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What software do you use to write RPGs?

Started by Narf the Mouse, September 13, 2008, 02:32:08 PM

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Narf the Mouse

September 13, 2008, 02:32:08 PM
I was first going to only ask about software for writing outlines (Being able to close and open a bullet-point list would be helpful), but then I thought it would be more useful to ask about software for writing RPGs in general.

Open Office for writing.
Scribus for character sheets.
Notepad for scribbling.
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

StormBringer

#1
September 13, 2008, 02:49:36 PM
Quote from: Narf the Mouse;247467I was first going to only ask about software for writing outlines (Being able to close and open a bullet-point list would be helpful), but then I thought it would be more useful to ask about software for writing RPGs in general.

Open Office for writing.
Scribus for character sheets.
Notepad for scribbling.
Open Office has a pdf creator built in, which beats having to set up some crazy printer driver to get your files into pdf format.  Plus, you can get it as part of the PortableApps suite, which has a bunch of nice software you can set up for it.  I have been trying the GeekMenu instead of the bundled PortableApps menu recently, I like it better.  Except, it doesn't sort.
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Narf the Mouse

#2
September 13, 2008, 02:56:42 PM
*Insert bunny with a pancake on its head here*

I know it has a built-in .pdf creator, but it doesn't seem useful for making good character sheets.

PortableApps?...*Google* Um, what exactly is the benefit of this over just using a USB drive?
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

J Arcane

#3
September 13, 2008, 03:03:30 PM
For a while there I was using Blogger for all my design documentation.

Now I just use Pages.  I like it, it's simple, does the job, but still makes great looking stuff without a lot of fiddling.

Also, like just about every damn thing else on the Mac, it has PDF printing built in, and it works quite nicely.
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StormBringer

#4
September 13, 2008, 03:09:35 PM
Quote from: Narf the Mouse;247478*Insert bunny with a pancake on its head here*

I know it has a built-in .pdf creator, but it doesn't seem useful for making good character sheets.

PortableApps?...*Google* Um, what exactly is the benefit of this over just using a USB drive?
Writer is designed to be a decent lay-out replacement for things like Quark Express.  Of course, it doesn't have nearly the power or flexibility, but it works pretty well for tasks where you aren't designing a college level text book.

PortableApps goes on a flash drive, so you have applications always available.  No registry entries, no installing and uninstalling, no hassle.  Plus the list of available applications is large, and growing.  If you only need Google apps for knocking out an application, you sound like you are set.  PortableApps has far and away a greater variety of apps for use on the go.
If you read the above post, you owe me $20 for tutoring fees

\'Let them call me rebel, and welcome, I have no concern for it, but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul.\'
- Thomas Paine
\'Everything doesn\'t need

Narf the Mouse

#5
September 13, 2008, 03:13:40 PM
Ok, thanks.
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

HinterWelt

#6
September 14, 2008, 01:34:07 AM
Adobe Framemaker 7. So does Clash. Great minds think alike.

Oh, sometimes I use word with Adobe Distiller.

Bill
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Silverlion

#7
September 14, 2008, 02:19:52 AM
Right now I write with plain text. Then run it through Open Office for playtests, and such (and initial editing, spell check), then send it off for full corrections by a person, and lastly to someone who can lay it out--as long as they don't flake on me like last time.  (Thanks goto Jerry Grayson for finally breaking that problem.)
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VBWyrde

#8
September 14, 2008, 08:35:28 AM
I use, at the risk of being computerly incorrect, Microsoft Office (word, excel, access) for creating the documents for the game, and do development in asp.net 2.0 with sql server 2000 for the application database to create my GMs Assistant application which helps me to write the game, roll characters, print sheets, do analysis on the game, and track game history.

Edit: PS - I use PrimePDF to print from Office to PDF.   It's free and works very well.
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David Johansen

#9
September 14, 2008, 10:18:07 AM
Pad of quarter inch graph paper and a mechanical pencil.

I type them up and format them in Word Perfect 9.  Which also has a .pdf creation feature.
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flyingmice

#10
September 14, 2008, 01:22:04 PM
Quote from: HinterWelt;247596Adobe Framemaker 7. So does Clash. Great minds think alike.

Oh, sometimes I use word with Adobe Distiller.

Bill

Yep! Frame Maker for me. Bill makes it sing. If I try really hard, I can make it talk.

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stu2000

#11
September 14, 2008, 09:08:49 PM
Quote from: David Johansen;247655Pad of quarter inch graph paper and a mechanical pencil.

I type them up and format them in Word Perfect 9.  Which also has a .pdf creation feature.

I use metric paper (5mm boxes) and Word, but othrerwise, do like that.
Employment Counselor: So what do you like to do outside of work?
Oblivious Gamer: I like to play games: wargames, role-playing games.
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David Johansen

#12
September 14, 2008, 10:42:37 PM
Word, Metric?

WORD AND METRIC?

BURN THE HERETIC!!!

;)
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stu2000

#13
September 14, 2008, 10:47:12 PM
Sometimes, when I'm feeling passionate and committed, I use INK!
Employment Counselor: So what do you like to do outside of work?
Oblivious Gamer: I like to play games: wargames, role-playing games.
EC: My cousin killed himself because of role-playing games.
OG: Jesus, what was he playing? Rifts?
--Fear the Boot

Engine

#14
September 15, 2008, 09:47:19 AM
From lined paper directly to PageMaker 6.5.1 for me. Yes, I do know. Because I like it, that's why.
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