Mystery Man
First Post
Altamont Ravenard said:
I use a tablet pc and keep everything in MS OneNote. The ability to use a pen and write/draw and type is opening up new doors for me every game session.
DMing from a Laptop
- Thread starter Altamont Ravenard
- Start date
I use a tablet pc and keep everything in MS OneNote. The ability to use a pen and write/draw and type is opening up new doors for me every game session.
Trainz
Explorer
Steel Wind,
I have the perfect application for your set-up.
Download Interactive Dungeon, and give it a try on your setup:
http://www.geocities.com/trainz_ca/ID
It's made by me and my friend Jérôme. We had your setup in mind when we created our software. We currently only use it on the computer screen, as we have integrated minis icons for our battle map, but now I need your setup. You could still use ID without the minis icons though, and simply put your minis on the battle map.
The nice thing with ID is that you move the party's point of view as they advance through the dungeon, revealing only what they can immediately see.
Jérôme is currently doing some preleminary analysis for ID 3. We don't know if we'll program it this year though.
Altamont, you should try ID on your laptop. You might find it useful, but your players would need to see the screen during combat. You couldn't then use it for other things (during fights at least). Or you could use one laptop for ID, and one for all other gaming chores.
YMMV
I have the perfect application for your set-up.
Download Interactive Dungeon, and give it a try on your setup:
http://www.geocities.com/trainz_ca/ID
It's made by me and my friend Jérôme. We had your setup in mind when we created our software. We currently only use it on the computer screen, as we have integrated minis icons for our battle map, but now I need your setup. You could still use ID without the minis icons though, and simply put your minis on the battle map.
The nice thing with ID is that you move the party's point of view as they advance through the dungeon, revealing only what they can immediately see.
Jérôme is currently doing some preleminary analysis for ID 3. We don't know if we'll program it this year though.
Altamont, you should try ID on your laptop. You might find it useful, but your players would need to see the screen during combat. You couldn't then use it for other things (during fights at least). Or you could use one laptop for ID, and one for all other gaming chores.
YMMV
squat45
First Post
Do it... on my own terms
Maybe because I am a programmer and a computer geek, I've been using a self-created program for ages now (since 2E days). Initially, we played in the basement of our old house and the desktop computer was nearby... now I've got a laptop with a wireless LAN all set up to play - works great at home and it may work down at the neighbors (where we usually play)...
I use a combo of VB/Access right now, started off using Centura Team Developer (if you know what that is you're in the definate minority). Taking a class to upgrade to .NET next week - very hopeful that I can convert it. The benefit of all this is that I get to use my hobby to better learn how to do my job - how cool is that. I don't know how many times I've had to look in my D&D program to figure out something for work...
In my program, I have all the monsters that I need and can random generate HP, I track encounters and have all the adventure text. I also have links to the SRD (text version, kept locally) and a dice roller all built in. I am always tweaking the program, figure that it is about 75% complete. I also use some very complex, but cool-looking reports I built in Access as character sheets... no more writing everything up or tracking everything seperately - I tried to go back and just can't. I've thought about making it "public", but I am sooooooo not in compliant with legality on the content I don't even want to try.
No, don't use a screen, the laptop has everything on it and I cna just blank it if I need to. All the monster's attacks are handled on the computer (so if the baddie does 2d8+6 damage, the computer rolls a "d20", adds to hit bonus, rolls the critical confirm and rolls damage all at once). It has sped our combats up!!!
Now, it does really suck when you find a bug in the program in the middle of the adventure...
Maybe because I am a programmer and a computer geek, I've been using a self-created program for ages now (since 2E days). Initially, we played in the basement of our old house and the desktop computer was nearby... now I've got a laptop with a wireless LAN all set up to play - works great at home and it may work down at the neighbors (where we usually play)...
I use a combo of VB/Access right now, started off using Centura Team Developer (if you know what that is you're in the definate minority). Taking a class to upgrade to .NET next week - very hopeful that I can convert it. The benefit of all this is that I get to use my hobby to better learn how to do my job - how cool is that. I don't know how many times I've had to look in my D&D program to figure out something for work...
In my program, I have all the monsters that I need and can random generate HP, I track encounters and have all the adventure text. I also have links to the SRD (text version, kept locally) and a dice roller all built in. I am always tweaking the program, figure that it is about 75% complete. I also use some very complex, but cool-looking reports I built in Access as character sheets... no more writing everything up or tracking everything seperately - I tried to go back and just can't. I've thought about making it "public", but I am sooooooo not in compliant with legality on the content I don't even want to try.
No, don't use a screen, the laptop has everything on it and I cna just blank it if I need to. All the monster's attacks are handled on the computer (so if the baddie does 2d8+6 damage, the computer rolls a "d20", adds to hit bonus, rolls the critical confirm and rolls damage all at once). It has sped our combats up!!!
Now, it does really suck when you find a bug in the program in the middle of the adventure...
squat45
First Post
Do it... on my own terms
Maybe because I am a programmer and a computer geek, I've been using a self-created program for ages now (since 2E days). Initially, we played in the basement of our old house and the desktop computer was nearby... now I've got a laptop with a wireless LAN all set up to play - works great at home and it may work down at the neighbors (where we usually play)...
I use a combo of VB/Access right now, started off using Centura Team Developer (if you know what that is you're in the definate minority). Taking a class to upgrade to .NET next week - very hopeful that I can convert it. The benefit of all this is that I get to use my hobby to better learn how to do my job - how cool is that. I don't know how many times I've had to look in my D&D program to figure out something for work...
In my program, I have all the monsters that I need and can random generate HP, I track encounters and have all the adventure text. I also have links to the SRD (text version, kept locally) and a dice roller all built in. I am always tweaking the program, figure that it is about 75% complete. I also use some very complex, but cool-looking reports I built in Access as character sheets... no more writing everything up or tracking everything seperately - I tried to go back and just can't. I've thought about making it "public", but I am sooooooo not in compliant with legality on the content I don't even want to try.
No, don't use a screen, the laptop has everything on it and I cna just blank it if I need to. All the monster's attacks are handled on the computer (so if the baddie does 2d8+6 damage, the computer rolls a "d20", adds to hit bonus, rolls the critical confirm and rolls damage all at once). It has sped our combats up!!!
Now, it does really suck when you find a bug in the program in the middle of the adventure...
Maybe because I am a programmer and a computer geek, I've been using a self-created program for ages now (since 2E days). Initially, we played in the basement of our old house and the desktop computer was nearby... now I've got a laptop with a wireless LAN all set up to play - works great at home and it may work down at the neighbors (where we usually play)...
I use a combo of VB/Access right now, started off using Centura Team Developer (if you know what that is you're in the definate minority). Taking a class to upgrade to .NET next week - very hopeful that I can convert it. The benefit of all this is that I get to use my hobby to better learn how to do my job - how cool is that. I don't know how many times I've had to look in my D&D program to figure out something for work...
In my program, I have all the monsters that I need and can random generate HP, I track encounters and have all the adventure text. I also have links to the SRD (text version, kept locally) and a dice roller all built in. I am always tweaking the program, figure that it is about 75% complete. I also use some very complex, but cool-looking reports I built in Access as character sheets... no more writing everything up or tracking everything seperately - I tried to go back and just can't. I've thought about making it "public", but I am sooooooo not in compliant with legality on the content I don't even want to try.
No, don't use a screen, the laptop has everything on it and I cna just blank it if I need to. All the monster's attacks are handled on the computer (so if the baddie does 2d8+6 damage, the computer rolls a "d20", adds to hit bonus, rolls the critical confirm and rolls damage all at once). It has sped our combats up!!!
Now, it does really suck when you find a bug in the program in the middle of the adventure...
Ogrork the Mighty
Explorer
Keepiru said:
Thanks! I got mine working.
MythosaAkira
Explorer
squat45 said:
Wow - I never thought I'd see the word "Centura" on ENWorld
I know what that is because I still have to deal with it at work (legacy apps).
Mean Eyed Cat
Explorer
I use an NPC Generator, an Inn Generator, the Quick & Easy SRD, word processed notes for my current game, and numerous PDFs for reference.
I use my laptop a lot as I GM. I still keep a stack of books next to me, some hand written forms and a DM Screen, but my laptop is able to speed things up a little more during game time and I think I would be lost without it.
I use my laptop a lot as I GM. I still keep a stack of books next to me, some hand written forms and a DM Screen, but my laptop is able to speed things up a little more during game time and I think I would be lost without it.
Ellie_the_Elf
First Post
- Where do you put the "adventure" (event and location descriptions)? Word? Other? - How do you manage NPC's and Monsters? Excel? - How do you manage (unidentified) magic items? - What about maps (for you)? - What about visual aids (for the players)? - What other programs/aids do you have installed - Do you use a Dice roller instead of dice? - Do you still use a DM's screen? - Anything else? QUOTE said:I bought my laptop in August and wouldn't be without it for Dming now
Mine came with MS OneNote installed, which I use for pretty much everything- lots of sections to keep it all organised- one each for important NPCs (which I try to keep up to date after each game) One for each important location or general area, monster stats and treasure lists (copied over from Etools), one for adventure notes -I'm sure you get the idea.
I mostly use Etools for NPC/monster stat generation if it's something with class levels, but otherwise I use the books. I have a combat sheet in excel, just 1 column of numbers 1-30 and a blank column next to it (which I use to track initiative) and I keep hit points/spells in effect on there too (just typed in whatever random box I click on)
I give my players an index card for each item they pick up which I put the description and a code on, and keep a master list in OneNote of what each thing actually is.
i bought CC2Pro for maps but only use it occasionally. Mostly my maps are scribbled creations on scraps of paper which my players laugh at. I'm planning on getting a graphics tablet so I can at least scribble them on screen. I have some visual aids on the laptop for the players and just turn it round to show them when necessary. Anything they'll need to reference more than once I print off.
I use Etools and JH Name Gen Gold and an electronic DM screen I found (which has most of the main tables on it) fairly extensively. I also have DM Genie and numerous free programmes installed which I use from time to time, and a copy of the SRD (but mostly I forget it's there and look things up in books) As well as MANY pdfs- I've done most of my book shopping at RPG Now the past few months. I use the dice roller that's built into Etools and don't bother with a DM screen unless I need lots of the scribbled on scraps of paper maps that particular week!
I hope to get my hands on a projector at some point- it looks amazing!
Ellie
