Dragon article format

[JoeGKushner]

I like it. Time to get with the times and make something shaped like a monitor. Yes, it looks odder printed out, but well worth it to be able to read a page without constant flipping up and down the screen. That is the main reason I do not buy pdfs, just too much of a pain to read.

I downloaded and printed out Heathen, and it looks fine. Landscape and all.

Which is why, in this awesome age of technology, they should have a printable version that is... printer friendly! I know we're talking lofty goals and that it requires a little work to actually make the format work for multiple areas but since one of the goals is to embrace technology via the DDI, if they CANNOT do so, they need to go back to print.

 

[JVisgaitis]

Wow, landscape seems pretty popular... I'm obviously in the minority, but that's influenced by the fact that I'd rather print everything out. I guess I need to consider formatting our products landscape when we go 4e...

 

[Asmor]

I love it.

Then again, I also hate printers. I hate printing things. I hate paper. Paper is the root of all evil (money's just a subset thereof).

 

[Zurai]

Which is why, in this awesome age of technology, they should have a printable version that is... printer friendly! I know we're talking lofty goals and that it requires a little work to actually make the format work for multiple areas but since one of the goals is to embrace technology via the DDI, if they CANNOT do so, they need to go back to print.

In this age of technology, everyone should know how to press the one button needed on the Print... interface to change the print from portrait to landscape. If they CANNOT do so, they need to go back to the instruction manual.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I like the Landscape format, but I agree that a "printer friendly" format would also be keen.

I don't think they'll keep it when they go to print. They might do it like the SWSE book, but more likely they'll turn it to portrait because that reads better in the hands.

The format was a pretty genius choice to read on the screen.

 

[hong]

The secret to reading a document printed in landscape is to turn the page by 90 degrees, as opposed to one's head by 90 degrees.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I haven't tried yet how well the landscape format can work in print, but I am sure I can work something out then. (As others have already said, posting in landscape format is possible, and for using in a binder it might also prove very useful.

But I can definitely say that the PDFs are great to read on my monitor, and that's why I want them to keep them.

If they have to change anything, they should just create a second PDF with "normal" paper format. I suppose the problem would be that they had to rework the entire layout, so that might never happen.

 

[Festivus]

I'm just curious if anyone else dislikes the landscape format they are using for the DDI PDFs. Its just a matter of personal preference, but I dislike reading things sideways. If these get compiled into print books later do you think they'll keep the same format?

I like it for a couple reasons. First, I can read the entire page on my wide screen monitor without any scrolling. Second, you can three hole punch the printouts on whichever side you want... in magazine page number order, or turn the page around and hole punch the opposite side... blammo, you can index by subject.

 

[EdPovi]

I like the new landscape format as well, much easier to read on the monitor, and works well in print.

I'm not sure why some consider it "printer unfriendly", I didn't have any issue printing them, in color or B&W.

You even have options on how you want to do 2-sided printing, short or long side, depending on how you want to fllp the pages.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I like it on screen. I like it printed. Why?

For the screen: Obviously, it's closer to the shape of the screen -> less scrolling, more reading.

For the game: Well, the key it's a game resource. Landscape is better for the table where space is a valuable commodity. Landscape material/sheets, DM screens - they all give you more room for stuff on the table, your battlemat, your notes, an overland map and so on.

I also think that landscape invites you to skimming, whereas the normal format forces you to read from top to bottom - good for reading, bad for referencing.

Cheers, LT.