I just got an e-mail...

[RangerWickett]

Um, I cancelled Asgard magazine a few weeks ago. We did it because we're better off paying people for quality art and writing (which we have the capacity to do), than accepting free work which sometimes people don't put as much effort into.

Of course, I wouldn't b*tch at anyone for putting out free material. I mean, come on, there's tons of great free stuff available on the House Rules forum, and I don't complain at them. Thing is, though, for most people at least, it's hard to maintain a work ethic and put out quality work when you're not making any money off it. Of course, if I had a good job that paid well and gave me enough free time to write gaming stuff, I'd still try to sell my work, because if people think it's good enough to pay for, why not accept their praise?

 

[mythusmage]

I just got a disturbing e-mail from someone who shall remain nameless that was basically bitching me out because I offer a free D20 Ezine PDF for download at my site. The person stated that I was 'hurting' the E-publishing D20 industry by offering material for free.

Do you guys feel that way? That by offering a free PDF product that I am somehow undermining those publishers who choose to publish PDFs for profit?

I am confused and just slightly angry at the accusations this person spouted at me.

The folks at The d20 Magazine Rack have about half a dozen free zines. Tell him to go kvetch at my "publisher"

 

[Strutinan]

I got something similar back when I was doing up a d20 conversion for Dark Sun. I also got (far more) fan mail.

I gave up on publically distributing the conversion, and now that I've finished it we just use it locally. I often regret not "sticking to my guns" and all that, but I've got so much on my palte these days that I just don't have the time to return to a losing battle.

Whay you have to ask yourself is wether or not YOU want to stick it out, and keep publishing the e-zine. Does it please more people than it cheeses off? Is it consuming more time than you can alot to it? Is it worth it from an emotional perspecitve? An (most importantly) once it becomes a part of people's routine's, will you be able to KEEP publishing it?

 

[Nellisir]

People angry about free stuff? Nell confused.


Seriously, people get angry emails because they charge too little??

Tell them, in lieu of payment, you'll accept proof that they've bought Voadam's Mystical Compendium.

Cheers
Nell.

 

[Nellisir]

I like doing free stuff. I don't have the time to commit to anything, as I would if there were money involved, and it keeps me busy. I like to think I write well enough to earn money doing so, but it's not an obligation.

Nell.

 

[smetzger]

This person really needs to send me one of those emails.

I have worked on EN World's guide to free adventures, I have d20 Summon Monster Stat blocks on my web page, I have a random NPC generator on my sight, and a I have a program that produces stat blocks of monsters. All for free.

Maybe I need to give more stuff away so this person will send me an email. ooh, ooh I know I can post my d20 Summon Natures Ally statblocks (comming soon).

I think this person needs to send WOTC an email because WOTC has posted the entire SRD and d20 modern SRD for free. Obviously this is alot of material that is being offered for free and that needs to be stopped because its hurting sales of electronic PDFs.

Really this person is a crack pot, I mean if they were serious about this email campaign against people who offer stuff for free they would have sent me an email and WOTC an email.

*:> Scott

 

[Mark]

I think this person needs to send WOTC an email because WOTC has posted the entire SRD and d20 modern SRD for free. Obviously this is alot of material that is being offered for free and that needs to be stopped because its hurting sales of electronic PDFs.

WotC gives away a ton more stuff than just the combined SRD material; adventures, maps, folding cardstock printable models, and much, much more.

 

[KingOfChaos]

This guy could have been one of my many 'enemies' I seem to have gotten over the last year. Hell, I even have some moron threatening to steal RoE's content by using frames.. What kind of idiot does that? All that trouble because he kept spamming my IRC channel.

 

[Flyspeck23]

Kids these days...

The more you tell use about that guy, the more it seems like he's well under 18 years of age.

 

[GameMaster_Press]

Maybe you should just tell him if he feels that the product is too good to "give away", you'll be glad to take his cash

Seriously though, don't waste your time and brain cells worring about such people. They are beneath consideration. They should be happy that we have such a thriving gaming community. I believe that the attitudes of people like you keep our hobby going. It certainly did in the dark ages b4 the OGL.

Don't sweat it man!!