Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fractalwave" data-source="post: 1185328" data-attributes="member: 6399">InteroperabilityThat is probably the most intelligent statement made in this thread thus far and the main reason I have not taken part in it until now.On Interoperability:Interoperability and the degree of interoperability sought is a function of users requesting it. As such, it should not be ignored or automatically rejected since everyone, open source or closed commercial product, benefits from meeting the requests of their users. That happens to be my personal belief as well as my business approach.The degree to which interoperability can be achieved, assuming we all agree to it, is debatable. Even though we all use the same basic information, we handle it differently. That is something Twin Rose Software will likely not even investigate until agreements can be reached. However, from what I've seen, the programs simply are not set up to allow one dataset to move freely between them. To complain about something happening which at this time just isn't possible seems a bit silly to me. To complain about someone's desire for interoperability when discussions have not been completed is also just as silly since the degree of interoperability has not been determined and the discussions are not over.To illustrate the point of view of users:We have users who have coded their entire campaigns into Campaign Suite. Many happen to own all the other software available including DM Genie, DMF, PC Gen, etc. In their gaming groups, they provide the campaign rules etc and let the players know they accept character information in any of these other formats. These people have requested the ability to accept and transfer to and from these other programs various information, but mostly character information. Some of this information is already transferable in the form of statblocks configurable by the user. To move further requires more agreements with those in charge of other software products and other websites (there are some online gaming sites interested).A function of the market is the FACT, not supposition, that users are going to freely transfer information. They will do so unofficially if we do nothing to enhance interoperability simply because they can and want to do so. While doing so may involve a great deal of effort on their part, it will still likely be done by somebody who will eventually share the information.Our choice, as those who control the software products in question, is to either work together and provide something official which meets their needs without violating copyrights or other agreements or to just let them do it. There are many benefits to working together and that would be the best choice in my opinion.What will be done officially? That remains to be seen.</blockquote>

Verification