I just Got A Laptop DMs please help!

[Kid Charlemagne]

I use my laptop in game primarily to access the SRD and to run initiative in combat; I've got a simple Excel sheet that has a sorting macro so that I can rearrange initiative anyway I need to. Its very handy.

I have seen DM's who get lost in the PC when running a game, looking for that one file that they want to get. Because the PC can hold every single thing you've ever written about your game, ever, and sometimes its tempting to look through absolutely all of it to find the exact thing you're looking for. Don't let that happen - it is something to watch out for.

I do most of my session prep work in MS Word and E-Tools. I've thought of trying to take notes during game on my laptop, but I worry that I'd be doing the "getting lost in my laptop" thing, so I don't.

 

[The Levitator]

I have seen DM's who get lost in the PC when running a game, looking for that one file that they want to get. Because the PC can hold every single thing you've ever written about your game, ever, and sometimes its tempting to look through absolutely all of it to find the exact thing you're looking for. Don't let that happen - it is something to watch out for.

This is a good point, but again, I've seen DM's do the same thing with a 3 ring binder and a stack of notebooks. I think I was actually more like that when I was working out of binders, because it was harder to stay organized and it took longer to find things. Now I only have to look at my laptop during combat, and glance at it to keep track of my campaign. One thing to keep in mind is that you will spend more time with whatever tool you choose to use initially, until you become familiar with it. It might help to give your players a heads up whenever you are trying something different in your GM'ing style and ask for their patience. I've yet to meet a player who didn't appreciate a GM trying to find ways to improve the game. Another thing that helped me was to practice. I actually set up mock combats to learn how to use the combat manager in DM Genie. I also ran a couple of solo sessions with my players, so that I could get used to using the new tools in a simpler environment.

But Kid Charlemagne raises a good red flag. Understand that you will probably spend more time than usual with any new tool or method to GM. Just be aware of it and remind yourself that no tool can replace fun and exciting cooperative storytelling!

 

[Nifft]

Just looking at tools I've written myself, my command-line Python dice roller has sped up combat immensely. 20d6 damage? Saving throws for 15 NPCs? No problem.

Then there's the background music playlists for mood-setting in new environments, combat, etc.

And of course the searchable SRD for looking up spells. I love Firefox typeahead.

Cheers, -- N

 

[DonTadow]

But Kid Charlemagne raises a good red flag. Understand that you will probably spend more time than usual with any new tool or method to GM. Just be aware of it and remind yourself that no tool can replace fun and exciting cooperative storytelling!

Whether it's a laptop or a binder the key is to be organized and stay focused on the game. The thing i love about dmgenie and my laptop is that while the pcs are rpg'n i can setup the next combat and read about whatever is coming without them knowing a thing. I preroll everyone's intiaitive, so when they come across the dinosaur trap, the combat starts right then and there, Instead of me fumbling around asking for initiative, putting things in order and trying to read over the monsters stats. This alone saves a bundle. With this campaign I put in a script to randomize combat every round, which the party seems to enjoy more.

As far as files i keep every book i use open on my laptop referenced to the page i need them on. Again, dmgenie helps out with this because i can usually copy and paste what i need on an npc or creature in that creature's notes section, meaning less pdfs up.

 

[The Levitator]

With this campaign I put in a script to randomize combat every round, which the party seems to enjoy more.

We also roll initiative every round, but I have been doing it manually in DM Genie. Would you mind sending me your script to roll initiative every round? I thought I saw it in a thread once on the DM Genie boards but since haven't been able to find it.

 

[Steel_Wind]

I'm pretty surprised by this comment steel wind . Don't you use a laptop to run your projector game???? Isn't that helping you run the game?

There's little difference between using a laptop and burying your head in notes and books the whole session

Once more, let me clarify.

Of course I use a laptop for digital projection. It's great. It makes the game run more smoothly and makes it more fun. It centers the attention of the players at the table. It is technology which unites players over a common purpose and point of attention - it is not technology that divides.

If you use a laptop at your gaming session - and it's working for you and makes things go more smoothly - you should use it.

The point is this: DMs who fumble through rulebooks are distracting themselves - and their players - from the game. That's not the preferable way to run a session. That's sub-optimal.

Fumbling through rulebooks is bad.

That assessment does not change when you are fumbling through files on a laptop. In fact, it's usually much worse.

If you can use your technology to make the game run more smoothly, do it. Work on that aspect of your game between sessions to make it work. But don't put your players in the position during the game where you are trying to learn the programs and tech and make all of this work for you during the actual game session.

There is nothing worse than having a game come to a grinding halt. The cause of that halt can be: fumbling through the rulebooks for grappling rules, say, or having someone call on a cell phone at the wrong moment, ... or twittering with a .pdf file or some other program that ostensibly is there to "assist" but, frankly, just isn't making things go more smoothly for you - or anybody else.

Learn your tools between sessions - not AT the session. It's there to help move the game along.

When you find yourself straining to make the laptop useful during the session - that's the time to close the lid and pay attention to your game and your players - and not your new toy.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

The SRD 3.5 Revised (Full) Bundle is wildly popular and the reviews for it are available to read at the EN World eStore.

This has saved my hide as a GM more than once. I highly recommend it.

 

[DonTadow]

When you find yourself straining to make the laptop useful during the session - that's the time to close the lid and pay attention to your game and your players - and not your new toy.

But I don't think he's straining, he has the toy and was asking for advice to use it in game. No different than those asking how to setup a digital projection using their laptop. There's no difference. I had a friend try to use digital projection his second campaign and he fumbled through trying to get the maps up, the pieces moved etc. It worked out eventually but you got to start somewhere.