is still up for the challenge of matching GM with software, I'll give a briefer list of the true essentials I need (rather than just desirable and undesirable).
Must Haves
1) Themes/Skins, or the ability to mimic them with uploads or settings
2) Quick and easy data entry and editing
Deal-Breakers
A) Subscription-based without a one-time purchase option
B) Overly limited functionality
It doesn't have to be formal campaign management software. I could consider a wiki or anything else that met those requirements. I also don't need to be able to share it with players. That's one of the first desirable elements that I can jettison if it otherwise looks good.
So far, Realm Works and the Keep both are too visually cluttered for me. Obsidian Portal is the most promising, but it isn't functional without a subscription (2
MB storage?) OneNote online fails on both of my must haves, and from the screenshots OneNote 2003 does also (correct me if I'm wrong). Evernote appears to fail on both of the must haves, and it's subscription based (or ads).
I'd
like to say I can't believe nobody has produced something that can meet those four simple requirements, but unfortunately I can believe it--I just hope it isn't true.