My Next Helper Program (updated 7-16-2003)

[Drawmack]

I have begun writting small apps that run in your browser which are player and gm aids. The run off of the local machine and they are contained in a single file which helps keep life easy for the end user.

The first of these is a stat roller which can be found here: http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56734

I have decided to allow the community to decide what my next one will be. This thread is for taking suggestions on what it should be and then I'll do a poll thread with the most popular/probable one to write.

The one thing to keep in mind is that since I'm using javascript large sets of data are improbable to write due to the time they take, so something that would hold all the skills is improbable (at least until we have the 3.5 srd). Things that are the most probable are those that play with numbers in some way. Anything in the game that is based purely off numbers the user can easily enter.

Keeping this in mind, what helper programs would you all like to see?

Edit: Scroll to the bottom of this thread to download the newest version.

 

[Mark]

You might also find the Creative Mountain Games generators useful. Currently I have Lexus - Unlimitied Titles (Vol 3) and Lexus - Dwellings (Vol 1) available and have in the works three more for "Freight", "Personal Items" and "Specific Items" which will all be available in the next month or so.

As long as we are not working at cross purposes, feel free to drop me a line if I can help you with your applications in any way.

 

[Drawmack]

Mark,
I don't think we are. I am thinking programs along the lines of that take a decent amount of time with dice, but can be done by a program very quickly. Also my generators are being written to run on the local machine not off the web so that those without internet access, like me, at their game table can still use them there.

The things I've been considering are Skill points to spend, carrying capacity, some skill dc generators, falling damage generator, things like that. Basically the closer it sticks to pure number play the more likely I am to do it.

 

[Mark]

Yup, mine are local machine generators also but text output for things a DM doesn't want to prep in advance but will suddenly need in a lot of games, or to prep large areas in advance quickly and easily. Ways to answer questions like "What's on the book shelf?", "What's the building look like?" and "What's in his pockets?" and such. I like your ideas and I'm not sure how I could help you, but let me know. It's good we're not working toward the same goals. I think there's enough duplication out there already for a lot of things.

 

[Maraxle]

How about doing something with the point buy system?

 

[Drawmack]

What exactly were you thinking?

Someone enters the points they wish to spend and then as they play with their stats the program tells them how many points they have left?

 

[Maraxle]

Yeah, that's what I was picturing. Maybe you could support straight point buy (1 point = +1 to ability), graduated point buy (1 point can get you +1 up to 14, 14-16 cost 2 points each, etc), or something like that.

Dunno, just a thought to get the ball rolling.

 

[Drawmack]

That is a definate possibility.

 

[Drawmack]

Okay I did up a point buy system calculator. To make my life easier when adding pieces I made it a touch harder on the end user to install the program.

Attached to this post you'll find a zip file.

Here are step by step instructions to install the zip file.
1) Download the zip file
2) Unzip the file, be sure to use a program that maintains directory structure like winzip.
3) Browse to the directory and double click on index.htm


You can create a shortcut to this file on your desktop if you like, but do not copy this file out of this directory or you will break the program.

 

[Maraxle]

Great job! It works very well. I'll be keeping a copy of that on my system. Thanks for a great utility.