Blog posts on DDI should be free

[Keefe the Thief]

The truth of it is that the magazines no longer exist. What they have now is dedicated online content (and more of it) available for a fee that has partically replaced the online content they used to have completely for free. Magazines are physical objects. eZines are not virtual magazines. As someone who does some ePublishing, I know this. Some people might accept the alternative but that doesn't make it an actual replacement.

And when we build a character with the character builder, we actually didn´t build a character. Because eCharcterbuilding is not Characterbuilding. As someone on the internet, i know this. Some people might accept the alternative, but that doesn´t make it an actual replacement.

*goes to read dragon 382*

 

[Scribble]

But the things I referenced in my earlier posts - Ampersand's lackluster sale pitches, moving previously free content (preview material) behind the DDI walls - just doesn't strike me as very positive. If you assess it differently, please say so and explain to me why.

Well I don't fully agree... There were always upcoming product pitches in all the magazines, even if it was just purchased ad space. Part of reading a magazine is wanting to stay on top of what's happening (and will be happening) in your hobby. I like the ampersand columns.

As for the "previously free content" I don't really agree either. They still offer free preview stuff on the front page.

The not free preview stuff is a new concept, and fits in with the whole "insider" thing.

You can still get cool free stuff, but I'm an insider, so I get cooler stuff.


As for the other part... I think it's possible to "notice a trend" without specifically implying motives on anyone's part.

 

[Mark]

The only thing I really miss about the paper format is the actual physicality of it, (. . .)

That's the difference between a magazine and online content. The magazines no longer exist. And, no, an eBook is not a book.



(And for those of you trying to twist this to a debate about quality, or the functionality of the electronic tools, that doesn't enter into it. My point is strictly about the loss of a physical product.)

 

[Windjammer]

As for the "previously free content" I don't really agree either. They still offer free preview stuff on the front page.

Hey, I agree with that! I think the preview material they offer for free is great (and never said it was too little - that wasn't my complaint). The amount of free preview material you get for e.g. Underdark or Draconomicon 1 is astounding. I suppose if anyone went through the effort to collate all preview PDFs of 4E books from 2008-2010, while only ever buying the core ruleset, well ... I guess he got several hundred pages of free book material to supplement his 4E experience.

Windjammer uses the word "filler" and I have to admit I've used the same word regarding the e-zines before. Which is disappointing, because I find the content that actually makes it into the rulebooks and sourcebooks to be top-notch.

Same here! Just lining up Monster Manual 2, Revenge of the Giants, and Draconomicon 2 - 2009 has been a great year for book-buying 4E DMs! And my players loved PH 2 and Divine Power.

 

[Mark]

As for the "previously free content" I don't really agree either. They still offer free preview stuff on the front page.

The amount of free preview content they give away now is not even close to the amount free material that was given away previously. Understand, I am not saying they owe anyone anything, nor that they are obligated to give away anything. I am merely pointing out the obvious comparison. Search the site for free 3.X adventures or sidetracks and the previews from the 3.X era, plus all of the past edition material that was freely given during the 3.X era, and it is readily apparent that there is a disparity. No need to agree or disagree, just look and see.

 

[Mournblade94]

Actually Mournblade, you're right. I went back and reread things and you're correct. I over reacted. My bad. Serves me right for not reading so clearly.

For the record, I never called you, nor even wanted to call you a leech. That's way above and beyond, and, I think I fanned the flames there, so, I gotta wear a bit of that. My bad.

No harm done! Much appreciated! And thank you!

 

[Scribble]

The amount of free preview content they give away now is not even close to the amount free material that was given away previously. Understand, I am not saying they owe anyone anything, nor that they are obligated to give away anything. I am merely pointing out the obvious comparison. Search the site for free 3.X adventures or sidetracks and the previews from the 3.X era, plus all of the past edition material that was freely given during the 3.X era, and it is readily apparent that there is a disparity. No need to agree or disagree, just look and see.

I don't care how much they offered in the past- they still offer a bunch of free content, and stuff related to the game.

I also think they offer a lot more now then they get credit for.

Podcasts, chats with wizards people via the community, free games at stores coming up, (along with free goodies for the DMs) free CB up to level 3 free use of the compendium (even if just as an index.) Free wiki to host your game info. Free starter rules...

Even their twitter/facebook feeds tend to be a cool resource for pointing me towards cool stuff for my game.

 

[Hussar]

That's the difference between a magazine and online content. The magazines no longer exist. And, no, an eBook is not a book.



(And for those of you trying to twist this to a debate about quality, or the functionality of the electronic tools, that doesn't enter into it. My point is strictly about the loss of a physical product.)

Hang on a tick though.

I read my e-stuff on my Ipod touch using Stanza. How is that so different than the physical book/magazine I used to read? I still read in the same places (yup, that one too), still read by holding something in my hand and turning pages.

So, how is an e-book not a book?

((Not looking for a fight here, just honestly curious about this. I've never really thought of the fact that I read REH's books both in paper and e-format as being very different.))

 

[Tinker Gnome]

Hang on a tick though.

I read my e-stuff on my Ipod touch using Stanza. How is that so different than the physical book/magazine I used to read? I still read in the same places (yup, that one too), still read by holding something in my hand and turning pages.

So, how is an e-book not a book?

((Not looking for a fight here, just honestly curious about this. I've never really thought of the fact that I read REH's books both in paper and e-format as being very different.))

People like paper.

 

[Mark]

People like paper.

Some do indeed. Personally, I'd rather we move as much away from paper as possible to handheld electronic devices that include ways to mark up and manipulate materials being viewed on them and then store that material again inclusive of the changes/markups. Certainly as an ePub I'd love the switch to become more universal but also as a returning student I would much prefer to be carrying a simple tablet of some sort with all of my textbooks on it (even if I had to convert them to PDFs all on my own!)

But the simple matter of fact is that some people prefer the physical object, such as a magazine, and this means that online content can be an alternate but never a replacement for them. And there are legitimate gripes about how much they can be shared, about reselling them, and taking them places where you might not want to have an electronic device, that are never adequately addressed by us proponents of electronic medium, and never will be.

Anyway, that's my point and as a (sometime, small) ePub, it's something I need to recognize as actual, real, and legitimate as an obstacle or I make no headway in helping reduce it as an objection toward electronic medium. My use of clever language to try and redefine the lack of physicality in the delivery of material doesn't make the problem go away, it just makes it appear I am trying to ignore the facts or pretend they don't exist. And that doesn't help anybody.