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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 8:28AM
#21
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Date Joined:
Nov 23, 2003
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Possibly to replace the "xml export" question:
How will data persistance be handled? How will data sharing be handled?
Will a hypothetical character builder have an "export PDF" capability? Or will it rely on browser printing?
What is the official list of supported browsers? Do you anticipate problems with newer versions of browsers? (or will this, like many corporate apps I've had to use through the years, be limited to IE 6?)
"Nice assumptions. Completely wrong assumptions, but by jove if being incorrect stopped people from making idiotic statements, we wouldn't have modern internet subculture." Kerrus
Practical gameplay runs by neither RAW or RAI, but rather "A Compromise Between The Gist Of The Rule As I Recall Getting The Impression Of It That One Time I Read It And What Jerry Says He Remembers, Whatever, We'll Look It Up Later If Any Of Us Still Give A Damn." Erachima
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 8:38AM
#22
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Date Joined:
May 13, 2008
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an additional question:
If this new web tool is a replacement for the current offline tools (CB or AT) will the old offline tools remain available for people to download if they had a subscription when they were available in case a computer malfunctions etc?
Also
If this is a replacement tool, would they consider having the offline tool available for members with longer subscription periods than 1 month (IE: If you have a 1 mos subscription you only get the online tool, if you subscribe for a 3 month or a 1 year term you gain access to the offline tools as well)
I_Roll_20s @twitter. Not always SFW.
I may prefer 4e, but I will play and enjoy almost any edition, and indeed almost any table top RPG, with my friends. Down with Edition Wars. Shut up and roll your dice. :P
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 8:54AM
#23
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This thead is being used by me to collect your questions about the Web-Based Tools.
If you have a burning question, post it here, and we will be sure it gets asks. Can't guarantee an answer, of course.
Questions so far:
1. Will these tools Replace the existing Character Builder(CB) and Adventure Tools(AT), or will they be a supplement?
2. What tools will be included? Virtual Table Top(VTT)?
3. Will they be built on flash, silverlight, or HTML 5?
4. Can we see some screen shots?
5. Can we get regular updates on progress and problems?
6. When will they be available?
7. Will they require an active connection to the internet to use?
8. Will there be a beta-test?
9. Will there be a demo available for non-subscribers?
10. Will the web-based tools be updated more often? Will the updates come faster, with less lag between a book/magazine being published and getting updated to the software?
11. Are you prepared for the load this will place on your servers? Can you ensure they can handle the load? What if your servers go down?
12. When someone's account expires, what access will they retain? Any files they've created? Characters/Monsters they've built?
13. If it does replace the CB, will it be able to track resources, such as Hit Points, Healing Surges, etc, similar to iPlay4e.com?
14. Will the web tools be included in the standard subscription price, or will there be an additional fee? Will there be an increase in the subscription price?
15. Will the tools be released as a bundle, or one at a time?
16. How much access will WotC have to the user data collected by the tools? How will you address privacy concerns?
17. Will the tools require any data installed on my system? savedata, logintools?
18. Will any of the tools allow for shared use? Such as a VTT allowing the entire party to participate with a single account?
19. Will it be possible to use the tools with more than one IP at a time? Such as a VTT on the PC and the compendium on the laptop?
20. Are there any plans to offer an API?
21. Will the tools be accessible via smartphones?
22. Will there be an XML export option? (I assume this means for characters and monsters created?)
23. Who is working on this project? Is it the same dev team that created the CB, or are new people being brought in?
24. If the CB is replaced by the web-tools, will a refund be offered for people who wish to cancel their subsciption?
Will it have a smartphone version that I can actually read?
Are they actually adding new tools or just changing the ones they already have?
Ok, I happen to work with a software development firm, so I know that this is a much more loaded question than it appears to be. "Smartphone" support = iOS compatibility, Android (1.5-2.2 currently) compatibility, WebOS compatibility, Symbian compatibility, and Blackberry compatibility, combined with the full range of resolutions that those devices utilize. So while I'm sure they will test for functionality on as wide a range of products as possible, I am also sure that they will focus on iPhone4, Blackberry Torch and Android 2.2 (Evo 4g, Droid 2, Droid X), and slowly adding support for other phones as they get some arbitrary number of requests for that particular form-factor.
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:03AM
#24
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Where was the official announcement about web based tools?
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:05AM
#25
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Where was the official announcement about web based tools?
Here.
Regards,
Kalex the Omen
Kalex the Omen Dungeonmaster Extraordinaire Concerning Player Rules Bias
Show
Gaining victory through rules bias is a hollow victory and they know it.
The argument goes, that some idiot at the table might claim that because there is a "default" that is the only true way to play D&D. An idiotic misconception that should be quite easy to disprove just by reading the rules, coming to these forums, or sending a quick note off to Customer Support and sharing the inevitable response with the group. BTW, I'm not just talking about Next when I say this. Of course, D&D has always been this way since at least the late 70's when I began playing.
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:06AM
#26
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Where was the official announcement about web based tools?
From Trevor's post in DDI Announcements:
Hey all. We are currently in the process of developing a new web-based tools system for D&D Insider which has factored into recent content update delays. We will continue to provide D&D Insider members with additional information as our progress develops. In the meantime, we are back on schedule to provide members with our regular content updates. October 2010 Tools News The 12 OCT update is for the Character Builder and Compendium. Monster Builder will be updated at a later date.
Data Update: Data from the following published materials are new this month to the Character Builder:
Books Psionic Power Magazines Dragon # 389 Dragon #390 Dungeon #180 Dungeon #181 Data from the following published materials are new this month to the Compendium: Books Psionic Power Dark Sun Campaign Setting D&D Essentials: Heroes of the Fallen Lands Magazines Dragon #389 Dragon #390 Dungeon #180
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:14AM
#27
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Can I get an email letting me know when all the threads made about the new webbased tools dies down, and the nerd rage and rampant over posting stops?
And then an email when all the complaining does?
Thanks.
Better, yet, can we just have a news subscription service that will email me all important WoTC news about their products, so I don't have to come to the forums unless I've been kicked in the head by a horse, or possibly a donkey. Mule would be acceptable too.
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:25AM
#28
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My pleasure. I'm hoping to get answers to some, if not most of these by the end of the month. We'll see how much progress I make.
Have you been given some sort of indication that they're willing to provide answers?
Forgive the pessimism but you seem a tad optimistic given their inclination for silence.
My two cents. Buy what you want with them.
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:27AM
#29
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Date Joined:
Sep 28, 2006
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Better, yet, can we just have a news subscription service that will email me all important WoTC news about their products,
I am trying to get something worked out with WotC for DDI stuff at least.
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3 years ago ::
Oct 07, 2010 - 9:38AM
#30
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Date Joined:
May 13, 2008
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Better, yet, can we just have a news subscription service that will email me all important WoTC news about their products,
I am trying to get something worked out with WotC for DDI stuff at least.
That would be nice, thank you Mudbunny. 
on the topic at hand
Many of our questions are revolving around the idea of losing offline tools, which many of us find worrisome for various reasons.
Some people don't want to have to maintain a subscription, some people just don't want to lose access to offline tools due to personal reasons (I'm in this camp), others are concerned that whatever format they use won't be compatible with their browser/OS or will just plain be buggy and suck.
If we knew what the plan was for this "online tools system" we could have a more rational discussion (don't laugh) about what it means for DDI.
I understand WotCs potential position on "doing the subscription shuffle". I think there are ways around it that don't punish long term subscribers (see my second question above about offline tools for long-term subscribers) by denying them access to a very usefull tool.
With the recent (and long term) dissapointments of DDI (CB delays, bugginess of adv. tools, promised tools on launch day being so much vaporware) the uncertainty is creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust - Which just makes your jobs harder dear VCLs.
I, for one, appreciate the effort. I just hope that when the news hits of what this online tools system actually is that it makes me say "Wow! I'm glad I'm a subscriber!" and not "Wow! So there goes my CB program...screw this."
I_Roll_20s @twitter. Not always SFW.
I may prefer 4e, but I will play and enjoy almost any edition, and indeed almost any table top RPG, with my friends. Down with Edition Wars. Shut up and roll your dice. :P
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