Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 viki Feb 06, 2009 18:51:00	I got a D&D Insider subscription for a year about a month ago, but I don't want to give the details etc to my players as I use that password for everything (pretty much anyway). They'd be willing to pay like a small price to have like a 'sub account' from mine that I could control and manage. It might not be simple and perhaps it's just me, but it seems that it's primarily for just one person rather than a group. Please share your thoughts…
#2 Kentinal Feb 06, 2009 19:09:36	I got a D&D Insider subscription for a year about a month ago, but I don't want to give the details etc to my players as I use that password for everything (pretty much anyway). They'd be willing to pay like a small price to have like a 'sub account' from mine that I could control and manage. It might not be simple and perhaps it's just me, but it seems that it's primarily for just one person rather than a group. Please share your thoughts… This appears to be something that will not be permitted. In some ways all you are asking for ie either an al carte or a DM and player purchase option. These ideas have been discussed months ago and WotC only response has been one fee fits all, because parts would cost more if not sold as a package. As for what you can share with those that do not pay please consult your attorney about what is Fair Use. It appears clear that some material you paid for can be shared, it however is less clear as to how much you can share and how you share it (which includes reason for sharing).
#3 viki Feb 06, 2009 19:13:05	It would only be sharing with my playing group at the same time with the exception of the Character Builder which I'd like them to use on their own PCs as I'm extremely protective over my Mac (OCD) which I've installed VMware Fusion with Windows to use the Character Builder on, works a charm.
#4 kyros_tachyus Feb 07, 2009 12:28:25	It would only be sharing with my playing group at the same time with the exception of the Character Builder which I'd like them to use on their own PCs as I'm extremely protective over my Mac (OCD) which I've installed VMware Fusion with Windows to use the Character Builder on, works a charm. Well, you're also not supposed to give them the CB off of your account. I believe that the ToUA cite that sharing these programs off of one acct isn't exactly legal. Kentinal could probably tell you more than I could about it... As for the articles, "I" print them off and give them to my players if they want them. Some articles I don't do that with, but it is a good system for me. I'd suggest something like that... (this does get expensive unless you have a special discount from your local printing/copying store).
#5 viki Feb 07, 2009 12:35:02	Well, you're also not supposed to give them the CB off of your account. I believe that the ToUA cite that sharing these programs off of one acct isn't exactly legal. Kentinal could probably tell you more than I could about it... I'm not planning on giving them the D&D Insider Character Builder anyway, one I don't like sharing my account details and two as you said it's not legal, that's why I was enquiring about sub accounts, I suppose you could say effectively 'extended the licence'. As for the articles, "I" print them off and give them to my players if they want them. Some articles I don't do that with, but it is a good system for me. I'd suggest something like that... (this does get expensive unless you have a special discount from your local printing/copying store). This is not practical for me, but I've been allowing them to put it on their memory sticks so that they can use them at home, they rarely read those resources anyway, it's primarily for my purpose. I am trying to implement a similar system that I mentioned on my own project I'll be starting very soon, just seems like no one's interested yet. http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1146015
#6 kyros_tachyus Feb 07, 2009 13:30:17	I don't exactly think that is legal either under the VCL either...
#7 Kentinal Feb 07, 2009 15:13:14	Well, you're also not supposed to give them the CB off of your account. I believe that the ToUA cite that sharing these programs off of one acct isn't exactly legal. Kentinal could probably tell you more than I could about it... Sees name, also some of the followup posts. It should be noted I an not an attorney of law, however have acted as an attorney in fact (I even won on a Federal issue, though minor victory). I "read law" (which was good enough 75 years ago to be an attorney, however I am not that old) in which I offer my understanding of the law. FWIW (For what its worth) this is my best understanding of the proposal. The EULA (End User License Agreement) indicates that one computer will be used for a single personal account. The EULA is much the same as an AUP (acceptable use policy) or TOS (terms of service) and in a Court they all might be considered equal as to their nature. Some have indicated their belief that the EULA might not be legal in some jurisdictions, this indeed might be correct. It depends some on where you live. Until you have a legal victory, you can not share anything as part of your online account with another. This means no password shared, no downloading the CB on a computer you do not own and only limited distribution of material you have access to (the Fair Use exception). As for putting things in print, what you can do under Fair Use can be dome with mail as opposed to dead wood. There is not a requirement that things get reduced to paper and ink. In the end, sharing some material appears to be safe, that the sharing of the CB is not considered an option, IMO, clearly a correct one. Encourage of players to subscribe in order to get the CB clearly the best way to go (They would also get access to the other material). As to a sub-license this does not appear to be an option WotC is even considering. It might in the future become possible, however WotC has other issues and likely want the entire fee as opposed to a partial payment.
#8 viki Feb 07, 2009 15:20:15	As to a sub-license this does not appear to be an option WotC is even considering. It might in the future become possible, however WotC has other issues and likely want the entire fee as opposed to a partial payment. I understand this, but I'm certain I read that with the D&D Insider Game Table that 'both DMs and Players could play together at a discounted price', perhaps this simply was misinterpreted by myself. But it would be good to see as I'm sure others would agree, especially by the time the Game Table is released.
#9 Kentinal Feb 07, 2009 15:28:41	I understand this, but I'm certain I read that with the D&D Insider Game Table that 'both DMs and Players could play together at a discounted price', perhaps this simply was misinterpreted by myself. But it would be good to see as I'm sure others would agree, especially by the time the Game Table is released. The closest I know of was guest passes that was discussed and still (AFAIK) still planed for Game Table. A person granted access for 24 hours to the Game Table for a low fee. WotC has not offered any package deal, heck they have had a hard time replying to a family account. The last on that was one of our friendly ORCs clearly posted that the EULA said one computer only. WotC higher ups have appeared to indicate that if you own two or more you can use on two or more (up to 5 a month).
#10 kyros_tachyus Feb 07, 2009 16:29:53	Short answer on the topic: There doesn't appear to be anything that indicated 'Sub Accounts' will ever be available. Short Answer to your project: It seems like the GSL would keep you from Legally doing that. Kentinal or Wolfstar can correct me though (as they have many times before) as they have a better understanding of it than I do. [I know you do guys]
#11 WolfStar76 Feb 08, 2009 7:37:51	Short answer on the topic: There doesn't appear to be anything that indicated 'Sub Accounts' will ever be available. Short Answer to your project: It seems like the GSL would keep you from Legally doing that. Kentinal or Wolfstar can correct me though (as they have many times before) as they have a better understanding of it than I do. [I know you do guys] I'd have to defer to Kentinal. I haven't really kept up on GSL issues in the last few months. If I get lucky enough to have some free time later today I could poke around at the GSL and post tonight/tomorrow.
#12 bikotic Feb 11, 2009 4:03:55	It would be nice if you could subscripe to just the character builder, which in my opinion is a great product. As a DM I don't enjoy the fact that my playgroup have access to all the adventures I might want to run from the same subscription. I recon if they pay for it they pretty damn well are gonna take part of what's there. And quite frankly I think many think it's a too high prize to pay if you really only want the Character gen. Getting a few "character builder keys" on your account would be nice, so you can give them to your players.
#13 jwalker Feb 11, 2009 14:41:57	Install cutepdf, print to pdf, give pdf to player, done.
#14 kyros_tachyus Feb 11, 2009 16:14:49	And quite frankly I think many think it's a too high prize to pay if you really only want the Character gen. Getting a few "character builder keys" on your account would be nice, so you can give them to your players. Won't happen. They've discussed this. It is better all around for them to offer everything as a package. We won't get CB keys either. There has been discussion and and answers given on that too.
#15 Kentinal Feb 11, 2009 16:27:44	Like I posted before a nice thing to ask for as an option. Right now no options are offered though one exception (ezines alone) was considered an option that they would study. They might still be studying the idea, clearly no reply Up or Down has been decided. One should not worry too much about an answer, there are questions unanswered from over a year ago *sighs* (This likely one reason I will never be offered NG, I am not loyal enough to the product - not that I would want to do that job.)