Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? - Page 3

sir_pudding · 08-08-2017, 05:18 PM

Having a physical book is good for I think two reasons:

I'm a weirdo who actually reads RPG books cover-to-cover.
Handing to players, since I don't have a tablet and PDFs on the kindle aren't optimal.

But otherwise I barely use them.

Ulzgoroth · 08-08-2017, 06:43 PM

I find it easier to read a hardback book than a PDF on a Kindle screen, so they're somewhat useful if I'm wanting to read while on the move. Other than that edge case and lending, I only pull out the print books for things I don't have in PDF.

dripton · 08-08-2017, 06:47 PM

I originally bought most of my GURPS 4E books in hardcover at Amazon, because discounted hardcovers were cheaper than full-price PDFs. But I was playing in a Internet GURPS game while travelling, and wanted the PDFs of Basic and Martial Arts for the portability. And it turned out that searchability was a huge bonus.

I'm too cheap to buy *all* my GURPS books twice though. Only the handful that I use the most.

DannyBoy · 08-08-2017, 07:56 PM

Although I agree that PDF's are in most respects better, I think I'll go for print for technical reasons, namely that I have no good way to display a PDF. I have a phone, which is pretty good but has a tiny screen, a laptop which takes longer to load than it takes me to find the page I want from the index, and a tablet that splits the difference of small screen and awful load time. I also think it would be quite unpopular to relocate the game to my computer desk where I am now typing this on my desktop PC. :P

Also, I believe it would be more popular with my players if I did not bring a phone to the table, as I recently instituted a phone ban so we could concentrate better on the game.

I may buy the PDF's at a later date, perhaps if I somehow find myself in possession of a Microsoft Surface Pro or a decent laptop, but for now, I think print is my best option.

Refplace · 08-08-2017, 08:54 PM

Enjoy! and good luck with your games

RyanW · 08-08-2017, 10:36 PM

I use a laptop at the game table, and it serves as both book and GM screen. It's a bit old now (originally came with Windows XP) but I use a lightweight Linux install on a small SSD, and it runs like a rabbit. I'm not going to be playing the lastest video games on it, but that isn't what it's there for.

dbm · 08-09-2017, 12:17 AM

iPad Pro 12.9 for the win...

Approximately 90%+ of the physical area of a typical RPG hardback but less weight than most. The latest version has a screen so good you can read it outside under direct light, too.

Maz · 08-09-2017, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbm

iPad Pro 12.9 for the win...

Approximately 90%+ of the physical area of a typical RPG hardback but less weight than most. The latest version has a screen so good you can read it outside under direct light, too.

Until it runs out of power...

Hehe sorry. But that has happened to me once or twice.
I, like RyanW use a laptop as a GM screen/reference tool. But when it, mid-session, suddenly runs out of power because you, like an idiot, forgot to charge it and didn't bring a cable... then it's less fun.

lachimba · 08-09-2017, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whswhs

Do you have the Basic Set so well memorized that you can find everything you need to look up without a search function?

Yes, amazingly so.

MIB.6361 · 08-09-2017, 08:19 AM

My bookshelf is next to my gaming table, so if we're gaming, the books come out even though one of my players frequently has his pdfs handy.

When I'm working on a character, I'm at my computer and use the pdfs.

I take hard copies with me to conventions, because I'm not going to pass my tablet around or let strangers use my laptop.

Both are useful to me. I also own a great deal of the books that are PDF only and have printed some of those.

08-08-2017, 05:18 PM	#21
sir_pudding Wielder of Smart Pants Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ventura CA	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? Having a physical book is good for I think two reasons: I'm a weirdo who actually reads RPG books cover-to-cover. Handing to players, since I don't have a tablet and PDFs on the kindle aren't optimal. But otherwise I barely use them.

08-08-2017, 06:43 PM	#22
Ulzgoroth Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? I find it easier to read a hardback book than a PDF on a Kindle screen, so they're somewhat useful if I'm wanting to read while on the move. Other than that edge case and lending, I only pull out the print books for things I don't have in PDF. __________________ I don't know any 3e, so there is no chance that I am talking about 3e rules by accident.

08-08-2017, 06:47 PM	#23
dripton Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern Virginia, USA	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? I originally bought most of my GURPS 4E books in hardcover at Amazon, because discounted hardcovers were cheaper than full-price PDFs. But I was playing in a Internet GURPS game while travelling, and wanted the PDFs of Basic and Martial Arts for the portability. And it turned out that searchability was a huge bonus. I'm too cheap to buy all my GURPS books twice though. Only the handful that I use the most.

08-08-2017, 07:56 PM	#24
DannyBoy Join Date: Aug 2017	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? Although I agree that PDF's are in most respects better, I think I'll go for print for technical reasons, namely that I have no good way to display a PDF. I have a phone, which is pretty good but has a tiny screen, a laptop which takes longer to load than it takes me to find the page I want from the index, and a tablet that splits the difference of small screen and awful load time. I also think it would be quite unpopular to relocate the game to my computer desk where I am now typing this on my desktop PC. :P Also, I believe it would be more popular with my players if I did not bring a phone to the table, as I recently instituted a phone ban so we could concentrate better on the game. I may buy the PDF's at a later date, perhaps if I somehow find myself in possession of a Microsoft Surface Pro or a decent laptop, but for now, I think print is my best option.

08-08-2017, 08:54 PM	#25
Refplace Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Yukon, OK	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? Enjoy! and good luck with your games __________________ My GURPS publications GURPS Powers: Totem and Nature Spirits; GURPS Template Toolkit 4: Spirits; Pyramid articles. Buying them lets us know you want more! My GURPS fan contribution and blog: REFPLace GURPS Landing Page My List of GURPS You Tube videos (plus a few other useful items) My GURPS Wiki entries

08-08-2017, 10:36 PM	#26
RyanW ☣ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southeast NC	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? I use a laptop at the game table, and it serves as both book and GM screen. It's a bit old now (originally came with Windows XP) but I use a lightweight Linux install on a small SSD, and it runs like a rabbit. I'm not going to be playing the lastest video games on it, but that isn't what it's there for. __________________ RyanW - Actually one normal sized guy in three tiny trenchcoats.

08-09-2017, 12:17 AM	#27
dbm Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lancashire, UK	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? iPad Pro 12.9 for the win... Approximately 90%+ of the physical area of a typical RPG hardback but less weight than most. The latest version has a screen so good you can read it outside under direct light, too.

08-09-2017, 08:19 AM	#30
MIB.6361 MIB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Earth, Sol, Milky Way, Infinity.	Re: Usefulness of Basic Set PDF's? My bookshelf is next to my gaming table, so if we're gaming, the books come out even though one of my players frequently has his pdfs handy. When I'm working on a character, I'm at my computer and use the pdfs. I take hard copies with me to conventions, because I'm not going to pass my tablet around or let strangers use my laptop. Both are useful to me. I also own a great deal of the books that are PDF only and have printed some of those. __________________ Jessie/MIB 6361 Arizona Men in Black Cell Leader