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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kingpaul" data-source="post: 2534707" data-attributes="member: 1477">PCGen is an open source project that requires java 1.4.1 or higher to run. Because of this, it can run on multiple platforms. It is a character generator first, but also has the ability to create magic items as well. It also has a DM companion, GMGen, that you can use at the gaming table to speed up encounters.eTools is a closed project that Code Monkey Publishing is currently maintaining for WotC. It is Windows only. You can create characters and, I believe, magic items with it.PCGen is a download that is available on multiple SourceForge mirrors for free. Once downloaded, you'll need to unzip the file. Before running the program, you need to make sure that java is installed on your machine; go to java.sun.com to get this (also free).eTools costs, I believe, $30, and you download that from CMP once you purchase it.For PCGen, datasets are in flat text files. The download comes with several datasets that are of OGC (Open Gaming Content) in nature, including the SRD, most of the RSRD and most of the MSRD. You can buy WotC based datasets from CMP.eTools comes with the 3.0 PHB, DMG and MM only. This is stored in Access. Datasets can also be bought from CMP.Hope that helps.</blockquote>