I've used Roll20 for a couple of sessions of AD&D (I'm starting up a campaign with two old friends).  So far, it's worked out reasonably well.

Uploading maps, pictures, and other handouts to Roll20 is a cinch.  It's really the main reason why I use it rather than just rely on Skype.  We haven't needed to use the 'combat mat' yet (one of the benefits of old school D&D over more recent versions).

The video and voice chat on Roll20 is okay for us.

So far, it's been a positive experience.

Some questions for folks more familiar with Roll20:

Is there any benefit to using it with Google hangouts?  I have never used a google hangout before (and generally loathe Google+).  

Is there any benefit to using Roll20 with Obsidian Portal?  

And:

Quote from: estar;733060Before you do this turn off the grid.

How does one turn off the grid?  I've just been uploading pictures, maps, etc. onto the grid, but unfortunately the grid can distort them (it tries to make them 'fit' the grid).  I'd love to be able to turn it off!

Thanks.

Quote from: Akrasia;734723How does one turn off the grid?  I've just been uploading pictures, maps, etc. onto the grid, but unfortunately the grid can distort them (it tries to make them 'fit' the grid).  I'd love to be able to turn it off!

Thanks.

1- click that
2 - a cog appears here when you hover, click it
3 - do stuff over here

let me also add in that the staff are very helpful on roll20, a very important factor.

I use dividing dice a lot in my games (it changes the frequency distribution and thus the probability curve), and I asked them how to manage this.   They were excellent, immediately figuring out how to do it and letting me know.

/roll ( ( 56-d10 ) / ( 2d6/2 ) )    (just an example)

I also like the way it allows you to set up dice macros.

Quote from: Akrasia;734723Is there any benefit to using it with Google hangouts?  I have never used a google hangout before (and generally loathe Google+).

Not for my groups.  Our experience is that it sucks up screen space for very little gain since not all of us have webcams and/or a Google account.  We do make use of a third party communication system (Mumble) as there have been times where Roll20 has gone down during our game and I've had bad luck with the provided voice and cam options.

Quote from: Akrasia;734723Is there any benefit to using Roll20 with Obsidian Portal?

Absolutely! I can't speak for Obsidian Portal specifically, but I'm of the opinion that the more ways you give your players to interact with the game, the more richer and fuller the game experience is for everyone.  Roll20 has some rudimentary features that start out in this direction, but nothing like Obsidian Portal has.  We use a combination of Roll20 and a shared Google drive's folder for our games and it works pretty well.

Quote from: Akrasia;734723How does one turn off the grid?  I've just been uploading pictures, maps, etc. onto the grid, but unfortunately the grid can distort them (it tries to make them 'fit' the grid).  I'd love to be able to turn it off!

Sounds like you might also want to put background images on the map layer as opposed to the token layer.  This prevents pictures from being re-sized and also puts it below the grid.  To do so, click on the box shape over on the left hand side of the screen (below the arrow in the toolbar); then select the "Map & Background" layer.  Now, drag objects onto the screen.  This also prevents players from accidentally messing with or deleting objects they shouldn't have access to.

Thanks, BarefootGaijin and Dave!

Quote from: Dave;734812Absolutely! I can't speak for Obsidian Portal specifically, but I'm of the opinion that the more ways you give your players to interact with the game, the more richer and fuller the game experience is for everyone.  Roll20 has some rudimentary features that start out in this direction, but nothing like Obsidian Portal has.  We use a combination of Roll20 and a shared Google drive's folder for our games and it works pretty well.

Thanks.  I was planning on just using my blog for general 'campaign resources' (PC stats, maps, log, etc.).  I may check out Obsidian Portal to see if it offers anything special.

Quote from: Akrasia;735001Thanks.  I was planning on just using my blog for general 'campaign resources' (PC stats, maps, log, etc.).  I may check out Obsidian Portal to see if it offers anything special.

I do refer/link back to our game wiki pretty constantly,  to that point.