![>](style_images/Executiv-909/nav_m.gif)
I've downloaded a number of free "virtual tabletops" such as this, and while even the most primitive one are really technically usable, none are truly of the pedigree that would allow one to run a realtime game over the net as easily as at a table, though the availability of a number of computer/script tracked info and ability to do things like make notes, use graphics, maps, etc. Do go a long way - but there is still definitely a lot of room for improvement.
Yes I have run a campaign on such a program. In terms of game flow it is way better than post by post. Yet there is the problem of getting everyone to show up at a certain time and play for a set amount of time. I think the fact you would have to pay for it might cause some problems. No one wants to throw down money and if it did not work out that everyone could be there on time every week or whatever, it could cause some serious problems.
The pros and cons are always an issue and more so with a site like this where everyone is on a different clock. Maybe one day if there are more people in the same time zone we can use a chat interface or something to speed up decisions.
I think there are plenty of good free virtual tabletops, or in a pinch, just messengers, honestly - open source and freeware are not lower quality, by definition. Obviously commercial programs have the potential to have more quality and scope, but that doesn't always guarantee such a thing.
I've only used one a couple of times but it was ok, but nothing like what I would need - still very fiddly, and I don't do much with maps and such anyway, plus as noted, I'm almost never on at the same time as anyone else on the net, so they're really pretty useless for me.