No Macs? Holy crap did WotC do the math wrong!

[Castellan]

Also a personal ancedote. I'm currently using bootcamp to run Fantasy Grounds on my mac. I've been unable to get it to run through virtualization. I really underestimated how annoying it would be to us bootcamp. I mean bootcamp works great but while I'm using it I can't do very much since my entire computer experience is centered on OS X. So basically I have to stop downloads, music playing, instant messaging, dvd creation, software backup, and other stuff while I'm playing. It wasn't bad at first but it keeps getting more annoying as time goes on. I'm seriously considering trying to convince my group to move to a cross-platform VTT.

I'm of a similar mind. I'm a DBA at an all-Windows company by day. By night, I use my Intel Mac for all kinds of productivity side-jobs. I've developed software for Macs, Windows, and Linux. I've worked on everything from little in-house me-only projects to software used by NASA.

I use BootCamp for gaming, Windows XP in Parallels for work VPN and other little apps that are necessary while still having access to the Mac, and the Mac for everything that I can use it for (which, honestly, is really just about anything anymore -- I don't really need Parallels for the VPN so much anymore).

I love my video games, but rebooting into Windows is a hassle, and there are still many things that don't work via virtualization.

My experience with companies that put out software for Windows only (especially anything internet-based) is that their developers are limited in ability and the software is usually very poorly executed. Video games sometimes escape this problem, but not all. And as a relevant point, consider eTools, which frankly was a steaming pile.

I'm pretty concerned about DI. It's got a lot of potential, but I don't have high expectations for it.

 

[hazel monday]

I'm the only member of my group that exclusively uses a mac.
But, I'm also the only member of my group with the ability & desire to DM a campaign.
So, no DI for my D&D group.
Not that I would have payed a monthly fee for what I consider to be a sub standard product.
But still... it's the thought that counts.

 

[HatWearingFool]

I've thought a bit more about my frustrations with bootcamp and I have few more things I would like to share.

A big problem with using bootcamp or parallels (or other virtual machines) is that the software you are using isn't designed for your hardware. It's pretty obvious that fantasy grounds was designed from the ground up areound the concept of a 2 button mouse. And although I use 2 finger clicking on my macbook in mac os x, it doesn't seem to work well under windows.

Also the mouse drivers seem a little wonky which isn't a lot of fun when you go to "throw" the dice. I usually end up attempting to throw the dice 2 or 3 times.

Another problem I have is for some reason the appostraphe (sp?) key doesn't seem to work. This is a small detail (and maybe I just have to setup a different keyboard), but it since it takes extra thought to do it I notice I type less than others. Thankfully this is mitigated by our use of Voice software otherwise this would be a much bigger deal.

I've also noticed that it's tougher for me to do little maintaince items in between sessions. By this I mean leveling up my character and adding rule sets. The reason for this is that I can't just open up the program in a spare 10 minutes and make the changes since I have to shutdown and reboot my computer. And although this only adds a bit of time it also means that I have to stop everything else that my machine is doing.

I know that this stuff sounds small but added up with what I stated before it's pretty annorying and detracts from my fun.

Also I'd like to add that if I didn't get free Windows licenses from my employeer I wouldn't bother with either bootcamp or vmware fusion.

 

[Graf]

I am periodically amazed that right minded people continue to use Windows outside of a work context. (I mean, I'm basically a tech idiot and we still have a non-Windows household.)

I'm equally confused as to why Wizards isn't just developing a complete web-based program (What are they trying to do that's so complex it needs DirectX?).
Built-in campaign Wiki, dice rolling, simple mapping, character generation with online database, and some sort of chat functionality and you'd be set.

 

[JDJblatherings]

I've thought a bit more about my frustrations with bootcamp and I have few more things I would like to share.

A big problem with using bootcamp or parallels (or other virtual machines) is that the software you are using isn't designed for your hardware. It's pretty obvious that fantasy grounds was designed from the ground up areound the concept of a 2 button mouse..

my Imac I got for home use has 4 buttons.

 

[Griogre]

Fantasy Grounds was actually designed for a three button mouse. The scroll wheel is very important in some places.

However other than that, I believe you have put your finger on the trouble with any vitual sandbox. Ultimately, they are almost never quite up to date on the latest hardware and usually have to use dated drivers or they can't take advantage of the latest and greatest drivers/hardware. They do seem to work quite well if you don't need bleeding edge hardware/software features.

 

[vongarr]

I'm coming to this late, but here goes...

We all might be experts in our own way. Problem is, the only expert opinion that matters is the one who came up with this policy at wotc. I seriously doubt it was an off cuff decision. Perhaps in the old days of TSR, but not in the new days of corporate accountability.

But here I am with my own opinion. I'm probably wrong. Perhaps the lead dev is a true blue Microsoft fanboy? Hate's macs as much as I do, even. Someone should make a petition. Maybe one of you programmers should make a "Get the DI on Mac's!" kind of page. Look at what the browncoats did for Firefly.

 

[Kesh]

I'm equally confused as to why Wizards isn't just developing a complete web-based program (What are they trying to do that's so complex it needs DirectX?).

The 3D character design and online adventuring bit, apparently. Neat, but I could do without it if I got mac/linux support.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

The 3D character design and online adventuring bit, apparently.

And even that could've been done with a cross-platform alternative (e.g. OpenGL).

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Fantasy Grounds was actually designed for a three button mouse. The scroll wheel is very important in some places.

Fortunately the Apple mouse I have, and which is I believe now the standard mouse with all Macs, has two button capability (although it still only has one button, it just knows which side you are clicking on) and a scroll ball that allows side to side scrolling as well as up and down (useful on large maps or picture files).