Responses to Questions about the DI

[Scott_Rouse]

Another minor contribution...

Specifically for Scott and Mike. The problem with this medium, as has been mentioned above, is that one's tone cannot be inferred by the typed word. So, very often, the most negative possible tone will be perceived regardless of what has actually been said or what the intent may have been.

With that in mind, may I offer a smidgeon of advice? The last couple of posts made by both of you have come off as somewhat adverserial or at least flippant. I'm sure that this isn't the intent, but the perception is there, at least on my part, nonetheless.

It has been mentioned over on the WotC boards, that the reason for the long absence of any sort of official presence from WotC online was due to the treatment they recieved, including threats, insults, flames, etc.

I must submit, that the tone you project, regardless of whether the tone is intentional or not, is a contributing factor to the type of responses you will get to your posts. Taking an adverserial tone will generate an adverserial response.

Thanks for being available.

It is the way I type, sorry. I'll use more emotes on posts if that helps. You'll know when I am really pissed cause I'll use this or just stop posting for a week (oh unless I am on vacation).


When you read my posts run it through a kermit the frog voice filter in your head, that will help to

 

[Mike_Lescault]

When you read my posts run it through a kermit the frog voice filter in your head, that will help to

And since that's actually how he sounds when he talks, it'll provide you with a pretty accurate representation!

 

[Nightfall]

*eight*

Scott,

Funny when I hear you post I hear the voice of Arthur from "The Tick" TV show. Is that wrong?

 

[Khairn]

Are those 3 at the top the only ones in the group of 19 that subscribe to one or the other of the magzines?

rv

Nope. Of the 3 groups (19 players) we have 4 folks who order both, 2 that order a single magazine, and then another 2-5 that on any given month will buy one or the other depending on what catches their eye. Of the old farts, (technically including me as well ) all of us buy at least 1 magazine a month. I guess as our disposable income increased we were more inclined to buy the magazines.

To answer your question more precisely, of the 3, 2 buy both magazines and the other buys Dragon.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

And for the record, I have plenty of "non-internet" friends, and I treat them just like my real friends. Well, mostly. I usually try not to be seen with them in public, but you know, I still like them.

This is just too funny.

Back on topic, I am greatly relieved to hear that WotC's philosophy for the DI falls under the "You bought it, you own it forever." model. Also, I am all for watermarking, because you know what they say... "Locks keep honest men out."

Later
silver

 

[Merkuri]

To those who are complaining about the internet-only factor of the DI, haven't we heard in that interview Morrus posted a while ago that they were planning on printing compliations of DI material? Or am I imagining things?

 

[Scott_Rouse]

haven't we heard in that interview Morrus posted a while ago that they were planning on printing compliations of DI material?

Yes we are plannning this.

 

[Delta]

I thought the initial claims of embedded customer information were quickly disproved?

No. If you have a reference to the contrary I'd be interested in seeing in it. But, all iTunes files have always had customer information embedded in plaintext (see the ZDNet article above, specifically the correction note at the bottom).

 

[Nepenthe]

No. If you have a reference to the contrary I'd be interested in seeing in it. But, all iTunes files have always had customer information embedded in plaintext (see the ZDNet article above, specifically the correction note at the bottom).

Yeah, I was thinking about this one. I might be typing this on a Mac, but I'm not exactly a big fan of online music purchases, itunes or not. (And since most of the music I listen to is released on smaller European labels, I'm not seeing most of it on itunes as it is). Sorry about the derail.

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

When I pay for a .pdf, I expect to be able to print it, edit it, copy and paste from it, and keep it forever. Equally as important: I expect to be able to make electronic notes and comments, and I want a good, descriptive bookmark list. Index and keyword linking is a nice plus.

I don't really see how the subscription method will work with this, though. I think it was a poor idea to adopt. D&D utilities online does not equal a MMORPG. A monthly fee just seems like a bad idea. Why wouldn't I just join once every since months for one month, download the documents I want, and cancel?

Maybe that's not the plan wizards has for the online articles. It would be a better idea to just sell them for $2 a pop for a .pdf the equivalent of 3/4 an issue of Dungeon or Dragon. Remember, there are no printing costs for .pdf, so don't expect the pricing model to come anywhere near a magazine or hardback -- and if it does, it should take into account the cost of printing it at home and the prevailing price of a similar book on Amazon.com.

Why Amazon? Because if this is a DIGITAL initiative, targeted at a DIGITAL community, then it is made up of people who are aware of and can easily buy from Amazon.com, which regularly sells WotC books for 34% off and smaller RPG materials for 10% off -- with no sales tax and no shipping.

I would be willing to pay a small monthly fee for access to a members only internet community devoted to DI material. The community should be dedicated to being a think-tank and creating new material. However, I would also expect to be compensated for any work I create that I lose the rights to, or that is distributed in a for-profit fashion -- especially if I'm already paying to be a member of the community. Don't look to the community as a sea of desperate marks willing to pay for the privilege of giving you the next Forgotten Realms for free!