Mythusmage on DRM

[D_Sinclair]

We have had an number of problem titles. Customers who have reported problems with an e-Book to us, allow us the opportunity to fix the problem and get them a complimentary replacement of the fixed e-Book.

And what do the people who paid for the book before it got fixed get?

 

[Psion]

And what do the people who paid for the book before it got fixed get?

When I heard DTRPG fixed a page order problem with the MegaTraveller PG, I wrote customer service and they got me a new copy.

 

[Michael Morris]

Couple of heated words earlier though it seems calmed down now. Thanks everyone.

Remember, Piratecat is watching

 

[Psion]

This is an old question but I'm curious. Does DTRPG require that all PDFs use DRM or did a bunch of companies that wanted to use DRM get together and create DTRPG for that purpose?

I heard an announcement from PEG that they are going to distribute non-DRM PDFs though DTRPG.

 

[mythusmage]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with our customer service. If you'd be kind enough to forward me the e-mail you got from customer service that gave you the impression that someone was copping an attitude toward you I'd appreciate the chance to look into it. Since half the people in our office building are using the same computer and OS you are, there's no reason that attitude should be coming out of our offices.

Steve Wieck
stevew@DriveThruRPG.com
www.DriveThruRPG.com

Sorry Steve, but I'm not in the habit of saving emails. Besides, my impression is not necessarily what the author thought he was saying. So it would likely end up in needless acrimony.

DRM in the long term is a tattered old security blanket with no real protective values what-so-ever. It's for people with no real understanding of humans and their ways. There will always be those who will not pay for what they want, if they can get away with getting it for free. But, most people are willing to buy, if given a good reason to buy. More often than you'd think a free product will lead a prospective customer to get the same item, if the item can be bought in a more convienient form. Even if it isn't, a free 'try-out' can result in the user paying for the item to show his appreciation for the work put into it.

In any case, it is a bad idea to assume that everybody can handle some bit of new technology. It's always a good idea to have an alternative.

BTW, any chance Wizards will make some of their old RPGs, and RPGs they now own available as PDFs? Amazing Engine, Star Frontiers, Gangbusters, Mythus, or even Powers and Perils (which has a fan base, believe it or not).

Update: The message I got was something along the lines of, "Tell Adobe about it." Adobe's short-sightedness in this matter is regretable but, it does not excuse DTR's decision to use a flawed resource.

 

[Papewaio]

I heard an announcement from PEG that they are going to distribute non-DRM PDFs though DTRPG.

I read that announcement too. It seems DTRPG is open to non-exclusive contracts, and that looks proved.

But from what Steve wrote, DRM is mandatory for DTRPG. So we have to versions.

Papewaio