Tag Archives: AddOn Spotlight

Addon Spotlight: Gear levels at a glance with iLvLr

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

One of the best ways for addon developers or fans of addon developers to get their addon some attention is to have it featured here on Addon Spotlight. If you're a developer who wants to see your addon in the spotlight or you're a friend of a developer looking to do your buddy a solid because of that thing you did in Cabo three years ago with the guy's on-again, off-again love interest, send me an email at mat@wowinsider.com and tell me to feature the addon. I try to read all my email, and you'll most likely have the experience JerichoHM did.

Some time ago, I covered Skill Helper, an addon that was sent to me by its creator, JerichoHM, that made missing a skill point because of forgetting to train a thing of the past. Now, Jericho sends me another email discussing his newest addon called iLvLr, which adds new information about an item's ilevel and durability percentage to the character pane. Addons that add to the already existing user interface are some of my favorites, since I don't have to clutter up the screen with new pictures, boxes, and other crud.

Continue reading Addon Spotlight: Gear levels at a glance with iLvLr

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Addon Spotlight: Gear levels at a glance with iLvLr originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Replacing Raeli’s Spell Announcer

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

We might occasionally forget that the addon community is comprised of real live human beings from time to time, when these wonders of science and technology shield our eyes from the truth -- mere mortals made these addons, and we love them for it. However, as humans do, addon creators move on from their Lua toils and leave behind their creations either to be picked up by new project managers or to rot in the sun. Readers ask me all the time what alternatives there are to favorite addons that have been discontinued or no longer updated by their creators. Let's find some alternatives, shall we?

Tivoni of the Shadowsong (EU) server sent me an email professing her love for Raeli's Spell Announcer and the sad fact that the creator of this amazing addon, Raeli from Arathor (EU), was quitting WoW and his addon work. It's always a shame to see a great addon creator leave for different worlds or new work -- but there are people out there willing to pick up the pieces, and there are already alternatives out there.

Continue reading Addon Spotlight: Replacing Raeli's Spell Announcer

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Addon Spotlight: Replacing Raeli's Spell Announcer originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Loot addons 2

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

There's a whole lotta loot going around these days, if you haven't noticed. New loot, loot that looks like tentacles, armor pieces, armor set pieces, transmogrification gear, upgrade gear, heroic gear, Raid Finder loot ... you name it, it's dropping. As players complete the Dragon Soul raid on every difficulty, they are learning what a nightmare loot can be in a raiding environment. Let's make loot a bit more manageable, yes?

Loot addons are a fun category of addon to talk about because they don't really clog up your screen or add much to the user interface in a notable way -- well, until you open up a chest full of loot and you get to clicking.

teksLoot

Yes, teksLoot still works. Sure, it hasn't been updated in almost a year. It's still one of my favorite addons, dammit. I'll be using teksLoot until it horribly falls apart in my hands, reduced to a small mound of dust at my feet ... clinging to the last, hopeless rolls I will make in the Raid Finder for that cool sword off of Madness of Deathwing.

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Addon Spotlight: Loot addons 2 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Hermes, Extra Button, and the mature language filter addon

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

One of the most often asked-about topics around these parts concerns the issue of raid cooldowns. A raid leader armed with sufficient knowledge and a knack for planning can orchestrate a cooldown rotation like no other. His excellence could only be improved by a cooldown monitor, allowing that intrepid leader to see what was at his disposal. Many players ask me where to find such a display. This week's Addon Spotlight pick is just the ticket. Allow me to introduce you to Hermes, a wonderful little addon that knows who has what raid cooldowns available.

But first, we need to talk about a pressing issue, a dire matter that has threatened the very virtual world we inhabit. I am of course talking about the worst bug in the history of bugs: an eternal mature language filter.

Let's fix that too, shall we?

Continue reading Addon Spotlight: Hermes, Extra Button, and the mature language filter addon

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Addon Spotlight: Hermes, Extra Button, and the mature language filter addon originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Patch 4.3 news, fixes, and troublemakers

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

After a fairly smooth patch launch, Hour of Twilight is in full swing, with players Raid Findering and getting ready for the Darkmoon Faire. On the whole, patch 4.3 did not give us many of the UI errors and mishaps we've come to expect from a big patch such as Hour of Twilight, but there were some bumps along the road.

Most players' concerns were dealt with by clicking that magic little box, Load Out of Date Addons, found at the top right-hand corner of the addon menu at character select. By choosing to load out-of-date addons, you let the game bypass restrictions and let addons that probably don't have any problems continue running in the new patch 4.3 environment. If your game isn't loading, turn off your addons and load only a few at a time until you find the culprit. There are a few specific addons that were causing people trouble, so check them out below if you've still got some problems.

Remember, update your addons first! OK, now you can continue reading.

Continue reading Addon Spotlight: Patch 4.3 news, fixes, and troublemakers

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Addon Spotlight: Patch 4.3 news, fixes, and troublemakers originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patch 4.3: Addon survival guide

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

Every patch is coupled with potential problems for all of our favorite addons and utilities we've added to our game throughout the years. With a few simple precautions, you can be relatively free of addon issues on patch day. Here's a quick checklist that you should follow in order to be ready for patch 4.3 with as few problems as possible.
  • Back up your interface folders. Copy your interface and WTF folder in the WoW directory somewhere safe outside of the WoW directory itself. Just make a folder somewhere on your hard drive called WoW Interface Backups and copy and paste in your interface and WTF folders. Don't move anything -- just copy. Backups are always good to have.
  • Update your addons to alpha or beta versions. Many addons allow you to download alpha or beta versions that aren't release versions but have had work done on the PTR to make them patch-ready. If you use an addon updater like the Curse client, right-click on an addon to select the release you prefer. I prefer alpha or beta releases, since they're the most up to date. They are potentially unstable, however. For patch days, you'll want the newest versions. Upgrade to those alpha or beta versions, but be sure to have a backup!
  • Did I mention backing up your interface folder? Do it.
  • On patch day, remember to hit "Load out-of-date addons." Loading out-of-date addons is a big deal. While some of your outdated addons will need updating, some of them might still work. If one of your addons hasn't been updated on Curse or WoW Interface, it might not have needed an update at all.
With a little preventive maintenance on your end, you can experience a relatively painless patch transition and be ready to group and raid on Tuesday.
Addons are what we do on Addon Spotlight. If you're new to mods, Addons 101 will walk you through the basics; see what other players are doing at Reader UI of the Week. If there's a mod you think Addon Spotlight should take a look at, email mat@wowinsider.com.

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Patch 4.3: Addon survival guide originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patch 4.3: Addon survival guide

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

Every patch is coupled with potential problems for all of our favorite addons and utilities we've added to our game throughout the years. With a few simple precautions, you can be relatively free of addon issues on patch day. Here's a quick checklist that you should follow in order to be ready for patch 4.3 with as few problems as possible.
  • Back up your interface folders. Copy your interface and WTF folder in the WoW directory somewhere safe outside of the WoW directory itself. Just make a folder somewhere on your hard drive called WoW Interface Backups and copy and paste in your interface and WTF folders. Don't move anything -- just copy. Backups are always good to have.
  • Update your addons to alpha or beta versions. Many addons allow you to download alpha or beta versions that aren't release versions but have had work done on the PTR to make them patch ready. If you use an addon updater like the Curse client, right-click on an addon to select the release you prefer. I prefer alpha or beta releases, since they're the most up-to-date. They are potentially unstable, however. For patch days, you'll want the newest versions. Upgrade to those alpha or beta versions, but be sure to have a backup!
  • Did I mention backing up your interface folder? Do it.
  • On patch day, remember to hit "Load out-of-date addons." Loading out-of-date addons is a big deal. While some of your outdated addons will need updating, some of them might still work. If one of your addons hasn't been updated on Curse or WoW Interface, it might not have needed an update at all.
With a little preventative maintenance on your end you can experience a relatively painless patch transition and be ready to group and raid on Tuesday.
Addons are what we do on Addon Spotlight. If you're new to mods, Addons 101 will walk you through the basics; see what other players are doing at Reader UI of the Week. If there's a mod you think Addon Spotlight should take a look at, email mat@wowinsider.com.

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Patch 4.3: Addon survival guide originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Mailbag 4

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

Addon Spotlight is here on Thanksgiving to wish all celebrating a happy time with your families or food or both. I am going to eat myself stupid and worry about the consequences later. Until then, you all have sent in many questions about addons or looking for specific addons, so maybe it's time to clear out my old Addon Mailbag. If you'd like to send me a question about an addon, it's a very easy thing to do. Send all emails to mat@wowinsider.com, and have a little something about addons in the subject line -- it helps tremendously with the sorting.

Minimap hell

Our first email comes from Drasu, and he is sick and tired of all those damn minimap buttons getting in the way. Those minimap buttons can get out of hand very quickly, especially when you go on an addon-installing bender late at night, not thinking straight, and you wake up with a mess of a minimap. Let's see if we can help the poor guy out.
Hey Mat,

Love your Addon articles.

One thing that I am desperately looking for is an addon that does one thing and one thing only: manage my mini-map buttons. Even after shutting off my non-essential mini-map buttons, I find it very difficult to manage the Blizzard default buttons and the remaining addon buttons without them overlapping or completely hiding one another. Any suggestions?

Drasu from Kael'thas
Thanks for the email, Drasu. You have the same concern out there as so many people, man. Those minimap buttons pile up, stack on top of each other, and force you to drag and move everything in order to get to the one little circle you need. It's a pain in the butt, truly. I've got two options for you to help you with your minimap button troubles.

Continue reading Addon Spotlight: Mailbag 4

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Addon Spotlight: Mailbag 4 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Grab bag 6, the grabbiest bag

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

It has been quite a while since I've done an Addon Spotlight grab bag article to throw all these little baby utilities and useful addons at you. It's like Addon Christmas and I am jolly ol' Saint Addon, ready to toss presents under your interface folder. Hilarious, I know.

If you've got a recommendation for an Addon Grab bag article or an addon you want to share with the rest of the world, send your recommendations to mat@wowinsider.com with Addon Spotlight in the title. That means it won't get lost in the "buy WoW gold now" or "Mat, why aren't you answering my emails, it's your baby" filters. Recommend your favorite addons!

Show My DPS

Simple and to the point, Show My DPS shows you your DPS. Shocker, right? Slow down, Slick -- let's talk about why you might want to install this addon either as a complementary addon to Skada/Recount or just by itself.

Continue reading Addon Spotlight: Grab bag 6, the grabbiest bag

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Addon Spotlight: Grab bag 6, the grabbiest bag originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Addon Spotlight: Commenters’ favorite addons

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Each week, WoW Insider's Mathew McCurley brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs as well as Addon Spotlight, which focuses on the backbone of the WoW gameplay experience: the user interface. Everything from bags to bars, buttons to DPS meters and beyond -- your addons folder will never be the same.

Thank you to everyone who commented on last week's Addon Spotlight with your favorite addon for a chance to win the Razer Nostromo that I've been rocking for a few weeks. Hopefully the winner of this piece of hardware will find as many uses for it as I did during my time reviewing it. You all had an incredibly diverse array of addons that you deemed your favorites, and I was not surprised at the direction those suggestions took. Today, I'll pull a bunch of commenters' suggestions, and we can give those addons a quick rundown and see which are your most recommended.

Altoholic Altoholic had a huge showing in the comments, as people attested to its robustness for making sense of a huge stable of alts. It is no surprise that WoW players are invested in their game and even me, master of hating alts and having trouble playing any other character than my designated main, have alts and appreciate addons that make managing them easier.

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Addon Spotlight: Commenters' favorite addons originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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