Comments on: Use Index Cards and a Cork Board for Game Prep

By: Brad’s Electronic Cork Board - Cork Board

Brad’s Electronic Cork Board - Cork Board — Tue, 30 May 2006 16:39:46 +0000

[...] Use Index Cards and a Cork Board for Game Prep – Treasure Tables The bigger the cork board, the better! Pin up cards with the features you … This card and cork board technique can also be useful for keeping track of … [...]

By: Bill Humphries

Bill Humphries — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:23:57 +0000

Something like Eastgate System's Tinderbox would be great for doing this.

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:44:11 +0000

Like CJ, I also thought of software planning when I first read this — but apart from knowing that people build software this way, I have no idea how it works, if there are any codified approaches, etc.

Does anyone have so more background on this?

By: Troy Taylor aka Carolina

Troy Taylor aka Carolina — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 21:59:23 +0000

Index cards and post-it notes together make a lethally efficient combination for hassle-free DMing. I endorse both whole-heartedly.

The cork board is a really neat innovation.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:21:49 +0000

Of course one should mention Chris Chinn's article on conflict webs in this context. This would be an excellent way to work with a conflict map. Use red yarn for antagonistic relationships, green for friendly, and yellow for duty. Frank

By: hellibrarian

hellibrarian — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:53:46 +0000

“…you can use the same techniques in electronic format by building organization charts in many computer applications”

I’ve recently started using this technique to create my maps. And just as it can be used to come up with a logical physical layout I can really see its usefulness in ‘mapping’ the plot. Thanks!

By: Rick the Wonder Algae

Rick the Wonder Algae — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:12:55 +0000

Thanks for writing this. I was excited about it when i saw it on he forums, and even more excited when I saw Martin’s request to make it into a gues feature. Neat stuff!

By: Crazy Jerome

Crazy Jerome — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:39:19 +0000

Also, there is a whole school of software planning theory built up around using those techniques. If the idea really floats your boat, might want to look into some of those theories.

Those techniques are especially useful when you have a handful of people trying to brainstorm or design at once. Get everyone in a room and put one person in charge of recording what everyone says. (Maybe rotate who this person is over the course of the session.)

By: Rob Donoghue

Rob Donoghue — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:02:30 +0000

If a cork board is not available, post-its make a magnificent alternative. Harder to stack after the fact, but easier to move around, and requires less hardware for your planning phase.

Of course, if you really wanna go nuts, they now make Post-it Index cards…..