Screen Monkey

[BetterThanLife]

Anyone use Screen Monkey (by NBOS) to run a Traveller campaign? (Especially a T20 Campaign.)

How does it work for you? Is it difficult to set up? I was looking at it, but thought I should get some input before parting with some hard earned Credits.

 

[Flynn]

There's a trial you can download that will run for 90 minutes, but is otherwise generally fully functional. (You might not be able to save some data files for encounters, as well, but that's not a big deal in testing the software.)

I'm interested in what you find out, though,
Flynn

 

[BetterThanLife]

Originally posted by Flynn:
There's a trial you can download that will run for 90 minutes, but is otherwise generally fully functional. (You might not be able to save some data files for encounters, as well, but that's not a big deal in testing the software.)

I'm interested in what you find out, though,
Flynn

Actually ScreenMonkey Lite is mostly functional. It lacks scripting capability, the ability to announce a game someplace other than NBOS webpage and doesn't archive chat. Otherwise it is supposedly fully functional.

Matter of fact they recommend that you use the lite version before you buy it to ensure you can actually run a game with the full version on your particular hardware setup.

I think the neatest feature is the players only need a webbrowser, and no special software.

That is just the quick overview I have from them. I was thinking about getting it set up but was wondering if anyone else was messing with it.

(It is supposedly fully compatable with fractal mapper too.)

 

[BetterThanLife]

Flynn,
If I get it up and running, and a game up and running I'll write up a review for Stellar Reaches, if you are interested.

 

[Flynn]

I'd love to see a nice review of this tool. I have been thinking about using SM for the same reasons you presented above: it's free to the players.

If you need someone to sit in on one of your test sessions, I don't mind doing so, if it can be worked in reasonably with my schedule.

SM does not support voice comm, but when used in conjunction with something like TeamSpeak, etc., I've heard a few scattered reports that some people enjoy using the setup for online gaming. I just have no personal experience with it, nor does anyone I know. *sigh*

Thanks for looking into this,
Flynn

 

[BetterThanLife]

Originally posted by Flynn:
I'd love to see a nice review of this tool. I have been thinking about using SM for the same reasons you presented above: it's free to the players.

If you need someone to sit in on one of your test sessions, I don't mind doing so, if it can be worked in reasonably with my schedule.

SM does not support voice comm, but when used in conjunction with something like TeamSpeak, etc., I've heard a few scattered reports that some people enjoy using the setup for online gaming. I just have no personal experience with it, nor does anyone I know. *sigh*

Thanks for looking into this,
Flynn

Well if you are worried about voice/video conferencing, I am sure you can script your own html modules for it. (Or run Y! parallel to it.

)

For that matter you can probably integrate Office XP voice functionality to it if you are willing to use Explorer.

I hadn't thought that far ahead yet.

 

[deadlock]

Greetings and salutations,

I would love to have a review of this product. I plan on running a T20, CP2020, and a 2300AD game in the future as time permits. I read the reviews on RPGNow, but if someone here does one, it will help in my final decisions.

 

[Captain Bob of the LEXX]

I have SM, and have played around with it some. It's very easy to set up and play. You should download the free version first. It does everything except for the scripts and saving and hosting your game anywhere else but NBOS website.

The main drawbacks, as to GRIP, are:

1. SM doesn't have stat interaction with play. You can't press a button on a character sheet and auto roll dice to see if you succeed.

2. Players don't have on-screen access to their character sheets without using chat commands.

Other than that, I like the program. My favorite aspect is that players don't have to have any special software; just a browser. IE seems to be the best browser for it though, since there are some problems using mozilla.

If you catch me online, via IM, I can show you around. The new player interface is nicer than it used to be. I haven't ran any games on SM yet, because I'm still trying to complete my CT Humanx Dis scenario. I have most of it in my head; just haven't finished figuring out how to deal with surfing yet.
________
Mexicocity Hotel

 

[BetterThanLife]

OK. I got ScreenMonkey Lite up and running.

Interesting quirks, so far.

Firefox, doesn't appear to work.

The Map, while you can zoom in and out doesn't appear to have a scalable grid.

You can add die rolling buttons to the player chat interface (as a player) but not to the GM interface. (WEIRD!?!)

On Screen access to a Character Sheet isn't a big deal for me as it would seriously clutter the screen. Though having a column for both Stamina and Lifeblood would be useful. (I guess this is where scripting comes in.)

The much touted Initiative script apparently doesn't run from the Lite version.

I also don't like the link to my machine to hang around on the nbos website for as long as it apparently does after shutting down. (Thank God for the LinkSys firewall in my router.