The problem with PDF releases.

[Sletchman]

First off, I should make it clear that I like everything released thus far.  I'm a big fan of the quality of the product, the content, and the price.  The problem I'm facing is that I want to use several of these for a shadowrun game I'm starting [char-gen is tonight], and although the entire group has bought the PDF's they need, only a few of us have laptops.

Which brings me to the heart of the problem: I can't print the pdf releases.  I've been to 4 seperate print / copy stores and all have said that they won't print them due to the "copywrite crafty games" section on the contents page.

I've even produced reciepts from DriveThruRPG with the books I want printed listed on them to no avail.  All I get is the statement that printing copywrite material is against Australian law, and that the store won't do it.

So my question is this: Can either someone at crafty produce some kind of simple letter [on crafty letterhead] stating that these books are allowed to be printed out after download and either put it here for download for others in my suitation [or even attach it to the PDF's].  OR can someone tell me where I can find a reasonably priced print shop here in Brisbane that will print from PDF and ignore the "can't print copywrite material" law [which is a stupid law anyway as I paid for them, and as such should be able to print them].

I know its a big ask, but without being able to print them, my group essentially can't and won't use PDF releases, which really limits what I can run. [Plus I'm sure that others have come across similiar issues].

[Krensky]

Other then the books, the PDFs are all small you should be able to print the pdf at home. For the books, even with shipping I think that buying them would be cheaper then printing and binding them.

[Mister Andersen]

Most core books clock in at AU$60+ -- though I haven't bothered checking in store I'm guessing that Spycraft is looking at least around the $70 mark.

We can get B&W prints her at 7 cents a page, so for the core book that's $35 + $5 file reading charge + say $5 for binding = $45ish

[Krensky]

Most core books clock in at AU$60+ -- though I haven't bothered checking in store I'm guessing that Spycraft is looking at least around the $70 mark.

We can get B&W prints her at 7 cents a page, so for the core book that's $35 + $5 file reading charge + say $5 for binding = $45ish

I stand... well, sit... corrected.

[MugMug]

Huh. I just checked out the title page of Fragile Minds and it says:
"Reproduction without Crafty Games’ express permission is expressly forbidden, except for the purpose of reviews and when permission to photocopy is clearly stated."

There's nothing unreasonable about that, but I was still surprised to see it. That does pretty much define the problem with having the product printed.

Walter

[Sletchman]

Huh. I just checked out the title page of Fragile Minds and it says:
"Reproduction without Crafty Games’ express permission is expressly forbidden, except for the purpose of reviews and when permission to photocopy is clearly stated."

There's nothing unreasonable about that, but I was still surprised to see it. That does pretty much define the problem with having the product printed.

Walter

Exactly.  I don't consider it unreasonable on crafty's part at all.  They absolutely have the right to copywrite their intellectual property.  Just a little letter attached to the zip file to let me print would save my day.  Officeworks even have a little form that you can attach to a letter from the copywrite holder to allow you to print X copies of document Y.

Other then the books, the PDFs are all small you should be able to print the pdf at home. For the books, even with shipping I think that buying them would be cheaper then printing and binding them.

Officeworks printing - 6 cents a page, 2 bucks to bind. ~4-5 bucks a PDF [if you do a couple at once, to divide the $4 "usb fee".
Turnip's Printer - unknown cost [but its a photo printer and uses a ton of pretty expensive ink], can't bind them without an ~ $200 machine.

If its available in book form I don't care about the cost, as I prefer the books over printed and bound gear.  Hell if they release a spellbound compendium after all the spellbounds are out I'll buy it too if its a book [even owning spellbound 1-9 at that point].

I was pondering investing in a Laser printer, but I wouldn't use it for anything but the occassional release, so I can't justify the cost right now.

[Krensky]

Personally, I print them on the color laser printer outside my office, but that's largely because IT doesn't care about personal use since we have a supplies included monthly lease and use only a tenth of the page per month. Well, that and I'm the person who would have to police it if we did care.

For someone who only has access to a photoprinter, I could see the issue... Have you looked into an internet cafe?

[Sletchman]

Personally, I print them on the color laser printer outside my office, but that's largely because IT doesn't care about personal use since we have a supplies included monthly lease and use only a tenth of the page per month. Well, that and I'm the person who would have to police it if we did care.

For someone who only has access to a photoprinter, I could see the issue... Have you looked into an internet cafe?

Actually, mum let me "just this once" use her printer [its a laser] to run off what I need.   So shadowcraft steams ahead tonight [with printed books for the players without a laptop].

But I'm definately gonna have to find a net cafe with decient print costs, or maybe a public library / the uni library [I donno if they let you print at a reasonable rates from usb keys, but its worth asking].

Edit: My work doesn't let anyone use office supplies for personal use.  They're pretty hard line about it and I'm not important enough for them to make an exception for [that and I generally keep to the build area, rather then the office].

[TheAuldGrump]

Another option is to ask any student friends you might have to do some printing for you at the university. They generally have pretty reasonable printing costs for students, then you can have it bound at a print shop.

The Auld Grump

[MilitiaJim]

Edit: My work doesn't let anyone use office supplies for personal use.  They're pretty hard line about it and I'm not important enough for them to make an exception for [that and I generally keep to the build area, rather then the office].

Would they let you get away with bringing in your own paper?  As for binding, there are always hole punchers and binders.

[Krensky]

Edit: My work doesn't let anyone use office supplies for personal use.  They're pretty hard line about it and I'm not important enough for them to make an exception for [that and I generally keep to the build area, rather then the office].

Would they let you get away with bringing in your own paper?  As for binding, there are always hole punchers and binders.

Probably not, but it might be worth asking. It might also be worth asking if you could pay them to let you use the printer. However, paper is actually the cheap side of the cost of printing for a large organization since they often buy it by the pallet. Toner is the highest cost, and the wear on the printer is number two. To clarify: In my case I get away with it for two reasons:

1) I'm the guy who would be policing it.
2) My office overpays for printing because we don't use the included pages in our monthly allowance.

They do draw the line at using office supplies or facilities for supporting a separate business enterprise, whether it's in a related field or not.

[MugMug]

Color laser printers are astonishingly cheap. I just bought one; it's still sitting in the box waiting for me to have enough time to install. My primary use will, I think, be the production of adventure tiles for use during play.

Walter