A question for PCGen users

[James McMurray]

Does anyone out there have the splatbook lst files updated to the newer format? I have tried to get them to work but keep getting errors and unrecognized formats when running the lst converter.

I would be extremely grateful if anyone who has gotten this to work would be so kind as to send me the files.

 

[kingpaul]

Does anyone out there have the splatbook lst files updated to the newer format? I have tried to get them to work but keep getting errors and unrecognized formats when running the lst converter.

I would be extremely grateful if anyone who has gotten this to work would be so kind as to send me the files.

Here's the response from Bryan, the chief of the project:

PCGen is OGL or D20 compliant as of Version 4.0.0 release on Friday Sept 13, 2002! Now our goal is to acquire permission from Wizards of the Coast Inc. for all their non-SRD material (anything other than the PHB, MM, DMG and Psionics Handbook). To avoid some common hot-topics that have been beat to death, here are some basic ground rules for posting on our yahoo board:

1. Don't ask about where the data files for Wotc's splatbooks are - they aren't SRD and we're working on getting Wotc's permission for them - it isn't a sure thing though we think our chances are fairly good.
2. Don't attack Wotc or any of its products (including ETools!) since doing so will definitely cloud our negotiations with them for their non-SRD material. Griping about them generally isn't on-topic anyway since we're mostly interested in feedback on what you think about PCGen, bug reports, feature requests or ideas on how to improve the documentation, presentation or anything else PCGen related.
3. If you correct (i.e. flame!) someone else and they return the compliment, drop it at that. If you feel the other poster was out of line, send an email to pcgen-owner@yahoogroups.com which will be sent to all the moderators who will take the appropriate action (ban user and/or delete post and/or issue warning on or off list).

We like to keep things friendly, polite, respectful and on-topic. We like to help newbies figure out how to get the most out of PCGen, including getting the hang of creating their own data files. If you know how we could do something different to make using PCGen more intuitive, we're all ears. If you want to get involved in any way, let us know - there's plenty to do!

Thanks.

Bryan McRoberts
Benevolent Dictator of PCGen

 

[brianajones]

Here's the response from Bryan, the chief of the project:

And that's fine on the mailing list. Here however, it's really not up to you, since you're not a moderator. And since it was brought up, here's my opinion...

Wotc wanted the splatbooks and such gone because it made PCGen a better program than E-Tools. Rather than make E-tools better, they asked us to cripple PCGen. That's fine, and perfectly within their rights. Now they say they will discuss adding the non-SRD stuff back in. I'm almost willing to bet that they won't even meet with the PCGen staff, much less allow the stuff in.

Before you yell and say that the Non-SRD is their IP, and they have a right to protect it, I say again, that's perfectly within thier rights. However, they weren't losing money with PCGen, and it was a good system. By stopping PCGen (and other generators, as well.) They are proving to me, at least, that they are really just in it for the money. Other companies have allowed its material to be added, even though it provides little to no monetary value for them. I think it's because they believe that the customer's are more important than a dollar or two. That's something WotC seems to have forgotten since they were bought by Hasbro. (Which has always been about the bottom line.)

 

[foscadh]

conversion ?

How about some clues on how to convert the files? I believe someone mentioned coversion utilities but said that the one that went with 3.x and possibly 4.x didn't work very well. So does anyone have a conversion utility that works well and is easy to use?

 

[foscadh]

conversion ?

Double post sorry..

 

[James McMurray]

I don't even care if its easy to use as long as it has good instructions.

 

[Eternalknight]

They are proving to me, at least, that they are really just in it for the money.

*sigh* As much as I hated losing the splatbooks and other WotC material from PC Gen, this is an argument that has been bought up time and time again. Of course it's about money. They want to make money, just like the rest of us do. Why is this a bad thing?

And as you said, WotC are perfectly within their rights.

 

[foscadh]

I have actually been encouraged, for the most part, by the actions of both WoC and the PCGen crew. I think in the long run we are going to have a better utility this way. On the other hand I have been using PCGen to manage a Forgotten Realms campaign and I can't even load the characters in now and unfortunately over rote my copy of 2.7. It would sure be nice to be able to update the lst files and use them with version 3.x of 4.x.

As far as them being in it for the money. That's what businesses are suppose to do. Smart companies try to keep their customers happy. WoC appears to be trying to balance this with protecting their market and intelectual property. The whole Opend Gameing and D20 scheme seams to me geared to meating these two goals.

 

[Eternalknight]

I have actually been encouraged, for the most part, by the actions of both WoC and the PCGen crew. I think in the long run we are going to have a better utility this way. On the other hand I have been using PCGen to manage a Forgotten Realms campaign and I can't even load the characters in now and unfortunately over rote my copy of 2.7. It would sure be nice to be able to update the lst files and use them with version 3.x of 4.x.

As far as them being in it for the money. That's what businesses are suppose to do. Smart companies try to keep their customers happy. WoC appears to be trying to balance this with protecting their market and intelectual property. The whole Opend Gameing and D20 scheme seams to me geared to meating these two goals.

Hehe, I still have 2.6 something on CD, so I'm still able to use it

 

[brianajones]

*sigh* As much as I hated losing the splatbooks and other WotC material from PC Gen, this is an argument that has been bought up time and time again. Of course it's about money. They want to make money, just like the rest of us do. Why is this a bad thing?

And as you said, WotC are perfectly within their rights.

I don't have a problem with them concerned with making money, I have a problem with them being concerned about making money. They could care less about the customers, employees, or anything else that you can't put in a bank. That's bad business, as far as I'm concerned. There's plenty of game companies (and even D20 companies) that still think the customer is important, along with making a buck.