Acceptable to post an AAR in PDF format?

[cm_spitfire]

Hello AAR legends,

In the not too distant future I’ll (finally) be in position to post an AAR I’ve been working on for about 3 years. I’ve been writing it in a MS Word doc - currently sitting at 76 pages & 37,000+ words but expect that to double.

I’d obviously like to post it here in AARLand for all to enjoy but want to make sure I get the presentation right. To the question(s):

1. Am I allowed to upload a .pdf?
2. If yes, is there a size limit?
3. Further, in terms of how interested folks would like to read it: the full doc in one upload or chapter by chapter (no actual chapters exist but there are appropriate pauses)?

Not being able to upload as a PDF isn’t a deal-breaker but simply fear that the formatting restrictions of posting in a messageboard may take away from the presentation.

Appreciate the assistance!

 

[iain_a_wilson]

I don't know about whether or not you're allowed to post as a PDF, but I know as a writer I always preferred to release chapter by chapter so that my readers could get a chance to commentate and feedback. It makes it easier for them to consume, and it's more fun for you as you get to see what they think!

 

[Tom D.]

I remember an EU4 AAR that was posted as a .pdf, but that was quite a while ago. I don't think it's forbidden, but I think many people will feel 'uncomfortable' when they get a 75+ page AAR straight up to read. Besides that, posting individual chapters at a regular pace will allow discussion, feedback, questions, etc. which as a writAAR, just like iain_a_wilson says, is what I personally really like about AARs, the interaction between writAAR and readAAR whilst making it digestible for the readAAR.

Also, my respect for working on an AAR for 3 years, I probably would turn mad after 1 year of work !

 

[cm_spitfire]

I don't know about whether or not you're allowed to post as a PDF, but I know as a writer I always preferred to release chapter by chapter so that my readers could get a chance to commentate and feedback. It makes it easier for them to consume, and it's more fun for you as you get to see what they think!

I remember an EU4 AAR that was posted as a .pdf, but that was quite a while ago. I don't think it's forbidden, but I think many people will feel 'uncomfortable' when they get a 75+ page AAR straight up to read. Besides that, posting individual chapters at a regular pace will allow discussion, feedback, questions, etc. which as a writAAR, just like iain_a_wilson says, is what I personally really like about AARs, the interaction between writAAR and readAAR whilst making it digestible for the readAAR.

Also, my respect for working on an AAR for 3 years, I probably would turn mad after 1 year of work !

Gents, thank you for your feedback. Your comments on reader interaction are well made - I suppose part of the reason for writing and posting is entertainment for the reader (ie. we want to enjoy/have fun doing it) and so being able to comment, ask questions, wonder about the future are part and parcel of that. As I think about it if I was to receive a single hundred+ page document, on a messageboard, to read I may just put it straight into the too hard basket! So we’re looking at chapters/sections going forward, great.

Standing by for advice from the ModeratAARs regarding PDFs.

 

[Qorten]

No problem posting AARs in pdf-format. As others have mentioned though, posting it in one go will very seriously diminish readership and discussion. Posting as pdf even on a per-chapter basis will probably somewhat diminish readership because of the added burden of having to download a file and open another program/tab rather than just being able to read on the forum directly.

There have been AARs that have been posted as normal AARs and when finished were uploaded as pdf to download, for posterity so to speak, should Paradox ever disappear, but only a few.

 

[cm_spitfire]

No problem posting AARs in pdf-format. As others have mentioned though, posting it in one go will very seriously diminish readership and discussion. Posting as pdf even on a per-chapter basis will probably somewhat diminish readership because of the added burden of having to download a file and open another program/tab rather than just being able to read on the forum directly.

There have been AARs that have been posted as normal AARs and when finished were uploaded as pdf to download, for posterity so to speak, should Paradox ever disappear, but only a few.

Hi Qorten, thanks for responding.

Think you make a great point about readers having to physically download before reading. A lack of words/pictures in the message itself may well have dissuaded me.

Having considered those points I think I’ll copy/paste from my master document into each message & then make the PDF available at the end for those that want to see the full effect of the book presentation style.

 

[iain_a_wilson]

Looking forward to reading it!

 

[Shinkuro Yukinari]

But will it surpass the legendary EU2 Golden Horde AAR?

 

[Werther]

I post pdf for my AAR, but mostly as compilations (books) so i still have regular updates. You can find an example with my last one on the French forum (the AAR is divided into 8 books right now, if you click on the small pictures after the index, you dl the pdf version of the book) : HERE.

 

[cm_spitfire]

Looking forward to reading it!

Looking forward to sharing it!

But will it surpass the legendary EU2 Golden Horde AAR?

I’ve not seen/read that one so I’ll go ahead and say: yes. It will surpass the legendary EU2 Golden Horde AAR by every known AAR metric

I post pdf for my AAR, but mostly as compilations (books) so i still have regular updates. You can find an example with my last one on the French forum (the AAR is divided into 8 books right now, if you click on the small pictures after the index, you dl the pdf version of the book) : HERE.

Thanks for that Werther! I’ll pop over and check out how you’ve done that in a moment!

 

[Wraith11B]

I used GoogleDocs as my repository for my work/data, and then copy-pasta to here. I echo statements that posting with pictures, even video links if you can find some relevant ones, makes everything better! And do give the audience some time to comment on them. For a post-doctorate in how this works, I'd direct you to @El Pip 's "Inevitable Defeat" and "The Butterfly Effect" as they have been going since 2011 and 2006, respectively, and Butterfly only just recently crossed past the middle of 1937...

 

[El Pip]

For a post-doctorate in how this works, I'd direct you to @El Pip 's "Inevitable Defeat" and "The Butterfly Effect" as they have been going since 2011 and 2006, respectively, and Butterfly only just recently crossed past the middle of 1937...

My writings are carefully paced to give readers plenty of time to contemplate the magnificence without being over-awed. It's a hard burden being the Lord of Slower-than-Real-Time, but it is one I must carry.

I will throw this out, if you do post it section by section there will almost certainly be feedback and comments and speculation. You may have a shining vision of where you want to go and nothing will deflect you from that, which is of course fine, but you may find that some of your readers suggest ideas you might want to incorporate or comments may spark off new ideas of your own. If you are open to the idea of change, then perhaps starting to publish prior to completion is something you may wish to consider?

 

[cm_spitfire]

I used GoogleDocs as my repository for my work/data, and then copy-pasta to here. I echo statements that posting with pictures, even video links if you can find some relevant ones, makes everything better! And do give the audience some time to comment on them. For a post-doctorate in how this works, I'd direct you to @El Pip 's "Inevitable Defeat" and "The Butterfly Effect" as they have been going since 2011 and 2006, respectively, and Butterfly only just recently crossed past the middle of 1937...

Unfortunately the type of document that it is, & the style in which it has been written, precludes pictures or in-game screenshots. There will be a couple of pictures though! That said I still wish to be as entertaining as possible so will certainly take a look at El Pips’ dissertations for inspiration!

My writings are carefully paced to give readers plenty of time to contemplate the magnificence without being over-awed. It's a hard burden being the Lord of Slower-than-Real-Time, but it is one I must carry.

I will throw this out, if you do post it section by section there will almost certainly be feedback and comments and speculation. You may have a shining vision of where you want to go and nothing will deflect you from that, which is of course fine, but you may find that some of your readers suggest ideas you might want to incorporate or comments may spark off new ideas of your own. If you are open to the idea of change, then perhaps starting to publish prior to completion is something you may wish to consider?

I believe this will be a risk I’ll have to take! I actually can’t present the initial pages until the work is complete which means that any comments made probably won’t/can’t be incorporated into what is presented. Of course, stylistic changes could be but we’ll have to see what my possible future readers come up with!

Part of the reason why I’ve written in this way is that I’ve been guilty of starting AARs as I’ve still been playing and have eventually found my interest wane and stop writing. I didn’t want to commit to this (& annoy the mods!) without knowing I could go the distance!

But I am excited to see how folks take to the AAR and to read their comments! I believe it’s a particularly uncommon style (I’ve certainly not seen another like it) so hopefully people are engaged with it!

Thank you both for your comments!!

 

[Wraith11B]

My writings are carefully paced to give readers plenty of time to contemplate the magnificence without being over-awed. It's a hard burden being the Lord of Slower-than-Real-Time, but it is one I must carry.

I will throw this out, if you do post it section by section there will almost certainly be feedback and comments and speculation. You may have a shining vision of where you want to go and nothing will deflect you from that, which is of course fine, but you may find that some of your readers suggest ideas you might want to incorporate or comments may spark off new ideas of your own. If you are open to the idea of change, then perhaps starting to publish prior to completion is something you may wish to consider?

I have to echo the last recommendations from El Pip... there have been several things that I have or will include that I didn't know about before I started but make great storylines!

 

[iain_a_wilson]

I will throw this out, if you do post it section by section there will almost certainly be feedback and comments and speculation. You may have a shining vision of where you want to go and nothing will deflect you from that, which is of course fine, but you may find that some of your readers suggest ideas you might want to incorporate or comments may spark off new ideas of your own. If you are open to the idea of change, then perhaps starting to publish prior to completion is something you may wish to consider?

This 100%

Even if you're NOT going to change your mind as you know what happens, it's fun to engage with your readership and tease at things to come. It's also great to drop in the occasional "Hmm - you could be right" remarks in response to someone's comment - they'll love you when their wacky idea comes true in the narrative.

 

[cm_spitfire]

Rest easy, friends! There will be sections! I’ve started to find appropriate areas where breaks could be inserted.

 

[Tom D.]

Rest easy, friends! There will be sections! I’ve started to find appropriate areas where breaks could be inserted.

If I may ask, for what game are you actually making an AAR? If it's 3 years old it must be one of the older games.

 

[Deaghaidh]

Iirc, a few of the long-running, well recieved AARs have later been posted as pdfs. Mostly for the benefit of new readers, so they can just get the story posts and not the commentary.

 

[cm_spitfire]

If I may ask, for what game are you actually making an AAR? If it's 3 years old it must be one of the older games.

It’s EU4. I can’t remember which patch I started on, nor what DLC were active at the time. Currently patched to 1.22.1 Due to updates, bits of the map are “wastelands” but thankfully it hasn’t affected gameplay.

Iirc, a few of the long-running, well recieved AARs have later been posted as pdfs. Mostly for the benefit of new readers, so they can just get the story posts and not the commentary.

And that’s where I’m heading I think. The content of the AAR is fine but much of the effect is in the presentation. So i’ll have appropriate sections written out in each message post with the entire document presented at the end, in .pdf.