I have a (somewhat lengthy) confession to make

[darjr]

I love the DDI as well.

Note that there is a newer version of firefox that is faster and might help. I must admit that this is the first time I've heard about the pdf issues... the usual questions come to mind... how much memory, what version of pdf reader, so on...

As far as character builders, for GURPS at least there is GCS which is free, updated/supported, is written in Java so it runs on other platforms including linux, and contains lots of stuff from the books and third party stuff. I love GCS. I know that the SJG guys know of it, and don't seem to be bothered by it or the kind of things it includes. The one from SJG for GURPS is, I've heard, very good as well, but not free.

Still, the CB is fantastic.

Edit: http://www.roleplayer.com/Welcome.html

WotC if you are listening, I encourage some one there to at least take a look at it. That goes for everyone else.

 

[Rechan]

HERO also has a character generator - that costs $50.

 

[darjr]

Oh... I love 4e.

I'm also one who loves AD&D 1e and Moldvay Basic. I'd play any edition of D&D with good friends.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Sooo.... you do actually pay for the DDI who does
- is unstable and does not work as intended, i.e. crashes(!) when you download dungeon/dragon pdfs
- generates characters only beyond 3rd level if you actually pay for a feature that is mostly available as a free utility/tool with most other roleplaying games
- contains design stuff to make core rules at last "playable" in a very clunky way (skill challenges)
- VTT gone, yet you still dump your money in the DDI
- What use does a compendium have, if it's electronic? Computers don't belong at the gaming table, not for the GM, not for the players.

Banned from the thread for pretty blatant trolling. Don't do it.

 

[gribble]

Yes, please provide links to character generators that include every option in the company's game line. No other company in the industry does this.

Alpha Omega. Go to Tools -> My Character on the menu, or Character Creation at the bottom. Granted, it isn't actually online yet, but it looks like it'll be a free online character generator, and the screenshots look very nice (like everything AO).

 

[JeffB]

You can get Firefox to download a pdf from Dungeon and Dragon using the following (slightly clunky) process.

1) Right-click the link
2) Click 'Save Link As'
3) Click 'Cancel' or press 'Esc'
4) Right-click the link again
5) Click 'Save Link As' again
6) Note that you now have a .pdf filename, not a download.asp
7) Choose the location you want and save your file.
8) Profit!

I've tried several ways to get them to work without crashing with firefox (sometimes they don't crash but usually they do- and I have the latest version AFAIK.) and the above works best- so far so good. Thanks for the info. Whenever I use the .asp link, and even try to bypass it (by clicking where it says to if it doesn't load) it locks up.

That said, the Compendium still hangs up/crashes w/ FF.

That ALSO said, I really don't mind using IE to counter the issues. It's not a big deal to open another program, just thought I would bring up the FF problems I'm seeing.

By far my biggest disappointment is (as KenMarble stated) DUNGEON. I see 167 only has 2 adventures and one (of course) is part of the AP. I think the early 3.0 era DUNGEON mag was a far better product than the early 4E version has been- perhaps Chris Youngs should go back and take a look to see.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Good for you for trying rather than sticking to pre-conceptions. I think the DDi is a bargain, even with the exchange rate and currency charges on the CC.

I must say how are you disappointed about the VTT when you think PCs have no place in gaming?

As to FF, i use FF exclusively and have no problem. I never load large PDFs into the FFox page (both the Foxit or Adobe plug ins are poor at large PDFs) and always download using FF or (now) Down-Them-All.

I tried Chrome but on these very pages it mucks up the text when you cut and paste, delete etc on the replies. So Chrome is a No No for me

 

[Nikosandros]

I have zero problems using Mozilla.

On Chrome I need a trick to store my password.

Would you mind sharing it? I normally use FF, but sometimes I browse DDI with Chrome.

 

[Holy Bovine]

I too have a confession to make about the DDI and the Compendium and CHarB in particular. If such software had existed when I was playing 3E or even 1E D&D I most likely would never have gotten into 4E. For me the convenience of the CB and Comp are godsends. Any version of D&D I play from now on will simply have to have this level of technological support.

 

[JeffB]

I must say how are you disappointed about the VTT when you think PCs have no place in gaming?

It's def an issue I have with FTF gaming (PC use). I played with a group back in the 3.0 days where 2 of the people involved were constantly using/had thier heads stuck in the computer (one was the DM), and it was beyond annoying- I certainly wouldn't let that one instance sour me on something in general, however I'm also of the mindset that If I need a computer at the table to help me run the game, thats not the kind of game I want to run.

On the flip-side, being that I'm older now, a single parent, and have precious little time to game these days, let alone able to commit to a regular schedule for gaming, the VTT was (is) a HUGE deal to me.