So, I realize that not everyone has these resources, but there is some things to think about that I've done that might help...
First, it helps that my work has a 44" plotter...I can make 44x33" posters, which work well for printing maps (instead of making my own, I use cartographersguild.org)...You can use a normal printer and tape things together as well, they are easy to do, just a bit time consuming.
Second, we use my basement as our game room, luckily it is untouched during the week so we can just leave everything up.
Walls:
I have 2 walls that I use to post things on, one behind the DM and one next to the DM and behind the players.
Behind the DM:
I have a stack of maps hanging from it, namely the world map and a few city maps that are relevant...we can easily flip them up and pin them to the ceiling when we need to show one or the other. We can write on them and keep track of locations as necessary...
Also, I printed a poster size version of the DM Screen Page that shows actions in combat, attack modifiers, etc on it...super useful so people can glance and not ask all the time...
Behind the players:
I have another poster size version of the DM Screen page which talks about Conditions and healing a dying character...I find these 2 pages, in poster form, are huge for people around the table. Speeds things up tremendously and helps noobs learn the game.
I also have a magnetic dry eraseboard...this keeps track of initiative order as well as monster health total (more later on)
Initiative: I know ppl like to use the erase board, but if yours is magnetic, you can purchase magnetic paper at staples. You can then print out each characters name as well as a generic 'Mob 1', 'Mob 2'...I generally split up the mob attacks into 2 different points in the initiative (prevents the mobs from overwhelming on their turn and makes it more realistic). Anyway, if your gamers are as sloppy as mine, initiative is hard to read...so printing out the name plates then moving them around is a *ton* easier, less messy, and easy to read...in lieu of printing, you can have somone with good penmanship simply write on them as well.
Gaming Table:
I created my own...basically it's a 4x8 piece of plywood, sanded and rounded edges that sit on pre-made saw horses...easy to take apart if necessary to move, offers nice big open space to game around...I've made a few modifications like my own magnetic DM screen (you can buy magnetic paint at home depot), then you can make a screen and paint it, then use magnets to keep track of important things.
Tokens:
We have poker chips for Action Point, Second Wind, Daily Magic Item use...they are handed out and must be handed in when used.
We have a notecard that has 'OK' and 'NEEDS SAVE' that sits in front of everyone, if they get his with a save ends effect, they flip the card...makes it easier to remember.
We use mineatures for us, flat colored tokens for the monsters (I have 6 different colors, all labled 1-5 in black and 1-5 on the back in red (flip when a mob gets bloodied)...plus having them flat we can put counters on them to indicate marked, ongoing, or other conditions. The different colors help as I'll use them to represent controllers, minions, casters, etc...this helps eliminate the constant 'how big is that guy? which one should I go after?' that always happens.
Tracking Monsters:
I have the gamers help...on the same whiteboard as initiative, a player will keep track of damage totals to monsters as they are hit. This frees up the DM (me) to keep track of other things. Usually we have 1 person man the whiteboard each session in a rotating pattern.
DM Tools:
I find the DM screen to be cluttered and lacking what I want...I also find those print out cheat sheets on the character sheets to be too small to be useful for a quick glance...
Use Technology...I have a laptop at the table:
You can have the compendium on this site loaded and ready to go for quick questions and answers...
Additionally, I created a spreadsheet that has everyones AC/Fort/Etc as well as Skills...I highlighted trained skills in red so they pop out at you when you glance. This way I dont have to keep asking what someone's skill is *and* I can simply ask for a roll instead...speeds things up...Since I'm a huge geek, I even make this spreadsheet updatable (once I update their level, it automatically calculates their new stats/skills).
Finally, I even created (surprise) a spreadsheet to keep track of gold, xp and items awarded during an adventure...I found that people had a hard time keeping track of this on their own...most would miss being awarded xp/gold and most would never subtract properly when it came to buying stuff...having a spreadsheet makes it a lot easier.
I *highly* recommend using google docs for this spreadsheet, people can then log on during the week and see what they have and update accordingly.
Furthermore, use google docs for wishlists...they can update their wishlist during the week, see what other's have on their list (and thus steal the idea for what they want)...it helps...
Recap:
Recaps before are important, but I find that people are often too busy BSing or cutting out their power sheets to fully pay attention...since I'm a geek, I send out an email during the week that is a 'Newspaper' type recapping the previous game session...this is *huge* hit since I add in fake quotes, call out specific heroic acts (thus giving people credit), calling out bone headed moves (to help teach), and put NPCs names in writing so people see it, thus remember...Because it is funny, because it calls out people (both good and bad), because it's unique and because they can read/re-read it anytime they want, it makes sure people pay attention...plus it's hilarious, we game on monday nights, the email goes out on wed and come friday (when we all play FNM) all those at the shop get to read it and laugh along with us.
Rewards:
I print out a bunch of potions/elixers/etc on normal paper...or I create my own for potions of healing...when it's time to reward it, I throw them out as power cards and people divy them up...when they use them, they hand them back to me...super cool way of doing it. they love it...
As for items, I generally say, 'You find a level 5 item'. the players then decide who gets it...I put the impetous on them...if they print out the power card for it prior to the session (thus gets them incintive to do their wishlist), they can then use the item right there...otherwise they have to wait until next week to use it. Funny how everyone's wishlist is complete and ready to go now...hmmm...
Anyway, great ideas above, hope some of this helps...
