Setting this feedback thread in advance for the next Digital Insider, due to go live tomorrow.
Many thanks!
For example, we have the following columns: Ampersand, Dungeon Editorial, Dragon Editorial, Digital Insider, and the blog-like column Confessions.
Seriously... Do we really need this many "columns"?
I'd be very happy if these columns were condensed into two, maybe three columns. Ampersand and Digital Insider - and maybe keep the Confessions blog separate. Ampersand can focus on all things print, and roll the "editorials" into Digital Insider as a catch all.
This opens up more space for features like Dungeoncraft, Design and Development, Campaign World, and Ecology articles.
Anyways, that's just my 2 coppers.
Again no new information for forum users,
We know the CB has been released (and has bugs).
We know that NYC will occur, at best only new data is whom is planned to attend.
We know extended phones hours for CustServe has been established.
I do suppose those that do not read the forums there is more useful information for them.
I do suppose I should be fairer, the article does indicate up coming articles about Shadowfell, Bane and planar epic destinies. Things I am not interested in and nothing reported on progress of DDI implementation.
What has the New York Comic Con got to do with DDI?
As a side note, this latest article is still not on the main DnD page.
Sigh... The Digital Insider article has quickly become the least interesting column in all of D&D Insider. I feel I get more information out and intriguing details out of every other "column" that comes out. In fact, it seems like there are FAR too many "columns" and not enough "articles and features".
For example, we have the following columns: Ampersand, Dungeon Editorial, Dragon Editorial, Digital Insider, and the blog-like column Confessions.
Seriously... Do we really need this many "columns"?
I'd be very happy if these columns were condensed into two, maybe three columns. Ampersand and Digital Insider - and maybe keep the Confessions blog separate. Ampersand can focus on all things print, and roll the "editorials" into Digital Insider as a catch all.
This opens up more space for features like Dungeoncraft, Design and Development, Campaign World, and Ecology articles.
Anyways, that's just my 2 coppers.
I agree. There is obviously not a weekly need for the Digital Insider any longer. Change this to a monthly article and roll some of the other features into it - maybe even allow multiple contributors as you do on some other articles.
I enjoyed Bill's ampersand article. It works very well as an update of the DnD world and a preview of what's to come in the near and distant future. The digital insider has lost its way. Please refocus it and make it interesting again.
One possible addition to this article could be a "Did you know?" section. I realize there might be some that find these annoying, but I usually find them quite valuable. It was one reason that I loved to read Sage Advice in the old Dragon Magazine because it let me see rules adjudications that I had never considered. The same could be true for the digital insider. With new features and content coming out every month for both the Compendium and the Character Builder, we're bound to miss something :D
waste of time
Maybe they could explain how a side trek is a full length adventure (aren't we supposed to get three every month?).
Maybe they could give us something, anything, that is "insider" in content.
I will give them credit for taking our advice about previewing what is upcoming.
Maybe I'll just stop reading this at all.
I think some of the programmers posted in a thread a while ago. I wouldn't mind hearing from one of those guys again about how things are going.
Randy was at least taking the time to give us some meat. Frankly, if, for whatever reason, you had to down-size and let him go, then don't waste your time and ours spreading yourself too thin, and giving us useless information.
The & article is fine and I can wait to read this information there. IF there's new information on *D&DI* THEN have an article - surprise and please us with real info, instead of posting on a regular pattern just to make the calendar look full, or whatever is your intent with this series now...
As someone who complimented Randy's work at every opportunity, I'll add my vote of disappointment regarding the current Digital Insider. Per many of Bill's comments, one major reward of being a subscriber is early, "inside" information. This just isn't happening lately, with the exception of previewed content. Unfortunately, for many of us, this content isn't making us feel like insiders. We were hoping for more open discussion about where Wizards is going with the digital initiative, and we've received nothing along those lines as of late. This lack of information cannot but feed the sinking feeling that the initiative is dying. At least it's momentum is dying. You can only trumpet the success of the Character Builder in so many columns/articles, before it starts to sound like a delaying tactic.
If the additional products are going to be cut due to lack of revenue potential, or whatever reason, the beans will have to be spilt sooner or later. I understand there are business reasons for not sharing the deliberations which are undoubtedly in progress, but some small tidbit beyond "we don't want to promise too much" would really be appreciated.
Why Bother?
I held out in the hope that after the builder was released that we would startgetting more information but we are still just getting sales pitches.
The last real information about insider we got wasnt even int he insider columns and provided a worrisome 'evaluate and review' comment - since then we ahve heard -zip-
At this point I will not be suprised if the other tools for D&DI are being canned - something I will be very very disappointed with.
I was hoping for a little more digital in my digital insider. Like what's the timeline/progress look like for the other tools.
I think some of the programmers posted in a thread a while ago. I wouldn't mind hearing from one of those guys again about how things are going.
QFT.
Seriously, I am craving status reports, from the mundane to the technical, on the Visualizer (which is the next up, if I'm not mistaken).
A) extremely busy with a lot of projects on the go
B) too far removed from DDI
As a manager, Bill may just not be 'getting his hands dirty' with the DDI to really know the details we wish were in the Insider column.
I'd have to agree with the others here. It is time for Bill to assign this task to someone else who has day-to-day dealings with the DDI programmers (or IS one of the programmers!)
Glossing over the details with advertisements wholly unrelated to DDI does not fulfil the DDI Insider's objectives.
Maybe a Q&A style would be better. Go through the last week's posts in the forum, pick half a dozen topics, and address them.
Verys
Maybe a Q&A style would be better. Go through the last week's posts in the forum, pick half a dozen topics, and address them.
This is a great idea, as well as suggesting a programmer take up the Digital Insider column.
I'm wondering something...
WTH does NYC ComiCon have to do with DDi? Answer me that one, because I haven't the foggiest idea.
This article is, for lack of a better word, useless. I used to look forward to the articles but now there isn't a point to.
I'm wondering something...
WTH does NYC ComiCon have to do with DDi? Answer me that one, because I haven't the foggiest idea.
That's an excellent question. And one I don't think any D&D designer, programmer or community leader could answer and expect us to take it seriously.
:P
thanx
Dior
I can't help but feel that WOTC_DM should be running the digital insider.
In some ways an interesting idea, however he has indicated in the past he was very limited in what he was allowed to say. He could talk about building the programs and levels of development, he was not allowed to discuss marketing, estimated release dates or answer questions outside his sphere of what he was permitted to talk about.
Unless WotC relaxes the apparent gag order it would appear that only some aspects of DDI could be written about by him. If the gag order is released to some extent he would have less time to devote to his main job because he would need to spend time getting information from other departments of what is going and and then get clearance of what is allowed to be said about what is going on.
Could you please have someone fix these links? If you can't, then why bother posting them?
It would really just save the author time in writing it, save us time in not reading it, and not disappoint us as customers. Its to the point that I debate even clicking the link anymore.
When you get some insider information into your digital insider let me know.
Unless WotC relaxes the apparent gag order it would appear that only some aspects of DDI could be written about by him. If the gag order is released to some extent he would have less time to devote to his main job because he would need to spend time getting information from other departments of what is going and and then get clearance of what is allowed to be said about what is going on.
what other departments? wotc has like 5 programmers working on the whole tools suite.
it would be maybe best to have a rotating schedule of people write about their part in ddi. DM or some other developer on the tools, dungeon and dragon content guys about content, and bill can add his ad once a month.
I'd like to see ANY kind of response on this... and I'm NOT talking about in the next Digital Insider.
Even if in the next, it would be better then the last few.
There was at least recognition of community complaints and/or concerns in the past. Now there is nothing of use at all.
It of course would be better if Bill or one of his minions acknowledged that the concern is at least noted before the next update is provided.
Even if in the next, it would be better then the last few.
There was at least recognition of community complaints and/or concerns in the past. Now there is nothing of use at all.
It of course would be better if Bill or one of his minions acknowledged that the concern is at least noted before the next update is provided.
Agreed. Most certainly agreed.
I know there are plans for changes to the Digital Insider in the works. I will see to it that your comments reach the right ears here at Wizards.
To answer your next question, I will also check into what these changes may be and let you know what I can find out!
- Chuck
Hey guys! Thanks for this deluge of feedback.
I know there are plans for changes to the Digital Insider in the works. I will see to it that your comments reach the right ears here at Wizards.
To answer your next question, I will also check into what these changes may be and let you know what I can find out!
- Chuck
Much appreciated, thank you.
Hey guys! Thanks for this deluge of feedback.
I know there are plans for changes to the Digital Insider in the works. I will see to it that your comments reach the right ears here at Wizards.
To answer your next question, I will also check into what these changes may be and let you know what I can find out!
- Chuck
...Marry me. :D
j/k
In all seriousness though... thank you very much.
Ignore the fact that I'm an unpaid volunteer... Its the thought that counts.
@Wizards - Chuck is the best thing we've got on the forums. I'd like to offer to take a pay cut so he can have a raise.
Ignore the fact that I'm an unpaid volunteer... Its the thought that counts.
well the only thought i'm having right now is: when will the next wave of layoffs be, and does it again include people who rise up to be a community liaison? because honestly, it seems to me like that post is more often abandoned than any other.
Shush, baron! Think Happy Thoughts!
I do agree with Baron though. I hope that the new WotC Adventure, "Curse of the Community Manager" doesn't claim another impressive character.
I know. I share your fears. But I'm hoping that if I close my eyes and wish really hard, Chuck will stay.
...but AsmodeusLore, don't you remember?
This is 4e. We have no wish spell...
(NOT THAT I WANT TO SEE IT IN 4E RULES)
@Wizards - Chuck is the best thing we've got on the forums. I'd like to offer to take a pay cut so he can have a raise.
Ignore the fact that I'm an unpaid volunteer... Its the thought that counts.
honestly chuck is ok but I miss WoTC_DM I honestly feel he gave us more useful information and straight answers than anyone that has ever come to the boards.
The solution of deleting an installed file, and retrying. Wash and repeat until it works is just so inellegant that it makes me cringe when I explain it to my friends to try to convince them to purchase the utility and help grow the community.
If I missed a widely posted appology that wasn't tucked away in the middle of a forum, I appologize, but then again perhaps my Canadian nature
Thank you for place to rant,
Chompy_Rex
Chompy... I hate to be the one to inform you of this, but there really isn't any apologies that come from WoTC. Those that do apologize on the behalf of WoTC for pretty much ANYTHING generally wind up getting the can.
True. I mean, who would think that keeping your customers and subscribers happy would be a good thing.
I mean addressing specific complaints and giving solid information accompanied by an apology for not doing so in the FIRST PLACE should never be punished.For everything I was promised to become an "insider" that has fallen through or been placed on a back burner, I feel more than just a little played.:headexplo
What is worse is the utter lack of embarrassment on behalf of WOTC. I would bet dollars to pesos that if we were given open and honest answers and felt like some semblance of honest effort was being put into the DDI we'd all be a little less :hoppingma
And even though I LOVED the first few DDIs the last moth or so have just had me screaming what the
!He definitely isn't before your time. Seriously? You haven't seen him?
I've seen him. Just not often. He just hasn't been as active a force in the past month as Chuck. Or maybe we just travel in different social circles. He's probably a Forgotten Realms guy, while I frequent the Eberron hangouts.
I've seen him. Just not often. He just hasn't been as active a force in the past month as Chuck. Or maybe we just travel in different social circles. He's probably a Forgotten Realms guy, while I frequent the Eberron hangouts.
He hasn't been active much lately and I truly miss him coming in to give his 2 cents he really did seem a lot more straight forward than any of the guys they put in as pr guys. That said after the initial dousing of fires chuck jumped in here doing he hasn't really had much to say but he is at least keeping an eye on the forums. Nothing against chuck but I've been jaded by the company he works for and until I see results I'm not going to be singing the praises of the new crowd control guy.
- Chuck
Hey guy, just wanted to point you to the new Digital Insider, it talks about many of the things you have brought up in this thread.
- Chuck
actually it talks about nothing, well, nothing except that they'll discontinue any form of communication they had set up. please at least try to do something to communicate with your customers. this way, wotc even more states that they don't give a **** about their customers as long as they find enough stupids who pay.
I don't fully understand why it has to shut down, but at least you guys are doing the right thing and putting her down.