What were the 3 software developers ordered to cease and dissist?

[Cergorach]

*chuckles*

Merton Monk must now be so extremely frustrated...

*grins evily*

 

[drothgery]

Considering the lack of ETools availability around the US, and the limited scope of that programme, I highly doubt its users outnumber PCGen users. Especially since Mac users can use PCGen without PC Emulators.

You do realize that non-Windows users are pretty meaningless when it comes to market share of desktop-oriented products, right? Unless you're in a category of software that has an extremely high percentage of non-Windows users, if product A has 10% of the Windows market and product B has 100% of the non-Windows market, product A has more than twice as many users as product B.

 

[Lily Inverse]

RPG players are one heck of an eclectic group, though. I'm willing to bet that a much higher percentage of gamers are mac-owners than the general population. As are Linux-types and others who use so-called "secondary OSes." The fact that PCGen caters to these groups while E-Tools only goes to the Windows people (who are still the majority of the market) makes PCGen a clear winner in this regard. Why?

Well, one reason is that one key use of a character generator is the electronic exchange of information. If ONE gamer in a group uses a Mac, Linux, BSD, or whatever, the entire group is forced to use PCGen to exchange data natively. That will lead the group to trying PCGen, which, if it has native support for their product, they will likely stick to rather than retooling E-Tools . . . .

 

[Ranger REG]

They are already doing this by providing a place for users to upload files.

I know. I mean that's the reason why we (GMs and players) want this kind of software to do for us. But we also have lazy GM's who would rather have someone else to do the inputting for them.

 

[Twin Rose]

The entire issue is a HOTBED of activity right now, because already peoples OGC and IP - even when not WOTC related - is finding its way into distribution with E-Tools. The data files are out there, suddenly the issues start to change shape.

The PCGen crew are certainly at the forefront of the "lets watch them" list - it's been stated publically that GPL and OGL are completely non-compatible. This presents problems for everyone involved, and I hope they can be worked out.

I'm certainly not one of the three that went out, and I'll know more later this week as I drag myself in there and see what can be worked out legally.

 

[Maggan]

Happy Mac-owner

As a Mac-user I'm happy to see the Mac being used as an argument for the higher adoption of PCGen vs the adoption of eTools.

It's really an alien feeling... but somehow it feels good.

M.

 

[Twin Rose]

Re: Happy Mac-owner

As a Mac-user I'm happy to see the Mac being used as an argument for the higher adoption of PCGen vs the adoption of eTools.

Don't fear We had a huge number of people talk to us at GenCon about a Mac Release of Campaign Suite. More than we had thought we would, in fact. It's causing us to look into a compiler that will be compatible with our code and functionality and work for Mac. I believe there may be a trend towards this for gamer materials in the future if, indeed, the numbers are as high as we are looking at.

 

[Sm!rk]

Well, one reason is that one key use of a character generator is the electronic exchange of information. If ONE gamer in a group uses a Mac, Linux, BSD, or whatever, the entire group is forced to use PCGen to exchange data natively. That will lead the group to trying PCGen, which, if it has native support for their product, they will likely stick to rather than retooling E-Tools . . . .

Nothing + Nothing + Nothing (Still) = Nothing

I think that is the idea some other posters are trying to get acrossed.

Also your last statement works both ways, people with eTools can lead their group to adopt it.

 

[DM]

Three companies?

Has PcGen actually received anything “official” yet, i.e. a letter or other document? Are the other 2 companies getting a cease and desist orders or just a slap on the wrist like PcGen has apparently received? If this rumor is true, I’d think that an “official” contact would have gone out by know to the parties in question. Is there any other source to the validity of this situation other than a post on a message board?

I guess we’ll (eventually) find out, one way or another.

 

[Leopold]

Re: Three companies?

Has PcGen actually received anything “official” yet, i.e. a letter or other document? Are the other 2 companies getting a cease and desist orders or just a slap on the wrist like PcGen has apparently received? If this rumor is true, I’d think that an “official” contact would have gone out by know to the parties in question. Is there any other source to the validity of this situation other than a post on a message board?

I guess we’ll (eventually) find out, one way or another.

as has been said before no 'official' C&D has been issued to the PCGen project.