Unearthed Arcana 3.5....where besides Kazaa?

[Videssian]

A far simpler method, if all you want to do is look at the book before deciding to purchase it, is to go to a bookstore like Barnes & Noble (where they'd have it sitting on the shelf) and just look through it.. a brief browse ought to tell you enough to enable you to make that decision.. and conveniently, if you DO want to buy it, you have it right there in your hand!

 

[JimAde]

Your source for this assertion?

Those looking for the Modern SRD online can use my site, hosted by 12 To Midnight:

Modern SRD Online

I use online versions constantly -- much more convenient than leafing through books. Plus cutting and pasting, yay.

Barsoom, this rocks. Thanks a lot for the effort. I also use Sovelior's SRD frequently when writing up game material. It's a lot more convenient to use an online tool while I'm writing on the computer.

Thanks again.

 

[Grazzt]

Yes, I heard that UA was going to be SRD'd soon, too.

I heard just the opposite. That it won't be going into the SRD. There is no reason. Almost the entire book is OGC. Unlike the PHB, DMG, or MM, UA includes a copy of the license specifying what is and what isnt OGC. So, publishers can use whatever they want (so long as they adhere to the license)...no need to put it on the web in the SRD.

 

[kenjib]

kenjib,

The d20 Modern docs you linked above aren't active.

Sorry about that. That happened because of the AT&T sale of it's cable services to Comcast. I fixed it.

 

[Davelozzi]

To be honest I don't think many people use the file I compiled, and when they do it's only as a supplement to the d20 Modern hardback - because they want to be able to cut and paste, search, and access on a computer. I'd bet that if anyone uses the file, they probably have the book too. People would much rather have the quality of books from WotC...

Yep, it's true. I downloaded your file last year (thanks!) to take a look at some of the classes and stuff before I got paid, and then went a picked up the book a few weeks later when I had the cash. And thought I kept the copy of your SRD that I printed in case we need an extra copy to refer to in-game, since I haven't actually run any d20 Modern games, I haven't touched the printout once since I bought the book. I'm definately glad that I shelled out the cash for the full color, hardbound book with art.

 

[CRGreathouse]

They can't retroactively change the UA OGL license, but they can easily change it for future books.

Generally, this is what I would call not producing more OGC.

If they come out with a compatible update to the OGL and release new material with it, it can be used under version 1.0a. If they come out with an incompatible version of the OGL (which does not have OGC but has a new term, 'More Open' Game Content, that's used instead), they're not really making more OGC, are they? They're making something else that may be better or worse.

In any case, I really think this is all chicken little. The simple fact of the matter is that people are already doing exactly what you are afraid of with other WotC books.

I'm not afraid of anything here. You said that if it "causes WotC problems, they can adapt." I don't think they'll adapt any more than stopping further OGC in Dragon and their hardbacks, since they can't stop the use of UA now.

 

[MThibault]

So, the Alternate Experience Point Progression table is Open Game Content. Now, you may be restricted by the d20 License on using this (at least insofar as a part of describing character advancement)

My recollection of Mr. Dancey's take is that you probably can use an xp table in a d20 covered work. But you can't even hint at what the heck that table is used for, or how to use it for that unspecified purpose. I also am under the impression that you can refer to section titles in the PHB, so you could reprint an alternate xp table in a covered work then say something like. For instructions on how to use this table, see "Advancing Your Character" in the PHB. If you want alternate versions of character advancement -- a new system that is more than just a tweaking of the numbers on an xp table, so it requires more explicit explaination -- then you have to lose the d20 logo.

Of course, these impressions might be based on an earlier version of the d20 STL. Or just plain wrong. What do I look like, an expert?

Cheers

 

[Nifelhein]

I usually did some downloads of books on pdf over Kazaa, yes it is illegal, you have not paid the copy rights to use it, the book is not produced in your country and you still should pay for the rights it has, something called international diplomacy would inforce that too.

My only use of downloading the pdfs is to have a book I have for easy use when I am on a pc or without the book, and to browse through it before buying, I hate pdfs and usually drop them in favor of print books, I have not deleted any of the books I downloaded, all scans of the originals, but I have not used them either, some of those I have bought and most are on my to buy list...

Illegal or not, many prefer print over pdf and I, for one, have no local game store to browse a book at... and I prefer artwork and paper to digital at any time. A pitty that most would not be the same as me, I say. Also, I don't share those pdfs, ever!

 

[kenjib]

I'm not afraid of anything here. You said that if it "causes WotC problems, they can adapt." I don't think they'll adapt any more than stopping further OGC in Dragon and their hardbacks, since they can't stop the use of UA now.

Ah, sorry for misinterpreting.

 

[Mach2.5]

A very interesting thread.

Its very nice to see people with such low principles in a joyous disregard for what they consider 'their loving hobby'.

I write for a living. I'm constantly writing. I'm not constantly selling, but I'm writing all the time. I recently had to quite full time writing due to my few books not having sold well enough. That means that I know have far less time to spend writing.

So then I hear of Kazaa. Just out of curiosity, I download and install it. I start checking around for this song or that song. I download a few, not thinking much about it. Hey, free music. I get the idea to check for D&D books a little later. Low and behold, there's hundreds all up for grabs. I stear a little clear since I have limited hardrive space. Then, I check on the few books I've had published. Two out of the five novels I've had published are right there, on Kazaa. And its right now on three times as many hardrives as the original book sold! Wow, I thought. People liked it so much that its everywhere. They also liked Kazaa so much that I had to quit writing full time.

Most people think, hey, its just some big nameless, faceless corporation making b'jillions of dollars a year. Its not hurting anything. Besides, I'm broke, I can't afford to buy it.

Guess what? Here's a name. And trust me, you don't want to see this face right now. Because I too am broke, with a wonderfully popular novel that a few thousand may have read but only 1/3 gave me a few bucks for my hard work and effort.

For those of you that are out in the workforce, imagine getting your paycheck at the end of the week and having it be far less than what you should have earned, and there's nothing you can do about it at all except go back to work the next day and hope that you get paid your full check next time.

Cheers . . . thanks for the blatant display of indifference towards others.

To those who don't condone such actions, you make more of a difference than you may realise. Thank you.