Thread: Chat function for running games

22 posts.



Hi all,

I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone. YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you would need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players. There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to screen out the public if you want.

\_/
DED
TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin



No kidding.

That gives me an idea....

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" <> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you would
> need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.
> There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to
> screen out the public if you want.
>
> _/
> DED
> TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
>
>
>


He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.

-JTD

"Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that thing?!', scream, and then cut your mic."

- Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon

On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, <> wrote:

> No kidding.
>
> That gives me an idea....
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" <> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you would
> > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.
> > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to
> > screen out the public if you want.
> >
> > _/
> > DED
> > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> >
> >
> >


I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
questions/thoughts:

1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd have
in an online collaboration site
2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips freebies
from Yahoo
3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
saving after the sessions
4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
addition to players
5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions for
die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?

It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something I
would really like to do with/for this group.

Dave

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
<> wrote:
> He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> -JTD
> "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that thing?!',
> scream, and then cut your mic."
> - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
>
> On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
>
> No kidding.
>
> That gives me an idea....
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> would
> > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.
> > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to
> > screen out the public if you want.
> >
> > _/
> > DED
> > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> >
> >
> >


My $0.02, from running a number of (non-Traveller) RPGs via chat:

1. Sharing graphics isn't something I've done, but then I always did more with "verbal" (read: written) description. Google Documents might be a possible solution, I've used that in the past to do character sheets.

2. Probably so. Is there a VASSAL or Cyberboard module for Brilliant Lances?

4. I've not had a problem with observers in addition to players as long as everyone abides by the rules. One other possibility for this would be to run the game over IRC chat, which is relatively simple to set up. It has a built-in "voice" function that allows only designated people to talk in the main channel. Backchannel talk is all fine.

5. The best method I've come up with is using http://www.random.org and have everybody roll their own dice. Having the GM do it all gets too unwieldy, and at the end of the day you either trust people or you don't.

It would be great if we could get this going. I've always wanted to run a five-sided BL scenario based on the "Rescue Ru(i)n" concept on the BARD site, with a few modifications to make it even more of an almighty spinning bow tie extravaganza that what's already written.

-JTD

"If you can't be good, be colorful"

- Pete Conrad, Commander, Apollo 12

On Jun 11, 2012, at 7:35 PM, <> <> wrote:

> I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> questions/thoughts:
>
> 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd have
> in an online collaboration site
> 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips freebies
> from Yahoo
> 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> saving after the sessions
> 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> addition to players
> 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions for
> die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
>
> It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something I
> would really like to do with/for this group.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> <> wrote:
> > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > -JTD
> > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that thing?!',
> > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> >
> > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> >
> > No kidding.
> >
> > That gives me an idea....
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> > would
> > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.
> > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to
> > > screen out the public if you want.
> > >
> > > _/
> > > DED
> > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > >
> > >
> > >


#traveller on IRC Undernet also has chat for Traveller gaming.

--Hawk

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Insert something witty here.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

-----Original Message-----
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:15:01 -0500
Subject: Re: [Traveller_TNE] Chat function for running games

No kidding.

That gives me an idea....

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" <> wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.

> YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you would

> need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.

> There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to

> screen out the public if you want.

>

> _/

> DED

> TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin

>

>

>



Hmmm.

Being a nuclear, rather than electronic guy, I had some other ideas before
I received this, but I'll respond to your thoughts first:

1. When I say "graphics," I'm mostly meaning maps, but that can be solved
to some extent by distributing them in advance when they are not sensitive,
and e-mailing them in real time when they are needed. "Okay, check your
e-mail and look at the map I just sent."

2. Maybe, but that is since my time, and I'm a nuclear guy by disposition,
age, and not to mention literally.

4. Given my thinking about this group, I like the idea of observers, as it
allows more people to enjoy something that I believe is what brought them
onto this list to begin with.

5. Yes, you hit my first assumption.

Now to my thoughts, which are analog/nuclear solutions.

How many of the members of this list live in physical proximity, where
2-3-4 people could get together in the same room? There could be a physical
map in each location, and perhaps even a "deputy GM" to handle local things
like moving the pieces, rolling dice, etc. That helps with the whole social
aspect of the game which to me is one of the key RPG pieces. My guess,
though, is that would be too hard if this were more than just a single
session, and even then more than could be fairly asked.

The reason I asked about recording and saving the chat (and that should be
possible, many systems do it) is that if I do thing I'm thinking about, I'd
really want a saved copy, so components of it could be re-used later, and
just for posterity and fun anyway.

I'll have to look for "Rescue Ru(i)n". That sounds interesting. I love
multi-player board games with everyone going after his own goals.

Well, let me qualify that. "multi-player board games with everyone going
after his own goals" so long as it can be kept fun, and not turn into every
Risk and Diplomacy bloodbath I've ever participated in.

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:09:50 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
<> wrote:
> My $0.02, from running a number of (non-Traveller) RPGs via chat:
> 1. Sharing graphics isn't something I've done, but then I always did
> more with "verbal" (read: written) description. Google Documents might
be
> a possible solution, I've used that in the past to do character sheets.
> 2. Probably so. Is there a VASSAL or Cyberboard module for Brilliant
> Lances?
> 4. I've not had a problem with observers in addition to players as long
> as everyone abides by the rules. One other possibility for this would be
> to run the game over IRC chat, which is relatively simple to set up. It
> has a built-in "voice" function that allows only designated people to
> talk in the main channel. Backchannel talk is all fine.
> 5. The best method I've come up with is using http://www.random.org [1]
> and have everybody roll their own dice. Having the GM do it all gets too
> unwieldy, and at the end of the day you either trust people or you
don't.
> It would be great if we could get this going. I've always wanted to run
> a five-sided BL scenario based on the "Rescue Ru(i)n" concept on the
BARD
> site, with a few modifications to make it even more of an almighty
> spinning bow tie extravaganza that what's already written.
> -JTD
> "If you can't be good, be colorful"
> - Pete Conrad, Commander, Apollo 12
>
> On Jun 11, 2012, at 7:35 PM, wrote:
>
> I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> questions/thoughts:
>
> 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd
> have
> in an online collaboration site
> 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> freebies
> from Yahoo
> 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> saving after the sessions
> 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> addition to players
> 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions
> for
> die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
>
> It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something
> I
> would really like to do with/for this group.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> wrote:
> > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > -JTD
> > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> thing?!',
> > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> >
> > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> >
> > No kidding.
> >
> > That gives me an idea....
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> > would
> > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> players.
> > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only"
> to
> > > screen out the public if you want.
> > >
> > > _/
> > > DED
> > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > >
> > >
> > >


Thanks, Hawk.

Can you look over the subsequent messages and tell me if you have answers
for any of the questions I had?

Dave

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:17:54 -0400, "James Rosse" <>
wrote:
> #traveller on IRC Undernet also has chat for Traveller gaming.
> --Hawk
> ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
> Insert something witty here.
> ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
>
> -----Original Message-----
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:15:01 -0500
Subject: Re: [Traveller_TNE] Chat function for running games
>
> No kidding.
>
> That gives me an idea....
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> would
> > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.
>
> > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to
>
> > screen out the public if you want.
> >
> > _/
> > DED
> > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> >
> >
> >


Jeff--

Here's the other thing. Obviously this list is asynchronous, but have you
guys ever tried to do a synchronous event?

If so, is there any agreement on what days of the week and times of day
are good for our distributed band? We go east as far as Poland, and West as
far as Australia, which are 180 out from each other.

Dave

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:09:50 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
<> wrote:
> My $0.02, from running a number of (non-Traveller) RPGs via chat:
> 1. Sharing graphics isn't something I've done, but then I always did
> more with "verbal" (read: written) description. Google Documents might
be
> a possible solution, I've used that in the past to do character sheets.
> 2. Probably so. Is there a VASSAL or Cyberboard module for Brilliant
> Lances?
> 4. I've not had a problem with observers in addition to players as long
> as everyone abides by the rules. One other possibility for this would be
> to run the game over IRC chat, which is relatively simple to set up. It
> has a built-in "voice" function that allows only designated people to
> talk in the main channel. Backchannel talk is all fine.
> 5. The best method I've come up with is using http://www.random.org [1]
> and have everybody roll their own dice. Having the GM do it all gets too
> unwieldy, and at the end of the day you either trust people or you
don't.
> It would be great if we could get this going. I've always wanted to run
> a five-sided BL scenario based on the "Rescue Ru(i)n" concept on the
BARD
> site, with a few modifications to make it even more of an almighty
> spinning bow tie extravaganza that what's already written.
> -JTD
> "If you can't be good, be colorful"
> - Pete Conrad, Commander, Apollo 12
>
> On Jun 11, 2012, at 7:35 PM, wrote:
>
> I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> questions/thoughts:
>
> 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd
> have
> in an online collaboration site
> 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> freebies
> from Yahoo
> 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> saving after the sessions
> 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> addition to players
> 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions
> for
> die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
>
> It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something
> I
> would really like to do with/for this group.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> wrote:
> > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > -JTD
> > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> thing?!',
> > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> >
> > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> >
> > No kidding.
> >
> > That gives me an idea....
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> > would
> > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> players.
> > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only"
> to
> > > screen out the public if you want.
> > >
> > > _/
> > > DED
> > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > >
> > >
> > >


Not that I know of. The in-sync stuff I've done has all been with other groups.

-JTD

"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

-Jimmy Buffet

On Jun 11, 2012, at 8:35 PM, <> <> wrote:

> Jeff--
>
> Here's the other thing. Obviously this list is asynchronous, but have you
> guys ever tried to do a synchronous event?
>
> If so, is there any agreement on what days of the week and times of day
> are good for our distributed band? We go east as far as Poland, and West as
> far as Australia, which are 180 out from each other.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:09:50 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> <> wrote:
> > My $0.02, from running a number of (non-Traveller) RPGs via chat:
> > 1. Sharing graphics isn't something I've done, but then I always did
> > more with "verbal" (read: written) description. Google Documents might
> be
> > a possible solution, I've used that in the past to do character sheets.
> > 2. Probably so. Is there a VASSAL or Cyberboard module for Brilliant
> > Lances?
> > 4. I've not had a problem with observers in addition to players as long
> > as everyone abides by the rules. One other possibility for this would be
> > to run the game over IRC chat, which is relatively simple to set up. It
> > has a built-in "voice" function that allows only designated people to
> > talk in the main channel. Backchannel talk is all fine.
> > 5. The best method I've come up with is using http://www.random.org [1]
> > and have everybody roll their own dice. Having the GM do it all gets too
> > unwieldy, and at the end of the day you either trust people or you
> don't.
> > It would be great if we could get this going. I've always wanted to run
> > a five-sided BL scenario based on the "Rescue Ru(i)n" concept on the
> BARD
> > site, with a few modifications to make it even more of an almighty
> > spinning bow tie extravaganza that what's already written.
> > -JTD
> > "If you can't be good, be colorful"
> > - Pete Conrad, Commander, Apollo 12
> >
> > On Jun 11, 2012, at 7:35 PM, wrote:
> >
> > I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> > questions/thoughts:
> >
> > 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd
> > have
> > in an online collaboration site
> > 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> > Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> > freebies
> > from Yahoo
> > 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> > saving after the sessions
> > 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> > manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> > addition to players
> > 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions
> > for
> > die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
> >
> > It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something
> > I
> > would really like to do with/for this group.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> > wrote:
> > > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > > -JTD
> > > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> > thing?!',
> > > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> > >
> > > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> > >
> > > No kidding.
> > >
> > > That gives me an idea....
> > >
> > > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > > Hi all,
> > > >
> > > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> > > would
> > > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> > players.
> > > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only"
> > to
> > > > screen out the public if you want.
> > > >
> > > > _/
> > > > DED
> > > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >


-----Original Message-----
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:35:57 -0500
Subject: Re: [Traveller_TNE] Chat function for running games

I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some

questions/thoughts:

1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd have

in an online collaboration site

Google documents. We also used Skype to allow for conference chatting.

2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a

Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips freebies

from Yahoo

We've used Google Docs for that, too. Draw a picture.
3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and

saving after the sessions

4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it

manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in

addition to players

GD/skype allows for that.
5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions for

die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?

I believe that #traveller has a dice function built in. Otherwise the GM
rolls all the dice or you find a dice website that will send the results to
the GM.
It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something I

would really like to do with/for this group.

Dave

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty

<> wrote:

> He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.

> -JTD

> "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that thing?!',

> scream, and then cut your mic."

> - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon

>

> On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:

>

> No kidding.

>

> That gives me an idea....

>

> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.

> > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you

> would

> > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your players.

> > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only" to

> > screen out the public if you want.

> >

> > _/

> > DED

> > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin

> >

> >

> >



Hi,

I might have a solution.

A webinar room has all of those things, and I’ve been thinking for quite some time to run a session of TNE just to check it.

The service I’m using allows for up to 4 guests to participate in a conversation (and I mean “real” conversation, not a chat or IRC), gives the owner the ability to present everybody with graphics.

Don’t know about the ability to invite “watching guests”, but can check it in the morning (European time).

If it does interest anybody I can look into it deeper.

Cheers,

Blase

From: [] On Behalf Of
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 1:36 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [Traveller_TNE] Chat function for running games

I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
questions/thoughts:

1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd have
in an online collaboration site
2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips freebies
from Yahoo
3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
saving after the sessions
4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
addition to players
5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions for
die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?

It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something I
would really like to do with/for this group.

Dave

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
< <dougherty.


The competition (aka Google) has a chat function built into Google Plus (called Hang Out) that is seeing use for RPGs on a regular basis. I haven't tried it myself, but several people I follow speak highly of it.

--- In , <dcndcn13@..


That's what I figured. Still, maybe it bears looking into.

"If we weren't all crazy we WOULD go insane."

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:39:30 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
<> wrote:
> Not that I know of. The in-sync stuff I've done has all been with other
> groups.
> -JTD
> "If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
> -Jimmy Buffet
>
> On Jun 11, 2012, at 8:35 PM, wrote:
>
> Jeff--
>
> Here's the other thing. Obviously this list is asynchronous, but have
> you
> guys ever tried to do a synchronous event?
>
> If so, is there any agreement on what days of the week and times of day
> are good for our distributed band? We go east as far as Poland, and
> West as
> far as Australia, which are 180 out from each other.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:09:50 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> wrote:
> > My $0.02, from running a number of (non-Traveller) RPGs via chat:
> > 1. Sharing graphics isn't something I've done, but then I always did
> > more with "verbal" (read: written) description. Google Documents
> might
> be
> > a possible solution, I've used that in the past to do character
> sheets.
> > 2. Probably so. Is there a VASSAL or Cyberboard module for Brilliant
> > Lances?
> > 4. I've not had a problem with observers in addition to players as
> long
> > as everyone abides by the rules. One other possibility for this would
> be
> > to run the game over IRC chat, which is relatively simple to set up.
> It
> > has a built-in "voice" function that allows only designated people to
> > talk in the main channel. Backchannel talk is all fine.
> > 5. The best method I've come up with is using http://www.random.org
> [4] [1]
> > and have everybody roll their own dice. Having the GM do it all gets
> too
> > unwieldy, and at the end of the day you either trust people or you
> don't.
> > It would be great if we could get this going. I've always wanted to
> run
> > a five-sided BL scenario based on the "Rescue Ru(i)n" concept on the
> BARD
> > site, with a few modifications to make it even more of an almighty
> > spinning bow tie extravaganza that what's already written.
> > -JTD
> > "If you can't be good, be colorful"
> > - Pete Conrad, Commander, Apollo 12
> >
> > On Jun 11, 2012, at 7:35 PM, wrote:
> >
> > I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> > questions/thoughts:
> >
> > 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd
> > have
> > in an online collaboration site
> > 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> > Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> > freebies
> > from Yahoo
> > 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> > saving after the sessions
> > 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> > manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> > addition to players
> > 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions
> > for
> > die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
> >
> > It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is
> something
> > I
> > would really like to do with/for this group.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> > wrote:
> > > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > > -JTD
> > > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> > thing?!',
> > > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> > >
> > > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> > >
> > > No kidding.
> > >
> > > That gives me an idea....
> > >
> > > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > > Hi all,
> > > >
> > > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> > > would
> > > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> > players.
> > > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite
> only"
> > to
> > > > screen out the public if you want.
> > > >
> > > > _/
> > > > DED
> > > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >


Thanks for the answers.

If we did something like this, at least if I were trying to run the game,
I think I'd need some volunteer tech support to help with the Google docs
and sharepoints and stuff.

I mean, yes, I DO do this sort of thing for a living, but I have
programmers working for me who are younger and wiser.

Dave

On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:40:49 -0400, "James Rosse" <>
wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:35:57 -0500
Subject: Re: [Traveller_TNE] Chat function for running games
>
> I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> questions/thoughts:
>
> 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd
> have
> in an online collaboration site
> Google documents. We also used Skype to allow for conference
> chatting.
> 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on
> a
> Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> freebies
> from Yahoo We've used Google Docs for that, too. Draw a picture.
>
> 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> saving after the sessions
> 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> addition to players GD/skype allows for that.
>
> 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions
> for
> die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
> I believe that #traveller has a dice function built in. Otherwise
> the GM rolls all the dice or you find a dice website that will send the
> results to the GM.
>
> It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something
> I
> would really like to do with/for this group.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> wrote:
> > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > -JTD
> > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> thing?!',
> > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> >
> > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> >
> > No kidding.
> >
> > That gives me an idea....
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
> > would
> > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> players.
> > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only"
> to
> > > screen out the public if you want.
> > >
> > > _/
> > > DED
> > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > >
> > >
> > >


I thought about the same thing, and my concern was expense, and that when
I use these sorts of things at work there are often technical problems
which require a whole cast of tech support.

But please, if you can do so easily, look into it.

On Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:49:32 +0200, Błażej Mazur <> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I might have a solution.
>
> A webinar room has all of those things, and I’ve been thinking for
> quite some time to run a session of TNE just to check it.
>
> The service I’m using allows for up to 4 guests to participate in a
> conversation (and I mean “real” conversation, not a chat or IRC),
> gives the owner the ability to present everybody with graphics.
>
> Don’t know about the ability to invite “watching guests”, but can
> check it in the morning (European time).
>
> If it does interest anybody I can look into it deeper.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Blase
>
> FROM:
> [] ON BEHALF OF
> SENT: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 1:36 AM
> TO:
> SUBJECT: Re: [Traveller_TNE] Chat function for running games
>
> I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> questions/thoughts:
>
> 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd
> have
> in an online collaboration site
> 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> freebies
> from Yahoo
> 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> saving after the sessions
> 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> addition to players
> 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions for
> die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
>
> It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something I
> would really like to do with/for this group.
>
> Dave
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> wrote:
>> He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
>> -JTD
>> "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> thing?!',
>> scream, and then cut your mic."
>> - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
>>
>> On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
>>
>> No kidding.
>>
>> That gives me an idea....
>>
>> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
>> > Hi all,
>> >
>> > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
>> > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All you
>> would
>> > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> players.
>> > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite only"
> to
>> > screen out the public if you want.
>> >
>> > _/
>> > DED
>> > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
>> >
>> >
>> >


And you could probably run Google chat in parallel with Google docs.

On Tue, 12 Jun 2012 01:04:43 -0000, "James" <> wrote:
> The competition (aka Google) has a chat function built into Google Plus
> (called Hang Out) that is seeing use for RPGs on a regular basis. I
> haven't tried it myself, but several people I follow speak highly of it.
>
> --- In [1], wrote:
> >
> > Jeff--
> >
> > Here's the other thing. Obviously this list is asynchronous, but have
> you
> > guys ever tried to do a synchronous event?
> >
> > If so, is there any agreement on what days of the week and times of
> day
> > are good for our distributed band? We go east as far as Poland, and
> West as
> > far as Australia, which are 180 out from each other.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:09:50 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> > wrote:
> > > My $0.02, from running a number of (non-Traveller) RPGs via chat:
> > > 1. Sharing graphics isn't something I've done, but then I always
> did
> > > more with "verbal" (read: written) description. Google Documents
> might
> > be
> > > a possible solution, I've used that in the past to do character
> sheets.
> > > 2. Probably so. Is there a VASSAL or Cyberboard module for
> Brilliant
> > > Lances?
> > > 4. I've not had a problem with observers in addition to players as
> long
> > > as everyone abides by the rules. One other possibility for this
> would be
> > > to run the game over IRC chat, which is relatively simple to set
> up. It
> > > has a built-in "voice" function that allows only designated people
> to
> > > talk in the main channel. Backchannel talk is all fine.
> > > 5. The best method I've come up with is using http://www.random.org
> [2] [1]
> > > and have everybody roll their own dice. Having the GM do it all
> gets too
> > > unwieldy, and at the end of the day you either trust people or you
> > don't.
> > > It would be great if we could get this going. I've always wanted to
> run
> > > a five-sided BL scenario based on the "Rescue Ru(i)n" concept on
> the
> > BARD
> > > site, with a few modifications to make it even more of an almighty
> > > spinning bow tie extravaganza that what's already written.
> > > -JTD
> > > "If you can't be good, be colorful"
> > > - Pete Conrad, Commander, Apollo 12
> > >
> > > On Jun 11, 2012, at 7:35 PM, wrote:
> > >
> > > I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have
> some
> > > questions/thoughts:
> > >
> > > 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like
> you'd
> > > have
> > > in an online collaboration site
> > > 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on
> a
> > > Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips
> > > freebies
> > > from Yahoo
> > > 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download
> and
> > > saving after the sessions
> > > 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> > > manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers
> in
> > > addition to players
> > > 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted
> conventions
> > > for
> > > die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
> > >
> > > It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is
> something
> > > I
> > > would really like to do with/for this group.
> > >
> > > Dave
> > >
> > > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> > > wrote:
> > > > He's got that look in his eyes, folks. Duck and cover.
> > > > -JTD
> > > > "Neil, if you had any guts you'd yell 'Oh my God, what is that
> > > thing?!',
> > > > scream, and then cut your mic."
> > > > - Michael Collins on the first words to be spoken on the Moon
> > > >
> > > > On Jun 11, 2012, at 6:15 PM, wrote:
> > > >
> > > > No kidding.
> > > >
> > > > That gives me an idea....
> > > >
> > > > On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:23:23 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > > > Hi all,
> > > > >
> > > > > I use PbEM for my games but I understand it's not for everyone.
> > > > > YahooGroups has chatroom functionality that you can use. All
> you
> > > > would
> > > > > need to do is start a new group and send invitations to your
> > > players.
> > > > > There's various levels of privacy so you can make it "invite
> only"
> > > to
> > > > > screen out the public if you want.
> > > > >
> > > > > _/
> > > > > DED
> > > > > TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >


1: There is a "Files" section where one can upload files.
2: Re-upload the files as per 1.
3: Copy & Paste afaik.
4: You could make it viewable by anyone but only players can post. You'd accomplish that by making them all moderators.
5: There are a few dice rolling scripts on gamer websites. I made one for my campaigns but it's free for anyone and everyone to use. But I know that there are others out there.

Yes, Google's tools may indeed be better. But if you have any privacy concerns, you may have to think twice about it.

I don't have a stake in either company, just telling you about what (little) I know. :)

\_/
DED
TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin

--- dcn wrote:
>
> I've pretty obvioiusly not done RPG via chat before, and I have some
> questions/thoughts:
>
> 1. We'd need the ability to share files, such as graphics, like you'd have
> in an online collaboration site
> 2. Ideally, real-time graphics sharing, like the counters moving on a
> Brilliant Lances map or a ground map, but that probably outstrips freebies
> from Yahoo
> 3. Is there the ability to record the session's text for download and
> saving after the sessions
> 4. I would expect to use the "invitation only" thing to keep it
> manageable. However, I think it would be great to allow observers in
> addition to players
> 5. In text-based, distance RPGing, what are the accepted conventions for
> die-rolling so everyone is comfortable that it is all clean?
>
> It could take me a while to get ready for this, but there is something I
> would really like to do with/for this group.
>
> Dave
>
>
> On Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:48:21 -0400, Jeff Dougherty
> <dougherty.jeffrey@


I think I understand what you mean about privacy concerns, but are you
thinking about anything specific like a user agreement that says, "Google,
Inc., locked in mortal combat with Apple and Facebook to own every piece of
information on the web, provides this service to you on the condition that
everything you type here am belong to us?"

On Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:19:02 -0000, "dedtraveller" <> wrote:
> 1: There is a "Files" section where one can upload files.
> 2: Re-upload the files as per 1.
> 3: Copy
>
_ylc=X3oDMTJwaWJ2an


Privacy concerns, not intellectual property theft.

I know that this year's update to Google's privacy policy states that all of your data from across their systems will be housed within Google under your identity, thereby enabling them to build a profile about what you like, what you do, what you're searching for, what maps you're studying, etc. Much like what Facebook has been doing for years. Some people take issue with that. Some don't. As far as I know, they aren't out to steal the content you create. You're more valuable to them as marketing data.

Hopefully, the NSA, in its now limitless ability at domestic surveillance, will recognize that your Google Chat is just sci-fi gaming and not a nefarious plot against America. :) As their search algorithms are black box, I have no idea what keywords set them off.

I'm not saying that YahooGroups is any better. Since they've been working with AT&T for some time now (and AT&T was already revealed to be working with the NSA), they've got access here too. At least here the chatroom is in a group called Traveller_TNE. Maybe one of the spooks played the game when he was younger and recognizes it for what it is. ;)

I apologize if this is too paranoid for the rest of you. I read too much Orwell and Bradbury in my formative years.

\_/
DED
TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin

--- In , dcn wrote:
>
> I think I understand what you mean about privacy concerns, but are you
> thinking about anything specific like a user agreement that says, "Google,
> Inc., locked in mortal combat with Apple and Facebook to own every piece of
> information on the web, provides this service to you on the condition that
> everything you type here am belong to us?"
>
>
>
> On Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:19:02 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > 1: There is a "Files" section where one can upload files.
> > 2: Re-upload the files as per 1.
> > 3: Copy
> >
> _ylc=X3oDMTJwaWJ2an


I've done some work over the years with outfits providing behavior
profiling in online chat sites, government and corporate networks and
e-mail, key-stroke analysis and algorithms to see if employees type "I,"
and "hate," and "my boss" too often, so I know there's all sorts of stuff
out there that I can hardly know what to do about. Mostly I try not to
think too much about it, because there's not much to do.

It's good to know about, but harder to know what to do about, since the
alternatives are all probably about the same. I think in this case Google
is deliberately more active in processing our data for marketing reasons to
make money off of.

I'll defer to the preferences in this group on what system we might use
for this.

On Tue, 12 Jun 2012 03:42:21 -0000, "dedtraveller" <> wrote:
> Privacy concerns, not intellectual property theft.
>
> I know that this year's update to Google's privacy policy states that
> all of your data from across their systems will be housed within Google
> under your identity, thereby enabling them to build a profile about what
> you like, what you do, what you're searching for, what maps you're
> studying, etc. Much like what Facebook has been doing for years. Some
> people take issue with that. Some don't. As far as I know, they aren't
> out to steal the content you create. You're more valuable to them as
> marketing data.
>
> Hopefully, the NSA, in its now limitless ability at domestic
> surveillance, will recognize that your Google Chat is just sci-fi gaming
> and not a nefarious plot against America. :) As their search algorithms
> are black box, I have no idea what keywords set them off.
>
> I'm not saying that YahooGroups is any better. Since they've been
> working with AT&T for some time now (and AT)
>
> I apologize if this is too paranoid for the rest of you. I read too
> much Orwell and Bradbury in my formative years.
>
> _/
> DED
> TNE @ Yahoo ml Admin
>
> --- In [1], dcn wrote:
> >
> > I think I understand what you mean about privacy concerns, but are
> you
> > thinking about anything specific like a user agreement that says,
> "Google,
> > Inc., locked in mortal combat with Apple and Facebook to own every
> piece of
> > information on the web, provides this service to you on the condition
> that
> > everything you type here am belong to us?"
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:19:02 -0000, "dedtraveller" wrote:
> > > 1: There is a "Files" section where one can upload files.
> > > 2: Re-upload the files as per 1.
> > > 3: Copy
> > >
> >
>
_ylc=X3oDMTJwaWJ2an


We use a program called Maptools for our on the board map with counters. Its a virtual tabletop program. then we use skype for conversation. works like a charm. sometimes when some of the group are away they can still be in on the game but over the net.

--- In , <dcndcn13@..