I know that maptools works best for multiple screens, but I still want the old school map feel with better looking maps than my chicken scratch on a mondomat. I just like all my players seeing where they are for some games, which is odd because the majority of games that I run are really not that tactical. Most have systems where combat is so frantic and abstract that it is impossible to map (WUSHU and RISUS). My players that have never played D&D (mostly because I run and don't really like it) have been pestering me for a game, so I figured it'd be a good excuse for a project.
If this would have been around when I was sinking paychecks into the massive garbage pile that has become my 3.5 D&D collection my life would have been much easier. As it sets I've used Mondomats, regular graph paper with this clear plastic that they sell by the foot over it, whiteboards, tables with a whiteboard top and about ten other things to get the effect that I want and so far short of dropping a couple of grand on real minis and props this is the best financial choice. I've got some truely ancient computers at home so I'm gonna see what the bare minimum computer is that is needed for this. I'm also going to check out DIY projectors and see how well this works with them if possible, so it should be a fun experiment to say the least.
