So Many PDFs...So Little Time.

[bento]

At first I was printing and spiral or comb-binding all pdfs I purchased.

Then I bought the Planescape Box Set. That thing is, well, unprintable due to the dark pages the books were originally printed on.

I find carrying the USB drive with the latest books I've purchased to work out the best. I read at work when it's slow (I'm a librarian).

Now when I buy something I read through it once and then decide. Some like Kistsunemore I've bound, while others like DCCs just weren't worth the print job.

I'm also using True20 as my first "all pdf" purchase. Looks like I'll have to breakdown and purchase the Players Guide though.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

It all depends on the subject of the PDF.

Monsters, treasures, templates, spells, and other 'drop ins' I take a quick glance at, pausing on the ones I like, then adding the parts I find interesting to a series of lists that I write up on my word processor. (Imaginatively called 'Monsters', 'Treasures', 'Events & Encounters', etc....) If I feel like it I add a brief note as to content. Then, when I feel the need to use a 'drop in' I go over the appropriate list(s), find something, give it a good looking over, then cut & paste to the adventure.

Systems (Magic systems, wonderfulness such as Steam & Steel, etc.) I print, then give a solid reading to, and either:
a. Use as is.
b. Cut, paste, and modify (I am slowly doing this with Elements of Magic: Mythic Earth for my Steampunk/Spycraft campaign).
c. Write it off as a learning experience, and take note of the author.

The Auld Grump

 

[The Levitator]

The first thing I did when I bought Iron Heroes was to put the pdf in my PocketPC phone. I have the audiovox ppc6700. It's a great PPCphone but I got frustrated moving the page around to read it properly because it had to be pretty large in order to read it. I still keep it on there, as well as the companion Mastering IH that I bought at the same time as IH. If I'm really bored, it beats playing solitaire!

I'm curious if there is software out there that a person could get to make normal pdf's a little more "reader friendly" on PPC devices? I'm trying to change up my homebrew and I bought all the Feudal Lords material. I would like to add it to my PPCphone for reference. I would just like it if I could make these things easier to read on such a small screen.

 

[Bacris]

Is it just me, or is it just a lot more convenient to read a hardcopy book? They have electronic handheld bookreaders, right? Does anyone have or use these things?

I personally prefer to read novels in print, anything else is either/or. I use the SRD or PDFs for the vast majority of my gaming experience and only use printed books for those I can't get in PDF. Maybe it's because I'm a computer programmer by day, but for me, it's far easier to use a PDF than a hard-cover, especially when I can cut & paste the pertinent parts I need into a "compilation" for the material I actually intend to use.

I certainly don't want to tear out pages from a printed book

My PDA has PDF reading capabilities - honestly, I've never used it - but I also have a nice laptop.

 

[sckeener]

Maybe I should buy a handheld (which one?). Is it just me, or is it just a lot more convenient to read a hardcopy book? They have electronic handheld bookreaders, right? Does anyone have or use these things?

I have a few uses for pdfs.

• I use PDFs as a way to have all my books with me at the game table
• I like to copy and paste text into my home rules document
• When reading a new book, I print out a chapter (usually double sided) and read it on the bus or while waiting in line. I've finished several books this way. Nice thing is I can take notes right there....no fear of damaging the book. I highlight and write ideas in the margin.
• I have looked at getting some sort of PDA to use, but I find the laptop the best. Maybe a Tablet would work.
• I keep all my pdfs on an external hard drive and read them at home and at work. Sometimes in the middle of the day or lunch I'll just have a burning need to check a rule and having the pdfs handy is nice.