DI OS compatibility?

[Maggan]

Anyone have any news of which OSs are compatible with the DI? From the video my guess is only Windows compatibility, but as I'm on a Mac I'd like my guess to be wrong.

/M

 

[Horacio]

I hope it will be based on web applications, usable by any standard browser in any OS. If not, I'm hoping for a cross-plateform solution like Java.

Anyways, as Linux only user, I really really hope the don't take the Windows-centric route...

 

[Keldryn]

Please not Java... I couldn't bear it if it all runs as slow as PCGen. I've never run a Java app that didn't make my modern PC feel like a 286.

 

[Horacio]

Please not Java... I couldn't bear it if it all runs as slow as PCGen. I've never run a Java app that didn't make my modern PC feel like a 286.

/me passes Saving Throw to resist the urge to begin a debate about Java performances

Anyways, DI will be a client-server application, that's pretty much clear. I only pray for WotC using a standard browser as client.

 

[green slime]

I suspect it'll be using browser-based technology, and so will be fairly platform independant. Of course, there may be some minor problems with regards to various browser upgrades etc, which will in all likelihood cause a storm in a teacup.

 

[Asmor]

/me passes Saving Throw to resist the urge to begin a debate about Java performances

Ha! I was going to say something (and from the sound of it I suspect that we're on opposite sides of the fence) but I'll leave it alone...

All I can say is that if it is browser based, I hope it's flash or shockwave. I can't stand Java (and not because of performance so much as the overall feel). I'd definitely prefer a stand-alone application, though, and in such a case it's just a matter of course that it would be Windows only. Heck, Magic Online is windows only, and that's a huge cash cow for WotC, so if they're not willing to port that then I can't imagine Mac/Linux compatibility is a big issue for them with D&D stuff.

 

[Horacio]

I'd definitely prefer a stand-alone application, though, and in such a case it's just a matter of course that it would be Windows only. Heck, Magic Online is windows only, and that's a huge cash cow for WotC, so if they're not willing to port that then I can't imagine Mac/Linux compatibility is a big issue for them with D&D stuff.

The proportion of Linux/MacOS users in D&D base is greater that in other hobbies base. D&D is far geeker/nerdy than Magic. And geeks use alternative OS more than non-geeks.

I mean, if they make a Windows only application, they are going to have more (and more vocal) reactions from the D&D user base than from the Magic user base.

 

[RFisher]

I mean, if they make a Windows only application, they are going to have more (and more vocal) reactions from the D&D user base than from the Magic user base.

Plus, the benefits of cross-platform development so outstrip the disadvantages, I'm constantly amazed it isn't SOP.

I get so frustrated when a company says they don't have the resources to do cross-platform development when I worked at a three-person company that managed it just fine. (& that was when developing for Microsoft Windows only really meant cross-platform; because Win16, Win95, & WinNT were plenty different enough. Not to mention that supporting both 68K & PowerPC Macs had a few kinks.)

But then when you look at the improvements to your code that cross-platform development provides, the extra revenue, the premium price that non-Windows users are often willing to pay, the increased loyalty you get from non-Windows customers, & the confidence that--if another platform suddenly becomes the preferred choice for your niche of customers--you'll be able to weather it just fine...as I said, I just don't get why so many companies don't do it.

 

[kaomera]

I expect it will do cross-platform OK (or at least I'll be horrified if it doesn't), but I really hope it runs ok on older machines. I really didn't like all the talk about playing with light sources in the video that got posted. For one thing I think we've found the digital equivalent of dice-stacking ("Tom, would you pay attention and stop playing with your torch!" ), and for another I can think of a lot of stuff that should be getting priority over "cool lighting effects"...

 

[JVisgaitis]

If it doesn't run on my Mac, I am going to flip and lose my mind.