November 16th release for Web-based Character Builder

[jbear]

It would have been more correct had you said:

jbear: I am pretty sure that WotC had to be aware that an announcement of any kind would have a significant backlash on internet bulletin boards. They know at this point there is no way to avoid it.

That may be so from within the hyperbolic chamber, but I don't think there would be any back lash if the web tool they had announced was something new, like a campaign manager a la Master Tool.

That would have come under the definition of 'exciting news', at least for me. But I refuse to enter the hyperbolic chamber about this or any other issue related to D&D. It's a game at the end of the day.

 

[jbear]

Oh yes, to those wondering why we're upset when "they're going to program export functions," it might be because "soon" is their deadline, and also incidentally still their deadline for the VTT.

Also because there is no goddamn excuse to not have export functioning out when you open the gate. Jesus, how is this difficult? Do not release a product if it isn't yet complete. And not having an export function means it's nowhere near completion.

I think they have been backed into a corner on the release date of this.

They have to release Dark Sun and Essentials. Otherwise it will be a public lynching. They don't want to do that on the 'classic' builder' because they can't protect it (or people can just get that information and cease their subscriptions keeping it on their offline builder).

They can't miss another update so they have been forced to find a solution and that seems to have meant the Web Builder with limited functions. At least this way the mob with torches and pitchforks is slightly smaller.

 

[Brys]

I'm unfamiliar with silverlight, so I'm not sure how this could be implemented, but instead of a 20 character limit, if they're afraid of attacks, limit it to a certain number per day. If I can only upload/create 5 per day, it may take me over two months to upload all of my characters (and chances are quite a few would get left behind), but at least I could upload all the ones I really care about.

My point is, I would appreciate it if the 20 character limit was reworked in one of the earliest updates. Figure out what you are really trying to achieve (and we've only been told that it's a denial of service style attack) and find a way to limit that behavior without such widespread collateral damage.

Maybe add a CAPTCHA to make sure it really is a person uploading/creating the character. There are ways to accomplish what you want that is not so usage-limiting.

Here's to hoping that WotC reads this.

Edit: Completely unrelated, but I found this slightly relevant and highly amusing (warning, strong language is used in the comic strip):
http://xkcd.com/810/

 

[renau1g]

Excel still uses .xls.

That's not 100% true. The latest Excel uses .xlsx (as Word uses .docx) which is unreadable in older editions of Excel. You have to manually (or change in your settings) to have it saved as this. (totally nit-picky I know. I use it all day...finally something I know about rather than database building, Silverlight, etc.)

 

[Herschel]

That may be so from within the hyperbolic chamber, but I don't think there would be any back lash if the web tool they had announced was something new, like a campaign manager a la Master Tool.

That would have come under the definition of 'exciting news', at least for me. But I refuse to enter the hyperbolic chamber about this or any other issue related to D&D. It's a game at the end of the day.

I think you underestimate the ability of BB users to complain. As Sulaco once said 'WotC could give out boxes of free money and some people would still complain about how it was folded.'

I'd love to see a campaign manager too, and it's likely more plausible with the new web-based design. But, can you imagine the outcry if updates were stalled on the current CB until the final version were ready? Look at the nerdrage when they delayed it a month already.

 

[renau1g]

I think you underestimate the ability of BB users to complain. As Sulaco once said 'WotC could give out boxes of free money and some people would still complain about how it was folded.'
.

What's BB? In my experience that stands for Blackberry but that certainly doesn't make sense here.

 

[Bagpuss]

That's not 100% true. The latest Excel uses .xlsx (as Word uses .docx) which is unreadable in older editions of Excel.

That's not 100% true. There is a converter available for older editions of Office which allow them to open and save files in the .xlsx, .docx, formats.

 

[eamon]

I'm unfamiliar with silverlight, so I'm not sure how this could be implemented, but instead of a 20 character limit, if they're afraid of attacks, limit it to a certain number per day. If I can only upload/create 5 per day, it may take me over two months to upload all of my characters (and chances are quite a few would get left behind), but at least I could upload all the ones I really care about.http://xkcd.com/810/

Silverlight as they intend to use it is just a client-facing interaction app; the limitation on 20 chars will have nothing to do with it (they're store serverside, after all) and is probably a (not unreasonable) attempt to initially limit exposure to weird bugs/abuse.

If the kinks get worked out, and they don't have scalability issues, I bet they will raise that limit - why not?

 

[Stumblewyk]

What's BB? In my experience that stands for Blackberry but that certainly doesn't make sense here.

"Bulletin Board", I assume. A bit of an "antiquated" name for a message board.

 

[Scribble]

Duuuuuude Stumblewyk just called you Old Man Herschel!