Instead of a Screen...

[Baumi]

I don't think that a GM Map don't work, since most of the time there would be books, sheets, dice, etc on it so you could not read it and moving all the junk to read a table is bothersome.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Hmmm... how about a 'GM Box'.. take a box about the size of the 4e 'deluxe dice set', tape in the tables you use most from one of the fan created pdf screens...drop some write on laminate on that.

On one side have a double edge with a slot for intiative cards... doubles as a carrying case for your dice!

when you are reading the dice results you can look at the table you need at almost the same time!

 

[DM_Jeff]

The only reason I still use a screen at all is the habit of printed material to largenly and colorfully show monsters the party is about to fight, maps with secret doors and clues, and giant section headers betraying tons of spoilers that can easily be seen up to 5 feet away. So I think I'll be using a DM Screen for quite some time now.

-DM Jeff

 

[bento]

I think there's room in the market for lots of different options.

As a laptop user, I'd like to have a laminated top for the PC to sit on with common tables and an area to use as a scratch pad for tracking hit points. Any serious rules I use the SRD on my PC, and I keep my notes in a Word document.

As for standing vs. sitting, although I sit most of the time, I notice that my creativity improves when I'm standing or pacing around.

 

[Festivus]

Here's my suggestion: Stand Up.
It emphasizes your position of attention and lets everyone hear and see you better.

DM Screen is too useful to lay it out.

I usually stand when either drawing the map or were in combat, sitting otherwise. I currently don't use a screen, but have ordered the 4E screen (does anyone know if it's landscape?)

My ideal screen would be angled back 30 degrees so I could see it while standing or sitting. I prototyped it and it seems like it would be really functional, but probably very expensive to make. I'll have to try to take a picture of my experiment to explain it more fully.

 

[Scribble]

Here's my suggestion: Stand Up.
It emphasizes your position of attention and lets everyone hear and see you better.

DM Screen is too useful to lay it out.

I do both. I normally stand, sit, and sit on one leg... I used to stand on the chair occasionally back when I was younger...

When I stand though, I can't usually see the info on the screen without craning my neck. When I sit, I can't see over it as easily as I'd like to. In either case it's still a PITA to reach over and mess eith the battle mat.

 

[Scribe Ineti]

I really liked how the Eberron DM screen was sort of 'widescreen' so that it was longer than it was tall. It was about 2/3rds the height of a regular DM screen. I have no problems seeing over or around it, and I sit at my table with my fellow players. I don't really see the need to stand, but that's just how I roll.

 

[darjr]

I stand up. And don't use a screen as a 'screen'. Though I'll use a good screen, and will hide my notes.

But a mat is a great idea... and it would double as a way to hide notes... just put them under the mat when you don't want anyone to peek.

 

[EricNoah]

I use a landscape screen and do not use it for reference or rules lookup. It is basically there to hide my notes and my die rolls. Unfortunately, even landscape is just a little too high -- it could be half the height of landscape and still do the job adequately.

I find that a laptop screen is also too high and blocks my view of the table -- so I set the laptop on a separate little TV tray off to one side.

I don't think I would make use of a DM mat per se, though I have made use of quick reference sheets like Angrimanyublahblahbleh's 3E sheets.

 

[Maldin]

I use a DM screen (actually, its the original 1E screen... how 'bout that for nostalgia!), but usually just as a barrier to prevent the players from seeing my notes and maps. I rarely use the tables on the screen. Instead, what I use is a modified "Combat computer" from Dragon Magazine #74, an adjustable disk used for calculating "to hit". Covering the free space on the back and front of the disk are small-font charts, lists, and other information that I found over the years to commonly need during play. And the disk is never buried under material. I just balance it on the edge of the DM screen, and it's literally at my fingertips at all times.

The original Combat Computer was 1E, but I modified it for 2E (which I still play). You may be able to make out Strength and Dex adjustments tables, Armor tables, various situational combat modifiers, clerical undead turning, currency conversion, saving throw tables, int. vs illusion saves, dual-handed weapon tables, my own critical hit table (available on my website), thief backstabbing, non-proficiency penalties, a chart I use for lock difficulty, poison-related charts, cover vs. missile fire, and a few other things. Pretty much 95% of what I commonly need while DMing. It saves a heck of a lot of looking up stuff during play (seeing as the screens are often covered with stuff I don't actually use).

Perhaps I should digitize the original and post it on my website. ;-)

Denis, aka "Maldin"
Maldin's Greyhawk http://melkot.com
Loads of edition-independent Greyhawk... maps, magic, mysteries, mechanics, and more!