Do you use a computer when playing?

[delericho]

These days I generate almost all my campaign notes, and do almost all of my preparation, using a PC. However, I don't personally use any sort of electronic device at the game table, except perhaps for background music.

That is gradually changing, though - with my current group, there are a couple of players who have been using either an iPad or smartphone at the table to access the SRD. And that is hugely convenient, to the extent that I consider it a massive downside that most books are not in the SRD.

In fact, I now consider it an absolute deal-breaker if a new game does not have electronic copies of the books made available - and even those are a less-than-ideal solution. Something like 4e's DDI Compendium should be the goal, IMO.

 

[Randomthoughts]

How to you manage the building of your adventures? Do you use electronics while gaming?

For my 4e campaign, I build adventures using Word. Stat blocks downloaded from DDI's Monster Builder are found separately in either Excel or Word. Back in the day, I used to write adventures in a notebook with all my reference books spread around me. Now, I've found the Compendium to be ideal, allowing me for example to curl up on the sofa next to my kids while they watch TV.

On the other hand, while I game, I usually just have my adventure and stat blocks printed out. That, plus player's PC sheets, the Rules Compendium and dice, are the only things at the gaming table (typically).

 

[Gilladian]

I use computer for most everything.

My campaign is on my wiki. I keep it open most of the time during the game. I run 3.5 (E6 style) so I pull up the d20 SRD and keep it up.

My current campaign is based on the Dragon's Delve dungeon, which is all available online or as PDF. As I E-6ify the deeper levels, I'll be switching to PDF to run - right now I use the hyperlinked site, which is a joy.

My players both prefer paper for their PCs, but if they did want to use a device, it would probably be an Ipad or Iphone, as that's what they have available.

I have a dual monitor setup so I can turn one monitor around and show the PCs things like NPC drawings and sketches.

I've also been known to have my ipad open at the same time, with a PDF of alternate rules or something...

The only thing I prefer to still do by hand is maps. I can't get myself to learn enough of any of the really good drawing/mapping software to do it via computer.

I love my tech. Oh, and I also run/play in a game on roll20. There, of course, everything is "on the computer"...

 

[JeffB]

If I ever come to the point of feeling the need for a computer to run a pnp rpg session, I will quit. I only used a grid and pawns for a year before I had to get rid of that cos the complication and slow-down drove me nuts.

Nothing wrong with compys for prep, I have PDFs, or consult various SRDs if needed, and often find maps to use online, and save/print them out.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

I use my little nettop machine at the table. I write up my adventure notes on my wiki, include links to all the stat blocks of monsters I want to use from DDI Compendium, and usually I have my maps on the wiki as well.

I do have printouts of maps and any handouts, etc though. I can run a game with or without the computer, it is just a darn handy tool.

As for doing maps, sometimes I do them by hand first and scan them in, sometimes not depending on time and inclination.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

No, I just use notebooks. However, my monster index card collection is so large I might have to buy a small tablet to consult in play. (Carrying around 5 boxes full of index cards is getting ridiculous.)

I do not use a computer for things like character sheets when playing. There's no need for that.

 

[AwesomeOpossum74]

I have a dual monitor setup so I can turn one monitor around and show the PCs things like NPC drawings and sketches.

I find this as an interesting way to add tech to your sessions. Other than sketches, I could also see using it to help my players keep track of things like time, bonuses and other in-game information.

 

[Kinak]

One of my players and I use iPhones (with Pip) for dice rolling. It's actually very convenient as a DM because I can set color-coded groups of dice in advance for different monster's attacks.

We'll also use an iPad with the Pathfinder core rules if we need a third copy, like during character creation.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[Crothian]

No, I don't use any computer device when I DM. Some of the players use them for characters and easier spell look up though.

 

[Alan Shutko]

I'm currently playing in a 2e Undermountain campaign, and I live-map the dungeon in Adobe Illustrator as we go through it. I have symbols and graphic styles set up so that I can do this about as quickly as I could on paper, but it's much easier to correct it when I discover something wrong. It also is handy to be able to just extend the artboard when I find that I started my map in the wrong part of the page....