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<blockquote data-quote="3catcircus" data-source="post: 3181866" data-attributes="member: 16077">Actually, I *don't* expect the data to be changed.&nbsp; The phrase &quot;Hit Die: d8&quot; or &quot;Spells per Day&quot; means the same thing to me whether I read it on paper or on a monitor.&nbsp; By all means, a parser can be considered intellectual property, but the .lst files *aren't*, by themselves, the parser.&nbsp; Actually, I currently scan my books (takes about a week) and OCR them into text files.&nbsp; I then cut-n-paste into DMGenie (takes a few hours) and then spend days or weeks making the scripts work.&nbsp; I've *bought* the books.&nbsp; I've *bought* the scanner and software.&nbsp; I've *bought* DMGenie.&nbsp; I've *already* invested money in the scanner and OCR software, I'm just using them.&nbsp; I invested money in DMGenie because it works well, is easy to use, runs smoothly, has great developer support, and a thriving community.&nbsp; I'm buying the books that interest me - a few extra dollars for access to the data in multiple formats (PCGen, DMGenie, others) would be a big selling point.I'm complaining about PCGen and CMP *because* they have had (until recently) a monopoly on the data in the software arena.&nbsp; No other RPG software publisher was able to officially create datasets, even though their products may be better than E-tools or PCGen.&nbsp; Now that CMP no longer has a license, we'll see what happens.RPG software data files *won't* cause a decrease in book demand - regardless of what Hasbro's beancounters may think, regardless of whatever flawed surveys or polls they used, people still want paper when it comes to quickly and easily referencing something at the game table.&nbsp; Frankly, I'd be willing to spend a few extra bucks for the data.&nbsp; In fact, I'd argue that electronic data will sell *more* books.&nbsp; What is the toughest job in 3.x D&amp;D?&nbsp; Creating NPCs (other than straight-from-the-book monsters).&nbsp; Usually, the BBEG is a high-level human(oid) NPC - something that takes forever to do by hand.&nbsp; What is the 2nd toughest job in 3.x D&amp;D?&nbsp; Running combat.&nbsp; All those feats and abilities.&nbsp; Keeping track of multiple modifiers that may occur due to combat actions.Who is responsible for those two jobs?&nbsp; The DM.&nbsp; Why is Hasbro pushing D&amp;D so hard right now?&nbsp; Because sales are flat.&nbsp; Why are sales flat?&nbsp; Because everyone wants to play and no one wants to DM - hence - no games - no new sales.&nbsp; What makes the job of DMing a hell of a lot easier?&nbsp; Electronic aids.&nbsp; What makes a DM more likely to use a particular electronic aid?&nbsp; Ease of use and rapid access to new data, for very little cost beyond the initial investment.Why do cable and satellite TV do so well?&nbsp; Lots of data at a cheap price.&nbsp; Beyond the initial investment of either buying the satellite receiver or paying the deposit on the cable box, the monthly bill is relatively cheap - cheap than renting all of the movies and shows each month at the video rental store.&nbsp; Why is Tivo killing advertising?&nbsp; Because it is relatively cheap to subscribe but does exactly what the user wants - shifting the data into a format he wants to use.*That* is what an electronic RPG aid needs - some initial costs, but the option of either a very inexpensive subscription or a more expensive lifetime subscription.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="3catcircus, post: 3181866, member: 16077"] Actually, I *don't* expect the data to be changed. The phrase "Hit Die: d8" or "Spells per Day" means the same thing to me whether I read it on paper or on a monitor. By all means, a parser can be considered intellectual property, but the .lst files *aren't*, by themselves, the parser. Actually, I currently scan my books (takes about a week) and OCR them into text files. I then cut-n-paste into DMGenie (takes a few hours) and then spend days or weeks making the scripts work. I've *bought* the books. I've *bought* the scanner and software. I've *bought* DMGenie. I've *already* invested money in the scanner and OCR software, I'm just using them. I invested money in DMGenie because it works well, is easy to use, runs smoothly, has great developer support, and a thriving community. I'm buying the books that interest me - a few extra dollars for access to the data in multiple formats (PCGen, DMGenie, others) would be a big selling point. I'm complaining about PCGen and CMP *because* they have had (until recently) a monopoly on the data in the software arena. No other RPG software publisher was able to officially create datasets, even though their products may be better than E-tools or PCGen. Now that CMP no longer has a license, we'll see what happens. RPG software data files *won't* cause a decrease in book demand - regardless of what Hasbro's beancounters may think, regardless of whatever flawed surveys or polls they used, people still want paper when it comes to quickly and easily referencing something at the game table. Frankly, I'd be willing to spend a few extra bucks for the data. In fact, I'd argue that electronic data will sell *more* books. What is the toughest job in 3.x D&D? Creating NPCs (other than straight-from-the-book monsters). Usually, the BBEG is a high-level human(oid) NPC - something that takes forever to do by hand. What is the 2nd toughest job in 3.x D&D? Running combat. All those feats and abilities. Keeping track of multiple modifiers that may occur due to combat actions. Who is responsible for those two jobs? The DM. Why is Hasbro pushing D&D so hard right now? Because sales are flat. Why are sales flat? Because everyone wants to play and no one wants to DM - hence - no games - no new sales. What makes the job of DMing a hell of a lot easier? Electronic aids. What makes a DM more likely to use a particular electronic aid? Ease of use and rapid access to new data, for very little cost beyond the initial investment. Why do cable and satellite TV do so well? Lots of data at a cheap price. Beyond the initial investment of either buying the satellite receiver or paying the deposit on the cable box, the monthly bill is relatively cheap - cheap than renting all of the movies and shows each month at the video rental store. Why is Tivo killing advertising? Because it is relatively cheap to subscribe but does exactly what the user wants - shifting the data into a format he wants to use. *That* is what an electronic RPG aid needs - some initial costs, but the option of either a very inexpensive subscription or a more expensive lifetime subscription. [/QUOTE]

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