Reader UI of the Week: Andrea's UI
World of Warcraft allows an unprecedented ability to modify the user interface to meet our needs. Each week WoW Insider will bring you a fresh look at reader submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send it to us, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@gmail.com.
Andrea, whom you may already know from the blog Altoholics Are Us (where you can find more UI discussion), sent us this UI. Says Andrea, "Since I play a lot of alts, having one that works for them all is important to me." And how does one keep these many addons up to date and working? Andrea also advises WowMatrix, a third party application which will automagically download and updated versions of any addons you're using.
For the details on the exact addons involved, read on!
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The addons used to make the above include the following, as described by Andrea (with the occasional addition):
SpartanUI: This makes the pretty bar display (the gray bar along the bottom of the screeninto which other UI elements fit). It's a complete package, including unitframes and button bars (Bartender4, to be specific), amongst other things. It's self-configuring, and requires no help from the user -- just install and go.
AtlasLoot: Displays the possible drops from all bosses, and gives information on badge items, rep items, and PvP gear. I use this to research which instance I'd like to go to, and what gear I am aiming for.
Auctioneer: An addon that scans the auction house and keeps a database of prices for you, which you can use as a reference for posting your own auctions later. (Though it sounds rather dry, it is a must-have for anyone interested in playing the AH.)
Bartender4: If you downloaded SpartanUI, it is included with the package. However, if you didn't, you can get the same effect on your own using this addon. It allows you to completely customize the size, shape, and location of your button bars.
Bejeweled: You likely didn't even notice that I had this one. I love Bejeweled, and now I get to play it whenever I am dead or in flight. Also has its own achievements.
BigWigs: A mod that displays the cooldowns and abilities of dungeon and raid bosses. Helpful when you want to know what to expect. (You may need to download additional mods to get warnings for older dungeons and raid content.)
Cartographer: A map mod that shows all locations and places of interest in a nice clear and easy to read manner.
Combuctor: An all in one bag, Successor to Bagnon.
Decursive: Purify/Cleanse/Dispell/Etc for dummies. Puts a small clickable box on the screen when a decurse is needed. Just click the box!
Elkano's BuffBars: Replacement bars that display buffs/debuffs in a larger, easier to read row of bars. (Along the right-hand side of the screen.)
Enchantrix - Displays what items are likely to disenchant into. Wonderful for deciding to DE or sell. (Often bundled with Auctioneer.)
FuBar – A toolbar that displays across the top (and/or bottom) of the screen that you can add a variety of informational modules (or "Fus") to. This UI includes:
HealBot: A one-click healing mod. This makes it possible to never deselect a target but still heal others. Assign heals to a certain mouse button and go.
IceHUD: Heads Up Display located in the middle of the UI. Gives information about your own Health/Mana/Energy/Rage and also gives information on pets and enemies.
Informant: Displays detailed information in the tooltip. (Also often bundled with Auctioneer.
Lightheaded: Attaches to your quest log and gives you extra information about each quest from Wowhead.
MikScrollingBattleText: Scrolling combat text that appears on either side of the HUD. Includes information that happens to you, to the mob, to your pet, and displays crits. (Though the default interface has its own scrolling combat text options, third-party addons tend to offer more customization options.)
Omen: Threat meter. Shows how far ahead (or behind) you are in threat on a specific mob. Useful for avoiding pulling aggro.
PallyPower: Buffing made easy for Paladins. Assign what class gets what buff and click on the box.
Prat: Chat modifier mod. Allows for more customization of the chat frame.
QuestHelper: Gives information about where quest-related mobs and items are. Also includes routing to help you quest efficiently. Goes best with Cartographer.
RatingBuster: Takes all of the Agi/Str/Mp5/Etc on pieces of gear and converts it to a easy to understand info in a tooltip below the item. A must have for anyone!
Recount: A damage meter that displays who does how much damage/healing/etc (and can also easily communicate this data to others). Useful to seeing how you do compared to others.
tekJunkSeller: Allows you to sell all gray items to a vendor upon opening a merchant window. Requires no extra action.
TomTom: Displays an arrow pointing the way to your next objective for a quest or to a waypoint you enter in. Works great with QuestHelper.
WIM: Takes your tells and puts them into instant messenger style windows.
That's all for this week! But with this, and many other recent UIs, using Elkano's BuffBars, we'd love to see some UIs with different buff mods -- or using Elkano in different ways. Have an unusual or interesting buff display? Send it our way at readerui@gmail.com!
Interested in getting the most out of your user interface? Check back once a week for more examples of reader UIs! Or for more details on individual addons, check out AddOn Spotlight.
