Original LBB Size and Format

[BytePro]

Didn't find a poll on this, so here goes...

I love the Original LBBs. The digest size is so much more handy, IMO, not to mention, the smaller size possibly influenced the conciseness of the rules. The clean layout and excellent fonts also appeal to me.

The poll is strictly in reference to the size and format of the text in the Original LBBs.

 

[FreeTrav]

Sadly, my eyes are aging so that I cannot make as effective and comfortable use of the LBBs as I used to.

 

[far-trader]

I think I've read it was another feature of the LBBs, the big one I like them for, that actually contributed to the rules conciseness. As a saddle stapled booklet there was a severe limitation to the physical pages one could do as a single book.

I like that feature for promoting more booklets instead of one massive tome. Easier to share around the table for one thing, ref using Book 3, player needing Book 2, another player working on a new character with Book 1 and so on. As well as being able to open them flat to a double spread page one needs and having it stay there fully open while in use.

 

[saundby]

I like the Digest size, and there's another size I like a lot: the legal size paper version (legal paper, folded over and saddle stitched). I've got several sets of rules printed on that size, which I like as well.

In that size it's far less common to have a nice cover. Usually it's just a sheet of goldenrod paper or something around the white paper sheets. I guess cover stock in legal size is unusual.

 

[aramis]

I like the Digest size, and there's another size I like a lot: the legal size paper version (legal paper, folded over and saddle stitched). I've got several sets of rules printed on that size, which I like as well.

In that size it's far less common to have a nice cover. Usually it's just a sheet of goldenrod paper or something around the white paper sheets. I guess cover stock in legal size is unusual.

I, also, like that size. It's the size of most of the books we use at church... 7x8.5 inches.

 

[BytePro]

Hmm... don't have anything that size - some reference books with 7" wide pages, but taller.

Have made half letter sheet sized booklets for years - have to get some legal size and try it out. Though one thing I like about the smaller letter sized half width is that 5.5" is the same width as most DVD cases.

 

[saundby]

For those not familiar with it, I decided to grab a couple items close to hand and shoot some pics, both inside and outside, to give an idea of how the "Legal Digest" format works.

I particularly like it with a two column layout for text. The size allows more and larger art than the standard digest size, and tables can be larger without problems.
Perilous Encounters rules (fantasy skirmish rules):

Intel 8080-8085 Family Users Manual:

 

[robject]

That's a nice layout. Roomy. Two columns format nicely.

 

[Hyphen]

The only issue is with the presentation of maps, including floorplans. I can remember Challenge #25 touting this as one of the benefits of moving to a larger format.

As another historical note, the other funny thing about the original books is that they were typed directly into the printing machine - unlike today, there was no connectivity between pieces of equipment. (Maybe this also encouraged brevity? )

This is partly what contributed to the errors in MT: the poor old DGP folk had to re-type EVERYTHING!

 

[BytePro]

Hmmm... hadn't ever realized I use books near that size quite frequently.

My 3-ring 'Traveller Binder'* is 7" x 9" and I've numerous reference books that size - they do lay nicely in a hand. Plus, 'Legal Digest' does do two column better (though it sounds rather stuffy )

And wow - I think I remember that Intel manual!

*Thing fits half letter nicely plus several LBBs and must be nearing 30 years and still in good shape - don't make things like they used to...

 

[snapshotbygdw]

LBB: I liked that they could be hidden inside my school exercise books!:rofl:

 

[Dragoner]

If they come back, they should have holes to go in a three ring binder this time around.

 

[VonPickles]

I love 'em its like trip through history everytime I open one! Takes me back to the days when roleplaying used imagination, and wasn't so munchkin!