Is there such a thing? A program, easy to use, that is ideally not tied to any single system, that lets you use a hex or square grid for you to track position and movement in RPG combats?

RPGPundit

Try Maptools. It has everything, and the video tutorials are great.

For my online games I use a program that is basically a white board with a few customized features called, "Dungeon Helper". The board space or "table" is large enough to accommodate most of my mapping needs, unlike some of the more popular virtual tabletops. I use an older version of DH since each update was not compatible with older, saved files and the older version had all the features that I wanted/needed, so I can't vouch for the reliability of the later versions which introduced new features (and new bugs). On the downside DH is not Mac-friendly and only has square grids, but on the upside it is simple to set up and use, is more stable than Netmeeting, and it's free.

Yes,
  We use VASSAL on Tuesday nights. It has chat, dice maps and figures.
  Fun, easy. Runs on Java so it works on any platform.
  Server based so it is less fussy about firewalls.

Quote from: Imperator;308373Try Maptools. It has everything, and the video tutorials are great.

Ditto this.  The fact that it is not only game system neutral but also Java based makes it OS neutral as well.

Hmm, ok, I'll give the Dungeon Helper a try...

RPGPundit

Huh. I didn't realize this thing was just a client. Plus it installed this Microsoft .Net thing on my computer, that was a total bitch.

So, in short, I'm still looking for alternatives.

RPGPundit

It's sorta like Java, only Microsoft.

One person (not necessarily the GM) must run the server and everyone in the group connects to it with the client. This means that everyone in your group needs to know the IP of the server. Unless there is an issue with privacy/trust among those you game with, this should not be problem.

Pundit,

This is going to be the part you are going to really hate. If you use ANY desktop Virtual Tabletop software you going to have to open a port if you are going to be a GM. This is because as a GM the software needs to act as a server you have to allow communications both ways.

It needs to be this way otherwise the problems with viruses, bots, and hacked computers would be far worse than it is now.

The only bright spot is that usually this is fairly straightfoward to setup. I (and others on this forums) can help if we know the type of router you are using to connect to the internet with.  Then we can give you exact directions on how to setup it up.

There is a caveat and that is that your ISP either

a) disabled the required features on your router
b) block access at their office

Both are these are done because some ISP really want to charge you as a business user if you start opening up ports. Because the popularity of various multiplayer games market acts against this however it is still hit or miss among the various ISPs.

Here is a comprehensive list of links involving VTTs http://www.battlegroundsgames.com/links.html

One of the reason many were excited about the Wizard's VTT offering is that by having centralized servers and the means to support them they can avoid most of the setup headaches that plague the current generation of VTTs.

Finally none of this pertains to being a PLAYER. Only the GM has to deal with this hassle.

Estar,
  With one exception that I know of: VASSAL. Games are hosted on their server, so you don't need to open a port.

Ok, except that I think I explained what I'm looking for very poorly. I'm NOT looking for an "online" tabletop that I can connect to other people with.
What I'm looking for is a visual-aid tabletop so that I can turn around my computer screen and show it to my gaming group with me in the living room, and say "This is how people are standing, this thing here is the tavern, those are barrels, and the 5 orks are here"; and then go on adjusting it when people or things move or change.

In other words, I don't like real battlemats, and having to get out dozens of minis, and waste time setting up the battlemat. Instead, I want to use a computer screen to show it instead. I want a computer program that could facilitate that. Does such a thing exist?

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPundit;308820Ok, except that I think I explained what I'm looking for very poorly. I'm NOT looking for an "online" tabletop that I can connect to other people with.
What I'm looking for is a visual-aid tabletop so that I can turn around my computer screen and show it to my gaming group with me in the living room, and say "This is how people are standing, this thing here is the tavern, those are barrels, and the 5 orks are here"; and then go on adjusting it when people or things move or change.

In other words, I don't like real battlemats, and having to get out dozens of minis, and waste time setting up the battlemat. Instead, I want to use a computer screen to show it instead. I want a computer program that could facilitate that. Does such a thing exist?

RPGPundit

Again, Maptools. I plug my laptop to my 40" TV and do exactly that.

do you have a link?

Of course, my bad. Here it is:

http://www.rptools.net/

Be sure of checking the video tutorials.