RPGNow and the competition . . .

[Steve Wieck]

Phil cross-posted his original message on several forums. I have replied with some facts about DriveThru on this thread:

http://forums.rpghost.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=304413

rather than have the same thing said in many places.

Steve Wieck
www.DriveThruRPG.com

 

[Steve Wieck]

I don't know enough about computers to know how DRM works, I've looked at DTRPG, and I love seeing some of the old books over there (like V&V), but I haven't bought anything there and probably will not do so. The stuff I've gotten at RPG now has been great, so I hope they lead this sector of the industry.

Scourger,

I hate to see anyone make their decisions when they haven't been given all the facts and even worse, been given lots of blatantly incorrect information (as has been posted about DRM in many forums in the last month).
If you have a moment, there are links off the homepage at www.DriveThruRPG.com that explain what the deal is with DRM. In almost everyway you will find the secure e-Book files to be just like using pdfs.
You can also test the DRM files with any of the weekly free downloads, as a no cost way to try it.

Steve Wieck
www.DriveThruRPG.com

 

[D_Sinclair]

Scourger,

I hate to see anyone make their decisions when they haven't been given all the facts and even worse, been given lots of blatantly incorrect information (as has been posted about DRM in many forums in the last month).
If you have a moment, there are links off the homepage at www.DriveThruRPG.com that explain what the deal is with DRM. In almost everyway you will find the secure e-Book files to be just like using pdfs.
You can also test the DRM files with any of the weekly free downloads, as a no cost way to try it.

Steve Wieck
www.DriveThruRPG.com

Let's just take a moment to point out that you too distributed much of that blatantly incorrect information, and the FAQ entry you're suggesting people visit probably only exists because a certain vendor, my boss, explained for everyone exactly how Adobe's DRM model works.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Steve Wieck
www.DriveThruRPG.com

Steve, I must admit I tried DTRPG for a free product, to see how DRM
worked. I admit, I'm a smart guy, but computers are not my strong point.
I could not even get a free download to work, and gave up after 30 minutes
playing around at the site. I sent an email comment about my dissatisfaction
and guess what, no response.

You have an uphill battle, as the service at RPGNow is fast and courteous,
AND is not DRM protected. It is up to you guys/gals at DTRPG, if you want
business, to think about what is hurting your customers, and fix it. The
DRM issue, and customer service area, are two big ones to look into.

Thanks for your time, if you read this.

 

[Cergorach]

Let's just take a moment to point out that you too distributed much of that blatantly incorrect information, and the FAQ entry you're suggesting people visit probably only exists because a certain vendor, my boss, explained for everyone exactly how Adobe's DRM model works.

Yeah right, do you still believe in the tooth fairy? It was nothing less than mad raving with lots and lots of very nasty remarks. Some of the cooler heads did try to explain how DRM worked, and yes Steve did perpetuate some incorrect statements himself. But can we quit pointing fingers and start taking responsibility for our own actions? If you don't like DRM, so be it, don't buy it. If you don't like it enough to start raving at every oppertunity you get you'll find yourself shunned and banned in no time. If you really, really don't like DRM, find a way to remove it. If the country you riside in has some sort of law against that, relocate and next time there are elections think long and hard for who to vote on. If in doubt, put a sock in it.

Steve, although i have spent around $125 at DTRPG till now, i'm not happy with the DRM at all, nothing you'll do or say (short of removing it) will change that. Although i won't stop buying products from your store, i don't buy as much as i would want to, DRM is stopping me from spending a significant amount each month (significant would be $100-$200). Others are harder on the DRM front (out of idealism or just plain stupidity), your effectively creating your own worst nightmare. There is a hardcore group of DRM/DTRPG haters that if presented with the oppertunity to do your endevour harm, they will. If that means distributing unDRMed versions of your products they will, just the kind of thing you wanted to avoid by going for the DRM functionality. Don't say i didn't warn you when unDRMed DTRPG pdfs start showing up on p2p networks enmass...

 

[D_Sinclair]

Yeah right, do you still believe in the tooth fairy? It was nothing less than mad raving with lots and lots of very nasty remarks. Some of the cooler heads did try to explain how DRM worked, and yes Steve did perpetuate some incorrect statements himself. But can we quit pointing fingers and start taking responsibility for our own actions? If you don't like DRM, so be it, don't buy it. If you don't like it enough to start raving at every oppertunity you get you'll find yourself shunned and banned in no time. If you really, really don't like DRM, find a way to remove it. If the country you riside in has some sort of law against that, relocate and next time there are elections think long and hard for who to vote on. If in doubt, put a sock in it.

I've been warned about you Cergorach. Don't you go trying to start all kinds of trouble with me, too.

Anyway, while my boss did spit out quite a bit of venom, he was the only one who detailed how Adobe DRM only allows 6 computers and why it is DTRPG has no control over that limit. That in turn lead to an individual page on the DTRPG site regarding the subject, which seems to have since been summarized and added to their general FAQ page. The entire point of my post was to counter Mr. Wieck's effort to ignore, even perhaps hide the fact that his site's FAQ is the result of a very steep learning curve he had to endure over the course of the many DRM threads of the month or so.

 

[Red Baron]

The entire point of my post was to counter Mr. Wieck's effort to ignore, even perhaps hide the fact that his site's FAQ is the result of a very steep learning curve he had to endure over the course of the many DRM threads of the month or so.

And you felt obligated to point that out... why? I should think that would be to his credit, rather than a point of contention.

 

[Cergorach]

I've been warned about you Cergorach. Don't you go trying to start all kinds of trouble with me, too.

Oh my gosh! I have a reputation! ;-)
It took Dana a lot of effort to get on my bad side, but you seem to make a healthy start with only eight posts under that username...

There's a learning curve for any new undertaking, there's only so much things you can work on before starting. The same goes for software (DRM), you can look around and ask as much as you want before you buy and start using the software. After three months you'll have a good undertanding of the software and how it's used within your operation, after six months you'll be able to make a good judgement on whether it was a good investment or not...

 

[Psion]

Anyway, while my boss did spit out quite a bit of venom, he was the only one who detailed how Adobe DRM only allows 6 computers and why it is DTRPG has no control over that limit. That in turn lead to an individual page on the DTRPG site regarding the subject, which seems to have since been summarized and added to their general FAQ page.

Oh?

I'm pretty sure I was the primary one responsible for that. Even if you don't beleive I was the only one, I think you're a bit remiss to omit my part by saying you were the "only one", Dana.

 

[D_Sinclair]

Oh my gosh! I have a reputation! ;-)
It took Dana a lot of effort to get on my bad side, but you seem to make a healthy start with only eight posts under that username...

There's a learning curve for any new undertaking, there's only so much things you can work on before starting. The same goes for software (DRM), you can look around and ask as much as you want before you buy and start using the software. After three months you'll have a good undertanding of the software and how it's used within your operation, after six months you'll be able to make a good judgement on whether it was a good investment or not...

I'd like to say... check the press releases. I just got hired. After long being accused of being a representative of ARP after posting glowing reviews of Big Bang over on rpg.net, I actually am now exactly what people used to accuse of me.