DM Genie and Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

DM Genie and Eberron [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
boytbpc
10-09-05, 08:57 PM Hi all, this is just a notice to those who use DM Genie that a new group has been started (by me) on Yahoo. If you don't know what DM Genie is go to www.dmgenie.com, once you get used to using it, your game will improve. So, without further ado I bring you http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EberronGenie . Enjoy.

Boytbpc
cmanos
10-11-05, 01:14 PM your dmgenie.com link doesn't work.
13x13
10-11-05, 01:20 PM Try this DM Genie (http://www.dmgenie.com)
boytbpc
10-11-05, 08:59 PM Sorry about that. Thanks for helping 13x13.

Boytbpc
Setherial
10-12-05, 02:47 AM thanks for the link !
13x13
10-12-05, 10:39 AM Is the program worth it? I have seen tons of DM aides, I have bought a couple and am wary about buying more as the first didn't work well or do what I want.

Anyone use DMGenie, any reviews?
Strae Wolfe
10-12-05, 11:16 AM Well I'm not totally sure what you mean when you say..."What I want" but GMGenie offers a 60 day totally functional demo trial. It is the most versatile one I've demoed so far. With just a little scripting savvy (of which I personally do not have) you can enter any kind of feat or spell or any other custom data you like. Of course due to Eberron NOT being part of the open game content it doesn't have the Eberron data included but entering custom content hasnt been a problem. If I have had a problem the forum boards has help me solve it. It works well for me.
boytbpc
10-12-05, 12:53 PM I tried PC Gen, Etools, and a few other programs before finding DM Genie. I did the sixty day trial, then a friend bought it for me as a present (it pays to have good friends). I think that DM Genie is the way to go. It has everything from the core books, and as Strae Wolf said, custom data entry is a snap.

I did the eberron calendar and moons in under five minutes. I entered two new races and a template in under a half an hour. Entering new classes is sooo easy I won't even get started. It has a bunch of built in tutorials to walk you through some of the more complex stuff. It has a built in weather generator, a campaign manager, and can handle all of your battles with ease. Honestly, I love it.

Now that said, here is the drawback. It only comes with core material. So you do have to enter all of the non-core material used in your game.

Anyway, try it and if you like it buy it.

Boytbpc
13x13
10-12-05, 01:30 PM After the first tutorial it looks like TONS of information is there. The question I have is it too much information during a game. How easy is it to use when managing a game.
REN
10-12-05, 01:39 PM After the first tutorial it looks like TONS of information is there. The question I have is it too much information during a game. How easy is it to use when managing a game.

I'm also curious as to how it effects your game when there is so much on screen. I personally like the idea of using a PC to help run a game, and I use E-tools even though it aint perfect. I mainly use it to create characters and keep the players characters behind the screen. This way I don't have to ask for their sheets all the time. It supports all the Eberron material, so no need to enter any more info. The makers, CodeMonkey Publihing, are going to release a much newwer and better program soon. I can't wait. Anyhow, as far as DM Genie, what does it bring to your game that helps? Just curious...
Strae Wolfe
10-12-05, 03:41 PM 13 here's what I've found happen. I too at first thought it was a wealth of information (maybe too much) when I first started working with it. In a couple weeks of use I had most of everything I needed from the Eberron Campaign plugged in..was building my own dungeons maps and campaigns and storylines. The reason it looks a bit hefty is this program is ALL inclusive. Within 2 weeks I even had my wife chanting "This is a very powwrful program" by virtue of everything it can handle. You can run the WHOLE shabang right there. I found it cut a fairly large battle's time from 1 hour to 20 minutes. No more suffling char sheets around trying to remember just what bonuses you have or what condition counters were what. It actually allowed me the latitude to have more colorful battles due to being freed up from all the calulating. I could imbellish concentrate on movement, combat and feats. Note this program can also generate weather. Make a custom calendar using the Eberron one. Bah! and just too many things for me to list here.Don't let it dishearten ya yet. Work with it a couple weeks..
REN please try this prog and you'll kick nappy E-Tools to the curb.
BuddyL33
10-12-05, 05:27 PM I have used DM Genie for over a year and love it. There is tons of DMGenie stuff out there.
REN
10-12-05, 06:19 PM You say that there are tons of DM Genie stuf out there, but what exactly is out there. I've alredy invested in E-tools even though it isn't exactly perfect. I like the fact that I can simply purchase the various add ons such as SHARN CITY and RACES OF EBERRON without having to punch in all the info. It's a matter of having little to next to no time to do it. If DM GENIE has a user supported site where users would put together material then I would certaihly consder it. However, isn't it copyright material? I mean you can't really advertise that stuff. Anyhow, I'm waiting for the new product from the makers of e-Tools which is suppose to knock e-Tools right out of the ring - no competition. It's also going to support plug ins such as e-Tools does. Anyhow, what do you mean by there are tons of stuff out there for DM Genie? What sort of stuff. Just curious and looking at my opions.

Hmmmm... I think I'll download it tonight in case I find the time to try it.
Strae Wolfe
10-12-05, 07:21 PM well it's true Ren that unlike e-tools who can plug in Eberron material via licensing agreements, Janik at DMGenie cant touch Eberron or any other copyrighted product not in the SRD. If you have no desire to monkey-fart (I dont know, my wife uses this term when Im tinkering) plugging in custom content and you have something coming down the pipe better than e-tools and with Eberron plug-ins might be worth the wait.
boytbpc
10-12-05, 10:06 PM When I first started using DM Genie I was overwhelmed. After a short while though, you learn the intracacies and things start to flow. Give it time and you'll know where everything is and it will be indispensable. The biggest drawback is that its only core, but this might be changing. Mynex at code monkeys is starting to talk about making the files available for DM Genie. Since Codemonkeys already has licensing agreements with WoTC and most other large publishers this might be possible.

Now on to other aspects of data sharing. I have been doing a little research to what constitutes "Fair Use" of copyrighted material. I'm pretty sure that if you are just trading the scripts, not any text regarding the script, then it is legal. I've contacted WoTC about this and they told me to contact their lawyer. Anyway, it appears that since systems cannot be copyrighted (they fall under a patent), and the D20 system is OGL'd, then if you want to write a script and share it with a friend, this might be legal. Now, IANAL so this might all be hogwash.

Boytbpc
Strae Wolfe
10-13-05, 08:23 AM So what is the intention of the yahoo group boydude? This gonna be like close circuit script sharing? Maybe elaborate a little as to what the goals are? Thankies
Bah I just went to the group page and snooped around myself. I'm in. I have been rebuilding my Eberron database for DMGenie this could be very helpful. Thank you Asta
Strae

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
boytbpc 10-09-05, 08:57 PM	Hi all, this is just a notice to those who use DM Genie that a new group has been started (by me) on Yahoo. If you don't know what DM Genie is go to www.dmgenie.com, once you get used to using it, your game will improve. So, without further ado I bring you http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EberronGenie . Enjoy. Boytbpc
cmanos 10-11-05, 01:14 PM	your dmgenie.com link doesn't work.
13x13 10-11-05, 01:20 PM	Try this DM Genie (http://www.dmgenie.com)
boytbpc 10-11-05, 08:59 PM	Sorry about that. Thanks for helping 13x13. Boytbpc
Setherial 10-12-05, 02:47 AM	thanks for the link !
13x13 10-12-05, 10:39 AM	Is the program worth it? I have seen tons of DM aides, I have bought a couple and am wary about buying more as the first didn't work well or do what I want. Anyone use DMGenie, any reviews?
Strae Wolfe 10-12-05, 11:16 AM	Well I'm not totally sure what you mean when you say..."What I want" but GMGenie offers a 60 day totally functional demo trial. It is the most versatile one I've demoed so far. With just a little scripting savvy (of which I personally do not have) you can enter any kind of feat or spell or any other custom data you like. Of course due to Eberron NOT being part of the open game content it doesn't have the Eberron data included but entering custom content hasnt been a problem. If I have had a problem the forum boards has help me solve it. It works well for me.
boytbpc 10-12-05, 12:53 PM	I tried PC Gen, Etools, and a few other programs before finding DM Genie. I did the sixty day trial, then a friend bought it for me as a present (it pays to have good friends). I think that DM Genie is the way to go. It has everything from the core books, and as Strae Wolf said, custom data entry is a snap. I did the eberron calendar and moons in under five minutes. I entered two new races and a template in under a half an hour. Entering new classes is sooo easy I won't even get started. It has a bunch of built in tutorials to walk you through some of the more complex stuff. It has a built in weather generator, a campaign manager, and can handle all of your battles with ease. Honestly, I love it. Now that said, here is the drawback. It only comes with core material. So you do have to enter all of the non-core material used in your game. Anyway, try it and if you like it buy it. Boytbpc
13x13 10-12-05, 01:30 PM	After the first tutorial it looks like TONS of information is there. The question I have is it too much information during a game. How easy is it to use when managing a game.
REN 10-12-05, 01:39 PM	After the first tutorial it looks like TONS of information is there. The question I have is it too much information during a game. How easy is it to use when managing a game. I'm also curious as to how it effects your game when there is so much on screen. I personally like the idea of using a PC to help run a game, and I use E-tools even though it aint perfect. I mainly use it to create characters and keep the players characters behind the screen. This way I don't have to ask for their sheets all the time. It supports all the Eberron material, so no need to enter any more info. The makers, CodeMonkey Publihing, are going to release a much newwer and better program soon. I can't wait. Anyhow, as far as DM Genie, what does it bring to your game that helps? Just curious...
Strae Wolfe 10-12-05, 03:41 PM	13 here's what I've found happen. I too at first thought it was a wealth of information (maybe too much) when I first started working with it. In a couple weeks of use I had most of everything I needed from the Eberron Campaign plugged in..was building my own dungeons maps and campaigns and storylines. The reason it looks a bit hefty is this program is ALL inclusive. Within 2 weeks I even had my wife chanting "This is a very powwrful program" by virtue of everything it can handle. You can run the WHOLE shabang right there. I found it cut a fairly large battle's time from 1 hour to 20 minutes. No more suffling char sheets around trying to remember just what bonuses you have or what condition counters were what. It actually allowed me the latitude to have more colorful battles due to being freed up from all the calulating. I could imbellish concentrate on movement, combat and feats. Note this program can also generate weather. Make a custom calendar using the Eberron one. Bah! and just too many things for me to list here.Don't let it dishearten ya yet. Work with it a couple weeks.. REN please try this prog and you'll kick nappy E-Tools to the curb.
BuddyL33 10-12-05, 05:27 PM	I have used DM Genie for over a year and love it. There is tons of DMGenie stuff out there.
REN 10-12-05, 06:19 PM	You say that there are tons of DM Genie stuf out there, but what exactly is out there. I've alredy invested in E-tools even though it isn't exactly perfect. I like the fact that I can simply purchase the various add ons such as SHARN CITY and RACES OF EBERRON without having to punch in all the info. It's a matter of having little to next to no time to do it. If DM GENIE has a user supported site where users would put together material then I would certaihly consder it. However, isn't it copyright material? I mean you can't really advertise that stuff. Anyhow, I'm waiting for the new product from the makers of e-Tools which is suppose to knock e-Tools right out of the ring - no competition. It's also going to support plug ins such as e-Tools does. Anyhow, what do you mean by there are tons of stuff out there for DM Genie? What sort of stuff. Just curious and looking at my opions. Hmmmm... I think I'll download it tonight in case I find the time to try it.
Strae Wolfe 10-12-05, 07:21 PM	well it's true Ren that unlike e-tools who can plug in Eberron material via licensing agreements, Janik at DMGenie cant touch Eberron or any other copyrighted product not in the SRD. If you have no desire to monkey-fart (I dont know, my wife uses this term when Im tinkering) plugging in custom content and you have something coming down the pipe better than e-tools and with Eberron plug-ins might be worth the wait.
boytbpc 10-12-05, 10:06 PM	When I first started using DM Genie I was overwhelmed. After a short while though, you learn the intracacies and things start to flow. Give it time and you'll know where everything is and it will be indispensable. The biggest drawback is that its only core, but this might be changing. Mynex at code monkeys is starting to talk about making the files available for DM Genie. Since Codemonkeys already has licensing agreements with WoTC and most other large publishers this might be possible. Now on to other aspects of data sharing. I have been doing a little research to what constitutes "Fair Use" of copyrighted material. I'm pretty sure that if you are just trading the scripts, not any text regarding the script, then it is legal. I've contacted WoTC about this and they told me to contact their lawyer. Anyway, it appears that since systems cannot be copyrighted (they fall under a patent), and the D20 system is OGL'd, then if you want to write a script and share it with a friend, this might be legal. Now, IANAL so this might all be hogwash. Boytbpc
Strae Wolfe 10-13-05, 08:23 AM	So what is the intention of the yahoo group boydude? This gonna be like close circuit script sharing? Maybe elaborate a little as to what the goals are? Thankies Bah I just went to the group page and snooped around myself. I'm in. I have been rebuilding my Eberron database for DMGenie this could be very helpful. Thank you Asta Strae