Open D6 Workstation

[Jamfke]

So, WEG's website developer has given us a look at the new workstation (http://www.falconhat.com/blog/) that will allow users to compile the rules they want for their games. It's just a single image of a single aspect of the site, but it does give us something to look at.

What does everyone think about it? Personally, I like minimalist, but it could be a bit too minimalist. I'm used to working with software similar to Adobe InDesign, with lots of functions that allow you to do all sorts of neat tricks with images and text. From what I can tell, you'll be able to add an image or two to your design, but I don't see much else.

That's my only thought on it so far. Anyone else?

[Grimace]

My only (and biggest) concern was the ability or lack thereof, to have the subjects easily searchable on the site. Thus why I posted a comment on the blog about it. I figured, because I didn't see any other options, that the "Title" and "Tag" were what was going to be used to allow for future searches of the material on the site. I felt if those options were going to be typed in by the particular submitter, the whole thing could turn into a confusing mess when searching for things.

It sounds like, though, there will be some order when it comes to the "Tags", so that will hopefully alleviate some of the fear I have about being able to find rules or items when utilizing the search feature on the OpenD6 site.

Otherwise, yeah....it's minimalist. No doubt about that.
So what other things would you want to see on the page to make it less minimalist?

Also realize that this is (I believe) only one page of something like 4 where you can enter in information for submission.

[Jamfke]

I'd like to see some more flexibility in regards to the placement of images. From what I can see, you can set alignment to right or left, and that's it. Even in Word you can set an image where you want it. Text choices should be expanded too. Even in forums like these you can select from some different styles. Granted, that might be a choice on another screen, but from what we've been shown it doesn't appear to be so.

I realize that the main purpose of the site is to put together the rules you want in one file and make it ready for download, so I'm not too worried about the above options. They would be something I would consider adding if I were putting it together though. All in all, it looks like it will be a handy tool for anyone.

Oh, I suppose one extra that definitely needs to be added is the ability to create tables. Even though a lot of folks bemoan them, you gotta have tables! :p

[Magman]

Have they mentioned about whether or not a person can work on material outside of their website and upload the content?

If a person has a better means of designer exactly what they want, I wonder as long as it is saved in the format they are using (HTML?) then they shouldn't have a problem with it.

It could be that everything you do on their site is being indexed in a database. Then you will not be able to simply upload your content.

[Jamfke]

I think the idea is that you'd upload your work in whatever format you've got, whether PDF or Word file, whatever. Of course, to make it an automatic process, I'd assume there would be an entry form of some sort where you cut and paste your material and then upload it.

[Magman]

Problem with the upload features is it will not be searchable. If you upload a PDF none of that text can be queried which really sucks if you are trying to find a particular thing that is embedded within.

I guess you could classify the file by assigning it a informative filename and if their system lets you throw in some keywords for the file for searching purposes.