New web-based content?

[Tiitha]

I work in tech support, and play D&D, big surprise. This problem sounds familiar and is easily fixed if it is the problem I am thinking about. Windows checks for updates you need, it downloads those update, then it installs those updates from the downloaded updates folder. An update can download improperly, sitting in the downloaded updates folder corrupt and unusable. Try to install the update again and Windows sees that you already have the update sitting in the downloaded updates folder, doesn't download the update again, and fails because it keeps trying to install the same corrupt update each time.

You need to delete the bad update from the downloaded updates folder. Looking that up now... here we go. All spelled out for you. This might fix your problem:

Get Rid of Corrupted Windows Updates | PCMag.com

I did what the instructions said, but unfortunately it didn't fix the problem. Those same updates keep popping up. I've tried everything from reinstalling the service pack, deleting update files, to trying to manually register the updates. Looks like the only way to fix it is to either buy a non AMD CPU or update to Vista or Windows 7. :\

 

[MrGrenadine]

When WOTC told us about things they were working on in the past, and pieces didn't come to fruition, players got pissed and "stopped investing." Rightly so I think. Now WOTC do their best to keep things hush hush until the project is finished; but stuff inevitably squeaks out because people are people, not robots. Now players get pissed that they aren't told more and "stop investing".

But you've described two situations which should never happen, so its pretty reasonable that folks would stop paying off a company under those circumstances.

The solution is simple: announce a product, and then deliver said product when said product was scheduled to be delivered.

And if there's any question about the delivery or the product, then don't make any announcements about it.

And if an announcement is made in good faith, and then something goes awry with the product or delivery, let people know there has been a cancellation or delay, (and unless its embarrassing, it couldn't hurt to tell folks why).



I'm sure someone will jump in to say that thats not how business works. Fair enough. But the alternative doesn't seem to be working too well, either.

 

[Doctor Proctor]

But you've described two situations which should never happen, so its pretty reasonable that folks would stop paying off a company under those circumstances.

The solution is simple: announce a product, and then deliver said product when said product was scheduled to be delivered.

And if there's any question about the delivery or the product, then don't make any announcements about it.

And if an announcement is made in good faith, and then something goes awry with the product or delivery, let people know there has been a cancellation or delay, (and unless its embarrassing, it couldn't hurt to tell folks why).



I'm sure someone will jump in to say that thats not how business works. Fair enough. But the alternative doesn't seem to be working too well, either.

So in other words, when Toyota says "Hey, we're releasing a new model in 2012" they should have a full spec sheet, photos, test driveable vehicles, exact sticker price and street delivery date all in hand at that very moment?

I'm sorry, but your expectations are a bit unrealistic. Yes, they shouldn't say things like "We're OMG-AMAZING XYZ product" and then fail to deliver at all, that's bad. And yes, they shouldn't say "soon" for 2 years. However, the post that was linked above stated a mere 3 weeks ago that they were working on some new web based tools, and that's why there's been a delay, and that more information would be forthcoming in the future. Three weeks is hardly anything to cry over. Hell, that's like expecting a preview of next months Dragon as soon as the current month's comes out!

 

[AndrewDB]

But you've described two situations which should never happen, so its pretty reasonable that folks would stop paying off a company under those circumstances.

The OP wants to know about the online tools project, and some are advocating that we stop paying for DDI. While I do not think anyone is unreasonable for being upset over the delayed updates, I want to suggest that anger over the online tools project is collateral (dare I say, unwarranted).

There are two separate things going on in the discussion, but they are being globbed together as one. Although the delayed updates and the online tools project are related, I wanted to suggest that we don't have good reason to be angry about both.

That's why I described the two situations as I did. I wanted to suggest that WOTC is not responsible for people who dance around their NDA. I wanted to suggest that programmers telling us that they are programming but can't tell us more until the project is finished is not something to be angry about.

Both of these situations naturally trigger interest in the online tools project, the same interest voiced by the OP. But our desire for more information about the project should not (opinion) be converted into anger and financial retaliation again WOTC. Our desire for more information about the project is essentially a matter of self gratification.

On the other hand we have the delayed updates. People paid for DDI expecting a certain level of service (regularity and scope of updates). Not getting that level of service naturally results in dissatisfaction.

This is where some are advocating that we stop paying for DDI. Punish WOTC for not reaching an expected level of service? Fine. But the OP wants to know if we have more information about the online tools project. We don't have more information. We really want more information. So punish WOTC for not telling us more about an unfinished project? No thank you (opinion).

But others are welcome to think these are the same problem, that I shouldn't try to separate them, and that I should stop splitting hairs. I don't think I'm splitting hairs as much as connecting consequences to the appropriate cause. By connecting delayed updates to dropped DDI subscriptions, trying to reduce collateral dissatisfaction with the online tools project, maybe OPs can ask questions about the online tools project and just get information about the online tools project.

I may be unreasonable for trying to point out subtleties on the internet. That is not to say anyone here is incapable of understanding the subtleties I am trying to point out. No. I should realize expressing anger is a way to purge bottled emotions, and that my first post in a way was asking people to keep those feelings bottled up. That may have been unfair of me.

 

[Shayl]

Would you guys be interested in hearing about a free set of online tools that I know about? I don't want to just come in here and start promoting stuff (especially since I'm brand new), but I'm personally involved in a website that has a bunch of free tools, and if you guys want (like I said, I'm not here to spam), I'll post about them.

 

[Stumblewyk]

Would you guys be interested in hearing about a free set of online tools that I know about? I don't want to just come in here and start promoting stuff (especially since I'm brand new), but I'm personally involved in a website that has a bunch of free tools, and if you guys want (like I said, I'm not here to spam), I'll post about them.

Obviously, I can only speak for myself, but I am ALWAYS on the lookout for new applications I can use to improve my game.

 

[Shayl]

Obviously, I can only speak for myself, but I am ALWAYS on the lookout for new applications I can use to improve my game.

Ok cool. It's my husband's website: Kassoon.com

The D&D section has online tools at the top (encounter builder, dice roller, wealth calculator), and then below it are some lightning rail tiles I made and a couple articles about cheap minis. Also the crib sheet is really useful, everyone in our group has one of those.

He's also making a combat tracker, which I used to run my game last week and had good results. It's still in alpha though so not released yet

 

[Obryn]

Yep, I've decided to let my subscription lapse until new stuff is released... Particularly stuff that's CB or Adventure Tools-related for Dark Sun and Essentials - both of which would be helpful for my current game. It's expiring in November, and I'll figure out then if I want to re-up... Ah well. I can always subscribe again if it is.

-O

 

[Zaran]

I'd like to know why I am displaying nerd rage because I cancelled my subscription for not getting what I am paying for.

Maybe you are paying for DDI for something else. Good for you. I don't need to be villianized though.

The main thing is the people that are calling the shots do not care what the dnd geeks say. If they did they would communicate with us. We get good people like Mudbunny to take a composition of what the internet community says back to higher up people. So at least it's one way. But DDI won't be getting any more money from me until I know what it's being used for.

 

[Obryn]

The OP wants to know about the online tools project, and some are advocating that we stop paying for DDI. While I do not think anyone is unreasonable for being upset over the delayed updates, I want to suggest that anger over the online tools project is collateral (dare I say, unwarranted).

No, in my case, they aren't yet selling a product I value at the price they're selling it. If I'm not getting character builder and adventure tools updates for my subscription, the subscription has a fairly low dollar value for me.

I'm not upset in the least; they just aren't selling something I want to buy, and I'll wait until they do to buy it again.

I'd like to know why I am displaying nerd rage because I cancelled my subscription for not getting what I am paying for.

Maybe you are paying for DDI for something else. Good for you. I don't need to be villianized though.

When you say something confrontationally, you should probably expect confrontation.

-O