The Results are in…and so are the links
Well, the results are in. After conducting a recent Twitter poll, it has been revealed that 59.5% of respondents from the TTRPG community believe that posting links to PDF copies of copyrighted material is acceptable. The debate sparked an interesting and passionate discussion in the comments section, highlighting the differing opinions surrounding the topic. It's clear that the issue of copyright infringement is a complex one, and opinions within the community vary on what constitutes ethical behavior in this context.
When I posed the question, I specifically had one site in mind, the Internet Archive, which is a vast repository of digital content. This site offers a wealth of resources, including books, magazines, movies, and software. It is a valuable resource not only for TTRPG enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in accessing materials from the past.
The Internet Archive is an impressive resource that has been meticulously curated, providing users with access to a variety of media from different periods in history. It is a one-stop-shop for anyone who wants to explore and discover content from days gone by. From classic films to old computer games, the archive is a treasure trove of nostalgia and historical significance. But what is the Internet Archive and the Wayback Machine? Here is the definition as provided by their website:
The Internet Archive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, people with print disabilities, and the general public. Our mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge.
We began in 1996 by archiving the Internet itself, a medium that was just beginning to grow in use. Like newspapers, the content published on the web was ephemeral - but unlike newspapers, no one was saving it. Today we have 26+ years of web history accessible through the Wayback Machine and we work with 1,000+ library and other partners through our Archive-It program to identify important web pages.
Below are just a few of the offerings you can find on the site. I intentionally focused on 1st Edition and Magazines, because those are hard to find OOP, and in some cases - later printing removed content that might not be available in the current release of the product. Of course, we should all be doing our part to support creators, and I try to have purchased/physical copies of all material I use. Please try to do the same.
1st Edition Dungeon Master Guide
Deities and Demigods - Including Cthulu and Melnibonean Mythos
Dragon Magazine - TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The final printed issue was #359 in September 2007
Dungeon Magazine - a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150.
