Electronic pdf of DS products - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Electronic pdf of DS products

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Grummore
Jan 15, 2004 8:42:24 I have been wondering who here as buy any of the DS accessories, adventures or settings and could tell us about these?

Is the product well done? Any maps usables (printables)? Easely searchable? And which documents you have.

Thanks for any information, I might buy some depending on your recommendation of what you have.
#2
evilrafael
Jan 15, 2004 9:52:08 I acquired a few of these.... I'd recomend getting real print copies though, from someone wishing to get rid of them. I bought my Dark Sun box when they weren't printing it anymore on eBay, and that's the one I use on gaming table. It's all there ready to use, with the large maps, etc.

Sometimes having PDF versions come in handy, but real paper-made books seem much easier to read and use...
#3
zombiegleemax
Jan 15, 2004 10:40:45 I have them all on my Pc at home & at work as well as on Disc. I love them
#4
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Jan 15, 2004 11:11:08 I have them all on my home LAN's fileserver, so I can access them from any of the computers in my apartment. I find them extraordinarily mroe useful than the print versions, especially when I am writing up information about my campaigns. I guess different people like different things.
#5
zombiegleemax
Jan 15, 2004 11:39:16
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
I have them all on my home LAN's fileserver, so I can access them from any of the computers in my apartment. I find them extraordinarily mroe useful than the print versions, especially when I am writing up information about my campaigns. I guess different people like different things.

Sean i agree with you, I do however, have three sets of the originals as well. I like to edit things daily
#6
zombiegleemax
Jan 28, 2004 22:49:21 I'm split. Since I'm in college, and my home's on the other side of the country, the portability of pdf's is enormously useful. I cart around about 2/3 of all DS stuff (plus maybe another 2/3 FR, and a smattering of other worlds) on my computer and use them for reference, when writing (they're great for coming up with variations on names, something I always need help with), or creating adventure ideas.

However, when gaming, I always want to have hardcopy. It's too hard and slow to scroll around on the computer, as was evidenced by one DM I had (actually the only time I played DS, I'm sorry it only lasted about 5 sessions).
#7
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Jan 29, 2004 0:14:25
Originally posted by Gr8Scott
Sean i agree with you, I do however, have three sets of the originals as well. I like to edit things daily

My name's not Sean.

Actually, it's Cliff, but anyway...
#8
zombiegleemax
Jan 29, 2004 1:51:34 My first ESDs were purchased to complete my DS collection (Austiclean Gambit and Earth, Wind, etc). Then I noticed that my Dragon Kings book was a bit under the weather, so I figured hey, 4 bucks and I can put it away. Then I started downloading the adventured since, as anyone who has a few bookcases packed with gameing material, they don't hold up very well. I've got more than half the DS material now on file, along with a good amount of older, out of print material that I would have had to shell out a kidney or two to get from an auction. Needless to say, I've absolutely no problem with them at all. Granted, you can't lounge back in your comfy chair and dig in like a regular book, but I'm normally at my comp most of the day anyhow, so its nothing to me to take a break and pop open a pdf to read.

As for using them in game, they're horrible only if your unprepared to use them. If you can't copy out the text into another main file of pertinent info, or print out the sections you intend to reference, then your in for a nightmare. No one likes to sit back and wait while the DM scrolls through a few hundred pages looking for some obscure rule that he should have copied down if he intended to use it. That's simply poor game mastering, not some kind of inheirent defect in the concept of using your computer as a game aid.

I also like the fact that you can easily print to a file any player information that you'd like them to have access to without having to lend out your books (I like to maim and mutilate people who notch my pages, or get coffee stains on them; its far worse for those who claim that they 'lost it'). I no longer have to spend a week or two typing out all the background info that I want the players to have, and for anyone who's short on time like I am, that's a godsend in and of itself.
#9
zombiegleemax
Jan 29, 2004 2:29:25 Figured I'd post...

A few years ago I started reading the old board and figured, 'heck, why not give DarkSun a try...'

See, I've only really played in the Mystara world. I've done some one offs of AD&D, but never really liked it much. I just happen to be one of those rare, tried and true Basic D&D types.

Anyway, being a relative newcomer to Athas, I've only three physical books (Dune Traders, City-State of Tyr and Veiled Alliance, as if everyone was dying to know...) However, I do have a complete collection of the PDFs and half of the physical books (though I don't have the second Prism Pentad book, so I haven't read any farther than that. I'm a stickler for that kind of thing, must read them in order..... Consequently, I must remain ignorant...)

Mach2.5, I must agree with you, books are sacred! I believe that so much that I've even spoken out against the destruction of a Bill O'Reilly book, even though I abhor the man..

More to the point, if its convenient for you, Grummore, I'd go ahead and invest in the PDFs. I knw that without them, I would have a hard time finding and reading all of the DarkSun material (apart from the novels, of course).

As a separate thought, thanks for keeping up the list of links, Grummore. I've used them many times...
#10
Grummore
Jan 29, 2004 9:43:55
Originally posted by Zeitgeistgeist

As a separate thought, thanks for keeping up the list of links, Grummore. I've used them many times...

Thank you. You can be sure too that my site is going to be up for a long time, unless DS dissapear from the earth surface.
#11
zombiegleemax
Jan 29, 2004 12:28:36 I own all of the Dark Sun PDF files and some of the books. I really like both a great deal. The maps in the pdfs are ok if you do not plan on piecing them together into one big map. They will not go together properly. Which is why I am working on rebuilding each of them pixel by pixel until I'm done. That is my only thought against the pdfs.
#12
jihun-nish
Jan 29, 2004 20:13:01 When I bye a PDF for 5$, I know I wouldn't mind printing the whole file(from my own printer of course). As for the maps, well there are some places where you can print map size .... maps.
#13
zombiegleemax
Jan 30, 2004 6:17:22
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
I have them all on my home LAN's fileserver, so I can access them from any of the computers in my apartment. I find them extraordinarily mroe useful than the print versions, especially when I am writing up information about my campaigns. I guess different people like different things.

Crikey. Wish my apartment could fit more than 1 computer in it, hehe.

I got the .pdf's of the Original boxed set, the revised boxed set, and the thri-kreen book. They're okay. Easily searchable? Just as easy as any 200 page .pdf is. Although, I will admit that carrying around a CD or two is a lot easier than a backpack full of books. I got a lot of Monte's stuff on CD.
#14
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Jan 30, 2004 12:36:39
Originally posted by Naga_Slayer
Crikey. Wish my apartment could fit more than 1 computer in it, hehe.

I got the .pdf's of the Original boxed set, the revised boxed set, and the thri-kreen book. They're okay. Easily searchable? Just as easy as any 200 page .pdf is. Although, I will admit that carrying around a CD or two is a lot easier than a backpack full of books. I got a lot of Monte's stuff on CD.

Well, my apartment used to be my apartment complex's clubhouse. As such, my two roommates and I have.... a lot of room. Not to mention the fact that it takes a 100' long Cat-5e cable to reach the network's router to one of my roommate's rooms (and when we get a wireless solution up, it still won't help his room, he has a wall that is one big mirror, and absolutely seems to kill radio waves reaching his room - worst TV reception ever).

But currently, I have my server, a really big open spot where my own PC used to go (before it blew up), a friend's computer, my roommate's (who has the *far* room) computer, and a couple toy systems that I fool around with (Pentium or smaller systems).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Grummore Jan 15, 2004 8:42:24	I have been wondering who here as buy any of the DS accessories, adventures or settings and could tell us about these? Is the product well done? Any maps usables (printables)? Easely searchable? And which documents you have. Thanks for any information, I might buy some depending on your recommendation of what you have.
#2 evilrafael Jan 15, 2004 9:52:08	I acquired a few of these.... I'd recomend getting real print copies though, from someone wishing to get rid of them. I bought my Dark Sun box when they weren't printing it anymore on eBay, and that's the one I use on gaming table. It's all there ready to use, with the large maps, etc. Sometimes having PDF versions come in handy, but real paper-made books seem much easier to read and use...
#3 zombiegleemax Jan 15, 2004 10:40:45	I have them all on my Pc at home & at work as well as on Disc. I love them
#4 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 15, 2004 11:11:08	I have them all on my home LAN's fileserver, so I can access them from any of the computers in my apartment. I find them extraordinarily mroe useful than the print versions, especially when I am writing up information about my campaigns. I guess different people like different things.
#5 zombiegleemax Jan 15, 2004 11:39:16	Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm I have them all on my home LAN's fileserver, so I can access them from any of the computers in my apartment. I find them extraordinarily mroe useful than the print versions, especially when I am writing up information about my campaigns. I guess different people like different things. Sean i agree with you, I do however, have three sets of the originals as well. I like to edit things daily
#6 zombiegleemax Jan 28, 2004 22:49:21	I'm split. Since I'm in college, and my home's on the other side of the country, the portability of pdf's is enormously useful. I cart around about 2/3 of all DS stuff (plus maybe another 2/3 FR, and a smattering of other worlds) on my computer and use them for reference, when writing (they're great for coming up with variations on names, something I always need help with), or creating adventure ideas. However, when gaming, I always want to have hardcopy. It's too hard and slow to scroll around on the computer, as was evidenced by one DM I had (actually the only time I played DS, I'm sorry it only lasted about 5 sessions).
#7 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 29, 2004 0:14:25	Originally posted by Gr8Scott Sean i agree with you, I do however, have three sets of the originals as well. I like to edit things daily My name's not Sean. Actually, it's Cliff, but anyway...
#8 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 1:51:34	My first ESDs were purchased to complete my DS collection (Austiclean Gambit and Earth, Wind, etc). Then I noticed that my Dragon Kings book was a bit under the weather, so I figured hey, 4 bucks and I can put it away. Then I started downloading the adventured since, as anyone who has a few bookcases packed with gameing material, they don't hold up very well. I've got more than half the DS material now on file, along with a good amount of older, out of print material that I would have had to shell out a kidney or two to get from an auction. Needless to say, I've absolutely no problem with them at all. Granted, you can't lounge back in your comfy chair and dig in like a regular book, but I'm normally at my comp most of the day anyhow, so its nothing to me to take a break and pop open a pdf to read. As for using them in game, they're horrible only if your unprepared to use them. If you can't copy out the text into another main file of pertinent info, or print out the sections you intend to reference, then your in for a nightmare. No one likes to sit back and wait while the DM scrolls through a few hundred pages looking for some obscure rule that he should have copied down if he intended to use it. That's simply poor game mastering, not some kind of inheirent defect in the concept of using your computer as a game aid. I also like the fact that you can easily print to a file any player information that you'd like them to have access to without having to lend out your books (I like to maim and mutilate people who notch my pages, or get coffee stains on them; its far worse for those who claim that they 'lost it'). I no longer have to spend a week or two typing out all the background info that I want the players to have, and for anyone who's short on time like I am, that's a godsend in and of itself.
#9 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 2:29:25	Figured I'd post... A few years ago I started reading the old board and figured, 'heck, why not give DarkSun a try...' See, I've only really played in the Mystara world. I've done some one offs of AD&D, but never really liked it much. I just happen to be one of those rare, tried and true Basic D&D types. Anyway, being a relative newcomer to Athas, I've only three physical books (Dune Traders, City-State of Tyr and Veiled Alliance, as if everyone was dying to know...) However, I do have a complete collection of the PDFs and half of the physical books (though I don't have the second Prism Pentad book, so I haven't read any farther than that. I'm a stickler for that kind of thing, must read them in order..... Consequently, I must remain ignorant...) Mach2.5, I must agree with you, books are sacred! I believe that so much that I've even spoken out against the destruction of a Bill O'Reilly book, even though I abhor the man.. More to the point, if its convenient for you, Grummore, I'd go ahead and invest in the PDFs. I knw that without them, I would have a hard time finding and reading all of the DarkSun material (apart from the novels, of course). As a separate thought, thanks for keeping up the list of links, Grummore. I've used them many times...
#10 Grummore Jan 29, 2004 9:43:55	Originally posted by Zeitgeistgeist As a separate thought, thanks for keeping up the list of links, Grummore. I've used them many times... Thank you. You can be sure too that my site is going to be up for a long time, unless DS dissapear from the earth surface.
#11 zombiegleemax Jan 29, 2004 12:28:36	I own all of the Dark Sun PDF files and some of the books. I really like both a great deal. The maps in the pdfs are ok if you do not plan on piecing them together into one big map. They will not go together properly. Which is why I am working on rebuilding each of them pixel by pixel until I'm done. That is my only thought against the pdfs.
#12 jihun-nish Jan 29, 2004 20:13:01	When I bye a PDF for 5$, I know I wouldn't mind printing the whole file(from my own printer of course). As for the maps, well there are some places where you can print map size .... maps.
#13 zombiegleemax Jan 30, 2004 6:17:22	Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm I have them all on my home LAN's fileserver, so I can access them from any of the computers in my apartment. I find them extraordinarily mroe useful than the print versions, especially when I am writing up information about my campaigns. I guess different people like different things. Crikey. Wish my apartment could fit more than 1 computer in it, hehe. I got the .pdf's of the Original boxed set, the revised boxed set, and the thri-kreen book. They're okay. Easily searchable? Just as easy as any 200 page .pdf is. Although, I will admit that carrying around a CD or two is a lot easier than a backpack full of books. I got a lot of Monte's stuff on CD.
#14 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 30, 2004 12:36:39	Originally posted by Naga_Slayer Crikey. Wish my apartment could fit more than 1 computer in it, hehe. I got the .pdf's of the Original boxed set, the revised boxed set, and the thri-kreen book. They're okay. Easily searchable? Just as easy as any 200 page .pdf is. Although, I will admit that carrying around a CD or two is a lot easier than a backpack full of books. I got a lot of Monte's stuff on CD. Well, my apartment used to be my apartment complex's clubhouse. As such, my two roommates and I have.... a lot of room. Not to mention the fact that it takes a 100' long Cat-5e cable to reach the network's router to one of my roommate's rooms (and when we get a wireless solution up, it still won't help his room, he has a wall that is one big mirror, and absolutely seems to kill radio waves reaching his room - worst TV reception ever). But currently, I have my server, a really big open spot where my own PC used to go (before it blew up), a friend's computer, my roommate's (who has the far room) computer, and a couple toy systems that I fool around with (Pentium or smaller systems).