Electronic Aids for Gaming Table

[Aluvial]

In what way?

I had gotten some suggestions from you for revising the program, but no offence, you tend to take a irratated stance when it comes to this one. The tablesmith program (which I'm on the list for) is fully supported by yourself and others who enjoy it but in the case of Campaign Sage, you do not.

When inquiring about expanding Campaign Sage, you were helpful, making small suggestions till a point, and explained that I was the only one who ever asked questions about working with the program.

I (of course) completely understand that what I was asking for would require more than just a casual response and was asking for you to help with the modification, but it was the way that you dismissed inquiries the last two times I've dealt with you in the past year and a half, that have made me wish that you were a little more patient.

Regardless, I really like the application and have now found more helpful parties in understanding it's inner workings. I have modified the program to my own tastes and only wish their were others who have modified and added to the existing files so I could share with them.

When offering to help you with inputting the data for help with modifying the program, you met me with a cool demeanor and eventually turned me away.

Since this is the second time in a year and a half that I've requested help and have gotten a "cool" response, I've just moved elsewhere...

Rest assured I'm not redistibuting Campaign Sage in any way, although I have no problem sharing my modified XML files which have taken days to input.

Again, I really enjoy the application and have furthered it a great deal. Thanks to you for having the idea and doing the initial work. This program would be a boon to any DM.

I hope you are able to accept this critism without hurt feelings or anger, because truly, I don't wish to further exasperate the problem any further. I merely suggest that when given high praise and asked for a little help, you don't let your impatience show so much.

Aluvial

 

[MythosaAkira]

On that note, I tried again recently to send you money, but pulled out when I couldn't find out how much you wanted for a TableSmith registration. Least I could do, since your excellent TableSmith functionality is integrated into RPM.

How much? You might want to update your website.

Thanks I guess I should post that on the Web site; I have the registration information listed in the help files, under "Legal Information", which isn't the most intuitive place to look.

In any case, registration is $5.

 

[MythosaAkira]

I hope you are able to accept this critism without hurt feelings or anger, because truly, I don't wish to further exasperate the problem any further. I merely suggest that when given high praise and asked for a little help, you don't let your impatience show so much.

Are you the gentleman that was looking to add a "Feats" category to Sage? If so, I would like to address your above statements. If not, I'm curious as to what I may have said to elicit this sort of statement, as I generally try to do my best to help out people who contact me, without expressing "irritation" or "impatience".

 

[Aluvial]

I'm curious as to what I may have said to elicit this sort of statement, as I generally try to do my best to help out people who contact me, without expressing "irritation" or "impatience".

I wish that I had saved your emails. Really it isn't a problem; just take it as constructive criticism. About a year and a half ago, I contacted you about your first version of Sage and wanted to add some spells to it. You basically told me off.

When I contacted you six months ago about your newest version, and doing something similar you had a very uninterested, and the word that I want to use is 'cool' response about supporting your products.

Essentially you told me that if I didn't know what I was doing that I should look elsewhere for help.

I never tried to add Feats but that is a good idea. Sincerely I don't wish you any ill will, you just didn't have time to help me and your demeanor towards novices is less than kind and helpful. I thought that since you asked, I would tell you...

Don't sweat it. Because of your application I have learned many programming techniques and because you didn't steer me in the right direction it spurned me to learn how to modify it to my own purposes. In a way, I appreciate it.

I've been using the first version of Campaign Sage for 6-8 months with great success at the gaming table and am working on the new version... Feats are a great idea. Give me the mailing address of that other fellow and I will help him out.

Aluvial

 

[MythosaAkira]

I wish that I had saved your emails. Really it isn't a problem; just take it as constructive criticism. About a year and a half ago, I contacted you about your first version of Sage and wanted to add some spells to it. You basically told me off.

I wish you'd saved them too, since I have no recollection about what you're saying. When someone asks me a question about any of my utilities, I do what I can to help them out, regardless of whether they're a novice or an experienced computer person. I may direct them elsewhere if they're asking questions about something that I don't have time to discuss (like, say, how to create XML documents). I also try to be as helpful as I can, though my responses are generally geared towards the demeanor of the message I receive. If someone is overly demanding, rude, or obnoxious, I may not be as courteous to them as I would be to someone who isn't, but I don't recall ever "telling anyone off", nor would I intentionally do so. Nor would I intentionally be impatient, dismissive, "cold", or any of the other things you accuse me of.

I suppose we may have different interpretations of what those things mean, but since neither of us have the messages to refer to, there's not much more to say, and I think we've hijacked this thread long enough.

 

[Aluvial]

Really, I'm sorry if I offended you. If you wish to discuss it further you can reach me at aluvial@nwngha.com

Just send me a mail. Also consider sending me that other fellows email, I think putting Feats into Campaign Sage is an excellent idea.

Aluvial

 

[Luke]

About a year and a half ago, I contacted you about your first version of Sage and wanted to add some spells to it. You basically told me off.

Aluvial, I don't know your particular circumstances, but I can speak as an RPG developer and somebody who is familiar with Bruce. I'll say this:

Firstly, its pretty easy to misinterpret somebody's "tone" through the written text of emails and messageboards. Thats the nature of the game, and I have a thread here a couple of days old here on RPM 3.0 where I said something "risky" and got misinterpreted by AuldGrump.

Secondly, its not easy doing RPG development. If there's anyone out there actually making money out of providing RPG software to the community, good on them (too Australian?), but basically we do it because we love this addictive game, and we enjoy providing stuff for others who feel the same way.
When an RPG fan (such as yourself) wants to make a contribution and get involved, its typically very well recieved, but not necessarily easy to deal with. Personally, in 9 months I've recieved some 4700 e-mails, and sent 2400. Obviously I reply to about half the e-mails, and I hope I actually respond every time a rsponse would be expected. Regardless, things will sometimes slip through the cracks (aka a statblock comment I missed from Scott in that same thread). This is typically about passion, and sometimes (often?)I (we?) are replying at something like 3:00am in the morning, and perhaps the reply doesn't get the tone and full justice that is hoped for. Neither you or I know what Bruce's load might be like, but I'd personally ask for the benefit of the doubt with such things.

Lastly, my experience of Bruce is a patient, friendly, and dedicated RPGer.

I don't want to talk too much on a situation that doesn't personally involve me, but I offer this as a bit of a typical (?) insight , and hope that nobody "out there" is under the impression that I've ignored their suggestions because they didn't see something happen within 2 software releases

Regards,

 

[SJ]

...For on the fly data access, I love Campaign Sage exclusively. I don't want complicated UIs or complex programs, I just want quick data. Bruce's program does just this: it doesn't do stuff for me, it makes it easier for me to do stuff. Big difference. I don't like fiddling with computer programs. ...

Whoa, Campaign Sage is really cool. I actually *do* like fiddling with computer programs, but the reason I haven't been bringing my laptop to the table is despite my practicing off-line, other DM tools just don't save me time or make my life easier. Combat mgmt is just hard to do, despite the fact that most of these tools are very slick.

So the "quick data" mantra is for me. And Campaign Sage fits that bill. If there's a community for this I'd love to join it. The first thing I did with it was add a chart with my various parties' character statblocks (instant dm party sheet) Now if I could just find a way to quickly get stuff from TableSmith and Campaign Suite (like NPC's, locations, and Encounters) linked or saved into Sage my table-side life would be complete.

SJ

 

[Kevin Rau]

Online Encounter Generator

I thought I'd pass along a tool I created on my website. In a nutshell, I've found over time that my encounters were...bland to put it nicely. All the monsters had the same health, same weapon (if needed), and I had the bad habit of rolling up loot after the encounter. (Bad idea, the monsters rarely got to use their magic items.)

So I started a hunt for a computer utility that would do it for me (and not just the basics of the encounter, I wanted everything filled in). No luck.

So I made one.

Here the one of the most complete online or computer program tool to generate DND3E encounters I've ever found. (And below is what it does.) It's a free tool (one reason I made it web-based), and may help you create some of the most GM-work-free detailed encounters (the monsters/loot/stats) that you'll find.

If you like it, or think I should add something, please let me know!

Kev
kevinrau11@new.rr.com
http://www.platemail.org

http://www.platemail.org -> Click on RPG -> Click on
Edit/Generate Encounters.

Here's what it does:

1. Rolls the "dice" to determine the number of each monster.
2. Lists a summary of core monster stats for each type of monster
included on the encounter.
3. Rolls up attributes (STR/INT/...), HP for every monster.
4. If weapon(s) and/or armor is needed, it generates random items of a size somewhat appropriate to that monster.
5. Rolls up random treasure items for each monster.
6. Automatically determines the AC, TH bonuses for melee/ranged
attacks using the primary and secondary weapons, and applies
attribute bonuses and magical bonuses to stats so the GM doesn't have to calculate anything.
8. Determines if any items are magical, and applies any bonuses to attributes, HP, HD, AC, TH, Damage, and saves.
9. Gathers all magic items together and lists them in a GM magical
treasure section.
10. Gathers all nonmagic items together and lists them in a Player
treasure section (magic items are separated but not listed for
powers - make 'em cast spells or visit a mage!). The sheet of paper (when printed) can just be cut above the line printed and just handed to players at the end of the encounter if desired.
11. Generates gems and coinage, and lists them at the bottom.

 

[SJ]

I would like to share my Campaign Sage content... I sent you an email to this regard... Keep your eye out for it!

Aluvial

Aluvial, I'd like to join in on the Sage content exchange if possible. I haven't added data yet, but I can definitely see myself adding data from various supplements (BOEM, FRCS, etc.) If there's a community for this tool we could share the love.


SJ