FAQ Building thread - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

FAQ Building thread

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mudbunny
Oct 08, 2010 21:28:17 I am going to be putting together a FAQ post.

Any questions that you think need to be put in there, please post them here. If you have an answer, please provide it as well. Answers must be phrased as neutral as possible.

Thanks!!
#2
mudbunny
Oct 08, 2010 21:41:29 Some quick questions I am goimng to be including:

How do I change subscription lengths?
How do I cancel my Auto-renew?
How do I ask for a refund?
When do updates happen?
How many times can I update a month?
Am I allowed to share my account with anyone?
What OSs do the various programs work under?
What do I need to install to get them to run?
How do I upgrade from the demo CB to the full CB?
I just subscribed, but don't have access. Why not?
#3
joatamos
Oct 08, 2010 21:47:58 Character Builder Requirements:

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
Supported Operating Systems: Windows Vista; Windows XP SP2
Display: 1024 x 768
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 Requirements:

Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Vista; XP
Processor: 400 MHz Pentium processor or equivalent (Minimum)
RAM: 96 MB (Minimum); 256 MB (Recommended)
Hard Disk: Up to 500 MB of available space may be required
Display: 800 x 600, 256 colors (Minimum); 1024 x 768 high color, 32-bit (Recommended)
Not supported:

Win 98, Win NT/Server 2000, Mac, Linux, or DOS
#4
mudbunny
Oct 08, 2010 21:56:09 Thanks joatamos!!

Other questions:
How do I get the .NET framework?
How can I determine what .NET framework I need?
What is the installation process for the .NET framework?

How can I get the DDI tools (CB, MB) to work on a MAC/Linux/whatever OS?
Is there an RSS feed of the articles that are published daily?
Where can I find out what is supposed to be published this month and when?
How can I download previous issues?
How can I search through previous articles?
Is there a database of previous adventures that have been published in Dungeon Magazine?
How do I submit an article to Dungeon/Dragon?
If I see a bug, where do I submit it?
#5
mudbunny
Oct 10, 2010 21:57:11 More questions:

Who are VCLs and FGs?
Who is WotC_Trevor?
What is the history of DDI tools development?
#6
arobicha
Oct 11, 2010 1:50:41 How do I get the .NET framework/which one do I need?
You will need the .NET 3.5 framework from here. The website also has details on system requirements and a guide to the installation process.

How can I get the DDI tools to run on Mac/Linux?
There are many virtualization products out on the market intended specifically to run windows programs from within OSX or Linux such as Wine (Linux only) or Crossover (Mac/Linux). This method is really only viable for people with experience in using these tools, and is not the suggested way to get the DDI tools running on a non-supported OS. My memory of which .NET framework worked in wine was bad, and the .NET 3.5 framework is not currently supported in wine, or Crossover. See below for the only viable option. (thanks to kilpatds for the save)

The only method to ensure usability is to install a virtualization product such as VirtualBox, which allows you to install and run copies of Windows from within your existing operating system, without requiring a reboot or any modification to your existing setup. The process involved with making such a setup requires a legal copy of Windows, and can be quite involved. Documentation on how to set up a virtual PC with VirtualBox can be found here. Once you have a working virtual PC, you then install the DDI tools as you would on a regular Windows PC.

Running the DDI toolset on a non-supported OS isn't supported by WotC staff.
#7
kilpatds
Oct 11, 2010 11:05:02
How can I get the DDI tools to run on Mac/Linux?
There are many virtualization products out on the market intended specifically to run windows programs from within OSX or Linux such as Wine (Linux only) or Crossover (Mac/Linux).

Wine and Win based tools like Crossover do not support the builder. By "experienced" users, you apparently mean "people who can develop entire missing dot-net libraries for Mono". ;)
#8
arobicha
Oct 11, 2010 13:43:39
Wine and Win based tools like Crossover do not support the builder. By "experienced" users, you apparently mean "people who can develop entire missing dot-net libraries for Mono". ;)

You're right. I edited to include the correct answer. Thanks!
#9
mudbunny
Oct 12, 2010 8:55:48 When do Updates happen?
Updates to the magazines happen at midnight EST, monday to friday. Program updates (including the Compendium) are scheduled for the first tuesday of the month. They generally start at about noon EST and take 2-3 hours to do. While the program updates are happening, the update server is taken offline.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mudbunny Oct 08, 2010 21:28:17	I am going to be putting together a FAQ post. Any questions that you think need to be put in there, please post them here. If you have an answer, please provide it as well. Answers must be phrased as neutral as possible. Thanks!!
#2 mudbunny Oct 08, 2010 21:41:29	Some quick questions I am goimng to be including: How do I change subscription lengths? How do I cancel my Auto-renew? How do I ask for a refund? When do updates happen? How many times can I update a month? Am I allowed to share my account with anyone? What OSs do the various programs work under? What do I need to install to get them to run? How do I upgrade from the demo CB to the full CB? I just subscribed, but don't have access. Why not?
#3 joatamos Oct 08, 2010 21:47:58	Character Builder Requirements: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 Supported Operating Systems: Windows Vista; Windows XP SP2 Display: 1024 x 768 Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 Requirements: Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Vista; XP Processor: 400 MHz Pentium processor or equivalent (Minimum) RAM: 96 MB (Minimum); 256 MB (Recommended) Hard Disk: Up to 500 MB of available space may be required Display: 800 x 600, 256 colors (Minimum); 1024 x 768 high color, 32-bit (Recommended) Not supported: Win 98, Win NT/Server 2000, Mac, Linux, or DOS
#4 mudbunny Oct 08, 2010 21:56:09	Thanks joatamos!! Other questions: How do I get the .NET framework? How can I determine what .NET framework I need? What is the installation process for the .NET framework? How can I get the DDI tools (CB, MB) to work on a MAC/Linux/whatever OS? Is there an RSS feed of the articles that are published daily? Where can I find out what is supposed to be published this month and when? How can I download previous issues? How can I search through previous articles? Is there a database of previous adventures that have been published in Dungeon Magazine? How do I submit an article to Dungeon/Dragon? If I see a bug, where do I submit it?
#5 mudbunny Oct 10, 2010 21:57:11	More questions: Who are VCLs and FGs? Who is WotC_Trevor? What is the history of DDI tools development?
#6 arobicha Oct 11, 2010 1:50:41	*How do I get the .NET framework/which one do I need?* You will need the .NET 3.5 framework from here. The website also has details on system requirements and a guide to the installation process. *How can I get the DDI tools to run on Mac/Linux?* There are many virtualization products out on the market intended specifically to run windows programs from within OSX or Linux such as Wine (Linux only) or Crossover (Mac/Linux). This method is really only viable for people with experience in using these tools, and is not the suggested way to get the DDI tools running on a non-supported OS. My memory of which .NET framework worked in wine was bad, and the .NET 3.5 framework is not currently supported in wine, or Crossover. See below for the only viable option. (thanks to kilpatds for the save) The only method to ensure usability is to install a virtualization product such as VirtualBox, which allows you to install and run copies of Windows from within your existing operating system, without requiring a reboot or any modification to your existing setup. The process involved with making such a setup requires a legal copy of Windows, and can be quite involved. Documentation on how to set up a virtual PC with VirtualBox can be found here. Once you have a working virtual PC, you then install the DDI tools as you would on a regular Windows PC. Running the DDI toolset on a non-supported OS isn't supported by WotC staff.
#7 kilpatds Oct 11, 2010 11:05:02	*How can I get the DDI tools to run on Mac/Linux?* There are many virtualization products out on the market intended specifically to run windows programs from within OSX or Linux such as Wine (Linux only) or Crossover (Mac/Linux). Wine and Win based tools like Crossover do not support the builder. By "experienced" users, you apparently mean "people who can develop entire missing dot-net libraries for Mono". ;)
#8 arobicha Oct 11, 2010 13:43:39	Wine and Win based tools like Crossover do not support the builder. By "experienced" users, you apparently mean "people who can develop entire missing dot-net libraries for Mono". ;) You're right. I edited to include the correct answer. Thanks!
#9 mudbunny Oct 12, 2010 8:55:48	When do Updates happen? Updates to the magazines happen at midnight EST, monday to friday. Program updates (including the Compendium) are scheduled for the first tuesday of the month. They generally start at about noon EST and take 2-3 hours to do. While the program updates are happening, the update server is taken offline.