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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mr. Kaze" data-source="post: 474240" data-attributes="member: 8848">Keeping e-Tools RelevantFunny, but the same thought crossed my mind as I labored over adding character classes from Oriental Adventures to the MS Access database running the show. (I got stuck on where a character [Shaman] can choose spell domains like a cleric -- if anybody knows, please reply.)  I mean, After you've got your core rulebooks entered, everything else is pretty much just an ADO recordset saved to XML with a point-and-import utility (that somebody has already written).  Very rarely should you ever need an actual new rule at this point, and certain "peculiarities" in the software may be acceptable to avoid waiting for patches... (For example, I added NG/N/NE "Kami"s for the Shaman to take as a diety, each with all the OA domains.  Would work pretty well if I could figure out how to select a diety; see above.) Anyway, back on topic, users then download and import the XML file as the "Web Enhancement" for every product as opposed to a few pages that didn't make the editorial cut -- that's product synnergy, that's value-add, and that's how WotC can help keep e-Tools cutting edge without strong-arming other volunteer-based projects.  (Worst case scenario is that WotC will at least have their own published standard -- e-Tools -- of acceptability when they go to sit on over-zealous upstarts.)Or, on a more ambitious note, include .pdf (or somesuch) copies of each book on CD with/instead of the book such that eTools can hyperlink right into the rule descriptions.  Adds $1 to the cost of the book but makes e-Tools infinitely more useful by keeping it up-to-date and just maybe allowing it to integrate with a campaign with all the peculiarities therein.Mr. Kaze (isn't disappointed with what it is, but what it could have been -- especially when he's frantically flipping back and forth through Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil trying to keep track of where his players are and the only good e-Tools is giving him is the best-randomized dice roller he's ever seen.)</blockquote>

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