grenadepuncher
Apprentice Douchebag
Posts: 63 
Currently Running: Neon Sanctum
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Post by grenadepuncher on Jan 24, 2014 6:51:01 GMT -8
Guitarspider, Gandlaf I completely agree with all the points you make. Don't get me wrong, I have downloaded games (both video and tabletop) back in the day. I also entirely agree that the whole world is changing in regards to IP and the way we sell and produce things (digital, 3D printed etc).
I don't think there is anything wrong with grabbing a pdf of a book you own, or sharing that PDF with friends as you would a book. I also totally agree that there is NO reason a PDF should ever match the price of the hard copy (though I expect it is to help protect retailers). I want to make sure no one feels like I'm attacking or picking on anyone.
I'm very interest in all this as I'm releasing a game this year and very soon I plan to give away a "demo" version for free. We have written that part of the game off as having zero value. It allows people to have a taste of the game and see if that is there thing before we kickstart it later in the year. I hope by giving away the full rules (the game uses cards) and a sample of the cards (print and play) it will help to get people interested. So hopefully it works.
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Post by Arcona on Jan 24, 2014 7:54:19 GMT -8
Sounds like a good idea.
Dont get me wrong... I am pro piracy up to a point but I support Kickstarter projects, I buy GOG and Humble Bundle games and also support my local FLGS. Its just that I am more open to piracy when I feel that a price is unfair or when I KNOW that I really really wouldnt buy that book/watch that movie not in a hundred years.
And I agree with the comment about pdfs/ebooks costing as much as physical copies... I mean part of the money is paying for paper, binding, hard covers, storage space, delivery and a sales person vs... a pdf that skips all that. I am infuriated every time I see in Amazon the cost of physical and ebook being the same!
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Post by CreativeCowboy on Jan 29, 2014 1:55:19 GMT -8
A serious question regarding one of my writing tools. I am stuck in Poland where visiting an English-language library is a fantasy itself. So I need some help to check out a book. Moreover, I am only interested in a small section of it - a section that perecntage-wise (0.02%) would be considered "fair use." So piracy.
But I am terrified about losing my word processor to overcrowding on my hard disk, memory and virus/trojan/malware/google/etc. I cannot fix my computer in Poland without great expense in both time (finding someone qualified) and money (paying the unqualified before finding the qualified). I have a rich history of experience in this regard. Best not to walk the path the nth time. And I have mentioned I have an overcrowded machine as is. TLdr; No torrent for me.
The book is entitled The Four Branches of the Mabinogi and it is written by Will Parker. Is there anyone who has a copy of it (or can lay their hands on it at their local English-language library)? It deals with magic and Welsh mythology so it is not a stretch to think someone running a medieval fantasy game would incorporate elements of it into their system/mechanics/gameworld.
I am only interested in a part that amounts to 0.02% of the whole - well within the fair use provisions or a couple hours' reading at the reference section of the library.
Does anyone have this book in their personal library they could lend?
PS. If I could find Will Parker, the author, I would ask him directly for this section of his work, maybe ask him some follow up questions even - as I did Ian Mortimer, author of The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England. Maybe this means I am shameless or just honest with myself (and the author).
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Post by SavageCheerleader on Jan 29, 2014 3:02:47 GMT -8
A serious question regarding one of my writing tools. I am stuck in Poland where visiting an English-language library is a fantasy itself. So I need some help to check out a book. Moreover, I am only interested in a small section of it - a section that perecntage-wise (0.02%) would be considered "fair use." So piracy.
But I am terrified about losing my word processor to overcrowding on my hard disk, memory and virus/trojan/malware/google/etc. I cannot fix my computer in Poland without great expense in both time (finding someone qualified) and money (paying the unqualified before finding the qualified). I have a rich history of experience in this regard. Best not to walk the path the nth time. And I have mentioned I have an overcrowded machine as is. TLdr; No torrent for me.
The book is entitled The Four Branches of the Mabinogi and it is written by Will Parker. Is there anyone who has a copy of it (or can lay their hands on it at their local English-language library)? It deals with magic and Welsh mythology so it is not a stretch to think someone running a medieval fantasy game would incorporate elements of it into their system/mechanics/gameworld.
I am only interested in a part that amounts to 0.02% of the whole - well within the fair use provisions or a couple hours' reading at the reference section of the library.
Does anyone have this book in their personal library they could lend?
PS. If I could find Will Parker, the author, I would ask him directly for this section of his work, maybe ask him some follow up questions even - as I did Ian Mortimer, author of The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England. Maybe this means I am shameless or just honest with myself (and the author). That has the entire thing translated. |
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Post by CreativeCowboy on Jan 29, 2014 3:32:59 GMT -8
Yeah, I have that. The book I am referring to is www.mabinogi.net/fourbranches.html which goes into a lengthy analysis of Welsh culture and the subtexts of Mabinogi. I am, in particular interested in his research into Welsh magic, pages 103 - 124. I have read Shape-Shifting in Late-Twelfth Century Ireland and Wales which gives a really interesting context to werewolves vis Catholic Church acceptance of the idea (and what it actually may have meant). This research would inform my game - for example - through the (NPC) telling of the tales of lycanthropy and its mechanics if I want to get under the hood (vs. Monster Manual RAW). Magic protection could be due to the pelts worn rather than the simple need to hit it with a +1 weapon. And the pelts may operate like Spiderman's Venom suit. It offers a fresh way to view lycanthropy from a historical perspective (something which new-to-the-hobby players would more readily relate). |
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Post by Arcona on Jan 29, 2014 4:24:39 GMT -8
Will see what I can do from home. There are some warrez sites that might have it.
I can either post links for you (but not sure if it is allowed on the forum) and you can search on your own or have a look myself but that might take longer depending on when I have time.
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Post by CreativeCowboy on Jan 29, 2014 4:33:26 GMT -8
I would certainly appreciate that!
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Post by SavageCheerleader on Jan 29, 2014 5:04:45 GMT -8
When was that book originally published? It looks like it is old enough to be free of copyright laws.
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Post by SavageCheerleader on Jan 29, 2014 5:07:54 GMT -8
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Post by CreativeCowboy on Jan 29, 2014 5:36:50 GMT -8
Parker does more than the translation. The tranlation by Lady Charlotte Guest is only 138 pages long. Parker's tome is 712. He has expounded his research into the period to understand why werewolves actually did exist (you know, within the period's "concept of a werewolf"), how they were represented, and what the official Catholic Church attitude was towards lycanthropes. He tells the story of a priest guy (forget the title) giving last rites to a dying werewolf after being approached by her mate. And the werewolf is not described as being a woman in a furry suit. In fact, there is a hint of the otherworld in the tale. This report made it back ot the Pope and was given credence. So, our modern day Pope Francis believes in werewolves (just that he may have a different understanding of them than would, say, Jim Butcher or Stephenie Meyer). The part I am interested in, aside from the actual two books I have, is Parker's thoughts on Welsh magic. In 20 pages, he could give me allot of ideas, like in the werewolf 5-page section that is free online from the source you're citing (click through animated book GIF). Mabinogion is a collection of two books. |
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Post by Arcona on Jan 29, 2014 7:12:46 GMT -8
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sbloyd
Supporter 
WHAT! A human in a Precursor service vehicle?!
Posts: 2,762
Preferred Game Systems: Storyteller; Dresden; Mage
Favorite Species of Monkey: Goddamnit, Curious George is a CHIMP not a monkey! Stop teaching my daughter improper classification!
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Post by sbloyd on Jan 29, 2014 7:59:40 GMT -8
I've been getting books from the Privateer Harbor of late... Been eliminating my dead tree library to make room for a nursery :/
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Post by CreativeCowboy on Jan 29, 2014 8:42:40 GMT -8
No luck either by title or ISBN Thing is this will be most difficult because it is a specific audience. Not much demand for it on the Interwebz. It is like the time I was searching for a digital copy of my VIZ VHS of Sanctaury (anime and the Live Action starring some of Japan's well known actors). I had to have someone make a copy of it from my tape so I could watch it. I have wanted to release it onto the Net for a long time... OH. Look! Whoops there it is. Great story this written by Sho Fumimura. Banned in Japan at one point for being too close to the truth. But it seemed for the longest time I was the only one who had read it. I wholeheartedly recommend this political potboiler graphic novel. Glad to see it on Youtube. You're welcome. |
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Post by CreativeCowboy on Jan 29, 2014 8:48:45 GMT -8
You know, thinking about Japanese anime, this topic is related to the whole concept of fan-subbing. |
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Post by Arcona on Jan 29, 2014 12:41:38 GMT -8
Stuff like Bleach and Naruto were shared and subbed via fansubbing. Respectable works both of them.
Sorry you didnt find what you wanted in those sites.
Consider going to the 2 forums and posting what you need there. Might find someone who has them.
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