Some Positive Feedback for Dan

[AlHazred]

I am a big fan of programs that assist in game management. I've used just about every free program for any RPG system (GURPS Character Builder being the most notable exception), and I have some for-pay programs. Out of them all, I only consider two essential: Hero Designer (for Hero System games) and RCMS (for the RoleMaster Standard System). RCMS we can dispense with - it's essential simply because the main rules are far too complex to begin with. That leaves HD as the lone standout.

I come to this conclusion after having recently finished evaluating a number of d20 programs. These things are not built well. About the easiest to use is HeroForge, and that's a fan-built macro-heavy Excel spreadsheet, not a true character management program; modifying anything requires cracking the macros, deciphering the tables, and in many cases redoing it from scratch. E-Tools, the official D&D software, has the full support of WotC behind it, yet, to my mind, it sucks. Sure, it makes it possible to do a lot of things in d20 quickly and easily, but it is a royal pain in the ass to use. I'm spoiled - when I want to do something unique in Hero Designer, I just use a Custom Whatever and rename it. In E-Tools, you have to jump through hoops to do it right, using either the sparse Help file or the intermittently-useful message boards as a guide.

So, I wanted to thank you! I'm quite spoiled by this point! I can hardly wait for v. 3.0!

[Simon]

I'm glad you like it!

I'm interested to see how well existing HD users take to v3. I'm sure that new users will not be an issue -- the feature set is just going to grow and the ease-of-use is going to improve....but the changes that I'm working into v3 are not quite as "dramatic" as the changes from v1 to v2.

Most of what I'm working on for v3 thus far is focused on ease of use and streamlining the user experience. Group files, allowing templates to contain prefabs (and showing these whenever the template is in use), bundling all relevant files inside of the character file (including custom templates, character image, campaign rules, etc.)...that kind of thing. Nothing quite as "in your face" as the v2 upgrade, which had major functionality improvements as well as performance improvements.

There's a whole slew of new functionality that will come into play with the group files (the re-work of the templates and character files is just the ground work for this). I'm also planning on putting in the long-awaited custom martial maneuver builder...and one or two other pieces of "missing" functionality. The main set of features that I see as defining v3, however, will all be focused around the new group file concept (and related features). My hope is that once folks get a feel for the new functionality that they'll wonder how they got by without it for the past three years ;)

[AliceTheOwl]

Ooooooh.

I'm just chiming in to add my appreciation for the program. I've been able to build 2 whole characters mostly by myself, without even fully understanding the rules. Having everything streamlined the way it is has gone a long way towards helping me understand character building and limitation rules.

I'm sure Josh is grateful, too, because he was the one making all my characters before. :D

So thanks, Simon.

[Dr. Anomaly]

Dan, here is one user who had no problems with the changes from v1 to v2 -- rather the opposite! So if the changes from v2 to v3 are less "in your face" and still providing "even more functionality and streamlining", I don't see how I could do anything but love it!

[Tae Kwon Dan]

It's nice to finally get some recognition around here.

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Ohhhh, that Dan. :p

I'll throw in a shout out as well. HD has been great in that it's also helped me learn the rules as I go. Not to mention throwing it on my laptop has made it easier, for me at least, to have several baddies up at once on my computer in a common format that I can just ALT-TAB between during sessions.

[AlHazred]

Not to mention throwing it on my laptop has made it easier, for me at least, to have several baddies up at once on my computer in a common format that I can just ALT-TAB between during sessions.

If you use Firefox, the ability to put a bunch of characters as multiple tabs and then define a group of them to open as a homepage, or single-click on the Bookmarks menu, is fantastic!

[nHammer]

I'll chime in as well. HD is truly an exceptional program. I don't necessarily NEED it to make a Hero character, but damned if I ain't GLAD I have it. It's great. If I'm sitting around generally bored I'll just get on HD and see what I can throw together. I love it.


The main set of features that I see as defining v3, however, will all be focused around the new group file concept (and related features). My hope is that once folks get a feel for the new functionality that they'll wonder how they got by without it for the past three years ;)

Hell, I'm wondering that now. Group files are a great idea. So looking forward to it.

[JTesla]

I'll also chime in with my love of Hero Designer. Like AlHazred I have used many different programs for many different systems, they don’t even compare to HD. I can’t wait to see all that is coming with v3, it is on my '05-'06 must buy list.