Samsung SPF-87H 8-Inch Digital Picture Frame

Okay, why the heck am I mentioning a digital picture frame on a blog about RPG games and related gadgets? Quite simply because this is no ordinary digital picture frame. Not because it comes with 1 GB of memory build in, so you can upload your pics without the need of an SD card or such (although it takes those too). Nope, it is here for one reason and one reason only: it doubles as a second monitor.

Yep, it serves dual duty, and for a gamer that uses VTTs this 8" screen is a godsend, Have Fantasy Grounds II, iTabletop or whatever your favorite VTT occupying your valuable;e desktop space? You can drag your web browser or PDF reader to the 8" picture frame for rule look ups or distracted web browsing when the game is going slow.

Tigerdirect had this at 89.99 but I found it last week on Amazon for 69.99, which is a steal if you ask me. Hmmm... i need to hook my slingbox back up and see how it handles video ;)

Rant Time - Outsourcing Sucks Day Old Meat Patties

My rant has very little to do with RPGs, roleplaying, VTTs, e-book readers, computer games, video games and all that other shite. Nope, my rant has everything to do with the most evil of business practices: outsourcing.

I really don't care much how outsourcing affects our economy, moves jobs overseas, and all that other hooey that has to do with economics. No, my rant is much more personal.

I am fed up to HERE ^ with customer service that is outsourced to other countries. Why, as an American (or any other -ican you can think of) should I have to deal with "Faux-Americans" when I call a major bank's customer service?

My first call got me "Cheryl", who, with the ever so strong hint of an Indian accent, repeatedly asked me "What is your password? I can give hint. 'B", as in basey-ball". AArghhhh! She transferred me to "Lenard", who also asked me my password with the same inflection. I explained that 20 years ago when I opened this account there were no damn passwords. He told me all was fine in the world, and my transaction would be processed.

Two days later I'm still waiting on authorization. I call and get "Roland", who... guess what... asks me again for my ever luvin' fig eatin' password. He passes me on to "Kate", who seems annoyed with my call, but doesn't ask for my password. Kate apologizes via "The Script", tells me all is right with the world and sends me on my way. A quick call to say "give it a go" and I sit back finally relax. It is done. But no, apparently it isn't, because I'm told again, for the second time AFTER dealing with customer service, that all is STILL NOT right in the world.

So, I call back again. I can see their computer screens are telling them I'm a repeat caller, and now I'm pissin' vinegar, so "Noel" (sounding more like a "Patel", but no matter) realizes "The Script" will not solve this problem and I'm not going away. She makes the decision to contact someone "Who can help you better".

Two minutes later I'm talking with "Linda", who, with her cute Texas drawl, proceeds to update my account, verify my information and notices that 19 years ago someone keyed my mother's maiden name in with the first letter off by a neighboring key. She takes my work number and calls me back in 10 minutes after doing the voodoo that she do so well... and finally, after 3 calls and 6 contacts my ever-lovin' purchase is approved.

Remember the Alamo... it might be the last bastion of effective customer service we have left, assuming you can escape the script that the outsourced customer service is limited to work with.

Signs & Portents - Issue 75

Signs and Portents Issue 75 hit RPGNow today. Highlights are discussion of the forthcoming Runequest 2 and some more Babylon 5 stuff. Did I mention its free, and that this barely scratches the surface of what's inside?

Grab it. I'll wait...

Dragon Age: Origins - Seeing Double

Alright, I bought Dragon Age for the XBox 360 initially. I figured I needed to get more use out of my 360, and it would be awesome playing a game like this on a 42" screen. And it is, or was. One a scale of 1 to 5, I give the game nearly a 4.5 after playing thru about 15% of the game. That being said, it is almost impossible to run tactical combat with the 360 interface in this game. Just doesnt lend itself to it.

So naturally I broke down and bought it for the PC. Hey, at lest it was at a 30% discount from the EA store as a download. I've barely started the PC version, but already I prefer the interface. Then again, I am primarily a PC gamer. Assuming the rest of the gameplay is like the 360, I expect a very solid 5 out of 5 on the pc version.

Course, I have Borderlands standing by to be played on the 360 next, but that is a RPG / Shooter hybrid... it may just work ;)

Another Great Free Gaming Resource

Jeff's Gameblog mentioned a site I hadn't known of yet... The UncleBear Blog

The above link takes you directly to his download page, where you can find such goodies as a cloned version of Avalon Hill's classic licensed (to kill) espionage game among others.

Go and be free.

Alpha Omega Core Rulebook (Sample)

The Alpha Omega Core Rulebook (Sample) is a beautiful sample of a gorgeous rulebook. No, I don't know how the rules play. Heck, I haven't even read the PDF that I ordered and downloaded. I peeked at the sample and I was sold (for the print/pdf combo at Indie Press Revolution). Hook, line and sinker.

Longtime readers of my Blog know I like free. The combo purchase was far from free. It's also probably the most attractive gamebook I've laid my eyes on in my 25+ years of gaming... and I'm saying that while still awaiting the print version.

Download the sample. I already lifted the painting on page 7 of the sample as my new desktop background, but there were many top notch choices. The sample is free. The worst that can happen to you is you get hooked.

I'm a Kindle Blogger! Sorta...

So, this blog is now available on the Kindle. Originally priced at $1.99 a month, it is now 99 cents a month. Don't ask me how Amazon decides how to price the blogs they sell through their site... they set the price and the authors just follow along. I'm happy to see it priced at 99 cents... I'f priceit for free on Amazon but that isn't an option.

Oh, and I hope turkey day went well for everyone. Today is Black Friday... I'll be shopping from the comfort of my desk ;)

ADAMANT ENTERTAINMENT - Dollar Sale at RPGNow

Adamant Entertainment has put just about all of its PDFs on sale for a buck each. My picks are below. Each has an original price ranging from about 12 bucks to 35. So for 7 bucks you can score over a two hundred dollars worth of gaming goodness. Even if you don't use the systems in question you can simply steal ideas ;)

Tome of Secrets

MARS: Savage Worlds Edition

The Imperial Age: True20 Edition

MARS: The Roleplaying Game of Planetary Romance

THRILLING TALES: Omnibus Edition

Thrilling Tales 2nd Edition (Savage Worlds)

Terminal Identity: Uplink 1.0

Amazon Updates Kindle Firmware... PDFs are Native to Kindle 2 Now

Yep, Amazon finally did a no brainer and updated the firmware on the Kindle 2 to read PDFs in their native format. What does this mean to gamers like us? It a real convenient way to read gaming material on your downtime... you know, in the waiting room, on the bus or train or even plane, all without having to reveal to the unclean masses that you are a gamer.

Well, that and it can hold oodles of gaming material.

So, after updating the firmware on my Kindle 2 (for some reason it didn't update automatically via Whispersync), I rebooted the puppy, connected my Kindle 2 with it's USB cable to my computer and dumped the first edition of the Labrynth Lord rules onto it.

The results? Can't really read it in its regular orientation (print is way too small), but it is very readable in the horizontal position. I still will prefer using my DX for reading PDFs I think, but the option to use the Kindle 2 is very much appreciated.

Oh, and the update promises a greatly increased battery time between charges.

The DX also got an update. The main thing there is that PDFs, when viewed in the horizontal position, will automatically have the white space borders cropped, thereby increasing the viewable size of the PDF on screen. Haven't seen it in action yet but I will give it a try soon.

What's Old is new... again.

I'm a big follower of the retro game movement. I loved my 1st edition AD&D games, and anything that can harken back to those days while using modern production values is pure awesomeness.

OSRIC is the 1st Edition AD&D rules reimaged, neatened up and generally rewritten.

Labrynth Lord is a rewrite of BCMI D&D rules and is a pleasure to read. I'll be running this soon, I hope

Swords & Wizardry is a reworking of OD&D. There is even a quickstart version of the rules available.

These are all professionally produced rule sets that are available for FREE in PDF format. The all look nice on the Kindle DX (tho OSRIC version 2 is a bit large and unwieldy on the DX). Give them a look. The only cost is your time.

D6? Free6!

Damn. I have no idea how I missed this earlier. West End Games (of the original Star Wars RPG fame) has put out many of their core books in PDF format for free. I like free. I also liked the old Star Wars RPG much more then the WotC version.

Here's the list of which books are free on RPGNow from WEG:

D6 Adventure
D6 Fantasy
D6 Space
D6 Space Ships
D6 Adventure Locations
D6 Fantasy Creatures
D6 Fantasy Locations

Thats a lot of material right there. I'll need to load them up on my DX and give them a shake.

Signs & Portents - Free Loot!

Say what you will about Mongoose Publishing (and many of you will) but their Signs & Portents Magazine is an excellent piece of work, even if you don't play with their products. The fact that it is free? Utterly amazing.

In this month's issue; (cribbed directly from the RPGNow page)

Signs & Portents
A number of upcoming releases are sneakily unveiled. . .

Games Fest & Halloween at Mongoose Hall
Our on the spot reporter Katrina brings you news of the latest gaming events.

Spycraft
Unleash your inner criminal mastermind.

Earthdawn
Buried Truths, a complete adventure!

Traveller
Two patrons, ready to be slotted into your campaign.

Victory at Sea
Featuring the biggest ship we have EVER put in this game!

Traveller
A Heavy Systems Defence Boat, dedicated to keeping your shipping lanes clear of piracy and those pesky Vargr!

Lone Wolf
The village of Eshnar uncovered. . .

Conan
Cimmerian Moons, a complete adventure for your favourite barbarians.

Traveller/Babylon 5
The end is hoving into view for the massive Legacy of War epic.

Go to RPGNow and pick the latest issue up for free in PDF... then go back and get the previous 73 issues. You won't be sorry. Is it a house organ? Unabashedly. It's also quality and costs nothing. Steal what you can from it. I plan to.

2012 - RPG-able?

I saw 2012 with my 16 y/o son last night. Quick and dirty review: Hollywood blockbuster, amazing special effects, shallow and one trick characters, iffy science, way too long at over 2 1/2 hrs and needs a good editor to cut out some of those amazing special effects. Really. I know you wasted millions of dollars on those 90 seconds of the earth being destroyed, but those 90 seconds need to go... there is still 90 minutes of special effects of the earth being destroyed to fill in the gaps.

Now, as for RPG-ability. Without spoiling too much for those that haven't yet seen the latest special effects thrill ride, all of the real roleplaying source material is in the last 10 minutes of the movie. That is all. But you could work a really fine campaign off those last 10 minutes.

Yep, if you can sneak a peek at the last 10 minutes of this flick you'd have the seeds of a fine game setting ;)

It's Been Ages...

I know I haven't posted in like 10 days. God himself knows how hectic life can get, and boy, did it! ;)

Not all bad, but something had to take a back seat, and this was it. Anyhow...

Torchlight, a nice, little, inexpensive ($18-20) Diablo 2 clone-like game for the PC is addictive. Better then Titan Quest, and much more affordable. It's a decent game priced as shovel-ware. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Dragon Age - holy mother of pearl! This game rocks. Currently playing on the Xbox 360 (for the 43" HD experience) but I think the PC version would be even better. Its clocked about 2 days worth of my life (treating a day as an 8 hrs workday). Get it, enjoy it, live it.

iTabletop. Click the link to the right. Go to the forums (join if you arent a member - its free). General Forum - Go to the contest (favorite NPC) and enter. There's a 10 dollar RPGNow gift cert riding on this one. You KNOW you want it :)

DDO - Back to Swinging

So, I'm back in the swing of things in DDO... even to the point of subscribing again. It's just fun.

Now, I just got Dragon Age for the Xbox 360 delivered today and I'm dying to play it, but tonight is DDO nite with a friend or two, and you just can't pass up on gaming with friends.

Yes, I still need to get around to reviewing some PDFs... this wekend just me, the kid, a house in the country and my new macbook... reviews will get done. I promise.

Now, for those that might want $10 bucks to spend on some of those way cool PDFs, I will be running a contest in the iTabletop.com forums. The prize, a $10 RPGNow gift cert. Still waiting on ideas for the contest tho ;) Head over to the forums and help me out!

An Apple a Day...

Okie, so I finally did it. I bought a Mac. Don't kill me, it took alot of thought, but once a new Macbook fell to $799 at Microcenter, I was sold.

The deed was completed on Saturday afternoon. It is very... pretty. In a totallly alright with me sort of way. Seriously, in looks very slim and sleek, very much the complete opposite of me. Cat hairs show up very quickly on the white casing tho.

I'm still playing with it, but so far it seems like a very convenient alternative to my netbook for surfing in bed, or on the sofa, or at the kitchen table.

I'll be loading it with a bunch of gaming PDFs to see how they look.

iTabletop - The New Moderate Moderator

I am honored to be able to state that I am one of 2 volunteer forum moderators at the iTabletop site. I'm very excited about the potential of this new VTT.

Having met the dev team / owners via video conference earlier today I have to say they appear to be on the right track with the Silvertable Project. I'm sure things won't move as fast as I (or they) would like to see, but when does software design ever follow a set timetable? Features breed new features which break old features requiring tweeks... but I am looking forward to the Beta release that is being placed into the hands of Lifetime Members later this month.

My expectations are high, but as it is a beta, I expect many bugs and limitations. I will be testing the crap outa it myself ;)

Kobold Quarterly 11 is in my Mailbox

Actually, I found it in my email last night, and in my snail mail for the hard copy when I got home from work. Haven't had much time to peruse it yet. Maybe I'll read it as I lull myself to sleep tonight.

I have to get to work tomorrow extra early if I want any chance to find parking (movie filming just removed 12+ blocks of parking near my job tomorrow). So, I'll aim to get in by 6 / 615. I'd have so much more time for reading if I would just take the train to work ;)

Barnes and Noble is releasing its own E-Book reader. Specs look very favorable matched up to the Kindle 2, and reads PDFs nativly. I'll wait for some user reviews on this one, but again, the "Nook" looks promising.

Moderate This!

So, it looks like I will be one of two volunteer moderators on the iTabletop website... which is damn cool as I am really excited about the forthcoming Silvertable (iTabletop2.0).

What makes me a good choice for the job? Damned if I know, but I sure as hell plan to do what I can to make the forums a place to post as opposed to a place for ghost posts (my Halloween theme... heh).

Just upgrade today to a 25" monitor... I'll need the extra desktop for the live video feeds from my players :)

About that Splurge...

So anyhow, I escaped to the mountains for the holiday weekend, and lo and behold, what do I do? I log into RPGNow and and other RPG sites and buy more PDFs.

FantasyCraft - Straight 5s at RPGNow in its reviews so I'm not going to even try to review that yet. I'm going to see if I can make heads or tails of it myself. Countdown to iTabletop Beta is 18 days and I need a game system I can DM :)

Mouseguard looks to be extremely well written and alot of fun. Not to sure how happy folks will be to play mice tho.

A Time of War - The BattleTech RPG - Oh boy. This may rock or suck, but at 10 bucks and a future free upgrade I bit the bullet.

The Shotgun Diaries - Zombie horror... may be a good Halloween theme.

Houses of the Blooded - 4 bucks for over 400 pages from the outer of 7 Seas and Legend of the 5 Rings. I mean, 4 lousy bucks man!

I'll DX these in the next few days and see how they all shake out.

Oh, and if you are like me and were too lazy to file taxes back on April 15th and did the automatic 6 month extension... October 15th is the end of the extension... get to it!