Update: Malhavoc PDFs no longer available at RPGnow (merged)

[RCanning]

Still technical problems.

I can't remember what thread it was on (yes I admit this is getting out of control), but so far the PDFs from DTRPG have not worked...

I downloaded the PDF, I went to "My Bookshelf" I selected the file and did a "Save a Copy" to a memory stick. The file was then taken to a PC and that PC was logged into my Adobe ID. We then tried to open the file and got a "Bad Encypt Dictionary" error. The file does appear in the "My Bookshelf" on the second computer, but all that is listed against it is a "Download file now" link that does nothing visible.

The following advice was given to me by someone trying to help.

When you get the "Bad Encryption Dictionary" error go to
https://aractivate.adobe.com/eden/EdenUI.asp and reactivate your Adobe DRM
on the pc you have trouble with (you can do this as often as you want).
This should solve the problem.

This link to use to exactly the same login page as Reader keeps linking back to, and logging in again and then trying to open the file again makes no difference. The file just will not open.

I don't know if it is because I downloaded the file on a Mac and am trying to open it on a Windows machine. I don't know if it is because Adobe just does not want another machine to open it. I don't know if it is because the PDF is set to not allow this. I don't know if it is something else entirely.

What I do know, is that the file does not work. Several people at Fuji-Xerox have tried to open the file; you know, the print specialist guys who develop printers that will print pdf from disc automatically (oh wait, sorry, DRM prevents that) have tried to get this file to work, and they have failed. No this was not sales people - it was tech people.

Over 24 hours as passed since I emailed this fault to DTRPG, and I have not even recieved a confirmation that they have recieved my message. Admittedly it has only been one working day for them (two for me), but I am not hopeful that they will respond with anything but "Go to the Adobe site and re-log in". Done that, didn't work; but I expect that will be the response.

Richard Canning

 

[Funksaw]

Perhaps it is worth remembering that the business premises of Steve Jackson Games were raided by the Secret Service a few years back to seize the manuscript for GURPS: Cyberpunk on the grounds that it glorified and encouraged computer hacking.....

Indeed, and it's pretty likely that roleplayers, as a whole, are almost as familiar with that story as they are with the Patricia Pulling debacle.

I would at least bet that the EFF has more than a proportionate amount of gamers in it's ranks - and I'd be willing to be that online-savvy gamers (the kind that would buy PDFs, again) would be likely to be familiar with electronic freedom issues.

Which explains the 85+page thread on RPGnet and the 12+ page multiple threads on Enworld (There's more posts per pages on Enworld)

It's almost sad to see White Wolf, and especially Eden and GOO, shooting themselves repeatedly in the foot.

 

[2WS-Steve]

Which explains the 85+page thread on RPGnet and the 12+ page multiple threads on Enworld (There's more posts per pages on Enworld)

Just as a note--you can set the number of posts per page in the USER CP: Options on RPGnet. I set it to 100 and that thread is down to 9 pages.

 

[The Gryphon]

Let's remember that some publishers are so afraid of piracy that they don't want to release any electronic products at all. I was rather surprised at the list of companies at DTRPG. If they do start to feel that pdfs are cutting into print sales, you won't see pdfs.

/snip/

Before DTRPG, all of the companies who produced only print products were having their products pirated by those who scanned them and put them on p2p networks and the like. Adding DRM to their pdf products won't make this problem go away as the same pirates, even if they can't break the DRM protection which is laughable, will just get a copy of the print product and scan it as they always have.

If they don't want PDFs to cut into their print sales, then they should only release them when the books in question finally become out of print, otherwise they are doing themselves and their customers a disservice.

 

[isidorus]

I cannot use (Os problem here) and morally will not use Drm Pdf's anyway. That being said I have a confirmed shopping list now, ones who use Drm and ones who do not. Anyone who uses Drm will not anyway one cent of my money for print or Pdf.

Anyway since this has all come up, I have been seeing some interesting things going on. Ice relases non_drm Harp Pdf early, Steve Jackson Games has decided not use Drm and I talk to Hero Games and their Pdf's are Drm free. Funny thing is I have never bought much of Steve Jackson Games, but am going to do so now to just support their decision. An RpgNow will always have my business, since they are actually listening to the customer.

Am I making a point her at all. Probably not since as far as I can see from Dtrpg posts on most of them seem to not be listening. Notice I said most here, Patrick seems to be listening but really cannot do anything about the problem.

Monte now has a Post on his forum boards in the Line of Site area where he is litening to our concerns. Link is right here http://p222.ezboard.com/fokayyourturnfrm11 By his post though I fall under 3 and will at points be ignored. Not much of a problem to me I guess, but I understand somewhat where he is coming from.

I wish everyone good luck in this, but until Drm goes away I have no use for the Pdf's.

 

[The Gryphon]

OOPS, MISTAKEN POST!

 

[Thanatos]

...SNIP...That being said I have a confirmed shopping list now, ones who use Drm and ones who do not. Anyone who uses Drm will not anyway one cent of my money for print or Pdf.

Would you be willing to share that list either on the boards of via email? (thanatos@miratos.com)

 

[Voadam]

Perhaps it is worth remembering that the business premises of Steve Jackson Games were raided by the Secret Service a few years back to seize the manuscript for GURPS: Cyberpunk on the grounds that it glorified and encouraged computer hacking.....

And perhaps it would be better to remember that that was not quite the case. They were raided and all the companies computers and files were seized because the government actually but mistakenly believed the rpg book on cyberpunk was an actual manual detailing how to break into government computers. Steve Jackson was shut down for a while but survived and eventually successfully sued the government. You can read about it on their site. www.sjgames.com

 

[isidorus]

Thanatos
Would you be willing to share that list either on the boards of via email?

Disclaimer: This for my buying purposes. I have not had time to list everyone, sorry about that. I update when I can, but I am moving from Maryland to Flordia in 9 days, so I am short of time right at this moment. if I get flamed for posting I will live with it. Hope it is helpful. If any one is in the wrong catergory let me know and how I can confirm it.

That being said here is the list for you Thanatos.

My no buy list from the Dtrpg site

Alderac Entertainment Group
Chaosium
Dork Storm Press
Dream Pod 9
Eden Studios
Fanpro
Fantasy Flight Games
Fantasy Games Unlimited
Fast Forward Entertainment
Fiery Dragon
Game Designers' Workshop (GDW)
Guardians of Order
Holistic Design
Malhavoc Press
Necromancer
R. Talsorian Games Inc.
Sovereign Stone Press
Sword & Sorcery
White Wolf

Confirmed non-drm pdf people

Anything on RpgNow Way to many companies to list but they are all on
the buy list.

Alternate Realities Publications(Dana Jorgensen Company)
En Publishing
Expeditious Retreat Press
Green Ronin
Hekaforge Productions (Lejendary Adventure)
Hero Games(PM them myself)
Ice (Iron Crown Enterprises)
Second World Simulations
S.T. Cooley Publishing
Steve jackson Games
Troll Lords (seems confirmed Rpgnow link still on site)
Wotc (As far as I know okay)

Man I am going to have a expensive last half of the year here. So much good stuff not bought and new stuff coming out.

 

[Thanatos]

Thanks, I appreciate that you posted the list and gladly accept the margin of error it may contain.

Good luck with your move...I moved from Texas to Iowa last year and boy was it a pain. So you have my sympathy.

Yeah, it does indeed look like a sparse year...wonder what I am going to do with all the money I save

If I find any errors, I will let you know.

Thanks again.